Harpagos

Harpagos
Production information
Manufacturer	Csesztreg Industriplex Alpha Annex
Production Year	3136
Model	Standard
Class	Heavy
Introduced	3136
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Clan BattleMech
Mass	75 tons
Chassis	Csesztreg QuadVee 75.1 Endo Steel
Armor	Compound H17 Ferro-Fibrous
Engine	300 Fusion Extralight
Communications System	CH2 Series Integrated
Targeting Tracking System	Version Gamma-V TTS
Heat Sinks	10 Laser Heat Sinks
Speed	64 km/h
Armament	2x Gauss rifle
BV (2.0)	1,721

Description

Named for one of the horses of the ancient Greek demigods Castor and Pollux, the Harpagos is a Heavy Class hybrid Quad BattleMech / Combat Vehicle known as a QuadVee. Being a QuadVee, the Harpagos can transform itself from a tracked combat vehicle into a quadruped BattleMech, benefiting from some of the best qualities of both. The 'Mech was designed by Clan Hell's Horses during the mid-thirty-second century and was produced at the Csesztreg Industriplex Alpha Annex on Csesztreg. The Harpagos came into existence as part of the Horses' efforts to introduce a new type of technology to the battlefield.

The Harpagos itself was one of three QuadVees introduced in the late 3130s and was the heaviest of its kind at the time. Hell's Horses Commanders typically blend the Harpagos with others of its kind into Vehicle Stars, which gave the appearance of being a Combat Vehicle. This unique ability was used initially to fool other Clans through the combat ritual of zellbrigen. With their unusual ability to transform into BattleMechs from vehicles, Clan opponents facing them would think they were facing an ordinary Combat Vehicle force instead of two Stars of BattleMechs.

Since the development of the QuadVee, the unit's balance of armor and limited armaments has been met with scorn along with others of its kind.

Weapons and Equipment

The Harpagos utilizes a 300-rated Extra-Light Fusion Engine to propel itself at a modest 64 km/h while it is in either vehicle or BattleMech form. The machine is protected by 12 tons of armor, giving it less armor protection than typical Clan Heavy 'Mechs of its time.

With the benefit of its two-man cockpit, the Harpagos' gunner can target multiple enemies with little trouble while the pilot handles the unit's movement. The gunner's only weaponry is a pair of Type AA4 Gauss Rifles mounted in the 'Mech's turret-like torso.

Design Quirks

The Harpagos has the following Design Quirks:

• Bad Reputation
• No Ejection System
• Non-Standard Parts

Notes

• In the Alpha Strike ruleset for BattleTech, the Harpagos has been given the Point Value of 17, with Specials including; Turret (3/3/3), CASE, SRCH, and QV.

• The Harpagos is listed as having ferro-fibrous armor, but the unit stats in both its source Technical Readout and Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged shows the vehicle possesses no such armor on it.

Bibliography

• Master Unit List
• Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged
• Technical Readout: 3145 The Clans