Loader King
Sarna News
 | Apocryphal This article's subject is only mentioned in apocryphal sources, i.e. official BattleTech products which are not clearly Non-canon but do not meet the current Canon criteria either. For more information, check the Canonicity section. |
| Loader King | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Production Information | |
| Manufacturer(s) | Achernar BattleMechs
Solaris Arms |
| Use | LoaderMech |
| Model | LDK-X2A |
| Class | Heavy |
| Technical specifications | |
| 'Mech type | Inner Sphere IndustrialMech |
| Mass | 65 tons |
| Engine | 260 Fusion Engine |
| Heat Sinks | 1 double |
| Speed | 64.8 km/h |
| Armament | |
Contents
Description[edit]
The Loader King is a LoaderMech developed by Achernar BattleMechs during the Succession Wars era.[1]
Following the phenomenal success of Sitwell Corporation's Powerman LoaderMech in the twenty-ninth century, other corporations decided to tap into the same lucrative market. While best known for its BattleMechs, Achernar also manufactured IndustrialMechs, the most famous of which was the Dig King MiningMech, and the company chose to develop a direct competitor to the Powerman. The resulting Loader King would be regarded as a superb and resilient design, able to weather constant hard use and continue to perform for decades.[1]
This well-earned reputation would be the seed for the eventual conversion of the Loader King into a full BattleMech. The desperate expansion in BattleMech production to try and stem the Clan onslaught during the initial invasion resulted in stepping up the output of Achernear's existing lines for the Locust, Enforcer and Dervish but was still not enough. This prompted one of the company's lead designers to suggest a radical method to expand 'Mech production, using the Loader King as the basis not merely for a militarized MOD conversion but overhauling the sturdy and proven design with the appropriate BattleMech-grade components turn it into a full combat 'Mech - the Roughneck.[1]
The 'Mech's inherent capacity to withstand strenuous operational conditions, showing a remarkable ability to endure sustained wear and tear, made the Loader King an ideal chassis for organizations like Solaris Arms to weaponize it for the purposes of arena combat.[2]
Weapons and Equipment[edit]
One of the more common variants, the LDK-X2A uses a 260 rated fusion engine for a top speed of 64.8 km/h. Each arm is equipped with a rapid-fire autocannon/2, with the right torso having a burst-fire Medium Rifle and an SRM-4 installed in the left torso. Three medium lasers, two in the center torso and one in the head, round out the arsenal. Tuned for the arenas, the 'Mech has thirteen tons of armor but just one double heat sink and a single ton of ammunition for each weapon type.[3]
Variants[edit]
- LDK-X1A
- One of the original two BattleMech models introduced in 3028, the X1A featured a 275 Extralight Fusion Engine for a top speed of 68.54 km/h. Three burst-fire Light Rifles were equipped in the arms and right torso, along with a rapid-fire autocannon/10 in the left torso. A pair of SRM-4s and a small laser in the left torso and head, respectively, offered additional firepower. The armor and ammunition weight resembled that of the X2A, though was able to fit an additional double heat sink and ton of AC/10 ammo.[3]
- LDK-X1B
- The other original variant, the X1B likewise uses the same extralight fusion engine but is also built on an endo steel chassis for additional weight savings. The head small laser is retained but the rest of the weapons have been switched out, with each arm containing a rapid-fire autocannon/5, each of the left and right torsos carrying an SRM-6, and a PPC-X in the left arm. Three double heat sinks and two tons of ammo fill out the weight.[3]
- LDK-X3A
- A companion to the X2A released in 3030, this all-energy variant removes the dependency on ammunition by carrying a PPC-X in the right arm and Binary Laser in the left. Two medium lasers in the right torso with a third in the left, along with a small laser in each of the left torso and head slot, offer a variety of options for both ranged and close quarter fighting. Six double heat sinks are needed to keep the 'Mech cool, which also carries the same engine and armor weight as the X2A.[3]
- LDK-SA5
- Produced in 3032, this final Solaris Arms variant kept the 260 Fusion Engine but incorporated the endo steel skeleton to create enough room to carry a rapid-fire autocannon/20 in the right torso. While the SA5 also has two small lasers in each of the left torso and left arm to complement the short-range power of the AC/20, it also uses a long range Binary Laser in the right arm. Maintaining the thirteen tons of armor, the remaining four tons are taken by two double heat sinks and two tons of ammunition.[3]
Custom Variants[edit]
- LDK-IDM Indomitable
- Created in 3037 and first piloted by Rayan Shiver, the Indomitable was used so successfully that after an unprecedented winning streak, accusations of match fixing would eventually end Shiver's career. Employing the 275 Extralight Fusion Engine and endo steel chassis to maximize space, the 'Mech was equipped with three burst-fire Heavy Rifles, one in each arm and the right torso, with an SRM-4 in each arm and the left torso should an opponent get too close. Two double heat sinks and two tons of ammunition were all that was needed.[3]