Groundhog

Groundhog.jpg
CEX-205 Groundhog
Production information
Manufacturer Blue Shot Weapons
Equipment Rating E/X-X-E
Use Combat Engineering
Solaris Exoskeleton Combat
Weight Class Exoskeleton
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Cost ??? C-bills
Introduced 3062
Technical specifications
Mass 400 kg
Top Speed 30 km/h
Armament

None

Armor Type Standard
BV (1.0) ???
BV (2.0) 7[1]


Description

The CEX-205 Groundhog was a Solaris VII produced exoskeleton designed for combat in arenas and on the battlefield in a support role. First developed in 3062[2] by Blue Shot Weapons, modular adapters added to the exoskeleton's manipulators allow it to switch to multiple roles.[3][4]

It was unclear if the Groundhog continued in production after Blake Invasion of Solaris VII of 3068.[5] Later intelligence discovered that the Groundhog was discontinued in 3071 due to heavy damage to the Blue Shot Weapons factory.[6]

There were persistent rumors that Blue Shot Weapons was experimenting with a Groundhog variant that mounted jump jets, but with their plant nearly destroyed, this "Leapfrog" suit never entered production.[4]

Weapons and Equipment

The Groundhog is equipped with pair of Modular Adapter type "hands". The Modular Adapters have two slots to accept wide range of tools including: Armored Gloves, Basic Manipulators, Cargo Lifters, Industrial Drills, Mine Clearance, and Salvage Arm. The Cargo Lifter gives the Exoskeleton 1 ton lifting capacity. It is features a Searchlight and Mission Equipment Storage unit with capacity upwards to 145 kilograms.[3]

The skeleton is protected by 100 kilograms of Standard armor and has capacity reaching 30 kilometers hour.[3]

While equipped with Basic Manipulators and Armored Glove modules, the suit can conduct anti-'mech swarm and leg attacks. The suite may use standard infantry weaponry and equipment only when using the Basic Manipulators.[3]

The Groundhog has the equipment rating of D/X-X-C/C.[3]

Custom Variants

  • Master Thief 
    This Groundhog reduces the armor protection by half and instead mounts a Battle Armor Myomer Booster. It has twenty kilograms of Mission Storage equipment, more than enough room to store the cash and precious stones sought by Frank Otega, noted thief and the armor's owner.[7] BV (2.0) = 4[8]

Design Quirks

The Groundhog is subject of the following Design Quirks:[4]

The Goundhog "Master Thief" variant is subject to the following Design Quirk:[7]

Notes

References

  1. Record Sheets: Vehicle Annex, IndustrialMechs & Exoskeletons, pp. 9-14
  2. MUL Profile for Groundhog Exosuit - Introduction Year.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex, p. 182, "Groundhog Exoskeleton Profile"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised, p. 186
  5. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, pp. 25-26, "Blue Shot Weapons reduced to 8% production capacity after invasion and occupation during Operation Showtime".
  6. Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised, p. 180
  7. 7.0 7.1 Experimental Technical Readout: Most Wanted, p. 14
  8. Experimental Technical Readout: Most Wanted, p. 27

Bibliography