Bakeneko

Bakeneko
Production information
Manufacturer	Irece Alpha
Production Year	3100
Model	BKN-1K
Class	Medium
Introduced	3100
Cost	13,523,090 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Mixed-tech BattleMech
Mass	55 tons
Chassis	Alshain Type N endo steel
Armor	StarSlab-5X with Clan CASE
Engine	Clan Fusion 330 XL engine
Communications System	JNE Integrated
Targeting Tracking System	Build 3 Cat TTS
Heat Sinks	10 double heat sinks
Speed	96.8 km/h (129.0 km/h with MASC)
Jump Jets	Icarus 99 TurboProp Experimental
Armament	1x Clan large pulse laser 1x Light PPC with PPC capacitor 1x ER medium laser 2x MML-3s
BV (2.0)	2,022

Description

The Bakeneko is a medium BattleMech originally created by the Draconis Combine and Clan Nova Cat at the dawn of the thirty-second century in a collaboration between Clan Nova Cat scientists and engineers from LAW. Based on the Phoenix Hawk, this slightly bigger design was intended as a fire support and skirmisher unit with the same mobility of the older design. The 'Mech was put into production in early 3100, where it was deployed to both Clan Nova Cat and the DCMS' Eleventh Ghost and Fifth Sword of Light Regiments during the last year of the Second Combine-Dominion War prior to the invasion of Irece in June, 3100. During the invasion, the greatly expanded factories which housed the Bakeneko's production lines were destroyed.

The Bakeneko had a reputation as an effective fighting machine, as it was credited numerous kills by Draconis Combine forces during the conflict.

Weapons and Equipment

The product of a hybrid of Clan and Inner Sphere technology, the 'Mech benefits significantly from its dual heritage. Using a Clan-built 330-rated extralight engine and an Inner Sphere endo steel chassis, the Bakeneko was able carry a large array of weapons and equipment while maintaining a decent top speed of 97.2 km/h. It was also fitted with MASC, giving it crucial bursts of extra acceleration, and its six Icarus 99 TurboProp Experimental jump jets allowed it to leap up to 180 meters.

The Bakeneko's main weaponry comes from an arm-mounted Clan produced "Blinding Vision-Mk2" large pulse laser and a Lord's Light 4 light PPC, enhanced with a PPC capacitor. Additionally, found in the 'Mech's side torsos are a pair of Shigunga-Light MML-3s, each supplied by a ton of ammunition, providing supplemental firepower at long and short ranges, while at short ranges a head-mounted Victory Heartbeat ER medium laser provides additional firepower. Protecting the design from enemy fire, the chassis was fitted with 11.5 tons of StarSlab-5X standard armor, with Clan CASE installed to mitigate any explosive detonations from its ammunition and PPC capacitor.

Related BattleMechs

• Phoenix Hawk - First introduced by the Terran Hegemony in 2568 the 45-ton Phoenix Hawk is one of the most well-known BattleMechs in the Inner Sphere.

• Phoenix Hawk IIC - Clan-produced 80-ton upgrade of the venerable Phoenix Hawk.

• Phoenix Hawk L - With similar weapons, movement profile, and appearance to the standard Phoenix Hawk, the Phoenix Hawk L is 10 tons lighter and is used extensively by the Draconis Combine.

• Phoenix Hawk LAM - Land-Air 'Mech version of the original Phoenix Hawk, which can transform from 'Mech to aerospace fighter.

Notable Pilots

See Category:Notable Bakeneko Pilots

Bibliography

• Historical: Wars of the Republic Era
• Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine