Darter

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Darter.jpg
Darter Scout Car
Production information
Manufacturer General Motors[1]
Production Year 2822[2]
Mission Reconnaissance
Type Wheeled
Cost 68,568 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 13 tons
Armor ProtecTech Light
Engine GM 75 ICE
Speed 151 km/h
Crew 1
Communications System Overlook J9[3]
Targeting Tracking System Brightstar 17 Mk. I[3]
Armament
BV (2.0) 125[4][5][6]


Description

The Darter Scout Car owes its existence to the destructive nature of the First Succession War. Following the end of that war, the Federated Suns needed to rebuild. They gave preference to their BattleMech forces, so they asked for manufacturing concerns to submit designs that would allow them to produce an effective combat vehicle that filled a supporting role and not tie up materials needed to rebuild the more-dedicated combat units. The Darter won that contract for General Motors in 2822.[4]

The Darter has respectable speed for a vehicle, topping out at 151 km/h. This speed comes courtesy of an Internal Combustion Engine, which allowed the AFFS to save Fusion Engines for its 'Mech force. A paltry two tons of armor protect the Darter, precluding it from all but the lightest combat. Rather than mounting dedicated electronics, the vehicle has three tons of cargo space that can be easily reconfigured. Despite their fragility, Darters are easily repaired.[4]

Armament

The only weapon on the Darter is a Johnston Minigun Machine Gun. A full ton of ammunition is exceedingly generous, given its low armor threshold.[4]

Variants

  • BAP - This version of the Darter has replaced half its cargo space with a single Beagle Active Probe. The cargo capacity is reduced to 1.5 tons, but armament and armor remains the same as the standard Darter. BV (2.0) = 136[7]
  • C3 - This version replaces one ton of cargo space with a C3 Slave unit to send targeting data to friendly forces. It is otherwise identical to the standard Darter. BV (2.0) = 125[8]
  • ECM - The only difference between this variant and the Beagle variant is the fact that the Beagle probe has been replaced by a Guardian ECM Suite. BV (2.0)=193[9]
  • SRM – Some crews have eschewed cargo in favor of an SRM-4 and ton of ammunition. BV 2.0= 192[10][11]
  • SRM2 - This version takes a standard Darter and reduces the cargo space to one ton. It adds a single SRM-2 and ton of ammunition. Otherwise, it behaves and is equipped like a standard Darter. BV (2.0) = 167[12]


Notes

References

  1. Handbook House Davion p.187
  2. MUL online date for the Darter
  3. 3.0 3.1 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 220, "Darter Scout Car"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Technical Readout: 3075, pp. 220-221, "Darter Vehicle Profile"
  5. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 208
  6. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 113
  7. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 114
  8. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 115
  9. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 116
  10. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 212
  11. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 118
  12. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 117

Bibliography