Locust

Locust
Production information
Manufacturer	Bergan Industries, Achernar BattleMechs, Corean Enterprises, Defiance Industries, Gibson Federated BattleMechs, Interstellar Arms, Majesty Metals and Manufacturing, Pinard Protectorates Limited, Taurus Territorial Industries
Production Year	2499
Model	LCT-1V
Class	Light
Cost	1,512,400 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	20 tons
Chassis	Bergan VII
Armor	1/StarSlab
Engine	LTV 160
Speed	129.6 km/h
Armament	1xMedium Laser 2xMachine Guns
BV (1.0)	356
BV (2.0)	432

Description

The Locust was one of the most common BattleMechs in existence, having been produced since the design was introduced by Bergan Industries in 2499. The Locust was built exclusively for reconnaissance. The design used a 160-rated LTV Fusion Engine to attain speeds of up to 129.6 km/h. With such phenomenal speed the Locust was capable of outrunning most enemies. In a situation where it was unable to outrun its enemies, it did have a light array of weapons with which to defend itself. As of 3050, it is estimated that over 2,000 Locusts were in service throughout the Inner Sphere.

Weapons and Equipment

The main weapon of the Locust was a single Martell Medium Laser. Backing this up were two Sperry Browning Machine Guns, which effectively deterred infantry attacks against the Locust's vulnerable legs.

Variants

• LCT-1E 

  The LCT-1E Locust carried an entire energy-based weapons assortment, with two Medium Lasers and two Small Lasers. BV (1.0) = 484, BV (2.0) = 553

• LCT-1L 

  The LCT-1L Locust was an attempt to allow the 'Mech to operate at even higher speeds by adding Triple Strength Myomer to the design. The weapons are identical to those on the LCT-1V as it was a test-bed for the technology by Bergan Industries' Ares plant. BV (1.0) = 364, BV (2.0) = 474

• LCT-1M 

  The LCT-1M was a long range version of the Locust. This variant carried two LRM-5 launchers in place of the Machine Guns at the cost of reduced armor protection. BV (1.0) = 382, BV (2.0) = 424

• LCT-1S 

  The LCT-1S Locust also replaced the Machine Guns, this time with two SRM-2 racks for a heavier close range punch. BV (1.0) = 376, BV (2.0) = 440

• LCT-1Vb 

  The Royal Locust mounts a small pulse laser, and a medium pulse laser in each arm, while keeping the torso-mounted medium laser. It also uses a XL Engine, Endo Steel chassis, and Ferro-Fibrous armor. The heat-sinks have also been upgraded to doubles. BV (2.0) = 642

• LCT-1V2 

  The -1V2 Locust was a Periphery upgrade of the design. The 'Mech carried a single Medium Laser and four Rocket Launcher 10s in place of the Machine Guns. BV (1.0) = 500, BV (2.0) = 568

• LCT-3D 

  The -3D Locust used Star League technology to take the concept of the -1M further. It carried only two LRM-5 launchers. The engineers at Achernar BattleMechs on New Avalon upgraded the armor to Ferro-Fibrous and the structure to Endo Steel. BV (1.0) = 377, BV (2.0) = 436

• LCT-3M 

  The -3M Locust carried a single Medium Laser, four Small Lasers, and an Anti-Missile System for missile defense. The armor was upgraded to Ferro-Fibrous with CASE and the chassis utilized Endo Steel construction techniques. It was produced at both Corean Enterprises on Stewart and Free Worlds Defense Industries on Gibson BV (1.0) = 464, BV (2.0) = 522

• LCT-3S 

  The -3S Locust, constructed on Furillo by Defiance Industries, carried the -1S upgrade further. This time, as with the -3M, the structure used Endo Steel and the armor was upgraded with Ferro-Fibrous. The SRM-2s were upgraded to Streak SRM-2s and the design also carried a single Medium Laser. BV (1.0) = 431, BV (2.0) = 483

• LCT-3V 

  This Locust variant was similar to the -1V except that it carried a set of two Medium Lasers in the center torso, while retaining the Machine Guns. BV (1.0) = 434, BV (2.0) = 490

• LCT-5M 

  The -5M was a straightforward enhancement of the -3M model, upgrading all of the lasers to extended range models, giving it one Magna Mk VI ER Medium Laser and four Magna Mk IV ER Small Lasers. In addition, the use of an XL Engine allowed engineers to upgrade the Locust's top speed to 194.4 km/h. BV (1.0) = 516, BV (2.0) = 719

• LCT-5M2 

  This version of the Locust has a top speed nearing 170km/h. It carries an ER Medium Laser in the center torso and a Medium Pulse Laser in each arm. It's protected by Ferro-Fibrous armor. BV (2.0) = 693

• LCT-5M3 

  This Locust variant was also introduced during the Dark Age. It uses a smaller engine, which reduces the top speed to 140km/h. It adds a half ton of armor and carries an ER Medium Laser in each arm and an ER Large Laser in the center torso. BV (2.0) = 929

• LCT-5T 

  This upgrade made the Locust into a devastating anti-infantry 'Mech. It used an XL Engine and Ferro-Fibrous armor to make enough space for three Light Machine Guns in each arm. Each trio was linked to a Machine Gun Array. A half-ton of CASE-protected ammunition was sufficient for sustained firing, while single heat sinks could handle even the load of the ER Medium Laser that was of use against hardened targets. BV (2.0) = 520

• LCT-5V 

  The 5V Locust is similar to the -3V Locust, carrying a pair of ER Medium Lasers and two Rocket Launcher 10s. The design was protected by Ferro-Fibrous armor. Its relatively low-tech design made it attractive to Periphery powers, namely the Magistracy of Canopus and Taurian Concordat. BV (1.0) = 537, BV (2.0) = 665o

• LCT-5W 

  Developed by the Word of Blake this Locust uses MASC to top out at speeds of over 180km/h. It's equipped with a pair of ER Medium Lasers, TAG, and an Improved C3 Computer. Light Ferro-Fibrous armor protects the Endo Steel structure. BV (2.0) = 695

• LCT-5W2 

  Developed from a Word of Blake design, this Locust has a top speed of over 150 km/h, and used MASC to provide bursts of speed topping out at over 180 km/h. A pair of ER Medium Lasers provides firepower, while a C3 Slave, Guardian ECM Suite, and TAG system provide electronic support. The chassis uses Endo-Steel while an XL Engine provides power. The Locust is protected by Light Ferro-Fibrous armor. Double Heat Sinks keep the heat from the weapons under control. BV (2.0) = 787

• LCT-6M 

  The newest variant of the Locust, the 6M used a massive 280 Hermes XL Engine to propel it to an astounding speed of 226.8 km/h and was capable of bursts of speed reaching 302.4 km/h through a MASC system. The 6M used a Small Cockpit to save weight with the side effect of making the 'Mech harder to pilot and utilized Ferro-Fibrous armor to get the most of the light armor the 'Mech carried. It was armed with two Magna Mk VI ER Medium Lasers, which were backed up by a single Magna Mk IV ER Small Laser. The -6M was produced by Corean Enterprises on Stewart. BV (2.0) = 956

Related BattleMechs

• Locust IIC - One of the 'Mechs carried on the Exodus with General Aleksandr Kerensky and the remnants of the SLDF, the Clans created their own upgraded IIC variant of the Locust using Clan technology. BV (1.0) = 975, BV (2.0) = 1,103

• Koto - One of the most common 'Mech designs on Solaris VII, as with the Inner Sphere as a whole, the humble Locust was also a frequent basis for a number of refurbished custom designed 'Mechs, such as Omnitech Industries' Koto.

Gallery

• 

  LCT-3M Locust

• 

  LCT-5M Locust

• 

  LCT-5W2 Locust

• 

  LCT-5V Locust

• 

  LCT-1V2 Locust

Bibliography

• Combat Operations
• Field Manual: 3145
• Master Unit List
• MechWarrior: Dark Age Bannson's Raiders' dossier of Mavis Morgan
• MechWarrior: Dark Age Dragon's Fury - Janina Lukica Dossier
• MechWarrior: Dark Age Dragon's Fury - Shin Yoshida's Dossier
• MechWarrior: Dark Age House Liao's dossier of Irena Borjon
• Record Sheets: 3025 & 3026
• Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged
• Record Sheets: 3050
• Record Sheets: 3067
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix
• Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades
• Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrade (Complete)
• Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades
• Record Sheets Volume One: Light 'Mechs
• Speed Demon - LCT-6M Locust Profile
• Technical Readout: 3025
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3055
• Technical Readout: 3085
• Technical Readout: Project Phoenix