Grand Dragon

Grand Dragon
Grand Dragon
Production information
Manufacturer Luthien Armor Works
Production Year 3024[1]
Model DRG-5K
Class Heavy
Cost 13,354,880 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 60 tons
Chassis Alshain Type 56-60H
Armor Starshield
Engine Hermes 360 XL
Speed 97.2 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,183[2]
BV (2.0) 1,356[3]


Description

The Grand Dragon is the successful follow-up to the Dragon BattleMech. The 'Mech is built to engage an enemy at long range with a low ammunition dependence. The 'Mech is capable of reaching ground speeds of up to 97.2 km/h. It is also equipped with double heat sinks to dissipate the large amounts of heat produced by its impressive weapons array and is armored with ten tons of armor and CASE to increase MechWarrior survivability in case of an ammunition explosion.

Armament

The Grand Dragon carries a Lord's Light 2 ER PPC as its primary weapon. The ER PPC is backed up by a Telos DecaCluster LRM-10, which gives the 'Mech an impressive and formidable long-range striking capability. If a 'Mech gets into close ranges, the 'Mech carries three Victory 23R Medium Lasers for defense.

Variants

  • DRG-1G - Arguably the original Grand Dragon, this 'Mech is itself a variant of the original Dragon 'Mech. The 'Mech is armed with a PPC and LRM-10 launcher. The 'Mech is also armed with a trio of Medium Lasers. The 'Mech is also capable of achieving a top speed of only 86.4 km/h. BV (1.0) = 997[2], BV (2.0) = 1,300[4]
  • DRG-1GKDC - A Grand Dragon variant was used as an arena fighter in the Solaris Games. It has dropped the rearward-firing medium laser in the left torso section to free up tonnage for a Dual Cockpit. (The canonicity of this design is questionable, as it was only published in the German edition of the Solaris VII Boxed Set.) BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = ??[citation needed]
  • DRG-7K - The 7K is built using an Endo Steel chassis. The 'Mech carries an XL Engine for power, which is linked to a MASC system. This allows the Grand Dragon to move at speeds of up to 129.6 km/h in short bursts. The 'Mech is armed with an ER PPC as its primary weapon. For support, the 'Mech carries an MRM-10 as its secondary weapon. The 'Mech also carries three ER Medium Lasers as close combat weapons, all of which are carried in the left arm to allow for the greatest range of fire. Finally, the 'Mech has a C3 slave unit that allows it to share targeting information with friendly units. BV (1.0) = 1,280[2], BV (2.0) = 1,702[5]
  • DRG-7KC - This variant is based on the 7K. It changes out the missile launcher for a MML-5 with two tons of ammunition and an experimental C3 Boosted Slave. Otherwise it is identical to the DRG-7K. BV (2.0) = 1,673[6]
  • DRG-9KC - Produced at the Luthien Armor Works plant on Nykvarn shortly after its opening in 3070, the 9KC was created for DCMS commanders who wanted to use a C3 network composed entirely of Grand Dragons. Though the 9KC is designed as a stand-off 'Mech, it is incredibly effective at close range. The 5K is used as a base, though the 9KC does not incorporate CASE. One rear-facing laser is removed and the missile launcher is replaced with an MML 5. The PPC is swapped out for a Snub-Nose PPC and the armor is now a more efficient Light Ferro-Fibrous weave. All of these weight-savings enable the inclusion of a C3 Master Computer. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,147[5]
  • DRG-C - Modified specifically to carry a C3 slave unit into combat, the -C is a modification of the DRG-5K. The 'Mech carries a C3 slave in the place of its rear-facing Medium Laser. While this does reduce the Grand Dragons short range firepower somewhat, it also makes the far more accurate when working in a C3 lance. BV (1.0) = 1,154[2], BV (2.0) = 1,322[5]
  • Dual Cockpit refit: The DRG-5K Grand Dragon is also the Draconis Combine's preferred 'Mech to install Dual Cockpits on. This standard refit sub-variant drops one medium laser (presumably the rear-firing laser, as with the DRG-1GKDC).

Custom Variants

  • DRG-1G Grand Dragon Emory - His Dragon receiving among the earliest new-tech "Grand" upgrades in the lead-up to the War of 3039, Sorenson's Sabres member Emory Wilk's Grand Dragon was rebuilt with less refined bulkier Endo Steel chassis and 3039 era double strength heat sinks, retaining only the Medium Laser and carrying a prototype ER Large Laser and Telos DecaCluster LRM-15 with two tons of reloads as its main weapons. [7]
  • DRG-7K Grand Dragon Mark - Assigned Wilk's 'Mech after his death in 3057, when piloted by Mark Kisomita during the Jihad it was refitted with post-Clan Invasion technology. Initially upgraded to the 7K standard, the use of Ferro-Fibrous armor and a Light Engine saves weight, while the LRM-15 is retained the standard medium is swapped for a single ER Medium while the prototype ER Large is replaced with a Heavy PPC. A C3 Slave Unit and MASC enhances its abilities in combat. [8]
  • DRG-1G Grand Dragon Douglas - This first generation Grand Dragon was customized by Team Banzai MechWarrior Douglas Running-Elk. Not keen on high temperatures, Douglas refitted his captured Grand Dragon to run with cooler weapons. He had the 'Mech's PPC removed for a Class 5 Autocannon with one ton of ammunition. He then downgraded its LRM Launcher to a 5 Rack with single ton of ammunition. He removed all the forward medium lasers and replaced them with a single 6-tubed Short Range Missile Launcher. BV (1.0) = 909[9]

Notable Pilots

Gallery

  • DRG-5K Grand Dragon in Motion

  • DRG-Dragon.png

References

  1. ↑ MUL online date for the Grand Dragon
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Combat Operations, p. 125
  3. ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 67
  4. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 139
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 100
  6. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 89
  7. ↑ Starterbook: Sword and Dragon, p. 42, 100
  8. ↑ Starterbook: Sword and Dragon, p. 111
  9. ↑ Record Sheets: Unique 'Mechs p. 7 - Grand Dragon Douglas - Custom Variant published by BattleCorps website.
  10. ↑ Luthien (scenario pack)
  11. ↑ Lethal Heritage

Bibliography

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