Quickdraw

Quickdraw
Production information
Manufacturer	Technicron Manufacturing Luthien Armor Works
Production Year	2779
Model	QKD-4G
Class	Heavy
Cost	5,514,560 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	60 tons
Chassis	Technicron Type E
Armor	Riese-475
Engine	Vlar 300
Speed	86.4 km/h
Jump Jets	Chilton 460
Armament	1xLRM-10 1xSRM-4 4xMedium Lasers
BV (1.0)	1,012
BV (2.0)	1,192

Description

The Quickdraw was originally built in 2779 as a competitor to the Rifleman BattleMech. In this respect, the model was unsuccessful. However, because of its excellent mobility, with a ground speed of 86.4 km/h and its jumping distance of one hundred and fifty meters, as well as its mostly short range weapons assortment, the Quickdraw is a powerful close combat 'Mech. It has one major flaw though: its light armor protection. With armor on par with most mid-grade medium 'Mechs, the Quickdraw is barely capable of standing up to heavier 'Mechs.

Armament

The only long-range weapon carried onboard the Quickdraw is a Delta Dart LRM-10 launcher, giving the 'Mech some long range damage capabilities. For close range combat, the Quickdraw carries four Omicron 4000 Medium Lasers, two of which are rear-mounted and the other two (in the arms) giving it respectable close range firepower. Additionally, to capitalize on any weak points in an enemy's armor, the Quickdraw carries a Hovertec Quad SRM-4 launcher.

Variants

• QKD-C - The C is a modified version of the 5K Quickdraw. The 'Mech has had a Medium Laser removed and replaced with a C3 slave unit, to allow it to work in C3 lances. BV (1.0) = 1,124, BV (2.0) = 1,225

• QKD-4H - In an attempt to bring more direct firepower to the 'Mech, the 4H moves the SRM-4 launcher into the rear arc and moves the two rear-facing Medium Lasers into forward firing mounts. Otherwise, the 4H is identical to the 4G model. BV (1.0) = 1,006, BV (2.0) = 1,242

• QKD-5A - The 5A makes the Quickdraw a more effective close combat 'Mech. The LRM-10 launcher has been removed and in its place two more forward-firing Medium Lasers have been added, as well as extra heat sinks to help compensate for the increased heat load. BV (1.0) = 1,070, BV (2.0) = 1,196

• QKD-5K - The 5K Quickdraw is upgraded using Star League technology. The 'Mech carries the same weaponry as the 5A model. The heat sinks have been upgraded to double heat sinks and the armor carried is Ferro-Fibrous armor, giving the 5K superior armor protection to the 5A model, with no added weight. BV (1.0) = 1,170, BV (2.0) = 1,265

• QKD-5K2 - A simple modification of the weapons array. The right torso medium lasers are remount to fire forward. The SRM-4 is then mounted to be fire rearward. BV (2.0) = 1,312

• QKD-5M - Another basic upgrade of the Quickdraw utilizing Star League technology, the 5M replaces the SRM-4 launcher with a one-shot Hovertec SRM-4 Launcher. The armor has been upgraded to Kallon FWL Special Ferro-Fibrous and the 'Mech uses double heat sinks for better heat dissipation capabilities. The 'Mech has also had CASE added to protect against ammunition explosions. BV (1.0) = 1,142, BV (2.0) = 1,237

• QKD-5Mr - This version uses ER Medium Lasers in the arms, adds a Guardian ECM Suite, a Targeting Computer, and an Artemis IV FCS. To make room for this new equipment, engineers removed a heat sink and the one-shot missile launcher. BV (2.0) = 1,465

• QKD-8K - The 8K variant of the Quickdraw brings it up to 3062 weapons standards. The 'Mech is built using an Endo Steel chassis and is armored with eight and a half tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor. The 'Mech's arsenal has been stripped and upgraded. The 8K Quickdraw has four forward mounted ER Medium Lasers and also carries an MRM-30 launcher, as a compromise between the LRMs and SRMs of past models. BV (1.0) = 1,375, BV (2.0) = 1,583

• QKD-8P - The -8P is based on the experimental -8X. The major differences are the removal of the Stealth Armor and the Head Turret. This reduces production costs considerably, but leaves the head mounted PPC unable to cover the Quickdraw's retreat. The other advanced systems, including the Torso Mounted Cockpit, remain. The 8P also uses the same handheld weapons as the 8X. BV (2.0) = 1,598

Custom Variants

• QKD-8X - An experimental version developed by Earthwerks Incorporated of Tikonov mounts stealth armor and is outfitted with Triple Strength Myomer. Retaining the original rear facing Medium Lasers, the cockpit has been moved down into the torso, and a turret-mounted PPC and TAG system have been installed in the head. Developed as a "Poor Man's OmniMech" during the Jihad, the QKD-8X was designed to use the boosted strength of the TSM to carry a variety of hand-held weapons, using a rear-mounted Lift Hoist to carry spare packages on its back. BV (2.0) = 1612

Hand-held weapon packages developed for QKD-8X are divided into heavy, twelve tons, and light, six tons, and include:

• Heavy LRM Weapon - An LRM-20 and one ton of reloads clad in a single ton armor. BV (2.0) = 236
• Heavy LB-X Weapon - An LB 10-X AC with a half ton of reloads protected by a half ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 174
• Heavy Streak Weapon - A trio of Streak SRM-4's with a single shared ton of reloads clad in two tons of armor. BV (2.0) = 248
• Heavy Rotary AC Weapon - A Rotary AC/5 with a ton and half of ammo protected by half a ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 310
• Heavy Thunderbolt Weapon - A Thunderbolt 10 clad in two tons of armor and supplied with three tons of reloads. BV (2.0) = 239
• Light Autocannon Weapon - A Light AC/5 with half a ton of reloads protected by half a ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 82
• Light Anti-Infantry Weapon - Five Machine Guns and a Vehicle Flamer supplied with half a ton of machine gun ammo and one of flamer reloads clad in one ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 64
• Light Laser Weapon - A single Medium Laser cooled by three Heat Sinks and covered in two tons of armor. BV (2.0) = 110

Design Quirks

The QKD-8P Quickdraw variant is subject of the following Design Quirks:

• Hyper-Extending Actuators

Gallery

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  QKD-5M Quickdraw

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  QKD-4D Quickdraw

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  QKD-8X Quickdraw

• 

Notes

• In the German edition of BattleTech, the QKD Quickdraw was renamed/translated PLD Paladin. This should not be confused with the Solaris VII 'Mech, PAL Paladin.

Bibliography

• Experimental Technical Readout: Corporations
• Introductory Record Sheets
• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Record Sheets: 3025/3026
• Record Sheets: 3039
• Record Sheets: 3050
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: 3060
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New
• Record Sheets: Upgrades
• Technical Readout: 3025
• Technical Readout: 3025 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3085
• Technical Readout: Prototypes