Phoenix Hawk

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Phoenix Hawk
Phoenix Hawk
Production information
Manufacturer Orguss Industries, Ceres Metals Industries, Odin Manufacturing
Model PXH-1
Class Medium
Cost 4,067,540 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 45 tons
Chassis Orguss Stinger
Armor Durallex Light
Engine GM 270
Speed 97.2 km/h
Jump Jets Pitban 9000
Armament
BV (1.0) 838
BV (2.0) 1,041[1]


Description

First introduced by the Terran Hegemony in 2568[2], the Phoenix Hawk is one of the most well known BattleMechs in the Inner Sphere. The 'Mech began life when Orguss Industries realized that it could reinforce the Stinger chassis to create a larger version with a top speed of 97.2 km/h and a jumping distance of 180 meters, giving it the same speed profile as the Stinger with a more potent arsenal. After the Phoenix Hawk started reaching its various deployments, the 'Mech's full potential was discovered, and it became known as a command 'Mech for unit commanders due to the presence of the advanced communications suite on-board. However, it also became a staple of reconnaissance. Lance commanders often utilize it because it is capable of keeping up with 'Mechs like the Wasp and Stinger while carrying considerably more firepower.

Armament

The Phoenix Hawk is armed in such a way that it can be used in several different combat roles including command, reconnaissance, and front line duty. The primary weapon on board is a Harmon Large Laser which gives the 'Mech a weapon which can strike at an enemy at a respectable distance. This is backed up by two Harmon Medium Lasers for close range combat and, finally, to deter infantry attacks, the 'Mech carries two M100 Heavy Machine Guns.

Variants

  • PXH-1c - An upgrade that never saw full production due to the fall of the Star League, the 1c called for swapping out the ER PPC in exchange for a Snub-Nose PPC, which was still an experimental weapon at the time. The extra ton is made up with armor[3]. BV (2.0) = 1,443[5]
  • PXH-1D - The 1D variant of the Phoenix Hawk removes both of the Machine Guns and the ammunition and replaces them with two additional heat sinks. While removing a small amount of the 'Mech's short range firepower and a powerful set of weapons against infantry, the additional heat sinks make the 1D's heat load more manageable. BV (1.0) = 883, BV (2.0) = 1,083[6]
  • PXH-1K - The 1K variant departs from the traditional thinking of the Phoenix Hawk by removing the jump jets from the 'Mech. These are replaced with an additional three heat sinks and one and a half tons of armor. The Machine Guns have also been removed from the design and replaced with a single Small Laser. BV (1.0) = 872, BV (2.0) = 1,073[7]
  • PXH-2 - Based on the PXH-1, this Star League-era version drops the Machine Guns and ammunition in favor of a Guardian ECM Suite and a half-ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 1,145[8]
  • PXH-3D - The 3D variant of this 'Mech upgrades the design with rediscovered Star League technology. First, the internal structure of the 'Mech has been redesigned to utilize Endo Steel construction techniques. The engine was then replaced with an Extra-Light engine and the heat sinks were upgraded to double heat sinks. The 'Mech was given an additional half ton of armor. The weapons payload was also changed extensively, with all of the original weapons being stripped from the chassis. The 'Mech now carries two ER Large Lasers as primary weapons and two Medium Pulse Lasers for close in work. Finally, an Anti-Missile System has been added for missile defense.[9] BV (1.0) = 1,148, BV (2.0) = 1,315[10]
  • PXH-3K - The 3K Phoenix Hawk is another upgrade of the design that uses rediscovered technologies. The engine has been upgraded to an XL engine. The saved weight was used to upgrade the weapons payload on the 'Mech taking its cues from the 1K variant. The 'Mech now carries two ER Large Lasers and two ER Medium Lasers. Additionally, the Medium Lasers have been upgraded to Medium Pulse Lasers and the 'Mech now carries double heat sinks to help manage the additional waste heat. Finally, the armor on the 'Mech has been upgraded to eight tons of Ferro-Fibrous Armor.[11] BV (1.0) = 1,204, BV (2.0) = 1,359[12]
  • PXH-3M - The 3M model of the Phoenix Hawk is almost identical to the 3D version with two small differences. The primary differences lie in the armament. The 3M carries an additional Machine Gun and also carries CASE to protect against an ammunition explosion.[13] BV (1.0) = 1,057, BV (2.0) = 1,307[14]
  • PHX-3PL - The 3PL Phoenix Hawk is an upgrade of the 3D model that was introduced in the late 3060s. The armor has been upgraded to nine tons and the weapons have been stripped from the chassis. The 'Mechs new primary weaponry is a Large Pulse Laser backed up by two Medium Pulse Lasers. This weapons complement is rounded out with two ER Small Lasers. The final touch on the design is a Targeting Computer, which gives the 'Mech extremely accurate fire.[15] BV (1.0) = 1,116, BV (2.0) = 1,244[16]
  • PXH-3S - The 3S model of this 'Mech is an upgrade that attempts to make the Phoenix Hawk even more effective as a recon. 'Mech. The engine has been upgraded to an ExtraLight version and the 'Mech now utilizes double heat sinks for cooling. The overall armor protection has been increased by one ton and now uses Ferro-Fibrous armor. The primary weapon on the 'Mech is a Large Pulse Laser. This is backed up by two Medium Lasers and two Machine Guns. Additionally, the 'Mech carries an Anti-Missile System for missile defense. Finally, the 'Mechs speed has been enhanced by equipping it with a MASC system which allows the 'Mech to reach speeds of up to 129.6 in short bursts.[17] BV (1.0) = 1,019, BV (2.0) = 1,237[18]
  • PXH-4L - The 4L Phoenix Hawk is a variant from the Capellan Confederation. The design uses a standard engine for power and is built using Endo Steel construction. The 'Mech carries an ER Large Laser as its primary weapon with two Ceres Arms ER Medium Lasers for secondary weapons and also carries two Machine Guns for closer range work. Finally, the 'Mech carries a Guardian ECM Suite and is protected by eight tons of Stealth Armor making it hard to target at range.[19] BV (1.0) = 1,117, BV (2.0) = 1,399[20]
  • PXH-5L - This variant of the 4L removes the Machine Guns, one heat sink, a jump jet, and the ER Large Laser to mount a Ceres Arms Crusher Plasma Rifle and two tons of ammunition.[23] An Endo Steel skeleton is covered in eight tons of Stealth Armor. This variant is also equipped with a Full-Head Ejection System. BV (2.0) = 1,589[24]
  • PXH-6D - The 6D variant is built using an Endo Steel Chassis and carries ten tons of armor for protection. The 'Mech carries as its primary weapon an ER PPC giving it incredible range. The ER PPC is backed up by four ER Medium Lasers. All of the weapons are tied to a Targeting Computer, allowing the 6D to stay back and act in direct fire support and sniper roles.[25] It also mounts a Full-Head Ejection System. BV (1.0) = 1,463, BV (2.0) = 1,665[26]
  • PXH-7CS - The 7CS variant of the Phoenix Hawk is designed for electronics warfare. The 'Mech uses an Extra-Light engine for power and is protected by nine tons of armor. The primary weapon on the design is an ER Large Laser supported by two ER Medium Lasers. The 'Mech also carries an improved Narc Missile Beacon launcher allowing it mark enemy units for bombardment from friendly missile carrying units as well as an improved C3 computer which allows the 7CS to share targeting telemetry with other friendly units.[27] Also equipped with a Full-Head Ejection System. BV (1.0) = 1,063, BV (2.0) = 1,281[28]
  • PXH-7K - A highly mobile variant of the Phoenix Hawk, the 7K is built on a weight saving Endo Steel chassis and is armored with eight and a half tons of Light Ferro-Fibrous armor. The 'Mech is capable of speeds of up to 97.2 km/h and can jump up to two hundred and seventy meters through the use of nine improved jump jets. The 'Mech is armed with a powerful Snub-Nose PPC backed up by an ER Medium Laser, making the 'Mech exceptional in close combat.[29] Like the PXH-7CS it's equipped with a Full-Head Ejection System. BV (2.0) = 1,241[30]
  • PXH-7S - The 7S is the new Steiner variant of the Phoenix Hawk. The design uses a new Light Engine for power and a MASC system to augment its ground speed. The 'Mech is built using an Endo Steel structure and nine tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor for protection. The 7S carries a Large Pulse Laser as its primary weapon and for close range work carries four Medium Lasers. The weapons are rounded out with a Small Laser located in the 'Mech's head.[31] Also equipped with a Full-Head Ejection System.[32] BV (1.0) = 1,190, BV (2.0) = 1,496[33]
  • PXH-8CS - Based on the PXH-7CS, this version uses an experimental XXL Engine to reach a maximum speed of 110 km/h. An XL Gyro and C3 Slave are also installed. The pilot is protected by a Full-Head Ejection system. All the weapons are replaced with a pair of Snub-Nose PPCs and four extra heat sinks.[34] BV (2.0) = 1,482[35]

Unique Variants

  • PXH-3M Masters - Piloted by Sir Paul Masters when the Knights of the Inner Sphere were formed, this refit of the 3M version drops one of the Large Lasers, replacing it with twin SRM-4s and ammunition. BV (2.0) = 1,154[36] NOTE: Ideal War says the 'Mech uses two Streak SRM-2 launchers, not SRM-4s. The change was introduced in RS: 3085 Unabridged Project Phoenix.

Notable Pilots

  • Sir Paul Masters used a Phoenix Hawk when the Knights of the Inner Sphere were formed. [38]

Related BattleMechs

  • Phoenix Hawk IIC - The Phoenix Hawk was one of the 'Mechs taken with the SLDF when they left the Inner Sphere on their Exodus. Over time, the Phoenix Hawk was redesigned as an assault 'Mech using Clan technology and was redisignated the Phoenix Hawk IIC. BV (1.0) = 1,996, BV (2.0) = 2,063

Related Land-Air 'Mechs

  • Phoenix Hawk LAM - The SLDF experimented with producing Land-Air BattleMechs of several light and medium BattleMechs. The Phoenix Hawk LAM proved to be the largest Land-Air 'Mech capable of being produced.[39] BV (1.0) = ?, BV (2.0) = ?

BattleMech Gallery

References

  1. Technical Readout: 3039, p. 286
  2. Era Digest: Age of War, p. 11, "BattleMech Tech Timeline"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 169
  4. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 161
  5. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 162
  6. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 63
  7. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 64
  8. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 45
  9. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 65
  10. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 46
  11. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 66
  12. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 47
  13. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 67
  14. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 48
  15. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 68
  16. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 50
  17. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 69
  18. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 51
  19. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 70
  20. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 52
  21. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 236
  22. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 53
  23. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 71
  24. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 237
  25. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 72
  26. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 55
  27. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 73
  28. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 56
  29. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 74
  30. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 57
  31. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 75
  32. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 58
  33. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 58
  34. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 236
  35. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 59
  36. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 49
  37. Luthien (scenario pack)
  38. Ideal War
  39. Technical Readout: 3025, pp. 130-131

Bibliography