Prime Mover
Prime Mover | |
Production information | |
Manufacturer | Various |
Mission | Logistical Support |
Type | Wheeled |
Technical specifications | |
Mass | 60[1] |
Armor | unspecified BAR 7[2] |
Engine | Fusion |
Speed | 86 km/h |
Crew | 3 |
Communications System | Unspecified |
Targeting Tracking System | Unspecified |
Armament |
|
BV (2.0) | 173[2] |
Contents
Description[edit]
The Prime Mover is not really a specific vehicle type, but rather a broad classification of vehicles that have served military forces since time immemorial. Typically, Prime Movers are large, six -wheeled trucks that use fusion engines to provide unlimited range. Most examples are also characterized by a cabover-style driver's cockpit (with small weaponry mounted to either side), an integrated flatbed, and an SRM-4 mounted on top of the rear compartment (this compartment also seats the vehicle's cargo handler/weapons operator).[3][2]
Weapons and Equipment[edit]
The typical Prime Mover mounts a single SRM-4 supported by 2 Small Lasers. It features 20 tons of cargo capacity. Protection is provided by six tons of commercial armor. These vehicles also feature an off-road chassis for cross-country operations and have Advanced Fire Control for their weapons. [2]
Variants[edit]
- Prime Mover (LRM)
- Another popular variant uses an LRM-5 for long range fire support and adds a third weapon mount to the cab.[1] It carries two Machine Guns on the side of the cab while a single Small Laser is carried in the roof. The LRM has a ton of ammunition while the machine gun receives a half ton of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 184[4]
- Prime Mover (Succession Wars)
- During the Succession Wars, the small lasers were often replaced with Machine Guns while the SRM-4 was replaced by a six tube launcher.[3][1] One ton of ammunition was provided to the machine guns and the SRM-6. BV (2.0) = 193[5]
Notes[edit]
The Prime Mover was first mentioned as a fluff item in Mechwarrior: The Role Playing Game (see picture below). Other than this brief description and portrait, no further information was provided about the Prime Mover until many years later, with the release of Technical Readout: Irregulars. This was the first time the Prime Mover had ever received a full TRO entry. Curiously, it was statted not as a combat vehicle, but as a support vehicle- the rules for which were not even available until many years after MW:TRPG was originally published.
Gallery[edit]
Original depiction from MechWarrior: The BattleTech Role Playing Game