Thug

Thug
Production information
Manufacturer	Maltex Corporation
Model	THG-11E
Class	Assault
Cost	8,414,040 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	80 tons
Chassis	Earthwerks VOL Endo Steel
Armor	Mitchell Argon
Engine	Pitban 320
Speed	64.8 km/h
Armament	2xPPCs 2xSRM-6
BV (1.0)	1,450
BV (2.0)	1,640

Description

The Thug was designed by Maltex Corporation as a direct competitor to the popular Warhammer BattleMech. First seeing production in 2572, the Thug brings the advantages of greater heat dissipation capabilities as well as CASE protection for its vulnerable ammunition. When compared side-by-side, the Thug has a great many advantages over the Warhammer, yet it never reached the same level of popularity as its competitor.

Armament

The armament on the Thug is a very simple, yet effective, combination. For striking power, it carries two arm mounted Tiegart Particle Projector Cannons. Backing up the PPCs are two Bical-6 SRM-6 launchers that allow the Thug to capitalize on any breaches in the enemy's armor.

Variants

• THG-10E - The 10E is a downgraded version of the 11E produced by Earthwerks Incorporated following the destruction of Maltex's facilities in 2835. The primary changes come from the loss of the double heat sinks, CASE, and the Endo Steel structure. To compensate for the weight needed for a standard structure, the SRMs have been downgraded from six tube launchers to four tube. In addition, the Thug lost one ton of ammunition. While this version can still compete with the Warhammer, the replacement of its double heat sinks with single heat sinks takes away its greatest advantage. BV (1.0) = 1,203, BV (2.0) = 1,501

• THG-11Eb - The 11Eb is an upgrade of the Thug used by the SLDF Royal Brigades. It upgrades the PPCs to ER PPCs.

• THG-12E - Take an extremely powerful long range 'Mech, extend its range and accuracy, and put it in the hands of the Inner Sphere's two most secretive organizations and you have the 12E Thug. The PPCs have been upgraded to ER PPCs and an improved C3 computer has been added. To make the change to a C3i computer, a double heat sink, one ton of ammunition, and the corresponding CASE were removed. BV (1.0) = 1,476 (C3: 202), BV (2.0) = 1,751

• THG-12K - This Draconis Combine variant of the 12E replaces the C3i with a C3 Slave and a Guardian ECM Suite. BV = ???

• THG-13K - The 13K is a variant that removes many of the traditional strengths of the Thug to increase its damage potential. The missiles have been removed and the 'Mech is now powered by an XL Engine. This, combined with the loss of a half-ton or armor, reduces the much-vaunted survivability of the Thug. Another heat sink is removed from the 12E, but the armament has been replaced with three Heavy PPCs. Though this gives the 13K great damage potential, it can quickly overwhelm its heat dissipation system. Two Medium Pulse Lasers provide close range defense in case an enemy gets within the minimum range of the PPCs and an Improved C3 CPU enables it to share targeting telemetry with other units equipped with the same. BV (2.0) = ???

Related BattleMechs

• Hatamoto-Chi - The armament of the Thug inspired the Draconis Combine's redesign of the Charger, the Hatamoto. In addition, the Thug and Hatamoto are built using the same chassis.

References

• Record Sheets: 3025/3026
• Record Sheets: 3039
• Record Sheets: 3050
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)
• Record Sheets: 3067
• Technical Readout: 2750
• Technical Readout: 3025 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3075