Nova (Black Hawk)

This article is about the Clan OmniMech. For the military unit, see Nova (unit).
Nova (Black Hawk)
Nova
Production information
Manufacturer Tokasha Mechworks
Production Year 2870[1]
Model Prime
Class Medium
Cost 11,586,250 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 50 tons
Chassis Star League XTA
Armor Forge Type HH30
Engine 250 XL Model SF-2
Communications System CHB3
Speed 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets Clan Standard Type A2
Armament

Primary Configuration

BV (1.0) 2,448[2]
BV (2.0) 2,663[1][3]


Description

The Nova is a versatile medium OmniMech that is capable of acting as a workhorse design in most forces. In fact, the design is so well balanced that it inspired the creation of the Black Hawk-KU, an Inner Sphere design based on the Nova and named using the Inner Sphere code name for this 'Mech: Black Hawk.[1][4][5]

However, the number of Novas has been diminishing. Only spare parts have been in production since 2921. Designed as an early OmniMech by Clan Hell's Horses, the Nova was produced at the famous Tokasha Mechworks beginning in 2870. At the time of its introduction, the Nova was designed for infantry support, and was the first OmniMech designed with hardpoints allowing Elementals to easily mount and dismount the chassis. However, after Tokasha was taken by Clan Ghost Bear during the Battle of Tokasha, production of the Nova ceased. Since 2921, every Clan has acquired Nova OmniMechs as isorla.[1][4][5]

Weapons and Equipment

Equipped with a 250 XL Model SF-2 Fusion Engine, the Nova has a ground speed of 86.4 km/h that allows it to keep up with most heavy and assault 'Mechs while being outpaced by most lighter 'Mechs. However, the Nova remains very maneuverable through the use of five jump jets, allowing the Nova to jump up to 150 meters. The fourteen double heat sinks that the Nova mounts are barely sufficient to handle its heavy heat load of its variants. The Nova is also protected by ten tons of armor, providing the 'Mech with ninety-six percent of its maximum armor protection.[1][4][5]

In its primary configuration the Nova is a devastating close combat 'Mech and battle armor killer that is capable of delivering a powerful barrage with its twelve ER Medium Lasers. To help it use these as effectively as possible, the Nova has added four more double heat sinks bringing the total up to eighteen. Even with the added double heat sinks, the Nova prime is capable of producing almost twice as much heat as it can dissipate.[1][4][5]

Alternate Configurations

  • Alt. Config. A 
    A long range sniper configuration, the Nova A has a pair of powerful Clan ER PPCs for long range combat. For protection at close range, the Nova A has a single Medium Pulse Laser and also mounts two Anti-Missile Systems for protection from missile fire. BV (1.0) = 2,298[2], BV (2.0) = 2,422[1][6]
  • Alt. Config. B 
    Also designed around long range combat, the B configuration carries an Ultra Autocannon/5 which can fire twice as fast as a standard autocannon and a highly accurate Large Pulse Laser as its primary weapons. These are backed up for close combat by an ER Small Laser and, for soft targets, it has two Machine Guns. BV (1.0) = 1,501[2], BV (2.0) = 1,543[1][7]
  • Alt. Config. C 
    The C configuration of the Nova has a powerful Gauss Rifle as its primary weapon, allowing it to keep enemies at arm's reach. For protection at close ranges, the Nova C has a highly accurate Small Pulse Laser and an SRM 4. BV (1.0) = 1,455[2], BV (2.0) = 1,515[1][8]
  • Alt. Config. D 
    Intended as a fire support 'Mech, the D configuration has an LRM-20 launcher for long range direct and indirect fire support and an LB-X Autocannon/5 that allows it to work as a vehicle hunter and in an anti-aircraft role. BV (1.0) = 1,392[2], BV (2.0) = 1,450[1][9]
  • Alt. Config. E 
    The Nova E carries an ATM-12 launcher that can fire missiles for short, medium, and long ranges as its primary weapon. For added close range capability, the 'Mech has three ER Medium Lasers. BV (1.0) = 2,315[2] (2,340)[10], BV (2.0) = 2,078[1][11]
  • Alt. Config. H 
    A highly feared configuration of the Nova, the H configuration carries ten Heavy Medium Lasers, allowing the Nova H to eviscerate most 'Mechs that get into its range. BV (1.0) = 1,552[2], BV (2.0) = 1,832[1][13]
  • Alt. Config. S 
    The S configuration is made for urban combat. The 'Mech has six highly accurate Medium Pulse Lasers. For use against soft targets, the Nova S has four Machine Guns. For added protection from missile attacks, the 'Mech has an Anti-Missile System. It also carries an Active Probe to detect any hidden enemy units. BV (1.0) = 2,063 BV (2.0) = 2,061[1], 2,056[14]
  • Alt. Config. U 
    This unusual configuration appears to be used to support boarding actions against enemy spacecraft. Two torso mounted Liquid Storage tanks provide additional reaction mass for the jump jets. Eight machine guns can rapidly destroy enemy battle armor, while three Heavy Medium Lasers and three Micro Pulse Lasers scour the armor off of hardened targets. To keep track of enemy units, the U configuration carries a Light Active Probe, and a Clan ECM Suite interferes with enemy targeting systems. The right arm carries a Spot Welder presumably to seal hull breaches. Strangely, this configuration carries a Sword, marking the first time a Clan unit has carried a dedicated melee weapon. BV (2.0) = 1,413[15]

Variants

These variants are non-OmniMech designs and should not be confused with the OmniMech Nova.
This non-Omni version of the Nova, named Black Hawk by Clan Diamond Shark merchants, began production in the mid-3080s. The Sharks wanted an easy-to-produce 'Mech they could sell to Inner Sphere powers.[16][17]

  • Black Hawk (Standard) 
    This variant that is seen in action during the 3130s modifies the chassis by removing a ton and a half of armor and using an Endo Steel internal structure. The weight saved enables this variant to mount a pair of ER Large Lasers for direct fire support and four Streak SRM-4s for close range work. BV (1.0) = 2,047[18], BV (2.0) = 2,183[19][20]
  • Black Hawk (Standard) 2 
    This variant is also built on an Endo Steel structure, but removes only a half ton of armor. It also carries paired ER Large Lasers, but mounts dual ATM 6s, each fed by three tons of ammunition. BV (1.0) = 1,964[21] BV (2.0) = 2,161[22][23]
  • Black Hawk (Standard) 3 
    The third variant answers the demands from the market. By removing the ATMs, enough free space is available to add two ER Medium Lasers in each arm. The number of Double Heat Sinks was increased from the fourteen of the second variant to twenty-two for continued fighting over a longer period of time. BV (2.0) = 2,317[24][25]

Notable Pilots

Related BattleMechs

  • Supernova - The Nova OmniMech appears to be an Omni-version of the Supernova Clan BattleMech. In turn, the Supernova was designed as an ammunition-independent version of the venerable Star League King Crab.[27]
  • Penetrator - The Nova was the basis for the Penetrator Inner Sphere BattleMech. Though slower than the Nova, the Penetrator is a formidable machine featuring all energy weapons and jump jets.[29]

Nova 'Mech Gallery

  • Nova Prime with internals

  • Nova A in Motion

  • Nova B in Motion

  • Nova C in Motion

  • Nova D in Motion

  • Nova S in Combat

  • Nova Prime in Motion

  • Nova in Urban Terrain

  • Nova in Motion from TRO 3050 Upgrade

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, pp. 126-127, "Black Hawk OmniMech Profile"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Combat Operations, p. 108
  3. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 62
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Technical Readout: 3050, pp. 24-25, "Black Hawk OmniMech Profile"
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Technical Readout: 3050 Revised, pp. 22-23, "Black Hawk OmniMech Profile"
  6. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 63
  7. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 64
  8. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 65
  9. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 66
  10. ↑ Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 81
  11. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 67
  12. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 68
  13. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 69
  14. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 70
  15. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 139
  16. ↑ Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 142, "Manufacturing Site #3"
  17. ↑ "Black Hawk" TRO Supplement
  18. ↑ Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I, p. 54
  19. ↑ Dark Age Turning Points: Liao, p. 26
  20. ↑ Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged, p. 188
  21. ↑ Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I, p. 55
  22. ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Mercenaries, p. 86
  23. ↑ Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged, p. 188
  24. ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Mercenaries, p. 87
  25. ↑ Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged, p. 40
  26. ↑ Falcon Rising, p. ??[citation needed]
  27. ↑ Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 190
  28. ↑ Technical Readout: 3058, p. 90
  29. ↑ Technical Readout: 3055, p. 70

Bibliography

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