Enforcer
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This article needs to be updated with material from Force Manual: Davion, Shrapnel Issue 19. (For sources under moratorium, please wait until the moratorium period has ended two months after publication.) |
Enforcer | |
---|---|
Production information | |
Manufacturer | Achernar BattleMechs[1]
|
Production Year | 2777[2][3] |
Model | ENF-4R[1] |
Class | Medium |
Cost | 3,536,875 C-bills |
Technical specifications | |
'Mech type | Inner Sphere BattleMech |
Mass | 50 tons |
Chassis | Dorwinion Standard |
Armor | Starshield |
Engine | Nissan 200 |
Communications System | Achernar Electronics HICS-11 |
Targeting Tracking System | Federated Hunter |
Heat Sinks | 12 single |
Speed | 64 km/h |
Jump Jets | McCloud Specials |
Armament |
|
BV (1.0) | 895[4] |
BV (2.0) | 1,032[1][5] |
Contents
Description[edit]
Since it first walked off of the production line, the Enforcer has been the iconic medium-weight workhorse of the Federated Suns' Succession Wars era military. This is in large part due to production of the Enforcer remaining largely undisturbed throughout the Succession Wars, despite the relative lack of industrialization that has long hampered the Federated Suns. With the autocannon-obsessed Armed Forces of the Federated Suns building up its BattleMech forces upon the collapse of the Star League, the discovery on Achernar of schematics for an unbuilt autocannon-carrying Star League 'Mech was a case of perfect timing. Modifying the design by swapping two medium lasers for a single larger one, Achernar BattleMechs rushed it through development and began production in 2777.[2][3]
The Enforcer fulfilled the roles of a mobile barrage vehicle, laying down an intense hail of fire as a prelude to an offensive or to blunt an enemy's attack, and as a trooper 'Mech, using its thick frontal armor and good jumping distance of 120 meters to effectively brawl with the enemy despite lacking hand actuators. The sturdy and inexpensive design's mobility also made it an ideal city fighter, especially when sniping the enemy during hit-and-run attacks. One of the design's problems was that, with most of its nine tons of armor concentrated forward, the amount of protection in its rear torso is less than on some light 'Mechs. The Enforcer's biggest flaw was its limited ammunition stores, though somewhat mitigated when a truck-and-crane reloading system is used during less-mobile battles. Attempts were made to replace the small laser with another ton of ammunition, however there were complicated linkage problems in getting the ammo from the left torso to the right arm, increasing the rate of jamming or reducing the rate of fire to unacceptable levels. What's more the rounds had to be routed along the 'Mech's back where its armor was weakest.[2][3]
The Enforcer was given extra prominence by the Federated Commonwealth. The alliance between the Lyran Commonwealth and Federated Suns resulted in Defiance Industries obtaining the designs for the 'Mech to build at their Hesperus II plant,[6] allowing the nascent AFFC to emphasize the pairing of traditionally Federated Suns 'Mechs like the Enforcer and Valkyrie alongside Steiner standards like the Zeus and Commando, especially in the Federated Commonwealth Corps.[7]
As many of the secrets of lostech were recovered by the NAIS, Achernar brought in many veteran Enforcer MechWarriors to help them design the newest model, the ENF-5D. This variant became the standard medium 'Mech for the Federated Commonwealth when it debuted in late 3050, and the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth immediately contracted the entire Achernar line for a 10-year run. The AFFC distributed the new 'Mechs to key formations including the Davion Brigade of Guards, Royal Guards and FedCom Corps, and bought up Achernar's upgrade kits for other distinguished units. However, demand for the new Enforcers during the Clan Invasion out-stripped Achernar's ability to supply them, requiring First Prince Hanse Davion to order that Kallon Industries be granted a license to produce Enforcers. Both companies would continue to produce Enforcers through the next 20 years until the Jihad, when Kallon Industries' plant on Talon, moon of Wernke, was destroyed in 3069.[8][9] The Jihad would also end Enforcer production at Defiance Industries.[10]
Weapons and Equipment[edit]
The Enforcer's primary weapon is a Federated Autocannon AC/10, an excellent large-caliber model firing in bursts of 10 rounds and whose cooling jacket doubles as a protective sleeve for engaging in hand-to-hand combat. While one ton of ammunition only allows for 10 bursts total, the rounds are stored in an equivalent number of big clips which are easy to eject and reload. Complementing the autocannon is a ChisComp 43 large laser in the left arm, both giving the Enforcer respectable intermediate range firepower, while a ChisComp 32 small laser in the left torso provides for close range combat.[2][3][11]
Variants[edit]
- ENF-5D
- First walking off the production line in late 3050, the 5D Enforcer is a major upgrade to the standard 'Mech, meeting many of its pilots' desire for something faster, better protected, and with more endurance. The Nissan 200 engine has been removed and replaced with a Magna 250 extralight engine, increasing the Enforcer' top speed to 86.4 km/h and the amount of space available for other additions. The armor has been stripped from the 'Mech and replaced with StarGuard CIV ferro-fibrous armor with CASE to protect against an ammunition explosion while the weapons payload has also been changed. Retaining the small laser, both the AC/10 and the large laser were replaced with a new Mydron Excel LB 10-X AC, fed by two tons of ammunition, and a BlazeFire Sweetshot ER large laser. Finally, an additional jump jet was added, increasing the jumping distance by 30 meters, up to 150 meters, to keep up with the Enforcer's new speed profile. BV (1.0) = 1,093,[4] BV (2.0)= 1,308[9]
- ENF-5R
- Introduced after the fall of New Avalon to the DCMS during the Dark Age, this Enforcer variant was produced by Kallon Industries to quickly replenish the depleted ranks of the AFFS. It uses a 200-rated light engine to improve survivability when compared to the ENF-5D, though the top speed is reduced to 64 km/h with a jump radius of 120 meters. It uses the LB 10-X autocannon of the 5D, but the left arm mounts a large re-engineered laser for use against special armor types, while an ER small laser is mounted in the left torso. Two tons of ammunition is carried in a CASE II protected bay in the right torso, and ferro-fibrous armor provides protection..[12] BV (2.0) = 1,192[13]
Custom Variants[edit]
- ENF-4R Daniel
- The personal 'Mech of Fox's Teeth member Daniel Waylen, after his unit was selected to receive among the first experimental weapons developed from the Helm Memory Core by the New Avalon Institute of Science in the lead-up to the War of 3039, his Enforcer was chosen as the testbed for an experimental NAIS Mk. I Gauss rifle prototype. To free up the mass required for this weapon and two tons of reloads, the NAIS engineers adopted the laser armament from the original design, mounting a pair of ChisComp 39 medium lasers in the left arm in place of the large laser.[14]
- ENF-5D Daniel
- While the body of his 'Mech was factory refitted to the 5D standard after the initial Clan Invasion, Waylen adopted a more modern version of its War of '39 weapons loadout, carrying a now refined Gauss rifle, two ER medium lasers in the left arm and a single torso mounted ER small laser.[15]
Apocryphal Variants[edit]
From MechWarrior Online:
- ENF-4P
- Only retaining the 4R's torso mounted small laser, the 4P instead mounts an AC/20 in the right arm and a pair of medium lasers in the left arm. Carrying three tons of autocannon ammunition and 11 double heat sinks, the 4P is powered by 250-rated standard engine, saving weight through the use of ferro-fibrous armor and endo steel internal structure. It also lacks jump jets.
- ENF-5P
- A departure from the normal autocannon and laser Enforcer, the 5P mounts an UAC/5 in each arm with two total tons of ammunition and a single small laser in the left torso. Two jump jets mounted in each side torso coupled with 12 total double heat sinks round out its equipment, running off of a 250-rated extralight engine housed by standard internal structure components and 12 tons of standard armor.
- ENF-GH Ghillie
- The MWO Hero 'Mech version of Daniel Waylen's personal Enforcer, the Ghillie enhances the sniper nature of his custom variant with the addition of a Guardian ECM suite.[16]
Design Quirks[edit]
The Enforcer is subject to the following Design Quirks:[17]
- Barrel Fist (LA/RA)
- Fast Reload (AC/10)
- Improved Cooling Jacket (AC/10)
- Ammunition Feed Problem (AC/10)
Related BattleMechs[edit]
- Watchman - Derived from the Star League prototype for the classic ENF-4R, the lighter Watchman was designed as low-cost replacement of the END-5D for use as a training and garrison 'Mech for planetary and march militias. The Watchman possesses a fusion engine, and mounts a large laser, a pair of medium lasers, and a pair of machine guns. The large parts commonality between the Watchmen and 4R Enforcer ensures a ready supply of spares to maintain them in operation.[18]
- Sentry A revision of the Watchman, with superior anti-infantry capability and incorporating more advanced technology than its predecessor. It, too, was designed for maximum compatibility with the previous 'Mechs and distributed widely within the Federated Suns[19]
- Cuirass Another Watchman-derived 'Mech; the Cuirass is designed as a light skirmisher to complement the Legionnaire. It unfortunately struggles to make the best use of its mobility and weapons loadout due to its outdated heat sinks.[20]
- Enforcer III - Prince Victor Steiner-Davion ordered the rebuilding of a new Enforcer variant following the secession of the Lyran Alliance to reinforce Davion pride. The Enforcer III has a new look and is the basis of newer Enforcer variants.[21]
Notable Pilots[edit]
Notes[edit]
- The Enforcer and Enfield have very similar weapon loads and combat roles. Additionally, plans for both BattleMechs were discovered on Achernar, although the Enfield was discovered nearly 100 years later in 2870. Whether there is any connection has never been officially addressed.[22][23]
- In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Vollstrecker. The model code was accordingly changed to VOL-4R.
- In French products, the unit's proper name was translated as Exécuteur.
Gallery[edit]
Original ENF-4R Enforcer from TRO:3025
ENF-5D Enforcer from TRO:3050
ENF-5D Enforcer in battle from TRO:3050 Upgrade
Enforcer from RG:ilClan v18
Enforcer concept art from the Clan Invasion KS
ENF-4R Enforcer of Ceti Hussars from CBT Universe
An Enforcer under construction from CBT Intro Rulebook
ENF-4R Enforcer in battle from CCG
Concept art of the Enforcer from MWO
Enforcer standee from BattleTech, Fourth Edition
Enforcer miniature from BattleTech Introductory Box Set
Enforcer miniature from Inner Sphere Urban Lance
Enforcer miniature from Hansen's Roughriders Battle Lance
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 82–83: "ENF-4R Enforcer"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Technical Readout: 3025, p. 56
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 134
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Combat Operations, p. 127
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 123
- ↑ NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 42
- ↑ 20 Year Update p. 17, Defense Industries
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3050, p. 110
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 56
- ↑ Objectives: Lyran Alliance, p. 29, Defiance Industries
- ↑ Classic BattleTech Introductory Record Sheets, p. 12
- ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 18, p. 13
- ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 18, p. 19
- ↑ Starterbook: Sword and Dragon, p. 23, 94
- ↑ Starterbook: Sword and Dragon, p. 107
- ↑ MechWarrior Online Resistance Heroes Sale Page
- ↑ BattleMech Manual, p. 91 - Design Quirk Table - Enforcer Entry.
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3055, pp. 34-35
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3060, pp. 86-87
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3085: Supplemental, pp. 26-27
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3060, pp. 96-97
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3058, p. 108
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 134
Bibliography[edit]
- BattleMech Manual
- Classic BattleTech Introductory Record Sheets
- Combat Operations
- Master Unit List
- MechWarrior Online Resistance Heroes Sale Page
- NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1
- Objectives: Lyran Alliance
- Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 18
- Record Sheets: 3025/3026
- Record Sheets: 3039
- Record Sheets: 3050
- Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere)
- Starterbook: Sword and Dragon
- Technical Readout: 3025
- Technical Readout: 3025 Revised
- Technical Readout: 3039
- Technical Readout: 3050
- Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
- Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
- Technical Readout: 3055
- Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade
- Technical Readout: 3060