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Mad Dog (Vulture)

"Vulture" redirects here. For other uses, see Vulture (disambiguation).
"Hagetaka", "Hagetaga" and "Vulture Mk II" also redirect here.
Mad Dog (Vulture)
Mad Dog
Production information
Manufacturer Bergan Industries[1]

Svarstaad Industriplex Alpha[2]

Various[3]

Production Year 2963[4]
Model Prime[3]
Class Heavy
Cost 15,292,000 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan OmniMech
Mass 60 tons
Chassis Eden Mk 60-OM
Armor Compound SJ6CW Ferro-Fibrous
Engine 300 Type I XL
Communications System Build OSJ-41
Targeting Tracking System Cat's Eye MD6
Heat Sinks 12 double
Speed 86 km/h
Armament

Primary Configuration

BV (1.0) 1,871[5]
BV (2.0) 2,351[3][6]


Description[edit]

The Mad Dog is a heavy Clan OmniMech used for long-range indirect fire support. With hunched shoulders, a protruding head, and reverse-jointed legs, the Mad Dog resembles a vulture, so much so that it was independently[7] code-named Vulture and Hagetaka (or Hagetaga,[7] "Vulture" in Japanese) by the Inner Sphere forces which first encountered it. The name also fit the perceived battlefield role of the Mad Dog; technical documents from the thirty-first century suggested the role of the Mad Dog was to act as a support 'Mech, and it was theorized to be intended to hold a hill and maintain constant watch over the entire battlefield, like a vulture waiting for its prey. The reality is that such behavior would be a violation of zellbrigen and that the Mad Dog's configurations are intended to take the fight to the enemy at all ranges.[8][7]

With its ample firepower and decent speed of 86.4 km/h, it makes a highly mobile firing platform, and as such has spread to near ubiquity among the forces deployed by the Clans, although the design is favored more by Clan Ghost Bear MechWarriors. The Mad Dog carries eight and a half tons of ferro-fibrous armor for decent protection, although it will not be able to stand up to heavy fire.[9][7][10]

The Mad Dog was designed by Clan Smoke Jaguar as a second generation OmniMech based on the original heavy OmniMech Lupus of Clan Coyote.[11] The Mad Dog also used some of the same molds of the Clan Wolf Timber Wolf OmniMech. However, despite using some of the same molds (which might be viewed as high praise), the Mad Dog was named as a slur to the Lupus and Timber Wolf, and to Clans Wolf and Coyote. Because of its widespread production, most Clans maintain a large number of Mad Dogs in their toumans.[9][7][10]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

For its fire support purposes, the Mad Dog is armed with twin shoulder-mounted LRM-20 missile racks, which allow the 'Mech to inflict heavy damage on any opponent it may target. The Mad Dog is also more than capable of going on the offensive, mounting dual large and medium-sized pulse lasers, one of each on each arm. Mad Dog pilots have been known for showering missiles on opponents before swooping down with a finishing blow from the lasers, much like a vulture swooping down for carrion.[9][7][10]

In the case that the Mad Dog must retreat or face down heavier opponents, it can adequately do such as well, as the pulse lasers it mounts are much more accurate than standard lasers, allowing it to move and fire at the same time. This allows it to stall opponents and slowly back into a more defensible position, although overheating may become an issue.[9][7][10]

Alternate Configurations[edit]

  • Alternate Configuration A 
    The Mad Dog A can bring devastating fire on targets at any range, mounting an ER PPC and an LB 5-X autocannon, with which it can easily cripple enemies from long range. Should it get close enough, its six SRM-6 racks ensure the demise of nearly any foe.[3] BV (1.0) = 1,510;[5] BV (2.0) = 1,923[3][12]
  • Alternate Configuration B 
    A more general-purpose configuration, the Mad Dog B mounts more laser weaponry, with two ER Large Lasers in the left arm, and three Medium Pulse Lasers in the other. For additional long-range firepower, the Mad Dog B mounts only one LRM-20 having replaced the other with two Streak SRM-6 launchers.[3] BV (1.0) = 1,903;[5] BV (2.0) = 2,284[3][13]
  • Alternate Configuration C 
    The Mad Dog C greatly differs from other configurations, having replaced its entire weapon load with two massive Gauss rifles for a powerful long-range punch.[3] BV (1.0) = 1,707;[5] BV (2.0) = 1,892[3][14]
  • Alternate Configuration DD 
    The Double D is built for long ranged combat on the left side and short range combat on the right. The right arm carries a trio of Medium Pulse Lasers. A Streak SRM-6 and one ton of ammo are carried in the right torso. The left torso carries an Artemis IV enhanced LRM-20 with a meager one ton of ammunition. A pair of LB 2-X ACs and their shared ton of ammo are mounted in the left arm. (Note: this variant is a canonization of the D variant featured in the German Solaris VII box set. See Apocryphal section below) BV (2.0) = 1,970[17]
  • Alternate Configuration E 
    The E configuration makes use of a Hyper-Assault Gauss Rifle 30 in each arm, though each one only has a single ton of ammunition to draw upon.[3] BV (2.0) = 2,031[3][18]
  • Alternate Configuration F 
    The Mad Dog F has a pair of HAG 20s. Though they don't have the sheer power of the larger guns, the four tons of ammunition provide substantially better staying power than the E variant has. To back the HAGs up, the F mounts four ER Medium Lasers.[3] BV (2.0) = 2,300[3][19]
  • Alternate Configuration G 
    This variant carries a pair of Streak SRM-6s in the right torso and a Streak LRM-15 in the left. The Mad Dog G carries a single ER PPC in the left arm, while the right mounts a trio of ER Medium Pulse Lasers. BV (2.0) = 2,503[20]
  • Alternate Configuration H 
    Built with new Heavy Laser technology, the Mad Dog H downgrades the LRM-20 launchers to LRM-15s, compensating with Artemis IV capability, so it can mount its arsenal of a Heavy Large Laser and three Heavy Medium Lasers, making it much more capable at close range; eight extra heat sinks handle some of the extra burden.[3] BV (1.0) = 1,735;[5][21] BV (2.0) = 2,097[3][22]
  • Alternate Configuration I 
    With its capacitor enhanced left arm ER PPC, the Vulture I can create giant holes in its foes at long range. Following that up with its twin Clan-built Rotary AC/2s the I is able to damage internal components with ease. Two tons of ammo feed the autocannons. Three additional heat sinks are used to keep the design cool. BV (2.0) = 2,042[23]
  • Alternate Configuration S 
    An ER PPC is carried in each arm. A Medium Pulse Laser is installed in each torso; two double heat sinks are installed in the right torso and left torso. The left torso has an Active Probe. Five jump jets are scattered across the rear of each torso to provide a 150 meter jump capability. BV (2.0) = 2,676[24]
  • Alternate Configuration T 
    The T sacrifices the Prime’s accuracy for improved long range damage capabilities. Gone are the pulse lasers and in their place is an ER Large Laser and an ER Medium Laser in each arm. The Prime’s LRM-20s are still in place but now feature Artemis V. Each launcher has a two-ton magazine. An extra double heat sink is mounted in the CT. BV (2.0) = 2,555[25]
  • Alternate Configuration U 
    An underwater configuration, this version uses BattleMech HarJel System to prevent hull breaches. It's equipped with five UMUs to maintain a high cruising speed underwater. Its weaponry consists of twin LRT-15s with Artemis IV guidance and each arm carries a Medium Pulse Laser and ER Medium Laser. BV (2.0) = 2,488[26]
  • Alternate Configuration V 
    An unusual design, the V is used for mobile artillery. An Arrow IV launcher is jammed into the right torso with some of the weapon spilling out into the right arm as well. Two tons of ammo Arrow ammo are carried in the left torso. Unlike some designs, like the Naga, the Vulture V is more than capable of self-defense, and isn’t nearly worthless when out of artillery ammo. An LRM-20 is carried in the left torso and is provided with its own two tons of ammo. Additionally, each arm carries both a Medium Pulse Laser and an ER Medium Laser. BV (2.0) = 2,182[27]
  • Vulture Mk. II 
    Produced by Bergan Industries for Clan Ghost Bear, the Vulture Mk. II introduced by the time of the FedCom Civil War is almost functionally identical to the original, but has a slightly different appearance in terms of armor, structure, engine mounting and other cosmetic areas due to being produced from factories using Spheroid tooling. One such change of note was moving the Medium Pulse Lasers to a torso-mounted chin turret.[28] A chin turret was featured in the Vulture's (apocryphal) depiction in MechWarrior 4.

Apocryphal Configurations[edit]

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

From MechWarrior Online:

  • MDD-BA Bandit 
    PGI's first Hero 'Mech configuration, the Bandit is themed as being piloted by Russou Howell and is armed with a mammoth Ultra Autocannon/20 in each side torso. With only twin ER Small Lasers in each arm as supporting weapons, its pilot must make every shot of its combined total of two tons of reloads count.[29]
  • MDD-RV "Revenant" 
    Themed as the battered Mad Dog used by ex–Smoke Jaguar Garrett on Solaris VII, the second Hero 'Mech is configured as a long-range specialist mounting sixty Long Range Missile tubes - twin LRM-20s and twin LRM-10s split between its side torsos - supported by four Medium Pulse Lasers, one in each arm and two in a Mad Dog Mk II style center torso mounted turret. Four tons of LRM ammunition is more than enough for the average Solaris duel or Clan Trial.[30]

From Solaris VII Boxed Set - German Edition:

  • Vulture D 
    A different loadout from the canonical "D" version, this one sports 3 medium pulse lasers, 2 LB 2-X autocannons, an LRM-20 and a Streak SRM-6. BV (2.0) = ??[31]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Vulture has the following Design Quirk:[32]

Vulture Mk II[edit]

While the later Vulture Mk III and Vulture Mk IV evolutions of the Mad Dog design became rather prominent, the Vulture Mk II is hardly ever mentioned. In a Line Developer clarification/ruling of 21 August 2013[33] (and thus established as fully canonical), Herb Beas made a connection between the following quote from Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade (p. 130: "Deployment") and the Vulture Mk II:

“ Indeed, since their move to the Inner Sphere, Clan Ghost Bear's Bergan Industries factory line is building more and more Clan designs, including a homegrown Vulture. Minor variances in structure, armor, and engine design—legacy of Bergan's Spheroid factory tooling—have slightly altered the appearance of these Vultures, but these new machines are functionally indistinguishable from their Homeworld forebears.

The bottom line: The Mk. II is functionally identical to the original; it merely differs cosmetically.

”
  — Herbert A. Beas, Line Developer - 21 August 2013

Although credited as a Ghost Bear redesign, the Vulture Mk II owned by Latonya Lyons is stated to be of Clan Smoke Jaguar manufacture in her dossier.[34] To reconcile this with the Line Developer ruling, it can be assumed the 'Mech was originally built by the Jaguars, but refurbished and thereby turned into a Mk II version by the Ghost Bear factory at a later point.

The MechWarrior 4 series depicted the Medium Pulse Lasers as mounted in a chin rack, the results are the moving of the Medium Pulse Lasers into the Center Torso. This model is called the Mad Dog Mk II (Vulture Mk II) by the online BattleTech Community, but it remains uncertain if this is among the cosmetic changes mentioned above. (Technically, changing the location of the lasers from one torso section to another arguably goes beyond being functionally indistinguishable.)

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Mad Dog (Vulture) Pilots

Related BattleMechs[edit]

  • Vulture Mk III - Originally created to bolster the touman of Clan Ghost Bear, and shared with Clan Snow Raven, this design adds more protection while also increasing the missile payload considerably. A fair complement of backup weapons allows the Vulture Mk III to defend itself at closer ranges.
  • Vulture Mk IV - Manufactured by Clan Sea Fox and sold to every nation and Clan, the Vulture Mk IV OmniMech is largely unchanged from the original Vulture in basic design terms.
  • Bushwacker - Recovered schematics of the Vulture allowed TharHes engineers to overcome many issues with the Bushwacker's design, which would have otherwise precluded the 'Mech from active service.
  • Timber Wolf - The Mad Dog shares similar parts to the venerable OmniMech due to the fact it was made from the same mold as the Timber Wolf. But the name of the 'Mech itself was used to insult the Timber Wolf and Lupus designs that came before it.[citation needed]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's Clan name was translated to Bluthund, which literally means Bloodhound. The unit's Inner Sphere name was translated to Geier.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 130: "Produced Mad Dog Variant"
  2. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 10, p. 12: "Mad Dog (Vulture)"
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 46–47: "Vulture"
  4. ↑ MUL online date for the Mad Dog (Vulture)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Combat Operations, p. 109
  6. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 82
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Technical Readout: 3050, pp. 28–29: "Vulture OmniMech Profile"
  8. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 10, p. 12
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, pp. 130–131: "Vulture OmniMech Profile"
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Technical Readout: 3050 Revised, pp. 26–27: "Vulture OmniMech Profile"
  11. ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 41
  12. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 83
  13. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 84
  14. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 85
  15. ↑ Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 105
  16. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 86
  17. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 10, p. 12
  18. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 87
  19. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 88
  20. ↑ Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 141
  21. ↑ Record Sheets: 3060, p. 168
  22. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 89
  23. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 10, p. 12
  24. ↑ Battle of Tukayyid, p. 152
  25. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 10, p. 12
  26. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 141
  27. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 10, p. 12
  28. ↑ Ask The Developer ruling, 21-Aug-2013
  29. ↑ MechWarrior Online Clan Wave Two Hero Sale Page
  30. ↑ MechWarrior Online Solaris-7 Sale Page
  31. ↑ Arena-Planet Solaris VII: "German-language edition of the boxed set Record Sheets Booklet"
  32. ↑ BattleMech Manual, p. 95: BattleMech Quirk Table - Vulture Entry
  33. ↑ In this thread on the official BattleTech Forum
  34. ↑ MechWarrior: Dark Age - Dossiers and Pilot Cards, p. 238: "Latonya Lyons"
  35. ↑ Era Digest: Golden Century, p. 23
  36. ↑ Technical Readout: 3058, p. 92

Bibliography[edit]

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