Jackalope
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Jackalope | |
---|---|
Production information | |
Manufacturer | Victory Conditions Industries
|
Production Year | 3134[1] |
Model | JLP-BD |
Class | Light |
Cost | N/A |
Technical specifications | |
'Mech type | Mixed-tech BattleMech |
Mass | 30 tons |
Chassis | Triumph Dynamic endo steel |
Armor | Advantage Ferro-Fibrous |
Engine | Victory 240 XL |
Communications System | Angst Clear Channel 5 |
Targeting Tracking System | O/P TA1240 with light active probe |
Heat Sinks | 10 double heat sinks |
Speed | 129 km/h |
Jump Jets | VC Dynamo |
Armament | |
BV (2.0) | 1,396[2] |
Contents
Description[edit]
Produced jointly by Victory Conditions Industries and Eris Enterprises, the Jackalope represented a leap forward in anti-missile and recon technology. Designed to serve in recon and pursuit lances, this compact and swift BattleMech was used to full effect in combat, and additionally served as a training 'Mech and as an arena combat 'Mech. The 'Mech gets its name from a mythical animal which was said to have existed on Terra's North American continent.
The design's initial sales were not strong and it proved nearly as elusive as its namesake. However, since Gray Monday the design became popular among Inner Sphere powers, including the Republic of the Sphere, mercenaries, Solaris VII, and nations within Free Worlds League space. One of the 'Mech's production facilities, Eris Enterprises of Capolla, would be lost to the Inner Sphere for a time after walls of the Republic's Fortress rose in 3135 blocking access. This left its entire output secretly funneled to rebuild the Republic's armies.[3] Victory Conditions’ production site on Mizar would have its sales regulated by the Galatean League, which continued to sell the 'Mech to various parties by 3145.
One of the design's noted uses was in 3144, piloted by Captain Gloria Hansen. Captain Hansen, a former Knight of the Sphere, led her unit against a Clan Wolf raiding party on Chertan. After leading her company to victory over the attacking Wolves for control of her unit's DropShips, she fought a Trial of Grievance against the commander of the Wolf Guards Binary. Using her Jackalope's speed to close the distance with her opponent, she used its superior short-range firepower to destroy the Star Captain's 'Mech.[4]
The Jackalope was the subject of a "Tech Watch" report on LinkNet in February 3136, showcasing the 'Mech and providing quotes from the manufacturers. The Jackalope described by Tech Watch was designated the JLP-KA-L, but the described technical elements of the JLP-KA-L - a Victory 240 extralight fusion engine, eight Dynamo jump jets, two Conquest ER medium lasers, an ATM-6 system, and a Clean Sweep laser anti-missile system backed up by an advanced probe system and 81% armor coverage - match the main JLP-BD variant. Tech Watch credited the Eris Enterprises design group with the design of the Jackalope's legs, stating that it was designed specifically with DropShip transport in mind, and that the design of the legs allows the Jackalope to fold itself into a compact bundle, allowing for additional supplies to be packed into the DropShip as a result. Tech Watch also described additional variants of the Jackalope in passing as sacrificing armor to gain even greater speed than the original variant, presumably referring to the JLP-KA model.[5]
Weapons and Equipment[edit]
The Jackalope was crafted for DropShip transport: with specially designed legs, its already compact and narrow body can fold itself into a tight bundle, allowing more 'Mechs and cargo to be carried.[5] Its eight jump jets and 240-rated XL engine allow it to leap up to 240 meters and reach a top speed of 129 km/h, giving it the ability deploy rapidly and quickly get to wherever it needs to go on the battlefield. This speed gives it an additional degree of protection beyond its six and a half tons of ferro-fibrous armor and its Clean Sweep laser anti-missile system. Its key component is its Clan designed light active probe, making it a valuable scout while leaving enough room for additional equipment.
The 'Mech's principal weaponry includes two Clan-tech Conquest ER medium lasers, which are located in its stubby but flexible arms. Additionally, an ATM-6 launcher mounted in the right torso provides the Jackalope added punch at all ranges. However the design only has room for one ton of ammunition, cutting down its endurance in longer campaigns and reducing the pilot to reliance on the lasers.[6]
Variants[edit]
- JLP-C
- A mixed tech version of the standard Jackalope, the C is designed to serve as lancemate for a C3 lance. Fitted with an Inner Sphere-produced C3 slave unit, this variant becomes an excellent spotter for its lance. The design drops the ATM-6 for a Clan produced SRM-6 supplied with two tons of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 1,253[7]
- JLP-IC
- A Clan Wolf refit, the IC uses ferro-lamellor armor. It replaces the standard ATM-6 with an SRM-6. BV (2.0) = 1,337[8]
- JLP-KB
- Inspired by Kelly Bonilla's custom Harvey, the KB uses a "Fullback" Advanced Point Defense System per its example. This allowed the KB to shield allies from missile fire, though it necessitated a small cockpit. The KB carries two Clan-spec Conquest ER medium lasers and two Clan-spec Victory Conditions-C SRM-4 packs, as well as eight jump jets. BV (2.0) = 1,259[8]
- JLP-KW
- This variant, also known as the "Wolpertinger," is a mixed tech version of the Jackalope's KA variant. Built with mostly Clan technology, the 'Mech retains the KA's fragile but powerful XXL fusion engine and also gains additional jump capacity with the inclusion of a partial wing and five improved jump jets. While retaining the KA's Clan ER medium lasers in the arms, a standard SRM-4 is added to the right torso, with its ammo in the left torso with CASE II protection. The only Inner Sphere technology found in the machine is its XL gyro. BV (2.0) = 1,334[10]
- JLP-NH
- Also known as the Tepoztēcatl, the NH is an Eris Enterprises short production run variant. It features stealth armor, an ECM suite, and alongside its two ER medium lasers are two MML-3 launchers. The NH was spread widely but thinly, with a maximum of one sold to any given force. BV (2.0) = 1,208[8]
Custom Variants[edit]
- JLP-BD-L "Harvey"
- Piloted by Ghost Knight Kelly Bonilla and used in chaos operations beyond the the Wall, Harvey was equipped with Inner Sphere equipment to ease supply lines. It was armed with two ER medium lasers and two M-pods. While using only four jump jets, it is equipped with both MASC and a supercharger for additional speed. Elements of this design, particularly its experimental and successful RISC Advanced Point Defense System (allowing it to protect its unit) and the small cockpit it necessitated, found their way to the Harvey-inspired full-production KB variant. BV (2.0) = 1,028[8]
Design Quirks[edit]
The Jackalope is subjected to the following Design Quirks:
Notable Pilots[edit]
Notes[edit]
- The Jackalope was originally conceived by WizKids for its MechWarrior Dark Age Collectable Miniatures game as a part of its Dominion expansion set. The figure would be used as both as a general and unique 'Mech in the CGC game. The Jackalope would later adapted by Catalyst Game Labs and redefined in the tabletop game once the company advanced the franchise's timeline to 3145.
- The 'Mech would also be featured in the DAVE's School's "MechWarrior: Age of Destruction" short film. The apocryphal film showcases the 'Mech and its unique size/compactness, which would later be translated as a design quirk.
Gallery[edit]
JLP-BD Jackalope from TRO:3145
JLP-KB Jackalope from Shrapnel #16
References[edit]
- ↑ MUL online date for the Jackalope
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Republic of the Sphere, pp. 29, 97: Jackalope - BV2
- ↑ Era Report: 3145, p. 19: Timeline - RoTS Exarch Levin announces and implements Fortress Republic in 3135.
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Republic of the Sphere, p. 28: Jackalope - Background.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Dark Age: LinkNet Articles (3136), pp. 14-15: "TECH WATCH: Victory Conditions Industries and Eris Enterprises Team Up"
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Republic of the Sphere, pp. 28–29, 97: Jackalope - Stats
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Republic of the Sphere, pp. 28, 98: Jackalope - Variant JLP-C information.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Shrapnel Issue 16: "In Memoriam: Kelly Bonilla"
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Republic of the Sphere, pp. 28, 100: Jackalope - Variant JLP-KA information.
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Republic of the Sphere, pp. 28, 100: Jackalope - Variant JL-KW information.