Falcon

This article is about the BattleMech. For other uses, see Falcon (disambiguation).
Falcon
Falcon
Production information
Manufacturer Blackwell Industries

Stormvanger Assemblies, Light Division

Production Year 3050[1]
Model FLC-4P
Class Light
Cost 2,307,890 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 30 tons
Chassis Duralyte 296[2]
Armor StarGuard Type II[2]
Engine GM 180[2]
Communications System Garret T20C
Targeting Tracking System Dynatec 150A
Heat Sinks 12
Speed 97[2] km/h
Jump Jets PRS-60[2]
Armament
BV (1.0) 561
BV (2.0) 649[3]


Description[edit]

Originally developed as an anti-infantry and Bug Hunter 'Mech, the Falcon is a highly popular light recon and skirmisher 'Mech.[2]

Initially created for the newly formed Star League Defense Force's use in the Reunification War, the popular design remained in production until the destruction of Stormvanger's Hesperus II Falcon line during the Third Battle of Hesperus II in 2789, becoming all but extinct until the arrival of Wolf's Dragoons in 3005.[2] Well regarded by the mercenaries, the Dragoons upgraded their dwindling number of Falcons in the early 3050s before eventually commissioning Blackwell Industries to restart production of the design in early 3060 to produce advanced Clan-tech versions for their exclusive use, as well as more mundane and affordable versions for the general mercenary market.[3]

While originally sporting a weapons array similar to the Locust, Stinger and Wasp it was charged to defeat, the Falcon's six tons of StarGuard Type II armor provided it with vastly superior protection, allowing it to outlast them and remain combat effective longer. When it was originally developed, the 'Mech's top speed of 97.2 kph and a jumping distance of one hundred and fifty meters allowed it to keep up with other light recon 'Mechs. But by the 3060s the Falcon was outclassed by newer and faster designs, only its use of a cheaper standard Fusion Engine rather than a more expensive and fragile Light or XL Engine kept buyers interested.[2] [3]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

Originally developed as a field upgrade before becoming Blackwell's standard production model, the 4P Falcon carries a light arsenal that is primarily based around energy weapons. While the two Omnicron 1000 Small Lasers were retained, the original standard Medium Laser was swapped for a short-ranged but highly accurate Magna 400P Medium Pulse Laser. Finally, for protection from missiles, the rear-facing machine guns were dropped for a forward facing Sure Fire 444 Anti-Missile System and a single ton of ammunition. [3]

Variants[edit]

  • FLC-4N 
    The original Falcon designed in 2582, the 4N model has a lighter arsenal more akin to 'Mechs 10 tons lighter. The primary weapon is a SunGlow Type 1 Medium Laser with two Omnicron 1000 Small Lasers as secondary weapons. To deter infantry attacks, the 'Mech carries two rear mounted Reginald Mark VI Machine Guns with a shared single ton of ammo. The 4N was equipped with a Garret T20C communications system and a Dynatec 150A targeting and tracking system.[2] BV (1.0) = 523[4], BV (2.0) = 610[5]
  • FLC-4Nb-PP 
    Used by various Pentagon World factions during the Exodus Civil War, the PP variant replaced the advanced snub-nose particle cannon of the Royal Falcon with a standard PPC. The increased weight, however, required the removal of the medium laser mounted in the right arm. BV (2.0) = 881 [7]
  • FLC-4Nb-PP2 
    Another Exodus Civil War era modification of the Royal Falcon, the PP2 replaced the snub-nose PPC with an ER Large Laser. The saved weight allowed the left arm laser to be upgraded with pulse technology. BV (2.0) = 947[8]
  • FLC-5P 
    A 3065 upgrade of the 4P, the 5P drops a ton of armor to add a MASC system that kicks the Falcon's speed up to 129 km/h in bursts. The Small Lasers are upgraded to ER Medium Lasers and a Targeting Computer guides all three medium-class lasers. To make all of this possible, a Light Fusion Engine is included and the anti-missile system was removed. [3] BV (2.0) = 945[9]
  • FLC-6C 
    This variant was used exclusively by Wolf's Dragoons as it features Clan-tech. It simply upgrades the armament of the 4P to Clan standards, including an ER Large Laser that replaced the pulse laser. Each arm carries an ER Small Laser, and a Targeting Computer aids in the accuracy of all three lasers. The ammunition bin of the anti-missile system was also upgraded to the Clan version, which carries twice as many rounds. [3] BV (2.0) = 1,290[10]
  • Drift Shag 
    Clan Ice Hellion's first BattleMech to use Clan tech exclusively was based on the Falcon. At thirty-five tons it used a 210 XL engine to reach speeds of 118km/h. Protected by six tons of armor and capable of high speed and 180 meter jumps, the biggest weakness was the eleven double heat sinks which couldn't dissipate all the heat of the weapons. The Drift Shag carried an ER Large Laser in the right arm, a Medium Pulse Laser in the right torso, but the main close in firepower was provided by a quartet of ER Small Lasers in the left arm.[11] It has the following Design Quirks: Bad Reputation and Narrow/Low Profile. BV 2.0 = 1,512[12]

Custom Variants[edit]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Falcon has the following Design Quirk:[14]

Notes[edit]

In German products the unit's proper name was perfectly translated to Falke. The model code was accordingly changed to FLK-4E.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ MUL online date for the Falcon
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 248, "FLC-4N Falcon"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 15
  4. ↑ Combat Operations, p. 106
  5. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 70
  6. ↑ Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 24
  7. ↑ Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 25
  8. ↑ Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 26
  9. ↑ Calculated in Solaris Skunkwerks
  10. ↑ Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 92
  11. ↑ Technical Readout: Golden Century, p. 12
  12. ↑ Technical Readout: Golden Century, p. 13
  13. ↑ Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 27
  14. ↑ BattleMech Manual, p. 91 Design Quirk Table - Falcon Entry.

Bibliography[edit]

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