Pike (Combat Vehicle)

This article is about the combat vehicle. For the planetary system, see Pike (system).

Pike Support Vehicle
Production information
Manufacturer	Canopus Industries Alpha
Production Year	2987
Mission	Fire Support
Type	Tracked
Introduced	2987
Cost	1,035,200 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	60 Tons
Armor	StarSlab/9
Engine	Jones 180 with EmissionKill internal combustion engine
Speed	54 km/h
Crew	3
Communications System	Magestrix Alpha
Targeting Tracking System	Magestrix Gamma
Heat Sinks	0
Armament	3x Autocannon/2 2x SRM 2
BV (1.0)	334
BV (2.0)	648

Description

The Pike was created at the direction of Magestrix Kyalla Centrella of the Magistracy of Canopus during the later part of the Third Succession War. Her plan was to produce an inexpensive combat vehicle so the Great Houses would wear down their BattleMech armies through attrition, and the Pike would be the tool she envisioned for the task. However, sending vehicles to market in the Inner Sphere was to be more costly than anticipated. With the Great Houses' shrinking numbers of ships in their JumpShip fleets, the vehicle did not make the impact she had hoped it would.

It became a favorite of ComStar's growing garrison forces for their HPG complexes.

Weapons and Equipment

The vehicle's primary weaponry is its three long-range Class 2 Autocannons. The ZeusBolt ACs have been given 5 tons of ammunition to snipe targets at distance. For close-in defense, the vehicle was given a pair of Marklin Mini Missile SRM 2 Packs with a ton of ammunition.

The vehicle was given 9 tons of StarSlab/9 Armor to protect its hull from damage. Its engine is capable of accelerating the Pike to 54 km/h.

Variants

• AC/5 

  This 3004 version replaces the three Autocannon/2s with two Autocannon/5s and seven tons of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 715

• Missile 

  This 2993 version replaces the three Autocannon/2s with two LRM-20s and three tons of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 943

• Rotary Autocannon Upgrade/"Assault Pike" 

  Debuting in 3062, this variant of the Pike carries three Rotary Autocannon/2s in the turret with four tons of ammunition. A Small Laser mounted on the front discourages infantry attacks. The I.C.E was changed to a fusion engine. Furthermore the protection was increased to 9,5 tons Ferro-Fibrous. BV (1.0) = 557 BV (2.0) = 961

• Clan 

  The Clans have also built a version of the Pike. It carries slightly more armor and a single ER Small Laser in a front mount. The ZeusBolt ACs have been replaced by five Ultra AC/2s. Four tons of ammunition are carried in a CASE-protected bay. In contrast to the Inner Sphere version, the vehicle has a fusion engine. BV (2.0) = 892

• LB-X 

  A new export model first built in 3134, this version replaces the ZeusBolt ACs with 3 LB 5-X ACs while retaining the SRM systems. It also replaces the ICE with a Magna 180 Fuel cell. The 3 tons of LB-X ammunition (1 ton of Cluster, 2 tons of slug) and 1 ton of SRM ammunition are carried in CASE bins. BV (2.0) = 862

• Plasma 

  Sold and developed by Clan Sea Fox, this variant replaces the ZeusBolt ACs with 3 turret mounted Plasma Cannons and replaces the standard SRM launchers with Streak SRM-2s. It also carries a Targeting Computer and replaces the standard ICE with a 180 Fusion Engine. It carries 6 tons of Plasma Cannon ammunition and 1 ton of Streak SRM ammunition in CASE bins. BV(2.0) = 1,367

Notes

• In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to Landhecht.

Gallery

• 

  Original Pike from TRO:3026

• 

  Decolorized reprint of Landhecht (Pike) from German HWH:3031

• 

  Pike from TRO:3026 Revised

• 

  Pike from TRO:3039

• 

  Pike from RG:iClan vol. 30

Bibliography

• Technical Readout: 3026
• Technical Readout: 3026 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Record Sheets: 3025 & 3026
• Record Sheets: 3039
• Record Sheets: Upgrades
• Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)