Jump Jet

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Jump Jet of the FLE-14 Flea Internal Arrangment

Developed by the Terran Hegemony in 2471 [1], thirty years after the introduction of the first BattleMech, the Mackie, and first appearing on the Wasp, Jump jets allow 'Mechs to navigate difficult terrain by rocketing over obstacles. Since their invention, jump jets have been adapted for use on other units.

'Mech Jump Jets

By harnessing the power of a 'Mech's fusion engine to superheat air or another suitable fluid, Jump Jets allow a BattleMech to briefly overcome gravity and rocket short distances over the battlefield.

Operational Details

Jump jets work in a similar, albeit more limited, fashion to the fusion rockets installed on Aerospace Fighters. Inside a magnetically shielded reaction chamber buried deep inside the 'Mech, an electron beam superheats a reaction mass and expels the expanding gases through nozzles located on the back of the 'Mech or in its legs. Reaction mass is commonly provided in the form of air forced into the reaction chamber by a system of turbo-compressors, but most 'Mechs have a small amount of alternate reaction mass, usually in the form of hydrogen, water or mercury, in order to facilitate operation in a vacuum and to reduce the wear on the jets from superheated oxygen when in an atmosphere that contains it[2]. The reaction mass provided by an atmosphere is effectively infinite, but the supplementary reaction mass carried on-board is limited by the number of thruster assemblies installed unless additional tankage is added to the 'Mech[3].

Because of the heat produced by jump jet activation and limited on-board fuel, jump jets can only maintain thrust for a few seconds. A far cry from flight, jump jets nevertheless allow a 'Mech to make short leaps sufficient enough to outmaneuver 'Mechs not similarly equipped or bypass obstacles and unfavorable terrain[2][1]. Care must be taken when jumping, however, as jumping causes heat buildup with even the shortest jump generating more heat than running, and damage to a 'Mech's gyro or leg actuators and joints can cause a 'Mech to fumble upon landing[4]. Owing to the inability of liquids to be compressed, submerged jump jets cannot be used lest the extreme pressure rupture the jet's casing[2][4].

Attacks by a Jumping 'Mech

Jumping makes a 'Mech harder to hit, but the accuracy of weapons fitted to the jumping 'Mech is also adversely affected[4]. In addition to standard weapons fire, a 'Mech with jump jets can perform a combat maneuver known as Death from Above, which involves it jumping into the air and attempting to land on an opponent. A successful DFA has the potential to crush an opposing 'Mech's head, but the maneuver risks damage to one's own 'Mech even if the attack is successful[5]. Another attack that has been known to be performed using jump jets nicknamed the "I Am Jade Falcon" maneuver uses the jets in a 'Mech's legs to torch an adjacent hostile[6].

Fitting Jump Jets

A 'Mech may have one or more jump jets installed; each thruster increases the 'Mech's maximum jump distance by 30 meters[4] but takes up space and weight on the 'Mech's frame. The mass of the jump jets is proportionate to the mass of the 'Mech they are installed on, owing to the increased power needed to move a more massive object and the maximum number of jump jets that a 'Mech can carry, and thus its maximum jump distance, is limited by the motive power provided by the 'Mech's engine[7]. Improved Jump Jets are also available, which take up twice the mass and space of standard jump jets, but produce less heat and allow for more nozzles to be fitted for a given engine allowing for a longer maximum jump distance[1][7]. Due to the power requirements, jump jets cannot function on a unit that lacks a nuclear engine, be it fusion or fission based[1], and a single chassis cannot mount both types of jump jets simultaneously. Jump jets can be pod mounted to grant an OmniMech the ability to jump and are found in numerous variants. Like all fixed equipment, any jump jets hard-mounted to an OmniMech's base configuration cannot be removed, though they can be supplemented by pod mounted jump jets[7].

For 'Mechs that do not fit jump jets, a 'Mech jump pack may be mounted externally to the rear of a 'Mech to provide limited jump capability or braking thrust to allow a 'Mech to be dropped.

Protomech Jump Jets

Protomechs can also be fitted with jump jets. Owing to the lighter frames and differing construction of protomechs, new jump jets had to be designed for protomechs. Though they are operationally equivalent to the jump jets mounted to 'Mechs and are installed to provide propulsion in the same 30 meter increments, functionally, protomech jump jets are more similar to battle armor jump packs.

Battle Armor Jump Jets

Introduced by the Western Alliance on Terra in 2050, Jump packs use simpler, chemical based rockets to propel infantrymen nearly 100 meters through the air[8][9]. Later, these jump packs were adapted for use on battle armor allowing suits up to one ton to rocket up to 90 meters in one bound, while suits up to 2 tons are limited to 60 meter jumps. A jump booster can be added to a jump-capable suit to supercharge the jets and add 30 meters to the suit's maximum jump range[9][10].

Vehicular Jump Jets

Adapting jump jets to vehicles is more complex than simply attaching thrusters to the bottom of a tank. Though the jump jets themselves are functionally similar to the standard jump jets fitted to 'Mechs, successful operation of vehicular jump jets hinges on an advanced AI computer and guidance system first seen on the SLDF's Kanga Jump Tank in 2650 that is able to precisely track the vehicle's trajectory and vector the thrust of the jump jets to stabilize the vehicle. Because of the prohibitive complexity and expense of the system, few jump-capable vehicles were produced beyond the Kanga, and even the vehicle heavy forces of Clan Hell's Horses who retained the technology have sidelined the technology[11][12]

Brands

Jump Jets are produced under the following brand names:

Manufacturing

Jump Jets are manufactured on the following planets:

Brand Planet Company
100AFVTA Kathil General Motors
A100 Barcella Barcella Alpha
Coyote Leapers Tamaron Ashton 'Mech Production Complex
Devil A7 Coventry Coventry Metal Works
Hellespont Leaper Sian Hellespont 'Mech Works
Icarus 81 Luthien Luthien Armor Works
McCloud Specials New Avalon Achernar BattleMechs
McCloud Specials Wernke Kallon Industries
Model KY Boosters Irece Barcella Beta
Norse Industries 5S Marduk Victory - (Norse BattleMech Works)
Odin's Own 34z Loxley Blue Shot Weapons
Swingline X-1000 New Avalon Achernar BattleMechs
Model Used by
"Highlifter" 44 [13] RIFLEMAN IIC 3 IS (Mech)
100AFVTA [14] ASN -23 ASSASSIN (Mech) IS
100AFVTA [15] STH-1D STEALTH IS (Mech)
4 MicroTan Streaks [16] Clan Erinyes (ProtoMech)
4 Model KT Boosters [17] CORVIS Clan (Mech)
5 Standard Jump Jets [18] SA-OS2 ONSLAUGHT IS (Mech)
6 Luxor Load Lifters [19] FS9-O FIRESTARTER IS (Mech)
7 Clan Standard 14X Series Standard [20] GRENDEL Clan (Mech)
Allied AVRtech Model A [21] PHX-HK1 Phoenix Hawk LAM MK I IS (Mech)
Allied lifter B-Series [22] SHD-X2 Shadow Hawk LAM IS (Mech)
Andoran Model JJII [23] CLINT IIC Clan (Mech)
Andoran Model JJII [24] CLNT-2-3T CLINT IS (Mech)
Andoran Model JJII [25] clnt-2-3u Clint (Mech) IS
Audi-Fokker Mark IV [26] LGb-12r Longbow IS (Mech)
Audi-Fokker Mark IV [27] TNS-4S THANATOS IS (Mech)
Chevron I [28] TSG-9H TI TS'ANG IS (Mech)
Chevron I [29] TSG-9C TI TS’ANG IS (Mech)
Chevron II [30] eXt-4d Exterminator (Mech) IS
Contraband [31] IDT-1 BRIGAND IS (Mech)
Devil A7 [32] FLC-8R FALCONER IS (Mech)
Foster Ocelot Mrk. VIII [33] HANKYU Clan (Mech)
GE-2200 [34] IS gld-4r Gladiator (Mech)
Gerard Special A [35] IS pX-3r Phoenix (Mech)
GM Ato 100 [36] STG-a1 Stinger LAM MK I IS (Mech)
Guld Mk. Ill [37] MARAUDER IIC 2 IS (Mech)
Hellespont Leapers [38] WSP-3L WASP IS (Mech)
Hellespont leapers [39] WsP-8t Wasp IS (Mech)
Hellespont Leapers [40] JN-G8A JINGGAU IS (Mech)
Hellespont Leapers [41] Wasp WSP-7MAF IS (Mech)
Icarus 81 [42] IS icr-1s Icarus ii (Mech)
Icarus 81 [43] WTC-4M WATCHMAN IS (Mech)
Icarus Standard [44] BJ2-O BLACKJACK IS (Mech)
Icarus Standard [45] BHKU-O BLACK HAWK-KU IS (Mech)
JF Improved Jump Jets [46] Onager Clan (Mech)
JF Standard [47] Thor (Mech) Clan
JF Standard [48] NIGHT GYR Clan (Mech)
Leaper Model L5 Improved [49] PACK HUNTER 4 Clan (Mech)
Leaper Model L6 [50] Clan Ocelot (Mech)
Leaper Model, L5 [51] PACK HUNTER Clan (Mech)
Leaper Model, l5 [52] Pack Hunter ii clan (Mech)
Leaper Model, l5 meters [53] Ursus ii Clan (Mech)
Leviathan Lifters [54] Ghr-5J Grasshopper (Mech) IS
Leviathon Lifters [55] GHR-5H GRASSHOPPER IS (Mech)
Lox Lift Series 1 [56] ASN-21 ASSASSIN IS (Mech)
McCloud Special [57] enf-5d Enforcer (Mech) IS
McCloud Specials [58] ENF-4R ENFORCER IS (Mech)
McCloud Specials [59] CLN-7V CHAMELEON IS (Mech)
McCloud Specials [60] ENF-6M ENFORCER III IS (Mech)
McCloud Specials [61] ENF-6NAIS ENFORCER III IS (Mech)
McCloud Specials (Reinforced) [62] RFL-8D RIFLEMAN IS (Mech)
McCloud Specials (Reinforced) [63] rfl-7X Rifleman IS (Mech)
Mitchell JB Thrust Bottles [64] Kanga (Vehicle) IS
Model 9 Pitban [65] VL-2T VULCAN IS (Mech)
Model Kt Boosters [66] Parash clan (Mech)
Model KT Boosters [67] CORVIS 2 Clan (Mech)
Model KY Boosters [68] SHADOW CAT Clan (Mech)
Nike Doublejet 9s [69] IS eyk-45a Eyleuka (Mech)
Nike Doublejet 9s [70] Pen-2H Penthesilea IS (Mech)
Norse Industries 3S [71] VLK-QA VALKYRIE IS (Mech)
Odin Type II [72] BEO-12 BEOWULF IS (Mech)
Odin Type II [73] BEO-14 BEOWULF IS (Mech)
Odin’s Own Model 34z [74] STY-3C STARSLAYER IS (Mech)
Ostmann Sct-A [75] OTT-7J OSTSCOUT IS (Mech)
Panpour Specials [76] IS jaw-66b Jabberwocky EngineerMech (IndustrialMech)
Phoenix tail Improved Jumpers [77] Mad-9W2 Marauder IS (Mech)
Prentiss-IIIA [78] HIGHLANDER IIC 2 Clan (Mech)
PRS-60 [79] FLC-4N FALCON IS (Mech)
PRS-60 [80] flc-4p Falcon (Mech) IS
Pryzhok jump jets [81] VIPER 3 Clan (Mech)
Pryzhok WM 10 [82] MATADOR Clan (Mech)
Pryzhok WM 10 [83] MATADOR 2 Clan (Mech)
Pryzhok WM 10 [84] Gladiator (Mech) Clan
Pryzhok WM 5 [85] GOSHAWK 3 Clan (Mech)
Pryzhok WM15 [86] SCYLLA Clan (Mech)
Rodan-90 [87] Y-H11G YU HUANG IS (Mech)
Rodan-90s [88] Y-H9G YU HUANG IS (Mech)
Series-15 Improved [89] CLINT IIC 2 Clan (Mech)
SL-150 Mod V [90] WYVERN IIC 2 IS (Mech)
SL-150 Mod. V [91] Clan (Mech)
Smithson Lifters [92] JR7-D JENNER IS (Mech)
SR Starlifter 45 [93] Goshawk ii Clan (Mech)
Swingline X-100 [94] DV-6M DERVISH IS (Mech)
Swingline X-1000 [95] dV-7d Dervish (Mech) IS
Swingline X-1200 [96] HEL-3D HELIOS IS (Mech)
Swingline X-1200 [97] HEL-6X HELIOS IS (Mech)
trellshire long lifters [98] Rifleman iic 8 Clan (Mech)
Trellshire Long Lifters [99] Rifleman IIC 5 IS (Mech)
Trellshire Long Lifters [100] Phoenix Hawk IIC 6 IS (Mech)
Trellshire long lifters Improved Jump Jets [101] Phoenix Hawk IIC 7 Clan (Mech)
Type C Medium Lifters [102] MANDRILL Clan (Mech)
Uplift 12 [103] FIRE SCORPION 3 Clan (Mech)
Vicore Thrust-Masters Model L [104] VLK-QD I VALKYRIE IS (Mech)
Vicore Thrust-Masters Model L [105] Valkyrie VLK-QD2 IS (Mech)
Waterly Heavy lifters [106] Glt-7-0 Gallant IS (Mech)
Waterly Heavy Lifters [107] BCN-4W BUCCANEER IS (Mech)
Waterly Heavy lifters Improved Jump Jets [108] WHM-11t Warhammer IS (Mech)
Whitworth Jetlift [109] WTH-1 WHITWORTH IS (Mech)
Whitworth Jetlift [110] BJ-1 BLACKJACK IS (Mech)
Whitworth Jetlift [111] Wht-2 WhitWorth (Mech) IS
Whitworth Jetlift [112] bJ-2 Blackjack (Mech) IS

See Also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 TechManual, pp. 225-226
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 TechManual, pp. 38-39
  3. ↑ Strategic Operations, p. 24
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Total Warfare, pp. 53-54
  5. ↑ Total Warfare, pp.149-150
  6. ↑ Tactical Operations, pp. 90-91
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 TechManual, p.51
  8. ↑ TechManual, p. 272
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 TechManual, p. 257
  10. ↑ TechManual, p. 165
  11. ↑ Tactical Operations, pp. . 348-349
  12. ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 168
  13. ↑ TRO Phoenix p. 66
  14. ↑ TRO 3050U p. 34
  15. ↑ TRO 3055U p. 36
  16. ↑ TRO 3075 p. 150
  17. ↑ TRO 3060 p. 152
  18. ↑ TRO 3055U p. 164
  19. ↑ TRO 3058U p. 128
  20. ↑ TRO 3058U p. 168
  21. ↑ 3085 p. 300
  22. ↑ 3085 p. 290
  23. ↑ TRO 3060 p. 150
  24. ↑ 3039 p. 120
  25. ↑ TRO 3050U p. 38
  26. ↑ 3085 p. 266
  27. ↑ TRO 3067 p. 90
  28. ↑ TRO 3060 p. 106
  29. ↑ Milspecs
  30. ↑ TRO 3050U p. 208
  31. ↑ TRO 3067 p. 46
  32. ↑ TRO 3055U p. 62
  33. ↑ TRO 3058U p. 164
  34. ↑ TRO 3075 p. 206
  35. ↑ TRO 3075 p. 298
  36. ↑ 3085 p. 292
  37. ↑ TRO Phoenix p. 72
  38. ↑ TRO Phoenix p. 18
  39. ↑ 3085 p. 230
  40. ↑ TRO 3060 p. 112
  41. ↑ Milspecs
  42. ↑ TRO 3075 p. 260
  43. ↑ TRO 3055U p. 32
  44. ↑ TRO 3058U p. 130
  45. ↑ TRO 3058U p. 140
  46. ↑ 3085 p. 176
  47. ↑ TRO 3050U p. 134
  48. ↑ TRO 3058U p. 186
  49. ↑ Milspecs
  50. ↑ TRO 3075 p. 136
  51. ↑ TRO 3060 p. 142
  52. ↑ 3085 p. 144
  53. ↑ 3085 p. 154
  54. ↑ TRO 3050U p. 80
  55. ↑ 3039 p. 150
  56. ↑ 3039 p. 116
  57. ↑ TRO 3050U p. 56
  58. ↑ 3039 p. 134
  59. ↑ TRO 3058U p. 132
  60. ↑ TRO 3060 p. 96
  61. ↑ Milspecs
  62. ↑ TRO Phoenix p. 38
  63. ↑ 3085 p. 250
  64. ↑ TRO 3050U p. 166
  65. ↑ 3039 p. 124
  66. ↑ 3085 p. 148
  67. ↑ Milspecs
  68. ↑ TRO 3058U p. 170
  69. ↑ TRO 3075 p. 78
  70. ↑ 3085 p. 98
  71. ↑ 3039 p. 284
  72. ↑ TRO 3060 p. 88
  73. ↑ Milspecs
  74. ↑ TRO 3058U p. 210
  75. ↑ 3039 p. 285
  76. ↑ TRO 3075 p. 228
  77. ↑ 3085 p. 260
  78. ↑ Milspecs
  79. ↑ 3039 p. 248
  80. ↑ TRO 3050U p. 14
  81. ↑ TRO 3055U p. 118
  82. ↑ TRO 3060 p. 164
  83. ↑ Milspecs
  84. ↑ TRO 3050U p. 142
  85. ↑ TRO 3055U p. 114
  86. ↑ TRO 3067 p. 134
  87. ↑ Milspecs
  88. ↑ TRO 3060 p. 126
  89. ↑ Milspecs
  90. ↑ Milspecs
  91. ↑ TRO 3060 p. 156
  92. ↑ 3039 p. 112
  93. ↑ 3085 p. 152
  94. ↑ 3039 p. 140
  95. ↑ TRO 3050U p. 62
  96. ↑ TRO 3060 p. 104
  97. ↑ Milspecs
  98. ↑ 3085 p. 278
  99. ↑ Milspecs
  100. ↑ Milspecs
  101. ↑ 3085 p. 280
  102. ↑ TRO 3060 p. 140
  103. ↑ Milspecs
  104. ↑ TRO Phoenix p. 20
  105. ↑ Milspecs
  106. ↑ 3085 p. 94
  107. ↑ Milspecs
  108. ↑ 3085 p. 258
  109. ↑ 3039 p. 126
  110. ↑ 3039 p. 128
  111. ↑ TRO 3050U p. 44
  112. ↑ TRO 3050U p. 46

Bibliography

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