Vapor Eagle (Goshawk)
Sarna News
| Vapor Eagle (Goshawk) | |
| Vapor Eagle | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Unknown |
| Model | Vapor Eagle |
| Class | Medium |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 55 tons tons |
| Chassis | Endo Steel |
| Armor | Ferro-Fibrous |
| Engine | 380 XL |
| Speed | 97.2 km/h |
| Jump Jets | Six of unknown model |
| Armament |
Primary Configuration
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Contents
Description
The Vapor Eagle first appeared around 3055, in the use of Clan Steel Viper as a "second-line" BattleMech. It was dubbed Goshawk by the Inner Sphere for its unusual bird-like design. However, this seems to serve a purpose. While most 'Mechs rely on sheer jump-jet power to get airborne and are often not very aerodynamic, the Vapor Eagle's swooping-pauldron design apparently helps alleviate the lack of precision and stability most jump-jet-equipped 'Mechs have.
Armament
The Clan Vapor Eagle BattleMech focuses a good deal on speed and maneuverability, and its standard weapons-configuration accentuates close-range firepower. The Streak SRM-2s have short-range tracking capability giving it a better chance of hitting a fast target, and its cluster of machine-guns and medium pulse lasers perform fairly well at close range. However, its targetting computer and large pulse laser make many Inner Sphere tactical analysts wonder about its true purpose. True, many medium or heavier 'Mechs always have a least one long-range weapon to help round out their capabilities, but the combination of a targetting-system and short-range is unusual. Some have even theorized the 'Mech was designed for the arena, not the battlefield. Either way, the Vapor Eagle has rather decent firepower, as long as it can get its weapons in range.
Variants
- Alt. Configuration A - There seem to be numerous configurations in which the Vapor Eagle comes, but this is one that is seen enough to warrant its own entry. In this configuration, two of the medium-pulse lasers, both Streak missiles pods, and the large pulse laser are removed as well as one of the 'Mechs double-heatsinks in exchange for an Ultra-AC/10. The weapon fires large-caliber anti-armor rounds two-at-a-time, but some loadouts seem to carry only enough ammunition for ten shots for as-yet unknown reason.
References
(Requires sources.)