Stone Rhino (Behemoth)

Revision as of 09:15, 7 December 2016 by 73.166.21.66 (talk) (→‎Variants)
Stone Rhino (Behemoth)
Stone Rhino (Behemoth)
Production information
Manufacturer Tokasha MechWorks
Production Year 2847[1]
Class Assault
Cost 10,512,000 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 100 tons
Chassis Star League Monster (Standard)
Armor Compound 12A1 Standard with CASE
Engine 300 Standard
Speed 54.0 km/h
Jump Jets Grandthrust Mk. 5
Armament
BV (1.0) 2,626[2]
BV (2.0) 3,001[3]


Description

Considered a mistake, the original design of the Stone Rhino was known as "Amaris' folly". Developed in a project whose objective was to create a BattleMech able to withstand an entire BattleMech company assault, these machines were to be launched into mass production and used to stop General Aleksandr Kerensky in his attempt to retake Terra. The prototype was described as a monstrosity whose leg actuators shut down during its first test run, so the project was summarily scrapped. However, the Word of Blake would use the engineering information for the Behemoth to create the first successful superheavy 'Mech, the Omega.[4]

The Stone Rhino was one of the most remarkable surprises sprung upon the Inner Sphere by the invading Clans. Since the Inner Sphere forces knew about the Amaris Behemoth that was the name they gave to the 'Mech.

Bringing awesome firepower, these machines cannot be used effectively by commanders because they cannot afford to lose one. Mainly seen in Clan Smoke Jaguar, only a small number of these massive machines have been sighted. No other Clan appeared to field this design, but because it is a venerable design, other Clans are suspected to possess some, widely spread throughout their toumans.

The Stone Rhino made use of eighteen tons of standard armor. It could jump up to ninety meters in one bound.

Weapons and Equipment

The design featured Large Pulse Lasers in each arm, twin Gauss Rifles in the torsos fired through the dorsal barrel, and an almost superfluous Small Pulse Laser located just below the cockpit. The Stone Rhino also sported an interesting feature; each arm contained a retractable, shock-absorbing cowl covering the weapon barrels. This allowed MechWarriors to use the arms as battering rams without damaging the weaponry.

Variants

  • Stone Rhino
    A Clan Hell's Horses variant made use of two Large Pulse Lasers in each arm and two ATM 9s with four tons of ammo in the torso. Two ER Micro Lasers to protect the 'Mech's rear arc, while the other equipment was removed to add heat sinks.[5] BV (1.0) = 2,795,[8] BV (2.0) = 3,072[9]

Related BattleMechs

  • Matar - The original failed prototype, the Matar massed over one hundred tons and experienced extreme stresses on its leg actuators that effectively prevented the 'Mech from moving. The project ended when Stefan Amaris had the design staff executed for "treasonous incompetance".

Notes

  • Prior to the Battle of Misery, Wolf's Dragoons counted a Behemoth BattleMech in its Alpha Regiment, piloted by a Gordon Zed. This 'Mech presumably used 3025-era technology, but an exact description was never published. Both the 'Mech and its MechWarrior were destroyed on Misery.[10]

Gallery

References

  1. MUL online date for the Stone Rhino (Behemoth)
  2. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrade, p. 198
  3. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 203
  4. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 143
  5. 5.0 5.1 Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, p. 120
  6. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrade, p. 199
  7. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 204
  8. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrade, p. 200
  9. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 205
  10. Wolf's Dragoons (sourcebook), p. 51

Bibliography