Jackal
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| Jackal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Production Information | |
| Manufacturer(s) | Earthwerks Incorporated
Vining Engineering and Salvage Team |
| Production Year | 3052[1] |
| Model | JA-KL-1532 |
| Class | Light |
| Cost | 4,635,540 C-bills |
| Technical specifications | |
| 'Mech type | Inner Sphere BattleMech |
| Mass | 30 tons |
| Chassis | Hollis Mark VI - Alpha endo steel |
| Armor | York Industries CTC-0 |
| Engine | Hermes 210 XL |
| Comms | Sipher Security Plus |
| TTS | Hartford S2000A |
| Heat Sinks | 11 single heat sinks |
| Speed | 118.8 km/h |
| Armament |
|
| B.V. (1.0) | 678[2] |
| B.V. (2.0) | 918[3] |
Contents
Description[edit]
Developed by the Solaris VII-based Vining Engineering and Salvage Team, the Jackal was designed to give as equal of a performance as possible to a Clan 'Mech of equal weight. While intended for the battlefield rather than the arenas, the prototype's stellar run on Solaris attracted the attention of number of 'Mech manufacturers, most notably Earthwerks Incorporated of Keystone. While Earthwerks ultimately secured the main production rights to the design, VEST was allowed to maintain limited garage level production as well. [4] One of the many victims of the massive upheavals of the Word of Blake Jihad, all Jackal production ceased in 3079. [5]
To meet its goal of matching the Clan 'Mechs it was intended to face, the Jackal was built on a Hollis Mark VI - Alpha endo steel chassis, which weighs half as much as a normal structure, and was powered by a Hermes 210 XL engine which saved more weight at the cost of durability. The Jackal also carried impressive armor for its weight, with six tons protecting the 'Mech. The only cause for complaint was the design's lack of CASE and that it only mounted single heat sinks. [4]
Weapons and Equipment[edit]
The Jackal was armed with a simple but effective arsenal. The primary weapon carried by the 'Mech is an Aberdovey Mk XXX ER PPC, which allowed the Jackal to damage a target at just under 700 meters, while a Holly Streak SRM-2 missile launcher provided close combat power. A Burrow anti-missile system was mounted on the 'Mech's head for missile defense; each system carried a ton of ammunition.[4]
Variants[edit]
- JA-KL-55
- The 55 variant of the Jackal is a modification that is built to enhance its long range accuracy. This was done by removing the anti-missile system and replacing it with an advanced targeting computer, which allowed the Jackal to attack an enemy with even greater long-range accuracy in a sniper role. The long requested switch from standard to double heat sinks enhances the design yet further, and allowed dropping one heat sink to boost armor. [4] BV (1.0) = 902[6], BV (2.0) = 1,034[7]
- JA-KL-1578
- A slightly less advanced field refit kit based on the -1579, the -1578 merely replaces the rare Angel ECM suite for the much more common Guardian ECM suite while adding an ER small laser.[5]
- JA-KL-1579
- An experimental field refit kit for the -1532 Jackal developed by Earthwerks, the -1579 retained the ER PPC and anti-missile system while switching to double heat sinks to free up weight for a few appliqué armor panels. The main difference was the replacement of the unloved Streak SRM-2 launcher and its attendant ammo with a PPC capacitor to boost the effectiveness of its sole offensive weapon, and an advanced Angel ECM suite to protect the design from enemy electronics. BV (2.0) = 1,273 [5]
Design Quirks[edit]
The Jackal has the following Design Quirks:[8]
Notable Pilots[edit]
Notes[edit]
- Author Blaine Lee Pardoe stated in a blog entry that, according to his memory which he admitted could be wrong, the Jackal was among the BattleMechs which he designed and for which he wrote the original background as initially published in TRO:3055.
- In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Schakal. The model code was accordingly changed to SH-KL-1532.
Gallery[edit]
Original Jackal from TRO:3055
Jackal from TRO:3055 Upgrade
Experimental JA-KL-1579 Jackal from XTRO:Marik
JA-KL-1532 Jackal in combat from CCG
References[edit]
- ↑ MUL online date for the Jackal
- ↑ Combat Operations, p. 130
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 24
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, p. 20-21
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Experimental Technical Readout: Marik, p. 3
- ↑ Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 46
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 25
- ↑ BattleMech Manual, p. 92 BattleMech Quirk Table - Jackal Entry.