Viper (BattleMech)
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- This article is about the 70-ton Inner Sphere BattleMech. For other uses, see Viper.
| |
| Viper | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Kallon Industries |
| Production Year | 2832[1] |
| Model | VP-1 |
| Class | Heavy |
| Technical specifications | |
| 'Mech type | Inner Sphere BattleMech |
| Mass | 70 tons |
| Chassis | Crucis-B |
| Armor | Riese-500 |
| Engine | VOX 280 XL |
| Communications System | Garret T11-B2 |
| Targeting Tracking System | Garret A6 |
| Heat Sinks | 17 double |
| Speed | 64 km/h |
| Jump Jets | Chilton 465 |
| Armament | |
| BV (2.0) | 1,609[2] |
Description[edit]
After the FWLM issued a call for the development of a low-maintenance, easily manufactured heavy 'Mech in response to the ravages of the First Succession War, Kallon Industries responded with the fully-developed Viper. Utilizing an upscaled Crusader chassis, the Viper was manufactured periodically beginning in the twenty-ninth century, with its production competing with that of the Crusader. The Viper was never produced in particularly large quantities, and the design gradually vanished over the course of the Second and Third Succession Wars before finally going extinct. The Viper was then brought back into production in the thirty-second century after a stockpile of blazers was found by Kallon Industries, just as they were trying to develop a new 'Mech for the RAF.[2]
Weapons and Equipment[edit]
The Viper relied on a pair of Binary Laser Cannons as its primary armament, with an additional three Medium Pulse Lasers as backup. Kallon had originally intended to use Extended Range PPCs as the 'Mech's main weapons, but those had been growing increasingly scarce at the time of the Viper's development.[2]
Variants[edit]
- VP-5
- This variant is the only documented one of a number of downgrades developed during the Succession Wars as the Star League technology used by the VP-1 was gradually lost. It was a typical Late Succession War downgrade using standard components and weapons; the blazers were replaced with two Large Lasers and the medium pulse lasers were replaced with six medium lasers.[2]
- VP-7
- Developed during the Republic era, this variant replaced the VP-1's medium pulse lasers with Clan ER Medium Lasers, and added a Targeting Computer and Active Probe. It also featured a Light Engine.[2]
- VP-8
- A Dark Age-era design, this variant was based on the VP-7 and modified it by replacing the blazers with two Clan ER Large Lasers and replaces the standard armor with ferro-fibrous armor. The weight savings allowed Kallon to use a larger XL engine than the light engine used in the VP-7, translating into a higher top speed.[2]
- VP-9
- Another Dark Age-era design to come out of Kallon Industries, this variant uses the same light engine as the VP-7, while replacing all of its weapons. The VP-9 carries four Plasma Cannons sourced from Clan Sea Fox, together with a Mace, Active Probe, and AES.[2]
Notes[edit]
- According to the BattleMech's eventual designer Keith Hann, the Viper, in name and appearance, originates from a piece of pre-Battledroids concept art. FASA used its silhouette for the armor diagram on FASA's record sheets, but fans noted that it did not correspond to any known BattleMech design (with similarities to the Crusader and Chameleon often mentioned), leading to widespread speculation. Hann identified the mystery silhouette in a collection of concept art. As a result, he was tasked with writing stats, fluff, and variants for its eventual release in Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 32 some 38 years later.
