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Example Text
The following text is from Technical Readout: Project Phoenix, p. 54, "LGB-12C Longbow":
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Mass: 85 tons
Chassis: StarCorp 100
Power Plant: Strand-Martin 255 Extralight
Cruising Speed: 32 kph
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: StarSlab/12.5 with CASE
Armament:
- 2 Holly “Ballista-20” LRM-20 Missile Racks
- 2 Holly “Ballista-15” LRM-15 Missile Racks
- 3 Diverse Optics Extended Range Small Lasers
Manufacturer: StarCorp Industries
Primary Factories: Crofton, Emris IV, Loburg, St. Ives
Communications System: O/P 3950 COMSET M7
Targeting and Tracking System: Martin-Quarry Tarsys XLR 2.2 with Artemis IV FCS
Overview
Though considered old and outmoded by many of today’s battlefield commanders, the Longbow has long been the backbone of the Successor States’ mobile fire support companies. With the advent of ’Mechs like the Naginata and the Salamander, however, the Longbow’s position seemed in jeopardy, especially in light of the marketing disaster surrounding the debut of the LGB-7V. In attempting to give the ’Mech more close-in bite,
they managed to do so only at the expense of preventing it from doing what it does best: raining missiles down upon an enemy from extreme ranges. Having debuted in the years immediately following the Clan Invasion, the LGB-7V gained such a bad reputation from its pilots —who attempted to fight toe-to-toe with their enemies, rarely surviving— that every major military that fielded it sold it in droves to mercenaries and other private concerns. StarCorp recognized this and, in an effort to boost lagging sales of this battlefield icon, introduced the LGB-12C in early 3061.
Capabilities
StarCorps’ designers had attempted to cater to a specific type of MechWarrior and battlefield commander with the LGB-7V and failed miserably. But instead of simply reworking the existing version to correct the problem, they redesigned the Longbow from the ground up, carefully considering everything some five centuries of experience had taught them about the ’Mech. The ability to make powerful ranged attacks was without
a doubt the ’Mech’s greatest asset. Additionally, the Longbow’s targeting and tracking system allowed it to excel in an air defense role, a valuable capability even in today’s specialized environment.
The designers also paid attention to the gripes and concerns of generations of Longbow pilots, though. The Longbow’s signature barrelarms
now each house thirty-five LRM tubes, all tied to an Artemis fire control system that in turn is slaved to the newly-designed
Martin-Quarry targeting and tracking system.
Initial tests of the 12C’s weapon systems proved the ’Mech could simultaneously engage both fast-moving aircraft as well as slower ground-based targets with ease. In fact, actual battlefield reports indicate the system is even better than originally thought—with some believing the Martin-Quarry system is better than the highly-acclaimed Garret D2j and Spar 3c computers put together. At the very least, field reports regularly show MechWarriors successfully engaging targets well outside of typical combat ranges, a fact the 12C’s users are doing their best not to advertise.
The Longbow is protected by twelve and a half tons of conventional armor, with CASE in both side torsos to prevent complete destruction of the ’Mech in the event of a catastrophic ammunition explosion. The ’Mech also mounts enough heat sinks to maintain a continual missile fusillade with no adverse effects. Three extended-range small lasers round out the ’Mech’s armament, providing the MechWarrior with a small amount of close-in defense without encouraging a foolish—and likely suicidal—toe-to-toe charge with an enemy.
Deployment
The LGB-12C has found places in the militaries of the Federated Suns, the Free Worlds League, the Lyran Alliance and even the Capellan Confederation, via the regiments of the former St. Ives Compact. The ’Mech figured heavily in the FedCom Civil War, where it served well in very visible assignments. AFFS Marshal Stephan Cooper made particular use of his Longbows in the fight for Addicks. There, he massed an entire reinforced battalion of the ’Mechs together, savaging Tai-sa Samual Noda’s Fifteenth Dieron Regulars outside of St. Randall while Noda met the bulk of the Davion Assault Guards head-on. Rumor has it that battalion remained together throughout the rest of the war and has since been assigned as a special operations unit under the direction of the AFFS High Command.
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