Grasshopper

Grasshopper
Grasshopper
Production information
Manufacturer Lantren Corporation
Jalastar Aerospace [1]
Arc-Royal MechWorks [2]
LexaTech Industries [2]
Production Year 2780[3][4]
Model GHR-5H
Class Heavy
Cost 6,024,574 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 70 tons
Chassis Mingh z33/7
Armor Maximillian 100
Engine VOX 280
Communications System Allet-C308
Speed 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets Lexington Lifters
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,268[5]
BV (2.0) 1,427[6]

Description

Originally intended as a stealthy hunter-killer of light and medium 'Mechs, the Grasshopper entered service in 2780, after hostilities had wound down in the Amaris Civil War. With the SLDF demobilizing, much of the Grasshopper`s original high-tech systems were stripped before it went into production. What was left was a heavy BattleMech with great mobility and a predominately shorter-ranged, energy-based weaponry. The 'Mech's ground speed of 64.8 km/h is augmented by a jumping capability of one hundred and twenty meters. The Grasshopper`s weapons systems allow the Grasshopper to perform a variety of roles besides light 'Mech hunting, and its low dependence on ammunition allows the Grasshopper to operate away from established supply lines for extended periods of time.[4]

Armament

The Grasshopper carries a Diplan HD Large Laser as its primary weapon. The Large Laser's firepower is augmented at long range by a Conan/S LRM-5 launcher. For close range combat, the Grasshopper carries four Diplan M3 Medium Lasers, giving it a great deal of close range firepower.[7]

Variants

  • GHR-5J - An upgrade of the Grasshopper using Star League technology, the 5J upgrades the Large Laser to an ER Large Laser and replaces the LRM-5 launcher with a Streak SRM-2 missile launcher and an Anti-Missile System. Finally, the 'Mech has reduced the number of Medium Lasers from four to two. BV (1.0) = 1,217[5], BV (2.0) = 1,354[8]
  • GHR-5N - the 5N is a very basic upgrade of the Grasshopper. The LRM-5 and the Large Laser have both been removed from the design. In their place, a PPC has been added, as well as an additional Medium Laser. BV (1.0) = 1,316[5][9], BV (2.0) = 1,511[citation needed]
  • GHR-6K - The 6K variant of the Grasshopper upgrades the design by using an Endo Steel chassis and the 'Mech`s heat sinks have been upgraded to double heat sinks. The LRM-5 launcher has been replaced with a Guided Technologies 2nd Generation Streak SRM-4 missile launcher and the 'Mech carries five Medium Pulse Lasers for close range combat. For long-range situations, the Grasshopper carries an ER Large Laser. The 'Mech also carries a C3 slave unit to allow it to share targeting data with friendly units. BV (1.0) = 1,484[5][10], BV (2.0) = 1,597[11]
  • GHR-7K - An upgrade of the 6K, the 7K removes the weapons with an eye toward making the Grasshopper independent of supply concerns. Two Light PPCs provide long-range firepower, while short-range firepower is provided by twin Snub-Nose PPCs. An ER Medium Laser takes the place of one of the 6K's heat sinks. The addition of a Guardian ECM Suite makes this Grasshopper a difficult-to-detect guerrilla fighter. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,806[11]
  • GHR-C - A basic modification of the 5J model, the Grasshopper C carries a C3 slave unit to allow it to be integrated into a C3 lance and share targeting data with friendly units. To accomplish this, the Streak SRM-2 ammunition has been reduced by one ton. BV (1.0) = 1,219[5], (1,234)[12], BV (2.0) = 1,366[11]

Custom Variants

  • GHR-7K Gravedigger - BV (2.0) = 2,084[14]
  • Grasshopper Reynolds - The customised Grasshopper used by 3rd Davion Guards Hauptmann Reynolds Allen when he commanded the Allen's Animals raiding company during Operation Bird Dog, [15]to help him hold out against Clan Smoke Jaguar forces on Luzerne his 'Mech's standard weapons were replaced with a trio of Clan-Tech ER Large Lasers mounted in the head and center torso supported by a Clan ER Medium Laser mounted in each arm and side torso. The remaining free weight was devoted to IS-grade double heat sinks. BV (2.0) = 2,344 [16]
  • GHR-7X - A Jihad era experimental prototype developed on Arc-Royal, this version used a Torso-Mounted Cockpit, Light Engine, and Endo Steel skeleton as the frame to carry six Improved Jump Jets. The standard weaponry is replaced with a head mounted Medium Pulse Laser and a Bombast Laser in each arm. To find its opponents, the head also carries a Bloodhound Active Probe. [17] Even after the refined GHR-7P entered production, ARM still produced a small number of GHR-7X Grasshoppers in response to customer requests. Even so, less than ten GHR-7X's were ever manufactured, with the two original prototypes lost on Rochelle. [2] BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1587[18]

Design Quirks

The GHR-7P Grasshopper variant is subject of the following Design Quirks:[2]

Gallery

  • GHR-5H Grasshopper in combat

  • GHR-5J Grasshopper in battle

  • GHR-5J Grasshopper

  • Mercenary Grasshopper

  • Experimental Grasshopper.jpg

    GHR-7X Grasshopper jumping

  • GHR-5H Grasshopper

  • GHR-5H Grasshopper

References

  1. ↑ Handbook: House Davion, p. 188
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 129
  3. ↑ MUL online date for the Grasshopper
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 150
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Combat Operations, p. 121, 125
  6. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 155
  7. ↑ Introductory Record Sheets, p. 20
  8. ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 81
  9. ↑ 'Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 120
  10. ↑ 'Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 121
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 100
  12. ↑ Record Sheets: 3060, p. 180
  13. ↑ Record Sheets: Prototypes, p. 70
  14. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p.196
  15. ↑ Historical Turning Point: Luzerne, p. 3 "Introduction"
  16. ↑ Historical Turning Point: Luzerne, p. 18 "Grasshopper Reynolds"
  17. ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Mercs, p. 5
  18. ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Mercs, p. 18

Bibliography

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