Crusader

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This article is about the BattleMech. For the Clan faction, see Crusader Clans.
Crusader
Crusader
Production information
Manufacturer Kallon Industries
Model CRD-3R
Class Heavy
Cost 5,686,010 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 65 tons
Chassis Crucis-B
Armor Riese-500
Engine Magna 260
Speed 64.8 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 948[1]
BV (2.0) 1,317


Description

The Crusader was initially designed as a close combat 'Mech. Instead, the weapons payload that it carries allow it to work as a multi-role 'Mech that, while not excelling in any one role, is capable of accomplishing most missions that are assigned to it. The Crusader has a ground speed of 64.8 km/h, which is on par with most other 'Mechs of the heavy weight class. Like most heavy 'Mechs, it cannot jump. Additionally, it is armored with twelve tons of Reise-500 armor, giving it a great deal of armor protection.

Armament

The primary long-range weapons on the Crusader are two Magna Longbow-15 LRM-15 launchers. These provide the Crusader with long-range fire support capabilities that can compete with the Archer and Catapult. For short range combat, the 'Mech carries two Harpoon SRM-6 launchers and two Intek Medium Lasers. Finally, to deter infantry attacks against the Crusader, two M100 Machine Guns are mounted on the 'Mech.[2]

Variants

CRD-5K Crusader
  • CRD-3D - The 3D variant of the Crusader is a simple modification to make the 'Mechs heat load more manageable. The two SRM-6 launchers have been replaced with two SRM-4 launchers and the Machine Guns have been removed so that number of heat sinks could be increased by four.[4] BV (1.0) = 1,020,[5] BV (2.0) = 1,338
  • CRD-3K - Another variant of the Crusader concentrating on lessening its heat burden, the 3K achieves this by reducing the LRM launchers to LRM-10 launchers and by adding six heat sinks to the 'Mech. The Machine Guns are also excluded from this variant.[6] BV (1.0) = 997,[7] BV (2.0) = 1,290
  • CRD-3L - The 3L variant of the Crusader takes concepts from both the 3D and the 3K models to save weight with a twist. The 'Mech has removed the LRM-15 and SRM-6 launchers and replaced them with two LRM-10 launchers and two SRM-4 launchers. Two additional heat sinks have been added to the design and the 'Mech has also had jump jets added, giving it a jumping distance of one hundred and twenty meters.[8] BV (1.0) = 1,032,[9] BV (2.0) = 1,297
  • CRD-4D - The 4D variant of the Crusader upgrades the design using Star League technology. The 'Mech has had the Medium Lasers and the SRM-6 launchers removed and in their place has had two Streak SRM-2 launchers and two Medium Pulse Lasers added.[10] BV (1.0) = 1,015,[5][9] BV (2.0) = 1,309
  • CRD-4K - An upgrade of the 3K variant, the 4K removes two heat sinks and the two Medium Lasers of the 3K variant and replaces them with Medium Pulse Lasers.[11] BV (1.0) = 946,[7] BV (2.0) = 1,268
  • CRD-5K - The 5K Crusader is a complete upgrade produced by Cosby BattleMech Research Firm. The chassis has been redesigned using Endo Steel construction techniques and the engine has been upgraded to an XL Engine. The 'Mechs armament has been completely overhauled as well. The primary weapons are two Shigunga MRM 30 launchers and, as secondary weapons, it carries two Victory 23R Medium Lasers and two Victory Heartbeat Medium Pulse Lasers. To allow the 5K to share targeting data, it also carries a C3 Slave Unit. Finally, to vent waste heat, the 'Mech uses eleven double heat sinks and is protected with twelve tons of armor with CASE to protect itself from ammunition explosions.[12] BV (1.0) = 1,223 (C3: 183),[7] BV (2.0) = 1,463
  • CRD-5M - The 5M is an upgrade from around 3050 that uses recovered Star League technology. The 'Mech is powered by an XL Engine and uses double heat sinks to vent its heat more efficiently. The 5M is also capable of jumping up to one hundred and twenty meters. The 'Mech is armed with two LRM-15 launchers, two Streak SRM-2 launchers, a Flamer, a Machine Gun, and two Medium Lasers. For added protection, the 'Mech has an Anti-Missile System to protect against missile attacks.[13] BV (1.0) = 1,348,[1] BV (2.0) = 1,408
  • CRD-5S - An upgrade of the Crusader utilizing Star League equipment, the 5S varies little from the 3R model. The 'Mech has replaced the twin Machine Guns with a Flamer and CASE to protect against ammunition explosions and also has switched from standard heat sinks to double heat sinks.[14] BV (1.0) = 1,149,[5][15] BV (2.0) = 1,446
  • CRD-7L - Utilizing some of the newest technology available in the Capellan Confederation, the 7L is built by Tao 'Mechworks. It uses Stealth Armor, making it harder to target. The 'Mech also uses double heat sinks and is armed with two LRM-15 launchers, two Streak SRM-4 launchers, and two ER Medium Lasers. Finally, the 'Mech carries a Guardian ECM Suite to allow its Stealth Armor to work. In order to make room, the top speed was lowered to 53 km/h, though jump jets offset that through increased maneuverability.[16] BV (1.0) = 1,507,[9] BV (2.0) = 1,860
  • CRD-7W - The Crusader 7W is armed with two Krupp MML-9s and two MML-5s, which are capable of firing both LRM and SRM ammunition and are all linked to an Artemis IV FCS that increases their accuracy. These are backed up by two Diverse Optics ER Medium Lasers for close combat. In order to carry such a powerful payload, the 'Mech has an XL Engine and an XL Gyro to save as much weight as possible. The 7W also uses twelve tons of Light Ferro-Fibrous armor with CASE for protection.[17] BV (2.0) = 1,221
  • CRD-8S - Created with the mindset of "bigger is better", the 8S Crusader is built around an Endo Steel chassis and is powered by an XL Engine. The 'Mech carries two LRM-10 launchers and two Medium Lasers but is also armed with the new Heavy Gauss Rifle, giving it great deal of close to medium range firepower.[18] BV (1.0) = 1,711,[15] BV (2.0) = 1,698

Notable pilots

Famous individuals in the BattleTech universe who piloted Crusaders include:

  • Galen Cox primarily used a Crusader until his apparent death.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Combat Operations, pg. 121
  2. ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 147
  3. ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, pg. 169
  4. ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 144
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Combat Operations, pg. 127
  6. ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 145
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Combat Operations, pg. 124
  8. ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 146
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Combat Operations, pg. 122
  10. ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 148
  11. ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 149
  12. ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 150 & Technical Readout: Project Phoenix, pp. 29-30
  13. ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 151
  14. ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 152
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Combat Operations, pg. 131
  16. ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 153 & Technical Readout: Project Phoenix, pg. 29
  17. ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 154
  18. ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 155 & Technical Readout: Project Phoenix, pg. 29

Bibliography

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