Lightning (Combat Vehicle)
Sarna News
| |
| Lightning | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Curtiss Industries |
| Mission | Reconnaissance |
| Type | Hover |
| Cost | 1,681,300 C-bills |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 35 |
| Armor | 3/Star Slab Ferro-Fibrous |
| Engine | GM 210 |
| Speed | 184 km/h |
| Crew | 3 |
| Armament |
|
| BV (1.0) | 349[1] |
| BV (2.0) | 510[2] |
Description
The Lightning was designed 2696 for the Star League by Curtiss Industries. The hover combat vehicle is designed to take down slow Mechs and vehicles. Some commanders combine several Lightnings into a compact, short unit to crush the hostile line, using their maneuverability to break up formations. A interesting quality of the Lightning is a row of wings that were used to increase speed and stability of the Lightning.[3]
Armament
The Lightning is armed for short-range combat. Two Raker-IV Medium Pulse Lasers are in the front, allowing the crew to targeting enemies as they close with them. One Maxima One Shot SRM 4 pack on each side is designed to allow the vehicle to fire off the missiles as it passes an enemy, then repeat the maneuver and the return trip.[3][2][4]
Variants
- ERML - One of a series of variants created by Word of Blake during the Jihad, the ERML replaces the lasers with two ER Medium Lasers. In addition, the SRMs are replaced by seven Rocket Launcher 15s mounted in the front.[4]
- ERSL - This variant of the ERML replaces one of its medium lasers with two ER Small Lasers.[5]
- RL - This variant was created by Blakist Precentor Robert Havasy to counter Capellan Confederation Shadow Lances.[3] In order to take advantage of the vulnerability of 'Mechs equipped with Stealth Armor at close range, the RL carries seven Rocket Launcher 15s. The modern update of the one-shot launchers, the Lightning's mission profile is perfectly suited to the use of Rocket Launcher technology. It also carries two Anti-Missile Systems in the front to protect from missiles.[5]
- Royal - The upgraded model used by the SLDF Royal units, both one-short SRM-4s were replaced with a pair of Streak SRM-2s. The more advanced launchers inflicted on average the same amount of damage while withholding fire for shots that would have missed and maximizing the single ton of reloads carried, as well as saving enough weight to also add a TAG unit. [6]
Bibliography
- Combat Operations
- Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)
- Technical Readout: 2750
- Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
- Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
- Technical Readout: 3075
Notes
- ↑ Combat Operations, pg. 106
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, pg. 161
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, pg. 160
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League), pg. 13
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League), pg. 14
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, pg 169