Cataphract
Sarna News
| |
| Cataphract | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Earthwerks Incorporated |
| Model | CTF-3D |
| Class | Heavy |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 70 tons |
| Chassis | Earthwerk CTF |
| Armor | Kallon Royalstar |
| Engine | General Motors 280 XL |
| Speed | 64.8 km/h |
| Jump Jets | HildCo Model 12 |
| Armament | |
| BV (1.0) | 1,266 |
Contents
Description
The Cataphract was originally designed and prototyped as a Capellan BattleMech but because of the capture of Tikonov by the Federated Suns the 'Mech became a Davion design after it reached the full production phase. The 'Mech is armed for medium to long range combat and is highly mobile with a maximum speed of 64.8 kph and a jumping distance of up to one hundred and twenty meters. The 'Mech is capable of fighting in a variety of situations but due to its ammunition dependent design cannot operate for long away from dedicated supply lines. The Cataphract is armored with eleven tons of armor though giving it ample protection allowing it to survive to retreat from the battlefield for reloading if necessary.
Armament
The longest ranged weapon carried by the Cataphract is a General Motors Nova-5 Ultra AC-5, which has a rate of fire that is twice as fast as a standard autocannon. This is backed up by a Mydron Excel LB-X Autocannon/10 which fires both solid and cluster rounds. Finally the 'Mech has four Intek Medium Lasers for close range defense. Because of its high ammunition dependence if the two main guns fall silent the Cataphract must fall back to be reloaded before continuing the fight.
Variants
- CTF-1X - The original prototype of the Cataphract, the 1X model is armed with a PPC as its primary weapon which is backed up by an Autocannon/10. For close combat the 1X model carries four Medium Lasers. Additionally since the 1X was built before the discovery of the Helm Memory Core it lacks any advanced Star League technology and is built with a standard engine. The 'Mech also lacks the jump jets of the 3D model. BV (1.0) = 1,092
- CTF-2X - Another prototype of the Cataphract design this version is armed with a much more diverse weapons mix. The primary weapons are a Large Laser and Autocannon/10 which have similar range profiles and compliment each other well. The 'Mech carries for close combat only two Medium Lasers and a SRM-4 launcher. The 'Mech is armored with slightly thicker armor at thirteen tons. BV (1.0) = 1,035
- CTF-3L - An upgraded version of the Cataphract that follows more in line with the prototype 1X model the 3L variant is propelled by an XL Engine with MASC which allows it to move at speeds up to 86.4 kph in short bursts. The 'Mech is armed with a LB-X Autocannon/10 as its primary weapon which is matched with an ER PPC for powerful striking capabilities at long range. The 'Mech is also armed with four Medium Pulse Lasers for close combat. BV (1.0) = 1,294
- CTF-4L - A Capellan upgrade of the Cataphract this variant is built using a standard fusion engine and utilizes thirteen and a half tons of Stealth Armor for protection. The 'Mech is armed with a Gauss Rifle and an ER PPC as its primary weapons which give it a powerful long-range punch. For close range defense the 'Mech carries two ER Medium Lasers. Because the 'Mech has Stealth Armor it does carry a Guardian ECM Suite. BV (1.0) = 1,634