Owens

Owens
Production information
Manufacturer	Irian BattleMechs Unlimited Luthien Armor Works (OmniMech Production Facility)
Production Year	3056
Model	OW-1
Class	Light
Cost	7,882,875 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere OmniMech
Mass	35 tons
Chassis	Alshain Class 48 Omni
Armor	Starshield
Engine	VOX 280 XL
Communications System	Sipher Security Plus with C3 Network
Targeting Tracking System	Matabushi Sentinel with Beagle Active Probe and TAG
Heat Sinks	10 single
Speed	129 km/h
Armament	Fixed Equipment 1x TAG 1x C3 slave unit 1x Beagle active probe Primary Configuration 1x medium laser 2x small laser 2x LRM-5
BV (1.0)	695 (C3: 54)
BV (2.0)	839

Description

The Owens is intended to be an OmniMech upgrade of the Jenner BattleMech, with the intended role being that of cavalry 'Mech that can move along the enemy lines and designate targets for bombardment with Arrow IV artillery attacks.

Following the lessons learned from the proof of concept Raptor, the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery authorized Luthien Armor Works to produce a full line of OmniMechs. Following a reverse-engineered copy of the Black Hawk, the next 'Mech was an OmniMech version of the venerable staple of the Combine's light 'Mechs forces - the Jenner. With the new design focused on the classic cavalry roles of screening and reconnaissance, in a surprising move the DCMS chose to name the 'Mech for Gary Owens, an ancient Terran drinking song long associated with cavalry units. That the naming convention of most Combine 'Mechs drew from House Kurita's Japanese cultural preferences resulted in confusion and wasted intelligence efforts on the part of the other Inner Sphere factions attempting to divine some deeper meaning upon the introduction of the Owens.

Reaching DCMS units starting in 3056, by the outbreak of the Word of Blake Jihad most frontline regiments could boast between a lance to a company of versatile Owens. Outside of the Draconis Combine, the Owens also appeared among the ranks of the Com Guards and the reborn Star League Defense Force, and during the détente of the Second Star League most of the other Successor States were able to purchase examples of the design.

Weapons and Equipment

The Owens is a strong spotting unit for artillery and semi-guided LRMs as well as a point 'Mech for C3 lances, with its permanently mounted TAG laser designator and C3 slave unit. The Owens is also outfitted with a permanently mounted Beagle active probe that allows the 'Mech to detect hidden enemy units. The Owens has a top speed of 129.6 km/h and is protected with seven tons of armor, and the 'Mech's unique mix of speed, armor, and electronic warfare equipment make the Owens a valuable asset in urban and dense woods or jungle environments where it can find an enemy unit that is hidden, designate them for an artillery strike, and then leave the area at high speeds.

The Primary configuration of the Owens is meant to stay at stand-off ranges when possible, using its two LRM-5 launchers. If forced into close range combat, the Owens can bring its medium laser and two small lasers to bear.

Alternate Configurations

• Alternate Configuration A 

  The A configuration is intended to close with an enemy for combat where it can take best advantage of its TAG and C3 slave unit. The 'Mech is armed with two Streak SRM-2 launchers, two machine guns, and a small pulse laser. BV (1.0) = 551; BV (2.0) = 680

• Alternate Configuration B 

  Also armed for short-range combat, the B configuration has an Artemis IV FCS–enhanced SRM-6 launcher as its primary weapon, backed up by four small lasers. BV (1.0) = 629; BV (2.0) = 752

• Alternate Configuration C 

  Intended to be used in long term campaigns where supply lines may be strained, the Owens C carries an arsenal consisting purely of energy weapons. Carrying a large laser for long range combat, the Owens C can bring two medium lasers to bear once it has closed with an enemy. BV (1.0) = 729; BV (2.0) = 964

• Alternate Configuration D 

  The D configuration is built to further the electronic warfare capabilities of the Owens. The 'Mech carries in this configuration a Narc missile beacon to mark enemy units for massed missile fire from allied units, and carries a single SRM-4 launcher for defense. BV (1.0) = 526; BV (2.0) = 655

• Alternate Configuration E 

  The E configuration is a medium range combat configuration, with an MRM-10 launcher as its primary weapon, backed up by one medium laser and one medium pulse laser. BV (1.0) = 654; BV (2.0) = 833

• Alternate Configuration F 

  Introduced during the Jihad, the Owens F marries a light PPC and two ER small lasers to a targeting computer. To interfere with the Blakists' advanced computers, it carries a Guardian ECM suite, and a single A-Pod provides some protection against infantry. BV (2.0) = 933

• Alternate Configuration G 

  A Dark Age configuration, this Owens carries a single TSEMP Cannon in the right torso. A supercharger on the engine allows the Owens to reach a top speed of 160 km/h. BV (2.0) = 1,761

• Alternate Configuration R 

  A field upgrade developed in the midst of Operation Bulldog, this configuration used captured Clan Smoke Jaguar weapons to help bolster the SLDF forces in later waves. Based on the E, it retains the MRM-10 launcher but replaces the standard and pulse lasers with three Clan ER medium lasers. BV (2.0) = 1,215

Design Quirks

The Owens has the following Design Quirk:

• Improved Sensors

Related BattleMechs

• Jenner - The design of the Owens was based on the successful DCMS Jenner light BattleMech.

Notes

• The 'Mech made a cameo appearance in the Japanese Anime OVA, Date A Live, where character Tohka Yatogami uses a simulator pod, which resembles the arcade pods for Kidō Senshi Gundam: Senjō no Kizuna across Japan, in an arcade to blow up an Owens BattleMech. The HUD and overall scenario seem to be based on the first mission of Mechwarrior 3.

• The Mech's name is likely a nod to Olympic Gold medalist Jesse Owens, as its predecessor the Jenner was similarly named after Olympian Caitlyn Jenner

Gallery

• 

  Original Owens from TRO:3058

• 

  Owens from TRO:3058 Upgrade

• 

  OW-1 Owens in combat from CCG

• 

  OW-1D Owens in combat from CCG

• 

  Model of Owens from MW4: Mercenaries

• 

  Cameo of Owens in anime Date A Live

Bibliography

• BattleMech Manual
• The Dragon Roars
• Record Sheets: 3055/3058
• Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades
• Record Sheets: 3060
• Technical Readout: 3058
• Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade