Bellona

Bellona Hover Tank
Production information
Manufacturer	HH Complex Beta
Production Year	3070
Mission	Dragoon/Cavalry
Type	Hover
Cost	1,699,075 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	45 tons
Armor	Forging HTT05
Engine	Fusion Type 170
Speed	150 km/h
Crew	3
Communications System	Series XII ComSys
Targeting Tracking System	Build IX TTS
Heat Sinks	10 single
Armament	1x Ultra autocannon/10 4x light machine gun 2x flamer
BV (2.0)	1,018

Description

In the late 3060s, under Khan James Cobb's command, Clan Hell's Horses began preparation for a renewed presence in the Inner Sphere. The scientist caste saw this as an opportunity to create a new cavalry vehicle, which they called the Bellona. Designed as a striker and flanker, the Bellona carries enough firepower on a nimble enough frame to keep up with even the fastest-advancing lines.

The original specs called for tracks, but test pilots for the vehicle cited that "speed is armor", which led to the Bellona being redesigned as a hovertank. The vehicle has eight tons of armor to protect the hull and motive systems.

Coming off production lines on Tiber in the Kerensky Cluster, a large number were sent through the long chain of JumpShips to front-line Clusters fighting trials against Clan Wolf in the early 3070s.

The vehicle has been seen in combat operations with variety of factions in Inner Sphere as late as the mid-3130s.

Weapons and Equipment

The main gun is a Type 9 Ultra-Class 10 Autocannon with two tons of ammunition. It is mounted with two Type 14b Flamers in its turret. To deal with unarmored infantry, the vehicle has a pair of Series HL-II Light Machine Guns in its nose and one for each of its left and right sides.

Variants

• Laser 

  To reduce ammunition dependency, the autocannon and one Flamer are dropped for an Extended Range Large Laser and an LRM-10. Although the LRM is still ammunition hungry, it is primarily for harassment. The variant was still on the drawing board as of 3075. BV (2.0) = 1,262, 1,270

• Bellona XL 

  This variant is based on the Laser model. The tank carries a Targeting Computer and Armored Motive System, while using an XL engine and Streak LRMs.

Notes

• The MWDA Dossier for Savoni is incorrect, due to fluff for the JI100 Recovery vehicle used in place of that for the Bellona.

Gallery

• 

  Original Bellona from MechWarrior: Technology of Destruction

• 

  Bellona of Northwind Highlanders from MWDA dossier

• 

  Bellona from TRO:3075

• 

  Bellona Tank miniature from MechWarrior: Annihilation set

Bibliography

• Master Unit List
• MWDA Northwind Highlanders' dossier for Savoni
• Record Sheets: 3075
• Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged
• Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge
• Technical Readout: 3075
• Technical Readout: 3150