Shadow Hawk LAM
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| |
| Shadow Hawk LAM | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Allied Aerospace |
| Production Year | 2684[1] |
| Model | SHD-X2 |
| Class | Medium |
| Cost | 7,374,466 C-bills |
| Technical specifications | |
| 'Mech type | Inner Sphere BattleMech |
| Mass | 55 tons |
| Chassis | Lang T1 Modified Bi-Modal LAM |
| Armor | StarSlab/2 |
| Engine | DAV 220 |
| Communications System | O/P 500 Comtalk II |
| Targeting Tracking System | O/P 2000C-5 |
| Heat Sinks | 10 double |
| Speed | 64.8 km/h |
| Jump Jets | Allied Lifter B-Series |
| Armament |
|
| BV (1.0) | N/A |
| BV (2.0) | 933[2] |
Contents
Description[edit]
The Star League era Shadow Hawk LAM was notable for being the first Land-Air 'Mech ever tested. The inherent flaws with the design prevented any of the Shadow Hawk LAM prototypes from entering full-scale production.
In 2680, Michael Cameron appointed Admiral David Peterson commander of the Star League Defense Force. Peterson quickly established commission guidelines for "a series of ’Mechs that could fly as well as function as light ground 'Mechs."[3] Allied Aerospace was eager to obtain a foothold in the surface-combat market; their highly ambitious and revolutionary design, based on the venerable Shadow Hawk BattleMech, won the bid. While construction was completed in 2680, thanks to the chassis' numerous flaws, lackluster performance, and a number of ill-fated and publicly witnessed test-flights disasters during SLDF reviews in 2682, Allied Aerospace was forced to go back to the drawing board. The more refined X2 variant faced considerable scrutiny by SLDF evaluators in 2684, successfully meeting the SLDF's requirements but still rejected thanks to its high fuel consumption and the bad press generated by the earlier X1. 20 SHD-X2 were built for trials with potential customers, but failed to attract any interest. Ultimately, Allied scrapped the Shadow Hawk LAM program in favor of what became the considerably more successful Phoenix Hawk LAM.
Weapons and Equipment[edit]
The Shadow Hawk LAM was built on Lang T1 Modified Bi-Modal LAM chassis, protected by nine and a half tons of StarSlab/2 standard armor. Unlike the follow-on designs, the Shadow Hawk LAM was constructed to transition from 'Mech directly to an aerospace fighter with no intermediate AirMech mode. While a smaller DAV 220 fusion engine reduced the SHD-X2's ground speed compared to its parent design, the reduction was offset by a 30 meter increase in jump range. The 'Mech mounted 10 double heat sinks to manage the high heat loads caused by flight and it weapons. The Shadow Hawk LAM's notoriously small fuel tanks greatly limited its flight endurance, one of the many reasons it failed to gain traction.[4]
The Shadow Hawk LAM featured a Newhart ER large laser in place of the original Shadowhawk' AC/5, and additionally mounted four bomb bays for use in aerospace fighter mode. Besides these, it shared the original design's loadout; a Martell Model 5 medium laser in the right arm for close range combat and a Holly LRM-5 for long range bombardments in the right shoulder, fed with one ton of ammunition.[4]
Variants[edit]
- SHD-X1
- These original and considerably flawed prototypes were completed in 2680. Based on the Shadow Hawk SHD-2H, the 'Mech carried an AC/2 in place of the AC/5. The SHD-X1 carried only six and a half tons of armor for protection. Only one chassis survived multiple crashes caused by its faulty schematics.[4] It had a top ground speed of 86.4 km/h like its progenitor, the SHD-2H[4], and used 10 single heat sinks.[5] BV (2.0) Not provided.
Related BattleMechs[edit]
- Shadow Hawk - Allied Aerospace's initial attempted Land-Air 'Mech design, its weaponry, and its role, were based on the ubiquitous Shadow Hawk BattleMech.[4]
Gallery[edit]
Shadow Hawk LAM in BattleMech mode.
Shadow Hawk LAM in fighter mode.
