Wraith

This article is about the 55-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Wraith (disambiguation).
Wraith
Wraith
Production information
Manufacturer Curtiss Militech[1]

Hellespont Industrials[2]

Production Year 3055[3]
Model TR1[1]
Class Medium
Cost 13,225,323 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 55 tons
Chassis Curtiss Wraith
Armor Kallon FWL Special Ferro-Fibrous
Engine LTV 385 XL
Communications System CurtissComm Mk I
Targeting Tracking System Dynatec 2780
Heat Sinks 10 double
Speed 119 km/h
Jump Jets CurtissJet 55
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,089
BV (2.0) 1,287[1]


Description[edit]

The Wraith marked Curtiss Militech's entry into BattleMech production. When the design was announced, many felt that the design would be little more than a walking water cooler. What the critics got was a shock. The Wraith is a 'Mech that, when properly employed, can wreak havoc on an enemy with its astounding speed and maneuverability. It is built around a massive LTV 385 XL engine that allows it to reach speeds of just under 119 km/h. The 'Mech is also fitted with seven CurtissJet 55 jump jets which allow it to jump up to two hundred and ten meters, giving it the ability to outmaneuver most BattleMechs in existence, and also allowing the Wraith to quickly traverse any rough terrain. The 'Mech's speed, firepower, and decent armor make the Wraith a considerable threat to many 'Mechs, some almost twice its weight.[4][5] Following the destruction of its sole factory, Curtiss Hydroponics announced its withdrawal from the military market altogether and the sale of its Curtiss Militech assets. By 3085, Hellespont Industrials had expressed interest in the Wraith; and by 3145 production was ongoing at one of Hellespont Industrials locations in the Sian Commonality for Capellan use.[6][7]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Wraith has a simple, yet effective, weapons payload. The 'Mech is armed with a Tronel XIII large pulse laser that provides the majority of its firepower. Backing this up is a pair of Tronel XII medium pulse lasers that provide firepower for close-in work. This pulse laser weaponry allows the 'Mech to negate most of the side effects on accuracy that are introduced by the Wraith's heavy use of jump jets, making it accurate and powerful for such a lightly armed 'Mech.[5][4]

Variants[edit]

  • TR2 
    A simple modification of the Wraith, the TR2 simply replaces the large pulse laser with an ER PPC, turning the 'Mech into a highly capable sniper.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,265; BV (2.0) = 1,485[8]
  • TR3 
    A modification of the Wraith made by the Word of Blake, the TR3 replaces the two medium pulse lasers with two ER medium lasers, while one of the jump jets is removed to make room for an improved C3 computer, making the Wraith an incredibly powerful point 'Mech for units equipped with C3i equipment.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,111; BV (2.0) = 1,310[8]
  • TR4 "Wing" 
    Building on the TR4-X prototype by drawing inspiration from the TR2-X Alexander, the TR4 shrunk the engine to a 330 XL, making room for a medium VSP laser and a capacitor-supported snub-nose PPC. The TR4 also added a supercharger. BV (2.0) = 1,548[9]
  • TR5 
    After the production of the TR4, Capellan procurement officials requested a variant more similar to the original Wraith, particularly in weaponry; the TR5 is one of two attempts. The TR5 builds on the pulse-heavy arsenal of the original TR1.[9] A large X-pulse laser is now the main gun in the right arm, increasing the range but keeping the accuracy of the TR1. Likewise the original medium pulse lasers have been replaced with medium X-pulse lasers. A smaller 330 engine slows the 'Mech down slightly to 96 km/h, but a right torso–mounted supercharger allows the TR5 to surpass the speeds of earlier variants with short bursts of over 120 km/h. Improved jump jets give the TR5 the same jump distance as the TR1, but for less heat. Thirteen double heat sinks are used, but these struggle to keep heat from the lasers and jump jets in check, so care must be used by TR5 pilots. BV (2.0) = 1,581[10]
  • TR6 "Wing" 
    Like the TR5, the TR6 was an attempt to meet Capellan demands for a new variant with similar pulse weapons to the original TR1. Sharing most parts with the TR5 (such as the Ceres Arms Model X medium X-pulse lasers and Model SX large X-pulse laser), instead of using the TR5's improved jump jets, it used standard Hellespont Leaper jets and a partial wing. This made it capable of jumping slightly farther and dissipating heat more efficiently than the TR5 in standard atmosphere, at the cost of a greater maintenance workload. Said workload left the TR6 less popular sales-wise, but the similarity to the TR5 made producing both practical. BV (2.0) = 1,581[9]
  • TR7 "Wing" 
    Designed with the needs and requests of the Death Commandos in mind, the TR7 was a hunter-killer bearing stealth armor, paired ER medium lasers and a Clan ER PPC, an Angel ECM suite, and an emergency coolant pod, as well as the partial wing that defined the "Wing" series. By specific request from the Death Commandos, a large open space is included in the head, a half-ton cargo space. BV (2.0) = 2,113[9]

Custom variants[edit]

  • TR2-P Wraith Pocahontas 
    Debuting in 3141 on the Tennessee Valley Arena and piloted by Ira Kuhn-Bedard, this variant takes the best features of this hundred-year-old machine and makes it even better. Clan ferro-lamellor armor improves its resistance to nearly all forms of damage and is combined with a Clan-spec XL engine model instead of the original Inner Sphere one to improve endurance, MASC to boost its land speed, and four Clan ER medium lasers that replace all of the original weaponry. A hatchet has been fitted to make it more appealing to the viewers of the Solaris Games. BV (2.0) = 2,051[11]
  • TR2-X Wraith Alexander 
    Developed under the guidance of Angelique Claw for Zellbrigen Stables, the Wraith Alexander combines experimental technology from the Clans and Inner Sphere to create a unique 'Mech. The use of a Clan-made XL engine keeps the speed high, and allows for the installation of more equipment. The jump jets, endo steel structure, and snub-nose PPC are of Inner Sphere manufacture, but the two ER medium lasers, ferro-fibrous armor, and twin partial wings were built by the Clans. The partial wings increase the Wraith's jump range to 270 meters. BV (2.0) = 1,816[12]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Wraith has the following Design Quirks:[13]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See: Category:Notable Wraith Pilots

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Spuk. The model code was accordingly changed to SP1.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 134–135: "TR1 Wraith"
  2. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 29: "Sian Commonality"
  3. ↑ MUL online date for the Wraith
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, pp. 46–47: "Wraith 'Mech Profile"
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Technical Readout: 3055, pp. 50–51: "Wraith 'Mech Profile"
  6. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 29: "Sian Commonality"
  7. ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. 22: "Sian Commonality"
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 170
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Shrapnel Issue 17: "Technical Readout: TR6 "Wing" Wraith
  10. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 25, p. 13
  11. ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Royal Fantasy, p. 18: "TR2-P Wraith Pocahontas"
  12. ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Gladiators, p. 4
  13. ↑ BattleMech Manual, p. 95: Design Quirk Table - Wraith entry

Bibliography[edit]

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