Gladiator (BattleMech)

For the Clan Battlemech that was designated Gladiator by the Inner Sphere, please see Executioner.

Gladiator
Production information
Manufacturer	New Samarkand Armor Works, Merryweather Industries
Production Year	2487
Model	GLD-4R
Class	Medium
Cost	5,002,057 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	55 tons
Chassis	MW240
Armor	Kemplar 5000
Engine	Core Tek 275
Communications System	Fujika Multiband
Speed	86 km/h
Jump Jets	GE-220
Armament	1x PPC 1x SRM-6 2x Medium Lasers
BV (1.0)	??
BV (2.0)	1,291

Description

The first homegrown BattleMech produced by the Draconis Combine was the Gladiator. The 55-ton 'Mech took seven years to design, as Coordinator Kozo Von Rohrs refused to open up the process to anybody but a select group at New Samarkand Armor Works (the predecessor of Luthien Armor Works) who were under constant surveillance by DEST. 2468 finally saw the GLD-1R Gladiator hit mass-production. Following the Battle of Nox in 2475, the dishonored 'Mech was retired from official production as quickly as possible.

Merryweather Industries was the first private company to attempt BattleMech production without governmental support. Despite their location in the Terran Hegemony, they acquired the plans to the Gladiator and produced a new run in 2490. They were unable to raise the capital to finish their second run, the 4R, and nearly went bankrupt before moving into IndustrialMechs.

The 55-ton Gladiator has a top speed of 86 km/h, comparable to many other 'Mechs of the same weight. Nine and a half tons of armor provides a respectable amount of protection. Five jump jets enables the 'Mech to jump up to 150 meters at a time.

Armament

A Lord's Light P1 PPC provides long range firepower. Two Argra 1L Medium Lasers is just as powerful up close and adds a Thunderstroke SRM-6 to exploit any holes in an enemy's armor.

Variants

Old Gladiator, likely GLD-1R

• GLD-1R - The original Gladiator used primitive technologies, so it only had a Large Laser and two Medium Lasers. In addition, it could only manage a top speed around 64 km/h. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,027

• GLD-2R - A more modern variant that still used some primitive technologies, the 2R upgraded the top speed of the 1R to 86 km/h. Few of these were ever fielded, as the design was apparently just a test bed for the newer technologies. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,245

• GLD-3R - The test platform for Merryweather, the 3R upgraded the Large Laser to two LRM-10s. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,282

• GLD-5R - The 5R is an upgraded variant that was unveiled by StarCorps Industries after a Gladiator fielded by Major Alex Keller of the Devil's Brigade that utilized cutting-edge and experimental technology gained notoriety. The production model is powered by a bigger Light Fusion Engine. Improved jump jets, which been installed onto major Keller 'mech, been omitted in favor of standard version, and a C3i Computer allows the 'Mech to share targeting telemetry with like-equipped units. It is armed with a Snub-Nose PPC, two ER Medium Lasers, and an MML-5 with Artemis IV Fire Control System to improve accuracy. Additional heat sinks help to alleviate heat problems. This version have a 9,5 ton of standard armor plates, which places it in par with older 55-ton trio. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,345

• Keller's GLD-1R refit - This mech have a 220-rated engine modernised to the Light Fusion Engine with supercharger, which can add some speed. Mech also have six Improved jump jets, and C3i Computer, which allows the 'Mech to share targeting telemetry with like-equipped units. It is armed with a Snub-Nose PPC, equpped with PPC Capacitor, two ER Medium Lasers, and an MML-5 with 2 tons of different ammo. Eleven heat sinks is barely adequate for mechs's heat problems. Mech also have almost full armor protection for it's size. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,345

 

Bibliography

• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Technical Readout: 3075
• Record Sheets: 3075
• Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged