Von Luckner

VNL-K65N Von Luckner Heavy Tank
Production information
Manufacturer	HartfordCo Industries
Production Year	2612
Mission	Close Range/Urban Combat
Type	Tracked
Cost	3,692,500 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	75 tons
Armor	StarSlab/4
Engine	VOX 225 Fusion
Speed	54.0 km/h
Crew	5
Communications System	O/P 300
Targeting Tracking System	O/P GRNDSTAT 50A
Heat Sinks	10 single
Armament	1x Autocannon/20 2x SRM 6 1x SRM 4 1x LRM 10 1x Machine Gun 1x Flamer
BV (1.0)	663
BV (2.0)	1058

Description

Designed for the original Star League after the Reunification War as a BattleMech without legs, the Von Luckner is fully capable of blasting light 'Mechs to pieces. Named after Count Felix von Luckner of twentieth century Terra, the Von Luckner is one of the few tanks to use a fusion engine, as most vehicle-mounted reactors were stripped out for use in 'Mechs during the Succession Wars. Few of these vehicles remain in service, but they are very lethal, weighing more than most 'Mechs as well as boasting 11 tons of armor and overwhelming firepower.

Weapons and Equipment

The Von Luckner mounts an impressive array of weaponry. Its main gun is a turret-mounted Armstrong Autocannon 20, which can strip off more than a ton of armor in one salvo. A Holly LRM 10 provides long range and indirect fire, while two Holly SRM 6s and a Dannel SRM 4 add to its close range punch. A Ramsey Machine Gun and Firestorm Flamer provide anti-infantry capabilities. Carrying all of these weapons means that the vehicle is heavily ammo-dependent, which gives it very little to fall back on in the event of a protracted battle. As well, the reloading system is susceptible to jamming, and missile reloads stored in the tank's hull are vulnerable to fires or critical hits.

Variants

• House Davion had a number of Von Luckner variants, one of which removed some of the missile systems but added an improved targeting and tracking system to the Autocannon.

• Royal 

  In addition to the standard Von Luckner, the SLDF Royal Divisions also used a version from 2761 that was equipped with a pair of LB 10-X Autocannons, four Streak SRM-2 missile launchers, a Small Pulse Laser, and added an Artemis IV FCS to the LRM 10. To make room for all this equipment, an extralight fusion engine replaced the standard fusion engine. BV (2.0) = 1,261

• Star League

  Another Star League-era upgrade had four Streak SRM-2 missile launchers, a front-facing Small Pulse Laser, a rear-mounted Small Laser, a forward-launching LRM-15 with Artemis IV, and ferro-fibrous armor, primarily on the sides.BV (2.0) = 1,216

• VNL-K65W 

  Built Initially by the Word of Blake on Bryant, this update to the Royal Von Luckner was eventually utilized by the Republic and spread to several House militaries. An Ultra AC/20 serves as the main gun, with a pair of Streak SRM-4s and a single Light Machine Gun joining it in the turret. A pair of Artemis IV enhanced MML-5s and a Small Pulse Laser are mounted in the front glacis. All ammunition is stored in a CASE protected magazine. BV (2.0) = 1,318

• VNL-K70 

  This 3008 variant of the Von Luckner is more independent of ammunition. A PPC is added to the turret. The main gun had to be downgraded to an Autocannon/10 with two of tons ammo. Both SRM-6s had to be removed in order to make these changes possible. BV (2.0) = 1060

• VNL-X71 Yakuza 

  This Von Luckner variant is frequently seen in the hands of the Yakuza of The Republic of the Sphere in Prefectures I through III. The turret carries a single LB 20-X autocannon, Medium Pulse Laser, and SRM-4 with Artemis IV FCS. The tank uses an XL Fusion engine to maintain a top speed of 54 km/h. The tank is protected by both CASE and thirty tons of Hardened Armor, making it difficult to destroy. In fact on Altais two of these tanks destroyed a militia 'Mech lance that was searching for yakuza warehouses. Republic intelligence thinks that the Combine's Ghost Regiments are helping refit these tanks, but no evidence has come to light. BV (2.0) = 1,847

• VNL-K75N 

  This 3062 version of the Von Luckner is equipped with a forward firing MRM-20 and twin machine guns. The turret carries an Ultra AC/20, an SRM-6 launcher, and a pair of medium lasers. BV (1.0) = 942, BV (2.0)= 1,350

• VNL-K85N 

  This variant of the Von Luckner utilizes hardened armor and an XL engine to give itself reinforced protection. Featuring an LB 20-X AC, a pair of SRM 6s, and an MRM 10, the K85N serves as a frontline juggernaught. BV (2.0) = 1584

• VNL-K90 

  Utilizing the same armor and engine as the K85N, the K90 has taken an all-range approach to combat. The autocannon is replaced with a gauss rifle, and the SRMs are reduced to a single SRM 4. The extra weight is put into a Snub-nose PPC. BV (2.0) = 1688

• VNL-K100 

  This 3002 variant of the Von Luckner drops all the weapons except for the Autocannon/20 and a single SRM-6 launcher. This allows for a second Autocannon-20 to be installed in the turret, making the Von Luckner far more deadly at short range. BV (2.0) = 1001

Design Quirks

The VNL-X71 Von Luckner (Yakuza) variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:

• Difficult to Maintain
• Improved Communications

Gallery

• 

  Original VNL-K65N Von Luckner from TRO:3025

• 

  Von Luckner from RG:iClan vol. 32

• 

  A Von Luckner in action from TRO:3025 Revised

• 

  Von Luckner in colors of An Ting Legion from Camo Specs

Notes

• Author Blaine Lee Pardoe stated in a blog entry that, according to his memory which he admitted could be wrong, the Von Luckner was among the vehicles for which he invented the name and wrote the original background as initially published in TRO:3025, after being given only its art and game stats to work with for the TRO entry.

Bibliography

• Combat Operations
• Experimental Technical Readout: Most Wanted
• Historical: Operation Klondike
• Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)
• Technical Readout: 3025
• Technical Readout: 3039