Lao Hu
Sarna News
| |
| Lao Hu | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Shengli Arms |
| Model | LHU-2B |
| Class | Heavy |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 75 tons |
| Chassis | Chariot Type II Endo Steel |
| Armor | Star Shell Standard |
| Engine | GM 375 XL |
| Speed | 86.4 km/h km/h |
| Jump Jets | None |
| Armament | |
| BV (1.0) | 1,410 |
Description
Credit for the development of the Lao Hu falls on a young student at the Victoria Academy of Arms and Technology. Not an engineering or technician student, as many would guess, but a MechWarrior taking extra classes in battlefield technology. She noted that the Thunder design, though successful, contained a few flaws easily corrected with the new construction materials now obtainable through Chancellor Liao's Xin Sheng efforts and the military-industrial complex.
Before presenting the design to authority, she worked up schematics and had a friend program the design into a simulator to field test her ideas. When it became apparent to her that the new design was a vast improvement on the Thunder 'Mech, she handed over reams of paper documenting her research to the higher-ups who could make the design a reality. The material proved so thorough and brilliant that the engineers had little work to do other than submit the design for production. the student was given the privilege of naming the new 'Mech, dubbing the Lao Hu which means Tiger in Hanyu (Chinese). The design has lived up to its namesake, proving to be a powerful and aggressive force on the battlefield.
Armament
The top-heavy Lao Hu was designed from the start to bridge the gap between heavy and assault-class BattleMechs. The Lao Hu will be able to hold its own against superior machines.
Using the Thunder as a model, the Autocannon/20 was upgraded to the same Mydron Excel LB-X Autocannon/20 found on the Yu Huang assault 'Mech. It was supplied with enough ammunition to conceivably destroy two to four assault machines. This ambitious design also increased the Lao Hu's demand for extended campaigns.
By employing a Chariot Type II Endo Steel chassis and recovering tonnage from the Thunder's set of Medium Pulse Lasers, the Lao Hu was given a strong long-range weapons profile. A Martell ER Large Laser in the left arm complements the torso-mounted Zeus LRM-15 missile rack. With the varied LRM munitions developed recently, these two weapons augmented the 'Mechs already strong tactical position.
The Lao Hu's aggressive nature is enforced by the GM 375 XL engine, which bestows the best movement curve a 75-ton 'Mech can employ. With speeds ranging up to 86 kilometers per hour, the new design could approach rapidly, trading off LRM rack for autocannon at an effective range.