Firestarter (OmniMech)

This article is about the 45-ton OmniMech. For other uses, see Firestarter.

Firestarter
Production information
Manufacturer	Ceres Metals Industries Coventry Metal Works Luthien Armor Works (OmniMech Production Facility) Victory Industries
Production Year	3056
Model	FS9-O
Class	Medium
Cost	10,146,375 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere OmniMech
Mass	45 tons
Chassis	Foundation Reinforced Endo Steel
Armor	Durallex Nova
Engine	GM 270 XL
Communications System	Cyclops 18XS Adaptable
Targeting Tracking System	Cyclops Special Limited
Heat Sinks	12 double
Speed	97 km/h
Jump Jets	Luxor Load Lifters
Armament	Fixed Equipment 2x flamer Primary Configuration 2x flamer 2x large laser 1x Beagle active probe
BV (1.0)	1,009
BV (2.0)	1,144

Description

Initially the direct result of a dubious goodwill gesture between enemy Houses during the Clan Invasion, the Firestarter OmniMech has proven to be a flexible and highly effective medium trooper design.

As part of technology exchange agreements between the Great Houses during the initial Clan Invasion, a seemingly duplicitous Coventry Metal Works offered full design specifications and manufacturing licenses for the overly specialized Firestarter BattleMech to an utterly indifferent Luthien Armor Works. Thus, when it was the Combine's turn to reciprocate, though CMW eagerly expected specifications to one of the Combine's newly developed OmniMechs, LAW responded by returning a set of specifications for a slightly modified FS9-O OmniMech instead, citing that retooling one of Coventry's standard Firestarter lines would require less time to effect.

Ultimately overcoming a somewhat politically troubled birth, the OmniMech Firestarter has proven to be an highly effective and flexible design, with the Combine using it to replace other aging medium-weight workhorses such as the Phoenix Hawk, Wolf Trap, and Trebuchet among its front-line forces, while both halves of the Federated Commonwealth instead used it as a recon focused replacement for the original 'Mech and by the FedCom Civil War as a command 'Mech for light 'Mech lances and companies. The only complaint many MechWarriors and technical crews have with the design is the sheer volume of fixed equipment the Firestarter carries, believing the permanently mounted jump jets, flamers and double heat sinks unduly restricts the natural flexibility of the OmniMech.

Weapons and Equipment

The OmniMech FS9-O is 10 tons heavier than its BattleMech cousin, and the extra weight is put to good use. As a 'Mech, the Firestarter is well armored and maneuverable with its eight and a half tons of armor and six permanently mounted jump jets that allow the Firestarter to jump up to 180 meters in all of its configurations. Most of the Firestarter's configurations are based around advanced electronic warfare equipment, many also tend to be specific to either the Draconis Combine, Lyran Alliance or Free Worlds League, utilizing weapons preferred and/or developed within those realms. A holdover from its parent design, two permanently mounted Hotshot flamers pointing forward and rearward provide some offensive ability no matter what configuration is mounted.

In its Primary configuration, the Firestarter is built to stay at long ranges when facing an enemy. The primary weapons are a pair of large lasers, which provide the 'Mech with respectable long-range firepower. To allow the 'Mech to create cover for itself and to clear woods, the Firestarter Prime carries two extra flamers on top of its fixed pair, bringing the total to four. Finally, to allow the 'Mech to search out hidden units, the Prime carries a Beagle active probe.

Alternate Configurations

• Alternate Configuration A 

  The Firestarter A carries, as its primary weapon, an LB 10-X autocannon that allows the 'Mech to work in an anti-aircraft or vehicle hunting role. As a secondary weapon in the A configuration, the 'Mech carries a small laser for extra anti-personnel capability. BV (1.0) = 902; BV (2.0) = 976

• Alternate Configuration B 

  Configured as a close combat and artillery spotting 'Mech, the Firestarter B carries a large pulse laser as its primary weapon, which is backed up by a pair of medium pulse lasers and a small laser. The centerpiece of the B configuration is its electronics package, which consists of a TAG spotting laser for directing artillery fire and a C3 slave unit that allows the Firestarter to share targeting data with allied units. BV (1.0) = 957; BV (2.0) = 1,070

• Alternate Configuration C 

  Intended as a long-range fire support configuration, the Firestarter C carries a pair of LRM-10 launchers. A single small laser supplements the close-range combat capability. Additionally, a C3 slave unit is carried so that the Firestarter C can benefit from sharing targeting data with allied units. BV (1.0) = 939; BV (2.0) = 1,006

• Alternate Configuration D 

  The D configuration is intended for long-range direct fire support and sniping. This is done by using an ER PPC as its primary weapon, backed up by an LRM-5 launcher and a medium laser. The D Configuration carries a C3 slave unit as well as a Guardian ECM suite to protect itself from an enemy's electronic warfare equipment. BV (1.0) = 1,210; BV (2.0) = 1,322

• Alternate Configuration E 

  The E configuration of the Firestarter is intended for close combat and carries as its primary weapon an MRM-20 launcher. This is backed up by a medium pulse laser and a small pulse laser. A sword provides additional power in melee combat situations. BV (1.0) = 932; BV (2.0) = 998

• Alternate Configuration F 

  This configuration is exclusively used by the Free Worlds League. The F carries two ER large lasers, which are backed up by two ER medium lasers and an ER small laser; a single additional heat sink make slight difference. BV (1.0) = 1,225; BV (2.0) = 1,446

• Alternate Configuration G 

  Another long-range configuration of the Firestarter, the G mounts an LB 5-X autocannon with CASE for the ammo bin. For close combat, the 'Mech carries three medium lasers. BV (1.0) = 1,008; BV (2.0) = 1,063

• Alternate Configuration H 

  This version is an electronics specialist, and as such is equipped with a Beagle active probe and Guardian ECM suite for use in providing cover for its lancemates. Offensively, the Firestarter H is equipped with an ER medium laser, two flamers, two medium pulse lasers, two small pulse lasers, and a pair of machine guns with a half-ton of ammunition. It also carries an anti-missile system. BV (2.0) = 1,119

• Alternate Configuration R 

  A field upgrade developed in the midst of Operation Bulldog, this configuration utilized captured Clan Smoke Jaguar weapons to help bolster the SLDF forces in later waves, mounting an Artemis IV FCS-enhanced Clan LRM-10 and a pair of Clan ER large lasers. BV (2.0) = 1,713

• Alternate Configuration U 

  Another "unusual environment" configuration, the Firestarter U is intended to support marine boarding actions against DropShips and WarShips. For these actions it carries a sword in the right arm and five medium pulse lasers, and though it retains the torso mounted flamers, the most interesting part of its payload is the liquid storage tank that provides additional reaction mass for the six jump jets. The 24 double heat sinks barely handle the heat from all the weapons.BV (2.0) = 1,120

• Alternate Configuration X 

  This version carries several experimental systems. Reminiscent of the Firestarter H, it's equipped with an Angel ECM suite and Bloodhound active probe. It carries the twin center torso flamers common to all Firestarter variants, and augments them with a Streak SRM-2 and a large X-pulse laser. BV (2.0) = 1,190

Design Quirks

The Firestarter OmniMech is subject to the following Design Quirks:

• Cowl
• Difficult to Maintain

Related BattleMechs

• Firestarter - Coventry Metal Works gave Luthien Armor Works the plans to produce the Firestarter. Luthien Armor Works reciprocated by reworking the Firestarter as an OmniMech. Production commenced around 3058.

Gallery

• 

  Original Firestarter from TRO:3058

• 

  Firestarter from TRO:3058 Upgrade

• 

  FS9-OD Firestarter in battle from CCG

• 

  FS9-OF Firestarter in motion from CCG

Bibliography

• The Dragon Roars
• Field Manual: Draconis Combine
• Field Manual: Free Worlds League
• Master Unit List
• Objectives: Capellan Confederation
• Objectives: Draconis Combine
• Record Sheets: 3055/3058
• Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades
• Record Sheets: 3060
• Record Sheets: 3067
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New
• Technical Readout: 3058
• Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade