Hoplite

Hoplite
Production information
Manufacturer	Martinson Armaments
Model	HOP-4D
Class	Medium
Cost	4,444,108 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	55 tons
Chassis	Star League HO-01a
Armor	DuraShield 12-b.1
Engine	DAV 220
Speed	64.8 km/h
Armament	1xLB-X Autocannon/10 1xLRM-5
BV (1.0)	865
BV (2.0)	1,022

Description

Conceived by Martinson Armaments of Terra as a infantry support 'Mech in 2578, the Hoplite first saw service with the newly formed Star League Defense Force in the Reunification War before being relegated to Terran Hegemony militia units in the twenty-seventh century.

While every last 'Mech in the Inner Sphere was destroyed during the Amaris Crisis and the early Succession Wars, Aleksandr Kerensky's SLDF exiles found the simple and rugged design ideal to manufacture to bolster their forces in the months prior to the Exodus Civil War. Selected by the Wolf's Dragoons in the belief that the ancient design wouldn't arouse undue attention, it had the complete opposite effect and only raised more questions as to the Dragoons origins. After the mercenaries cut ties with the Clan Homeworlds in 3020, they also lost access to replacement Hoplites, with attrition bringing the design close to extinction by the Jihad.

Intended for infantry support, the Hoplite is a slow but rugged design that can fight its way out of most situations with its impressive firepower for its size. While its top speed of 64.8 km/h is slow for a medium 'Mech, this is balanced out by an impressive arsenal as well as an impressive amount of armor for a 'Mech of its size with eleven and a half tons of armor.

Armament

Refitted by the Dragoons after the Inner Sphere's recovery of the Helm Memory Core, the HOP-4D Hoplite is armed with an impressive Mydron Excel LB-X Autocannon/10 which allows it to fire either standard rounds or cluster rounds which are similar to the blast from a shotgun, only on a 'Mech scale. For a secondary weapon, the Hoplite carries a Conan/5 LRM-5 launcher, which also allows it to keep the enemy at long ranges. Carrying two tons of autocannon ammunition, one more than the 4C, and one ton of missiles reloads forces the design to remain close to supply lines.

Variants

• HOP-4A - The original Reunification War era model, save for using an older Dalban Sniper targeting and tracking system it was all but identical to the 4C.

• HOP-4B - The 4B variant of the Hoplite is an early variant of the 'Mech that attempts to both alleviate its ammunition dependence for its primary weapon, as well as increase its long range damage potential. This is done by mounting a Magna Hellstar PPC as the primary weapon that is backed up by a massive Mitchell Systems LRM-15 launcher with two tons of reloads, giving it excellent long range and indirect fire support capabilities. BV (1.0) = 994, BV (2.0) = 1,162

• HOP-4Bb - Essentially a "Royal" variant in everything but name, the "Double B" Hoplite was put into production on Strana Mechty MechWorks and Eden Weaponry Consolidated just before the death of Aleksandr Kerensky and found its way both into the forces of the Pentagon Powers and the infant toumans of the Clans. Keeping the LRM rack of the 4B, the "Double B" upgrades the launcher with an Artemis IV system, swaps the PPC for an extended range model, and increases the 'Mech's survivability with a Guardian ECM system, CASE in both torsos, double heat sinks, and an anti-missile system. However, the design's speed and armor were not upgraded, enforcing the need to deploy the 4BB as a fire-support unit. BV (1.0) = ???, BV (2.0) = 1,413.

• HOP-4C - The original Hoplite, the 4C carries as its primary weapon an Luxor HV Autocannon/10, which allows it to put a good amount of damage on a target with a low amount of heat. The 'Mech is also armed with an Conan/5 LRM-5 launcher. BV (1.0) = 836, BV (2.0) = 986

• HOP-4Cb - <A Hell's Horses field refit from Operation KLONDIKE, theThe 4Cb removes the weapons, electronics suite, and a heat sink in favor of a Gauss rifle, SRM-6, and Ferro-Fibrous armor. BV (1.0) = ???, BV (2.0) = 1,366.

• HOP-4X - Developed by Arc-Royal MechWorks in the midst of the Jihad, the extensively modified HOP-4X variant utilizes experimental Inner Sphere and Clan technologies. Built on a Composite Internal Structure supplied by Coventry Metal Works, IS grade double heat sinks, CASE and Ferro-Fibrous armor enhance protection and combat ability while an 275 rated Light Fusion Engine boosts the Hoplites speed by 10 km/ph. While the body is Inner Sphere tech, the weaponry however is all Clan: the original autocannon and missile launcher combination is replaced by a Clan Rotary AC/5 and Streak LRM-15, supplied with three tons of autocannon munitions and two of Streak missile reloads. A Clan Light Active Probe completes the package. BV (2.0) = 1,946

• Hoplite C - Developed after the Battle of Luthien, the Hoplite C is a variant exclusively used by the Wolf's Dragoons that uses all Clan technology. Clad in ten tons of Ferro-Fibrous and fitted with double heat sinks, the 'Mech carries as its primary weapon an Ultra Autocannon/10. This is supported for long-range engagements by an LRM-15 launcher and for close range combat the 'Mech carries two Medium Pulse Lasers and an ER Medium Laser. BV (1.0) = 1,455, BV (2.0) = 1,736

Gallery

• 

  HOP-4D Hoplite

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  HOP-4D Hoplite in Motion

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  HOP-4X Hoplite in Motion

Bibliography

• Battlepack Fourth Succession War
• Combat Operations
• Experimental Technical Readout: Mercs
• Historical: Operation KLONDIKE
• Master Unit List.pdf
• Record Sheets: 3050
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)
• Record Sheets: Upgrades
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Wolf's Dragoons
• Record Sheets: Operation KLONDIKE