Nightsky

Nightsky
Production information
Manufacturer	Defiance Industries
Production Year	3053
Model	NGS-4S
Class	Medium
Cost	9,420,000 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	50 tons
Chassis	Dorwinion Standard
Armor	Kallon Royalstar
Engine	Vlar 300 XL
Communications System	TharHes Calliope Hm10
Targeting Tracking System	TharHes Ares-8a
Heat Sinks	11 double
Speed	97 km/h
Jump Jets	HildCo Model 13
Armament	1x large pulse laser 2x medium pulse laser 1x small pulse laser 1x hatchet
BV (1.0)	1,029
BV (2.0)	1,159

Description

The Nightsky was built as a follow up to the Hatchetman and Axman 'Mechs. At the turn of the thirty-second century, the LCAF requested that Defiance Industries provide them with a new model of the Nightsky, which led to the 7-series Nightskies, which were easy to upgrade from previous models using standard upgrade kits.

Weapons and Equipment

The Nightsky is built around a massive Vlar 300 XL extralight engine that propels the 'Mech up to speeds of 97.2 km/h. Superb ground speed and the added maneuverability provided by six HildCo Model 13 jump jets that allow the Nightsky to jump up to 180 meters make the Nightsky a capable heavy recon 'Mech. It is also protected with nine and a half tons of armor, providing the Nightsky with good armor protection for its size.

The Nightsky is built with a powerful close range arsenal. The centerpiece of this is a massive four-ton hatchet that is built into its right arm, which allows the 'Mech to cut through another 'Mech's armor. The Nightsky is also armed with a Sutel Precision Line large pulse laser for medium to long range firepower, supported by two Sutel Precision Line medium pulse lasers and a Sutel Precision Line small pulse laser for close range support.

Variants

• NGS-4T 

  The 4T is a variant of the Nightsky that looks to make the 'Mech more powerful in both long and close range combat. This is done by swapping the large pulse laser for an ER large laser with an anti-missile system for added defense against enemy missiles. The 'Mech also adds an additional small laser for additional close-range firepower. BV (1.0) = 1,107, BV (2.0) = 1,287

• NGS-5S 

  A simple upgrade of the Nightsky, the 5S looks to make the 'Mech more heat efficient. This is achieved by removing the jump jets and replacing them with three additional double heat sinks. BV (1.0) = 904, BV (2.0) = 1,045

• NGS-5T 

  The 5T is a modification of the 4S that replaces the large pulse laser with an ER PPC, but is otherwise identical to the 4S model. This modification of the 'Mech makes the Nightsky capable of targeting an enemy 'Mech at extreme ranges and wearing them down until the 'Mech can bring its hatchet to bear on its target. BV (1.0) = 1,175, BV (2.0) = 1,356

• NGS-6S 

  This modification of the Nightsky intended to make the 'Mech more durable and gave it a longer life on the battlefield. The 'Mech replaces the 300-rated XL engine with a 300 light fusion engine. The 'Mech also removes all of its ranged weaponry and replaces it with seven ER medium lasers. When combined with the hatchet, the 'Mech is a monster, both against battle armor and in an urban environment. BV (1.0) = 1252, BV (2.0) = 1,474

• NGS-6T 

  This variant of the Nightsky uses Triple Strength Myomer to maximize physical attack damage. It also uses one ER medium laser and a pair of ER small lasers. To make room for those weapons, it loses a medium pulse laser. BV (2.0) = 1,430

• NGS-7S

  A Nightsky for the new century, the 7S is clad in Heavy Ferro-Fibrous armor to increase its survivability, while an Actuator Enhancement System is mounted on the hatchet-equipped arm. For ranged combat, a Large X-Pulse Laser is underslung on the left arm and a Small X-Pulse Laser keeps the pilot warm in the head. To complement all of this, a pair of clan-specification ER Medium Lasers are shoulder-mounted. BV (2.0) = 1591

Design Quirks

The Nightsky is subject to the following Design Quirk:

• Modular Weapon (Hatchet)

Notes

• There is at least one example of a "left-handed" Nightsky with the alphanumerical designation NGS-4S-L. Built specifically for a left-handed MechWarrior, it is implied its configuration is mirror-reversed, with the hatchet on the left arm instead of the right.
• In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to Nachtschatten, which translated literally means Nightshadow. The model code was accordingly changed to NTS-4S.

Gallery

• 

  Original Nightsky from TRO:3055

• 

  Nightsky from TRO:3055 Upgrade

• 

  Nightsky from RG:ilClan vol. 27

• 

  N6S-4S Nightsky in battle from CCG

• 

  Nightsky miniature from Kell Hounds Striker Lance

Bibliography

• BattleMech Manual
• Combat Operations
• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrade
• Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged
• Record Sheets: 3055/3058
• Record Sheets: 3060
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New
• Technical Readout: 3055
• Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3085