Tatsu

Tatsu 3067.png
Tatsu
Production information
Manufacturer Wakazashi Enterprises
Production Year 3063[1]
Model MIK-O
Class Heavy
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Technical specifications
Mass 70
Structural Integrity 7
Frame Wakazashi VII-Modular
Power Plant Shinobi 210 XL Engine
Fuel
Armament

Primary Configuration

Communications System Garret T22
Tracking & Targeting System Neko Megane 6
Heat Sinks 10 Double Heat Sinks
BV (1.0) 1,301[2][3]
BV (2.0) 1,577[4]

Description

The first Draconis Combine OmniFighter built from the ground up, the Tatsu OmniFighter was designed primarily with ground-attack missions in mind.[2]

Attempting to leverage their development of OmniMech technology in 3052 into the production of OmniFighters, development was more problematic than expected, but eventually resulted in a morale boosting Omni conversion of the Sai in the late 3050's. Not willing to let matters rest with a rather hodge-podge conversion of an existing Aerospace Fighter, Wakazashi Enterprises immediately began work on a totally new OmniFighter that would be built from the ground up, which began mass poroduction in 3063.[2]

The goal with the Tatsu was to create an OmniFighter that could deliver a maximum ammount of damage to ground-based targets, the use of an XL Engine provides the fighter with an impressive forty-one tons of pod space to accomplish this. While armored with standard Naketsu MetalWeave instead of Ferro-Aluminum to avoid cramping the pod space available, an impressive sixteen and a half tons still provides it superb protection for a craft of it's size. However, like many OmniFighters, pod space comes before in-built heat dissipation with only ten Double Heat Sinks fixed on its base chassis.[2]

Weapons and Equipment

The primary configuration is a good example of the ground-attack role of the Tatsu, mounting a MRM-10 rack and two ER Medium Lasers in the nose, supported by a Large and Medium Pulse Laser in each wing. Those ground forces who thought the Tatsu missed them are in for a shock with a massive MRM-30 mounted aft. Carrying enough missiles to provide twenty-four reloads for both MRM launchers, four additional double heat sinks attempt to stave off an ammunition explosion.[2]

Alternate Configurations

  • Alt. Config. A 
    The A configuration is a high-energy strafer, carrying two ER PPC in its nose supported by eight Medium Pulse Lasers, four to a wing. An additional eleven double heat sinks strain to keep all the waste heat in check. BV (1.0) = 1,596[2][5] BV (2.0) = 1,864[6]
  • Alt. Config. B 
    An anti-vehicle ground attack design, the B configuration mounts an LB 10-X AC in its nose, supported by an Artemis IV FCS enhanced LRM-15 and two ER Medium Lasers in each wing. Two tons of autocannon and missile reloads keep their respective weapons firing, while two more double heat sinks fight to prevent an ammunition explosion. BV (1.0) = 1,542[2][7] BV (2.0) = 1,990[8]
  • Alt. Config. C 
    A ground attack missile boat, the C variant mounts two Streak SRM-6 launchers in its nose supported by two mammoth MRM-40s, one per wing. Lacking any back-up energy weaponry, the Tatsu C must withdraw once its two tons of streak ammo and six combined tons of MRM reloads are expended. BV (1.0) = 1,392[2] (1,466)[9] BV (2.0) = 1,866[10]
  • Alt. Config. D 
    Developed during the Jihad this configuration puts a pair of MML-9 launchers in each wing, supported by a nose-mounted ER Large Laser. The Tatsus after aspect is protected by twin ER Medium Lasers. BV (2.0) = 1,666[11]
  • Alt. Config. E 
    Another Jihad era variant, this configuration has two nose mounted Plasma Rifles and a nose mounted AMS. Each wing carries a single ER Medium Laser and Snub Nose PPC. It also carries a Guardian ECM Suite to disrupt electronic networks, while a total of eighteen double heat sinks keep heat under control. BV (2.0) = 2,241[12]

References

  1. MUL online date for the Tatsu
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Technical Readout: 3067, pp. 150-151, "Tatsu OmniFighter Profile"
  3. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 125
  4. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 261
  5. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 126
  6. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 262
  7. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 127
  8. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 263
  9. AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 128
  10. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 264
  11. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 265
  12. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 266
  13. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 211

Bibliography