Stalking Spider

Stalking Spider
Production information
Manufacturer	Constantin Assembly Plant M27A-E, Homer
Model	SSR
Class	Medium
Introduced	3059
Cost	5,814,500 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	50 tons
Chassis	Type QX745-50 Mod. III
Armor	Compound RSH5 Ferro-Fibrous
Engine	Fusion Standard 250 Mk. IX
Communications System	Build 1700/1 Tacticom
Speed	86 km/h (119 km/h with MASC)
Jump Jets	BMP Series XXI Mod. 12
Armament	1x ER PPC 2x SRM-4s 2x Medium Pulse Lasers
BV (1.0)	1,884
BV (2.0)	2,236

Description

After obtaining the husk of an Inner Sphere Tarantula, Clan Cloud Cobra scientists decided to use it as the basis for a quadruped BattleMech. The 'Mech received the name Stalking Spider because it mounts enough jump jets in the legs to rocket it to 150 meters in one jump. Because the MechWarrior must move the legs during the jump, it appears that the design is crawling through the air like a spider, making it very impressive during drops. The Stalking Spider also uses MASC to move up to 119 km/h in short bursts. In addition to its respectable speed, the 'Mech is protected by eight tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor, and it uses eleven double heat sinks to manage its heat.

Armament

The big gun on the Stalking Spider is its Type DDS "Kingston" ER PPC, which allows it deal a strong strike from long ranges. For close-up work, it has a pair of CCWP-14 SRM-4 launchers and a pair of Series PPS-XIX Medium Pulse Lasers. While the design can build a significant amount of heat if the MechWarrior constantly alpha strikes, an experienced pilot should be able to manage the Stalking Spider's heat easily. The design can stay at long range and snipe with its ER PPC, then quickly close to finish off an opponent with its pulse lasers and missiles.

Variants

• Stalking Spider 2 - This variant of the Stalking Spider, introduced 3060, removes the PPC and missiles, but retains the pulse lasers. It adds a Heavy Large Laser and a Targeting Computer to direct the 'Mech's laser fire. This hunter-killer is aided by the inclusion of an Active Probe and TAG. An additional double heat sink keeps heat levels manageable. BV (1.0) = 1,735, BV (2.0) = 2,056

• Stalking Spider 3 - This variant was introduced during the torrent fighting of the Jihad in 3072. The principle improvement of the design is the installation of eight Improved Jump Jets. The 'Mech's long-range abilities have been considerably reduced, due to the removal of larger weapons. The original design's number of Double Heat Sinks & the two Medium Pulse Lasers have been retained, while adding a single SRM-6 Launcher & a pair of Heavy Small Lasers. A ton of ammunition has been given to the SRM launcher, and additional armor was added. BV (2.0) = 1,643

Bibliography

• Combat Operations
• Master Unit List
• Record Sheets: 3060
• Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged
• Technical Readout: 3060