Dark Crow

Dark Crow
Production information
Manufacturer	Industrial Complex Alpha
Production Year	3084
Class	Medium
Technical specifications
Mass	55 tons
Chassis	SR3084/b Endo Steel
Armor	Forging C629/j
Engine	Fusion 330 Extralight
Communications System	GBX Series Integrated
Targeting Tracking System	Tokasha B4-T&T
Heat Sinks	10 Double Heat Sinks
Speed	97 km/h
Armament	2x Ultra AC/5s 1x ER Large Laser 1x SRM 6
BV (2.0)	1,594

Description

The Dark Crow is a Clan Snow Raven Second Line BattleMech, which was produced only at its Inner Sphere facilities in the Outworlds Alliance after the Jihad. Named after a strange cave-dwelling bird found on Dante, the 'Mech has proven to be a popular design among Second Line troops.

Weapons and Equipment

The 'Mech's principle weaponry is its two Type 31 Class 5 Ultra Autocannons, each found in its rather unusual mid-torso arms. Augmenting the Autocannon duo at closer ranges is a single 6-tubed Short-Range Missile launcher found in the right torso. The 'Mechs' left torso-mounted Extended Range Large Laser is generally utilized for long-range attacks and sniping. The Dark Crow has been fitted with ten double heat sinks to handle its movement and weapons heat. Four tons of ammunition supply this 'Mech's Autocannon pair, and a single ton of ammunition feeds its missile launcher system.

Protecting the Dark Crow's hull is eight tons of Standard Armor, which has been criticized for being thinner than that of most typical Medium 'Mechs of its size. An Endo-Steel frame helps free some weight in order to mount the 'Mech's equipment.

Variants

• Dark Crow 2 

  This variant transforms the Dark Crow into a mobile anti-aircraft platform. In place of the 'Mech's Ultra ACs is a pair of LB 5-X Autocannons. The SRM-6 launcher is replaced with a Targeting Computer, for higher accuracy, and an ER Small Laser. The Standard variant's ER Large Laser is retained in place. BV(2.0)=1,575

• Dark Crow 3 

  Developed by Clan Snow Raven's "S-Teams", which have used Experimental Technology to create their usual space-capable variant of a 'Mech - this time of the Dark Crow. This variant uses experimental arm-mounted Clan Class 2 Rotary Autocannons and side torso-mounted Improved Heavy Medium Lasers. To fit this new equipment, the 'Mech makes use of a fragile XXL Fusion Engine and Endo-Composite Structure. Armor protection has been greatly enhanced thanks to the use of Ferro-Lamellor Armor rather than Standard Armor. For its usage in space, the 'Mech has been given eight Jump Jets, a single Liquid Storage tank holding additional reaction mass, and experimental Partial Wings. The Jump Jets and Partial Wing system allow the Dark Crow 3 to cover 240 meters in a single leap. BV(2.0)=1,524

• Dark Crow 4 

  This variant of the Dark Crow appears to be a hybrid of the original Dark Crow and the Dark Crow 2. Most of the weaponry is the same as in the original model - the only exception is the ER Large Laser, which has been replaced with a standard Heavy Medium Laser and an advanced Targeting Computer, a configuration similar to that found on the Dark Crow 2. Eight tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor protects the Dark Crow 4. BV (2.0) = 1,538

Bibliography

• Record Sheets: 3085 Print Edition
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge
• Technical Readout: 3085