Rifleman

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Rifleman
Rifleman
Production information
Manufacturer Kallon Industries,
Red Devil Industries,
Trellshire Heavy Industries
Model RFL-3N
Class Heavy
Cost 4,860,000 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 60 tons
Chassis Kallon Type IV
Armor Kallon Royalstar
Engine Pitban 240
Speed 64.8 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 797[1]
BV (2.0) 1,039[2]


Description

The definitive anti-aircraft 'Mech, the Rifleman was first fielded in 2505, making it among the first 'Mechs ever built. Its combination of long-ranged weaponry, including rapid-fire autocannons, and its excellent Garret D2j targeting and tracking system ensured it would remain a viable battlefield unit through half a millennium of combat. When pressed into combat against ground units, the Rifleman is merely adequate, suffering from light armor protection, poor heat management, and limited ammunition supply. It is particularly noted for its thin rear armor, a weakness for which its ability to reverse its arms only partly compensates. The Rifleman is far more successful when used as a fire-support 'Mech, and five centuries of combat have provided many triumphant examples of its employment in this role.

Armament

The Rifleman's focus on anti-aircraft work dictated a heavy load of long-range weapons to the exclusion of everything else. It carries a particularly heavy battery of two Magna Mk. III Large Lasers paired with two Imperator-A medium autocannons, one of each mounted in each arm. Two Magna Mk. II Medium Lasers are mounted in the torso to provide backup. One ton of autocannon ammunition is carried in the center torso. The 'Mech's ten heat sinks are grossly inadequate for constant fire, but in an anti-aircraft role, the Rifleman is expected to have time to dissipate heat while the target aircraft turns for its next pass.[3]

Variants

  • RFL-3Cr - This field refit was introduced during the FedCom Civil War. It carries the Autocannon/10s of the RFL-3C, but uses an XL Gyro to provide room for a pair of Medium Lasers. Heavy Ferro-Fibrous armor increases the amount of protection. BV (2.0) = 1,129[6]
  • RFL-4D - The 4D is commonly known as the second "Hanse variant." It replaces the Autocannon/5s with PPCs and removes the Medium Lasers. The extra weight is used to mount five extra heat sinks.[9] BV (1.0) = 869,[5] BV (2.0) = 1,173
  • RFL-5D - A recovered-technology version of the RFL-4D, the 5D replaces the PPCs with ER PPC models and restores the original model's Medium Lasers. An XL engine is used to free up weight, which is used to mount seventeen double heat sinks and increase armor protection to nine tons.[10] BV (1.0) = 1,115,[5] BV (2.0) = 1,395[11]
  • RFL-5M - The 5M is another product of the Gray Death Memory Core technology boon. The standard autocannons are replaced by Ultra models, but the ammunition load remains a single ton. CASE is now mounted to protect this ammunition, double heat sinks are mounted and two more are added, and another ton of armor is carried. The free weight for all these changes is created by the use of an XL Engine. [12] BV (1.0) = 1,062,[1] BV (2.0) = 1,227[13]
  • RFL-6D - This variant of the 6X replaces the Small Lasers with a head-mounted C3 Slave to aid it in targeting. It leaves everything else except for the autocannon intact. They are replaced with a pair of Mydron Snakekiller Light Autocannon/5s in each arm. Each arm is fed by three-ton ammunition bins, each of which are protected by CASE. The large ammunition bins allow a variety of ammunition types to used.[14][15][16] BV (2.0) = 1,274[17]
  • RFL-6X - The 6X is one of three "Project Phoenix" variants, designed as a fast-response anti-aircraft 'Mech. Its top speed has increased to 87 km/h through the use of a larger XL Engine. Its chassis has been removed in favor of an Endo Steel model. It carries dual LB 10-X Autocannons with four tons of ammunition, paired with ER Medium, and ER Small Lasers.[18] BV (1.0) = 1,275,[5] BV (2.0) = 1,464[19]
  • RFL-7X - This variant was produced during the Jihad as a field refit kit. Using an Endo Steel chassis, XL Gyro, and XL Engine allowed designers to increase the top speed to 97 km/h and include six jump jets. Light Ferro-Fibrous armor protects the 'Mech, while each arm mounts a Light PPC and Snub-Nose PPC. BV (2.0) = 1,645[23]
  • RFL-8D - The definitive "Project Phoenix" model, the 8D is intended as more of a line unit. It mounts two Mydron Model RC Rotary Autocannon/5s with six tons of ammunition, a pair of Bright-Blossom ER Medium Lasers, and the heaviest armor of any known Rifleman variant. Until the arrival of the -7X, this was the only known Rifleman variant to mount jump jets.[24][25][23] BV (1.0) = 1,664,[5] BV (2.0) = 1,777[26]

Custom Variants

  • RFL-X3 Rifleman MUSE WIND - The Rifleman MUSE WIND was an experiment to combine Clan and Inner Sphere equipment in a production 'Mech. An Inner Sphere produced chassis, XL Engine, XL Gyro, double heat sinks, and Jump Jets form the core of the 'Mech. The Ferro-Fibrous armor that maximizes protection comes from the Clans, as does the weaponry: Each arm mounts a HAG/20 and the torso-mounted medium lasers are Clan Medium Pulse Lasers. The HAG ammo is protected by an Inner Sphere CASE system. BV (2.0) = 2,012[31]

Related BattleMechs

  • Rifleman IIC - One of the 'Mechs the SLDF took with them when they left the Inner Sphere was the Rifleman. The Clan variant is five tons heavier. It mounts four Large Pulse Lasers, Jump Jets, and an Active Probe. BV (2.0) = 2,122

Notable Pilots

BattleMech Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Combat Operations, p. 121
  2. Technical Readout: 3039, p. 293
  3. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 135
  4. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 134
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Combat Operations, p. 127
  6. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 111
  7. The Battle for Twycross, pp. 46 & 48
  8. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 121
  9. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 136
  10. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 137
  11. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 111
  12. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 138
  13. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 113
  14. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 139
  15. "Rifleman"
  16. 16.0 16.1 Technical Readout: 3085, p. 250
  17. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 114
  18. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 140
  19. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 115
  20. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 141
  21. Combat Operations, p. 130
  22. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 116
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Technical Readout: 3085, p. 251
  24. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 142
  25. Technical Readout: Project Phoenix, p. 27
  26. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 118
  27. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 119
  28. Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 143
  29. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 120
  30. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 122
  31. Experimental Technical Readout: Davion, p. 5
  32. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 169

Bibliography