Nova (Black Hawk)

This article is about the Clan OmniMech. For other uses, see Nova (disambiguation).
Nova (Black Hawk)
Nova
Production information
Manufacturer Olivetti Weaponry[1]

Tokasha MechWorks[2]

Production Year 2870[3]
Model Prime[2]
Class Medium
Cost 11,586,250 C-Bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan OmniMech
Mass 50 tons
Chassis Star League XTA
Armor Forge Type HH30
Engine 250 XL Model SF-2
Communications System CH3B
Targeting Tracking System Version Omega-V TTS
Heat Sinks 14 double
Speed 86 km/h
Jump Jets Clan Standard Type A2
Armament

Primary Configuration

BV (1.0) 2,448[4]
BV (2.0) 2,663[2][5]


Description[edit]

The Nova is a versatile medium OmniMech that is capable of acting as a workhorse design in most forces. In fact, the design is so well balanced that it inspired the creation of the Black Hawk-KU, an Inner Sphere design based on the Nova and named using the Inner Sphere code name for this 'Mech: Black Hawk.[3][6][7] The Black Hawk's debut battle was the combined assault on Kindraa Smythe-Jewel on Foster in 2872 launched by the Hell's Horses, Clan Coyote and Kindraa Payne that saw the Smythe-Jewels wiped out as a faction.[8]

Despite the proliferation of the design into the touman of every Clan, the number of Nova OmniMechs has been steadily if slowly diminishing in the Kerensky Cluster. Designed as an early OmniMech by Clan Hell's Horses, the Nova was produced at the famous Tokasha MechWorks beginning in 2870. At the time of its introduction, the Nova was intended for use as infantry support, and was the first OmniMech designed with hardpoints allowing Elementals to easily mount and dismount the chassis, a feature which would become standard among future OmniMech designs across Clan space. However, after Tokasha was taken by Clan Ghost Bear during the Battle of Tokasha, production of the Nova ceased in the Kerensky Cluster in 2921 and while under Ghost Bear control, Tokasha MechWorks would produce just spare parts for the design. Every Clan has since acquired Nova OmniMechs as isorla.[3][6][7] Clan Jade Falcon would restart production of the Nova on Sudeten in 3073, over 200 years after the first models left the production line.[1]

Although the last Nova production facility in the Clan Homeworlds was retooled to create Pouncers by 3087, the very few remaining in Clan Space have gotten into the hands of Aggressor Mechwarriors.[9]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

Equipped with a 250 XL Model SF-2 extralight engine, the Nova has a ground speed of 86.4 km/h that allows it to keep up with most heavy and assault 'Mechs while being outpaced by most lighter 'Mechs. However, the Nova remains very maneuverable through the use of five jump jets, allowing the Nova to jump up to 150 meters. The 14 double heat sinks that the Nova mounts are barely sufficient to handle its heavy heat load of its variants. The Nova is also protected by 10 tons of armor, providing the 'Mech with 96% of its maximum armor protection.[3][6][7]

In its Primary configuration the Nova is a devastating close combat 'Mech and battle armor killer that is capable of delivering a powerful barrage with its twelve ER medium lasers. To help it use these as effectively as possible, the Nova has added four more double heat sinks bringing the total up to 18. Even with the added double heat sinks, the Nova Prime is capable of producing almost twice as much heat as it can dissipate.[3][6][7]

Alternate Configurations[edit]

  • Alternate Configuration A 
    A long range sniper configuration, the Nova A has a pair of powerful Clan ER PPCs for long range combat. For protection at close range, the Nova A has a single medium pulse laser and mounts two anti-missile systems for protection from missile fire.[2] BV (1.0) = 2,298,[4] BV (2.0) = 2,422[2][10]
  • Alternate Configuration B 
    Also designed around long-range combat, the B configuration carries a UAC/5 which can fire twice as fast as a standard autocannon, and a highly accurate large pulse laser as its primary weapons. These are backed up for close combat by an ER small laser and, for soft targets, two machine guns.[2] BV (1.0) = 1,501,[4] BV (2.0) = 1,543[2][11]
  • Alternate Configuration C 
    The C configuration of the Nova has a powerful Gauss rifle as its primary weapon, allowing it to keep enemies at arm's reach. For protection at close ranges, the Nova C has a highly accurate small pulse laser and an SRM-4.[2] BV (1.0) = 1,455,[4] BV (2.0) = 1,515[2][12]
  • Alternate Configuration D 
    Intended as a fire support 'Mech, the D configuration has an LRM-20 launcher for long range direct and indirect fire support and an LB 5-X Autocannon that allows it to work as a vehicle hunter and in an anti-aircraft role.[2] BV (1.0) = 1,392,[4] BV (2.0) = 1,450[2][13]
  • Alternate Configuration E 
    The Nova E carries an ATM-12 launcher that can fire missiles for short, medium, and long ranges as its primary weapon. For added close range capability, the 'Mech has three ER medium lasers.[2][14] This configuration was introduced by Clan Coyote.[8] BV (1.0) = 2,315[4] (2,340),[15] BV (2.0) = 2,078[2][3][14]
  • Alternate Configuration H 
    A highly feared configuration of the Nova, the H configuration carries ten heavy medium lasers, allowing the Nova H to eviscerate most 'Mechs that get into its range; six extra heat sinks provide some relief.[2] This configuration was developed by Clan Star Adder.[8] BV (1.0) = 1,552,[4] BV (2.0) = 1,832[2][17]
  • Alternate Configuration J 
    The left arm carries an ER PPC with a PPC capacitor. Additional firepower comes from a Streak LRM-15 mounted in the right arm; Two tons of ammunition for the missile launcher are provided. BV (2.0) = 2,295[1]
  • Alternate Configuration K 
    Long range firepower comes from an ER large laser in the right arm and a RAC/2 in the left arm, fed by two tons of ammunition. Each side torso also carries an ER medium laser. BV (2.0) = 1,932[1]
  • Alternate Configuration L 
    This configuration carries an improved heavy large laser and a plasma cannon in each arm. The plasma cannons have one ton of ammunition in each side torso, allowing them to fire 10 times. BV (2.0) = 2,177[1]
  • Alternate Configuration S 
    The S configuration is made for urban combat. The 'Mech has six highly accurate medium pulse lasers. For use against soft targets, the Nova S had four machine guns and, as added protection from missile attacks, an anti-missile system. It also carries an active probe to detect any hidden enemy units.[2] BV (1.0) = 2,063 BV (2.0) = 2,061,[3] 2,056[2][18]
  • Alternate Configuration T 
    The T configuration is a variation on the Prime configuration. Each arm mounts six medium chemical lasers and two tons of chemical laser ammunition. BV (2.0) = 1,579[1]
  • Alternate Configuration U 
    This unusual configuration appears to be used to support boarding actions against enemy spacecraft. Two torso mounted liquid storage tanks provide additional reaction mass for the jump jets. Eight machine guns can rapidly destroy enemy battle armor, while three heavy medium lasers and three micro pulse lasers scour the armor off of hardened targets. To keep track of enemy units, the U configuration carries a light active probe, and a Clan ECM suite interferes with enemy targeting systems. The right arm carries a spot welder presumably to seal hull breaches. Strangely, this configuration carries a sword, marking the first time a Clan unit has carried a dedicated melee weapon. BV (2.0) = 1,413[19]

Custom Configurations[edit]

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.

These variants were introduced in various apocryphal sources, and thus far have not appeared in any canonical media.

From MechWarrior Online:

  • NVA-BK "Breaker" 
    A customized Hero 'Mech configuration of the Nova supposedly piloted by Mar Helmer, the Breaker mounts a Streak SRM-4 and a Streak SRM-6 rack in the left arm, supported by five ER medium lasers with three in the right arm and the remaining two in the left torso. Rounded out with twin machine guns in the right torso, three tons of Streak missiles, half a ton of machine gun rounds and two extra double heat sinks keep Breaker in the thick of combat.[21]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Nova (Black Hawk) is subject to the following Design Quirk:[22][23]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Nova (Black Hawk) Pilots

Related BattleMechs[edit]

  • Supernova - The Nova OmniMech appears to be an Omni version of the Supernova Clan BattleMech. In truth, the Supernova was designed as an ammunition-independent version of the venerable Star League King Crab.[24]
  • Penetrator - The Nova was the basis for the Penetrator Inner Sphere BattleMech. Though slower than the Nova, the Penetrator is a formidable machine featuring all energy weapons and jump jets.[26]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper Clan name was left unchanged. The unit's proper Inner Sphere name was translated to Schwarzfalke.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 14, p. 12
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 36–37: "Black Hawk"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, pp. 126–127: "Black Hawk OmniMech Profile"
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Combat Operations, p. 108
  5. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 62
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Technical Readout: 3050, pp. 24–25: "Black Hawk OmniMech Profile"
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Technical Readout: 3050 Revised, pp. 22–23: "Black Hawk OmniMech Profile"
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, p. 36: "Black Hawk"
  9. ↑ The Wars of Reaving Supplemental, p. 17
  10. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 63
  11. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 64
  12. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 65
  13. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 66
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 67
  15. ↑ Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 81
  16. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 68
  17. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 69
  18. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 70
  19. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 139
  20. ↑ Thus It Shall Stand (in: BattleTech: 25 Years of Art & Fiction, p. 64)
  21. ↑ MechWarrior Online - "Clan Heroes Sale Page"
  22. ↑ BattleMech Manual, p. 90: Design Quirk Table - Nova (Black Hawk)
  23. ↑ BattleMech Manual Errata (Version 6.01), p. 9
  24. ↑ Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 190
  25. ↑ Technical Readout: 3058, p. 90
  26. ↑ Technical Readout: 3055, p. 70
  27. ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Mercenaries, pp. 34–35: "Black Hawk (Standard)"

Bibliography[edit]

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