Wasp LAM

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Wasp LAM
Wasp Land-Air 'Mech
Production information
Manufacturer Harvard Company, Inc.
Production Year Introduction Year::2690[1]
Model WSP-105
Class Light
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 30 tons
Chassis Harvard 12K
Armor Durallex Light
Engine GM 180
Communications System Rand 1200
Targeting Tracking System Rand LAMTar 100
Heat Sinks 11
Speed 97.2 ground km/h, 1620 overthrust km/h
Jump Jets GM ATO 100
Armament


Description

Designed right after the Stinger LAM proved the Land-Air 'Mech concept, the aerodynamic Wasp chassis also seemed to promise a successful conversion. However, weapon accuracy was severely hampered on initial prototypes. Only after the Harvard Company hired Katherine Piscalla was a successful Wasp LAM actually produced.[2]

The Wasp LAM is able to convert from BattleMech to Aerospace Fighter faster than any other Land-Air 'Mech.[2] The Wasp LAM also mounts no lostech (save the conversion equipment). The ease of use and ability to drop bombs from bomb bays made the Wasp LAM especially successful in air-to-ground strikes, no matter where that ground may be. During its first operation, Wasp LAMs were tasked with destroying a nuclear weapons facility orbiting in the Terran Oort Cloud in 2690. Generations of SLDF ground soldiers loved the Wasp LAM so much, they bestowed upon it the moniker "angels on our shoulders".[3]

The Wasp LAM was a highly sought-after prize, and a jealously guarded commodity when most of the Wasp LAM production facilities were destroyed shortly after the start of the First Succession War"First Succession War" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation..[2] By the thirty-first century, the Wasp LAM was an exceedingly rare sight within the Inner Sphere.[3]

Weapons and Equipment

The Wasp LAM is similar to the Stinger LAM, maintaining the same ground and air speed. The only real difference is in the armament - the Wasp LAM is armed with a Martell Medium Laser and a Holly SRM-2.[2]

Variants

  • Capellan 
    The Capellan Confederation has several Wasp LAM variants that are original prototypes, built before the first successful prototype designed by Dr. Piscalla. All variants not only have difficulty converting, but are also prone to glitches with their targeting and tracking systems.[4]
  • WSP-100 Wasp LAM Mk I 
    This variant, used by the SLDF, has a LTV 150 engine, slightly lower maximum ground speed (84km/h), a 120 meter jump capability, and replaces the SRM-2 with a rear-facing One-Shot version. In exchange the WSP-100 was equipped with a five ton bomb bay. This Bomb Bay allowed the WSP-100 to carry Arrow IV missiles and conventional bombs without losing any speed.[4] BV (2.0) = 489
  • WSP-100b 
    This variant was designed for the SLDF's "Blackhearts" teams.[4] Based on the standard WSP-100, it replaced the medium laser and bomb bay with an extra jump jet, Medium Pulse Laser, Streak SRM-2, and Guardian ECM Suite. The armor protection was also increased slightly. BV (2.0) = ????[5]
  • WSP-100A 
    This version of the Wasp LAM replaces the bomb bay with an LRM-10 launcher and an extra jump jet. This variant was later used as the inspiration for the Valkyrie.[4] BV (2.0) = ????[6]
  • WSP-105M 
    This variant of the "standard" Wasp 105 replaced the SRM-2 and one heat sink with a single LRM-5. BV (2.0) = ????[7]

Related BattleMechs

  • Wasp - The Wasp LAM modified the chassis of the very successful Wasp light BattleMech.

Wasp LAM Gallery

References

  1. MUL online
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Technical Readout: 3025, p. 128, "Wasp LAM"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Technical Readout: 3085, p. 292-296
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Technical Readout: 3085, p. 296
  5. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — The Cutting Edge, p. 341
  6. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — The Cutting Edge, p. 340
  7. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — The Cutting Edge, p. 343
  8. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — The Cutting Edge, p. 344

Bibliography