Brigand (BattleMech)

Brigand
Production information
Manufacturer	Vengeance Incorporated
Production Year	3065
Model	LDT-1
Class	Light
Cost	2,286,250 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	25 tons
Chassis	Contraband
Armor	Haven Cent
Engine	GM 150
Communications System	Contraband
Targeting Tracking System	Contraband
Heat Sinks	10 double
Speed	97.2 km/h
Jump Jets	Contraband
Armament	2x ER medium laser 2x medium pulse laser
BV (1.0)	721
BV (2.0)	771

Description

The Brigand is a BattleMech that is surrounded by a sea of controversy as it is the first 'Mech to be produced by a pirate band. Manufactured by a company named Vengeance Incorporated, which is run by the pirates of the Haven Star Cluster and "Lady Death" Trevaline, the Brigand represents an unprecedented threat because in spite of the fact that it is built by pirates, it uses advanced construction techniques and weapons. Prior to the Jihad most of the constructed Brigands were used in raids against the Taurian Concordat, the majority of the design with pirates operating out of the Haven Star Cluster with a few others in the forces of Vance Rezak's band, the Tortuga Fusiliers, Shen-sè Tian and Marcadia Brothers.

The success of the Brigand and the Tortuga Prime pirates drew the attention of the Word of Blake, who offered additional clandestine resources to improve and upgrade the capability and production of Vengeance Incorporated, spawning a number of new variants of the Brigand. During the Filtvelt Coalition's disastrous raid against Tortuga Prime in 3076, The Thumpers stumbled upon five highly advanced and deadly prototypes, the features of which were ultimately distilled into the LDT-5 variant that would continue to plague the Coalition and other nearby Periphery realms following the Blakists' fall.

Weapons and Equipment

Constructed from components either stolen or purchased via the black market, the Brigand is built on a contraband endo steel chassis and is powered by a GM 150 fusion engine that gives it a top speed of 97.2 km/h. The 'Mech's speed is augmented by six contraband jump jets that allow the 'Mech to jump up to 180 meters. For protection, the Brigand has four tons of Haven Cent armor, the only locally produced component. This meager protection is almost entirely on the front of the 'Mech, with the Brigand featuring less than half a ton to the rear, a specific request reportedly ordered by Lady Death Trevaline herself, to ensure her pirate MechWarriors would keep fighting and not retreat.

Offensively, the Brigand carries a Diverse Optics ER medium laser in each arm for medium range combat, supported by two Sutel Precision Line medium pulse lasers carried in its side torsos for close combat, stockpiles of these advanced weapon secured via a combination of theft and graft. Complemented by ten double heat sinks, the 'Mech utilizes an arsenal consisting only of lasers to limit the amount of logistical support needed.

Variants

• LDT-X1 

  A variant of the Brigand intended to bring more firepower on a target at the sacrifice of accuracy. Developed in 3066, the X1 removes the two medium pulse lasers and replaces them with four medium lasers. BV (1.0) = 838; BV (2.0) = 937

• LDT-X2 

  Something of a quick strike version of the Brigand also developed in 3066, the X2 removes the two medium pulse lasers and replaces them with four Rocket Launcher 15s. These give the 'Mech an astounding amount of firepower in one shot making it a serious threat to other light 'Mechs when encountered. BV (1.0) = 780; BV (2.0) = 764

• LDT-X3 

  This version introduced in 3075 drops the lasers and replaces them with arm mounted Moscovia light PPCs from a 3074 raid on a Taurian storehouse and torso mounted Flameshot flamers that "fell off a DropShip" in 3073. It is also equipped with an XL fusion engine and carries half a ton more armor. BV (2.0) = 695

• LDT-X4 

  This 3078Brigand variant uses a light fusion engine. Offensively, it carries three ER medium lasers and a Moscovia light PPC. It also carries triple strength myomer, which allows it to inflict twice as much damage in physical combat and burst speeds of 110 km/h. It also carries slightly more armor than the base model. BV (2.0) = 1,038

• LDT-5 

  First encountered on Lackland in 3083, the LDT-5 is a well-designed raiding 'Mech that combines the best features of the LDT-XPR prototypes. Faster than any previous Brigand thanks to the use of an Omni 175 extralight engine to reach a top speed of 111 km/h, the LDT-5 retains the endo steel chassis to carry five and a half tons of standard plate. Equipped with three medium lasers spread across its three torso sections, the LDT-5 carries a mace in the left arm, enhancing its close combat ability but also limiting how much booty the LDT-5 can make off with. Seven jump jets provide a 210 meter jump capability. BV (2.0) = 762

• LDT-XPR1 

  This prototype Brigand was discovered during the Filtvelt Coalition raid on Tortuga. Based on the standard Brigand chassis, it carries two medium X-Pulse lasers and an SRM-4 missile launcher. It uses an XL engine to maintain the 96 km/h speed of the unit, and jumping capability remains the same. BV (2.0) = 723

• LDT-XPR2 

  Another prototype has performance and protection identical to the standard Brigand. Its weaponry has been changed to five standard medium lasers, and it carries an Angel ECM suite. BV (2.0) = 956

• LDT-XPR3 

  This prototype carries four medium lasers and a mace into combat. Performance and protection are identical to the standard Brigand. BV (2.0) = 752

• LDT-XPR4 

  This prototype carries four medium lasers into combat. It uses six improved jump jets to provide a 180 meter jump radius. Otherwise it is identical to the other prototypes. BV (2.0) = 739

• LDT-XPR5 

  This final prototype from the Tortuga invasion drops the top speed of the Brigand down to 86 km/h. It carries eight improved jump jets for a jump radius of 240 meters. In addition to an XL engine, it also uses an XL gyro to free up weight. Most interesting to observers is the experimental composite internal structure it uses to carry four medium lasers. BV (2.0) = 743

Design Quirks

The Brigand has the following Design Quirk:

• Nimble Jumper

Notable Pilots

See Category:Notable Brigand Pilots

Notes

• In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Brigant. The model code was left unchanged.

Gallery

• 

  Original Brigand from TRO:3067

• 

  A Brigand in Tortugan Phalanx colors from Historical Turning Points: Tortuga

Bibliography

• BattleMech Manual
• Combat Operations
• Historical Turning Points: Tortuga
• Master Unit List
• Record Sheets: 3067
• Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged
• Technical Readout: 3067