Kanazuchi

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Kanazuchi
Production information
Manufacturer	Luthien Armor Works
Production Year	3058
Use	Defense
Weight Class	Assault
Tech Base	Inner Sphere
Cost	550,000 C-bills
Introduced	3058
Technical specifications
Mass	2,000 kg
Top Speed	12 km/h
Armament	1x Medium Laser 2x One-shot SRM-2 2x Anti-Personnel Weapon Mounts
Armor Type	Standard
BV (1.0)	61
BV (2.0)	72

Description

The Kanazuchi is a Draconis Combine battle armor design, one of the heaviest to come from that realm. It also saw the most trouble getting approved. The design was originally known as the "Komodo" when research began in 3053, but since the Komodo BattleMech was produced shortly thereafter, the name was changed to "Kanazuchi", which is Japanese for "hammer." The DCMS High Command slashed the development budget severely in 3054, prompting engineers to work without pay for a year in order to prove the design. Their chance came in the following year, 3055, when a laboratory assistant piloted the design on a proving ground before the Coordinator. His pleasure with the design prompted the High Command to reinstate the development budget for the Kanazuchi, which allowed full-scale production to begin as 3058 drew to a close.

Weapons and Equipment

The Kanazuchi is armed with a standard Medium Laser and one-shot short-range missiles, giving it a powerful punch for battle armor. It is also protected very well. This was demonstrated during the final test run when a captured Mad Cat fired a Clan-tech ER PPC at the unit and it survived and even returned fire. The Kanazuchi also mounts a pair of Anti-Personnel Weapon Mounts so that different light weapons can be carried for use against unarmored targets. The Kanazuchi also mounts a Heavy Battle Claw, which can be easily swapped out for either an Industrial Drill or Salvage Arm, as mission parameters dictate thanks to the modular equipment adapter.

Variants

• Upgrade 

  A newer version of the Kanazuchi replaces the laser with two Support PPCs, though they deal less damage and have a shorter range. The missile launchers are replaced with a Medium Range Missile launcher that fires one warhead at a time, though each has three reloads. BV (1.0) = 59, BV (2.0) = 67

Custom Variants

• "Cyclops" 

  This version keeps the anti-personnel weapon mounts under the chin, but removes the rest of the weaponry. In its place, a Detachable Weapon Mount was placed over the right shoulder. This carries an experimental Clan-made ER Medium Pulse Laser. A second Heavy Battle Claw allows the user to attack light tanks. BV (2.0) = 103

Gallery

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  Kanazuchi battle armor

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  Dark Age Kanazuchi battle armor

Bibliography

• Experimental Technical Readout: Gladiators
• Field Manual: Draconis Combine
• Master Unit List
• Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League)
• Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade