Wyvern

Wyvern
Wyvern
Production information
Manufacturer Maltex Corporation
Production Year 2660
Model WVE-5N
Class Medium
Cost 3,470,865 C-bills[1]
Technical specifications
Mass 45 tons
Chassis Ost Endo Steel
Armor Kilosh 1000
Engine GM 180
Communications System Ostmann AMB
Targeting Tracking System Scrambler-7 Series
Heat Sinks 12
Speed 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets Northrup 750
Armament
BV (1.0) 883[1]
BV (2.0) 1,089[2]


Description

The Wyvern was designed in 2660 as an urban warfare BattleMech. The Wyvern is considered a slow 'Mech when compared to others in its weight class, but in a city or other close-confines environment the Wyvern does not require a great deal of speed to be highly effective. The four jump jets located in the rear torso and upper legs give it a respectable jump range. The Wyvern also uses CASE technology to protect all of its very vulnerable ammunition. In the event that one of its ammunition bins is hit, the Wyvern can survive and remove itself from combat for repairs. Though most MechWarriors would rather not get stuck with garrison or crowd control duties, a few enjoyed piloting the Wyvern, and were amongst the proudest in the Star League Defense Force. [3] [4] [2] [5]

After the fall of the Star League, most commanders refused to engage in cities or industrial complexes, not wishing to risk damage to the dwindling technology and resources remaining. The Wyvern, vulnerable when on open fields, was relegated to fighting in mountainous or heavily forested terrain, where speed and maneuverability were less of an issue. Though production of the design ceased for centuries after the destruction of its Errai manufacturing lines in 2835, the line was rebuilt in 3064 as a series of upgrades were developed to take advantage of rediscovered lostech which would see use of the Wyvern renewed. [4] [2] [5]

Weapons and Equipment

The Wyvern carries an eclectic, but effective, mix of weapons. The primary weapon used is a Nightwind Large Laser, an extremely reliable weapon, but so bulky that it is one of the largest military lasers ever built. This is backed up by several weapons. For close range combat, the Wyvern carries two Starflash Small Lasers and a Totschlagen-6 SRM-6 launcher. The Wyvern also carries a Jackson Dart LRM-10 launcher to harass enemy units from range and for indirect fire. Aside from their differing ranges, the missile launchers are a study in contrasts. Though not as well known as Holly-brand launchers, the Totschlagen is sturdy and reliable with its compact ammo feed mounted directly atop the CASE, shortening reload time and ensuring that any jams can quickly cleared by a "schlagen hop"; the 'Mech jumping up and down in place. Unfortunately, because the Dart launcher is located in front of the engine core, heat from the engine can potentially cause its ammo feed to automatically perform a thermal shut down; for a MechWarrior to override this function could lead to the ammunition cooking off in the loading tubes. The only proven solution is to keep the engine's temperature as low as possible. [3] [4] [2] [5]

Variants

  • WVE-5Nb 
    This upgrade utilized by the SLDF Royal brigades uses an XL Engine for power. That enabled an upgrade of the Large Laser to a pulse laser. One of the Small Lasers has been upped to a Medium Laser, while an additional heat sink helps keep down the extra heat created by these weapons.[6] BV (2.0)= 1,006[7][8]
  • WVE-5Nsl 
    This Star League Defense Force variant has been upgraded to use an ER Large Laser instead of the Large Laser, ten Double Heat Sinks, replaces the SRM-6 with three Streak SRM-2 launchers with a ton of ammo, and adds an additional Small Laser to the head.[9]
  • WVN-5UX Wyvern City 
    This was designed for the SLDF as a command 'Mech for battalion commanders. This variant was equipped with an ER Large Laser, two SRM-6 launchers with ammo in CASE protected bays, and two Vehicle Grenade Launchers for anti-infantry work. In the space that was freed by making these modifications, engineers added a Cockpit Command Console and a Supercharger which allowed the Wyvern City to sprint at up to 86 km/h. This equipment let a battalion commander coordinate the attacks of his unit, while still being able to reach trouble zones quickly. The only four prototypes were scrapped in 2687. [10] BV (2.0) = 1,273[11]
  • WVE-6N 
    The 6N Wyvern is the downgraded version of the 'Mech used during the Succession Wars, with Maltex removing the Endo Steel internal structure as well as the CASE in the left and right torsos to prioritise their use on the more favoured Thug. While the loss of the weight from the CASE systems somewhat offsets the weight added by losing the Endo Steel structure, the Wyvern still loses one ton of armor protection. The weapons systems, as well as the 'Mech's speed and jumping capabilities, remained virtually the same, with the Maltex even rerouted the LRM ammo feed during the removal of the CASE to alleviate the risk of ammunition cook-off.[4] [5] BV (1.0) = 797[12] BV (2.0) = 1,005[13]
  • WVE-9N 
    One of the so-called "Clanbuster" refits developed by ComStar in the lead-up to the Battle of Tukayyid, the 9N takes advantage of pulse laser technology by upgrading the Large Laser to a Tronel XIII Large Pulse Laser and upgrades both of the Small Lasers to Tronel XII Medium Pulse Lasers. To facilitate this, one and a half tons of armor had to be removed and the SRM launcher has been downgraded to a highly accurate Hovertec Streak SRM-2 launcher. [14] [2] BV (1.0) = 951[12], BV (2.0) = 1,067[15]
  • WVE-10N 
    Produced by Maltex on their rebuilt production lines in 3064 for the Com Guards, the 10N is and upgrade of the PN transforms the Wyvern from a brutal street fighter to a long-range sniper. The 'Mechs speed and jumping capabilities have been retained but otherwise just about everything has changed except for the LRM-10. The 10N carries eight tons of standard armor and CASE for the LRM-10 ammunition. The primary weapon has been upgraded from a Large Laser to an ER PPC. The back up weapon has also been upgraded to a single Medium Pulse Laser. The Wyvern has also had a Guardian ECM Suite installed as well as an improved C3 computer to allow it to use targeting telemetry from its comrades. [2] BV (1.0) = 1,098[12][16], BV (2.0) = 1,199[17]

Related BattleMechs

  • Wyvern IIC - The Wyvern was one of the 'Mechs carried on the exodus with General Kerensky and the remnants of the Star League Defense Force. The Clans have created their own variant of the Wyvern called the Wyvern IIC which is an upgraded version using clan technology. BV (1.0) = 1,426, BV (2.0) = 1,624

Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Combat Operations, p. 107
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, pp. 196-197 "WVE-5N Wyvern"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Technical Readout: 2750, pp. 28-29 "WVE-5N Wyvern"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, pp. 52-53 "WVE-6N Wyvern"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Technical Readout: 3039, pp. 256-257 "WVE-6N Wyvern"
  6. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 169 "SLDF Royal Units"
  7. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 163
  8. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 20
  9. Era Report: 2750, p. 137 "Era Tracks - Martial Olympiad: Enemy in the Everglades"
  10. Experimental Technical Readout: Gunslingers, p. 4
  11. Experimental Technical Readout: Gunslingers, p. 17
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Combat Operations, p. 124
  13. Record Sheets: 3039, p. 117
  14. Tukayyid, p. 17 "Playing the Com Guards - WVE-9N
  15. Record Sheets: 3050 (Clan & Star League), p. 119
  16. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 80
  17. Record Sheets: 3050 (Clan & Star League), p. 120

Bibliography