Falcon

This article is about the 30-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Falcon (disambiguation).
Falcon
Falcon
Production information
Manufacturer Blackwell Industries

Stormvanger Assemblies, Light Division[1]

Production Year 3050[2]
Model FLC-4P
Class Light
Cost 2,307,890 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 30 tons
Chassis Duralyte 296[3]
Armor StarGuard Type II[3]
Engine GM 180[3]
Communications System Garret T20C
Targeting Tracking System Dynatec 150A
Heat Sinks 12 single heat sinks
Speed 97[3] km/h
Jump Jets PRS-60[3]
Armament
BV (1.0) 561
BV (2.0) 649[4]


Description[edit]

Originally developed as an anti-infantry and bug hunter 'Mech, the Falcon is a highly popular light recon and skirmisher 'Mech.[3]

Initially created for the newly formed Star League Defense Force's use in the Reunification War, the popular design remained in production until the destruction of Stormvanger's Hesperus II Falcon line during the Third Battle of Hesperus II in 2789, becoming all but extinct until the arrival of Wolf's Dragoons in 3005.[3] Well regarded by the mercenaries, the Dragoons upgraded their dwindling number of Falcons in the early 3050s before eventually commissioning Blackwell Industries to restart production of the design in early 3060 to produce advanced Clan-tech versions for their exclusive use, as well as more mundane and affordable versions for the general mercenary market.[4]

While originally sporting a weapons array similar to the Locust, Stinger, and Wasp it was charged to defeat, the Falcon's six tons of StarGuard Type II armor provided it with vastly superior protection, allowing it to outlast them and remain combat effective longer. When it was originally developed, the 'Mech's top speed of 97.2 km/h and a jumping distance of 150 meters allowed it to keep up with other light recon 'Mechs. But by the 3060s, the Falcon was outclassed by newer and faster designs, only its use of a cheaper standard fusion engine rather than a more expensive and fragile light or XL engine kept buyers interested.[3][4]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

Originally developed as a field upgrade before becoming Blackwell's standard production model, the 4P Falcon carries a light arsenal that is primarily based around energy weapons. While the two Omnicron 1000 small lasers were retained, the original standard medium laser was swapped for a short-ranged but highly accurate Magna 400P medium pulse laser. Finally, for protection from missiles, the rear-facing machine guns were dropped for a forward-facing SureFire 444 anti-missile system and a single ton of ammunition.[4]

Variants[edit]

Custom Variants[edit]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Falcon has the following Design Quirk:[10]

Related Designs[edit]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Falcon Pilots

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Falke. The model code was accordingly changed to FLK-4E.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 18–19: FLC-4N Falcon
  2. MUL online date for the Falcon
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 248: "FLC-4N Falcon"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 15
  5. Combat Operations, p. 106
  6. Record Sheets: 3039, p. 70
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 163
  8. Master Unit List: "Falcon FLC-5P"
  9. Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 92
  10. BattleMech Manual, p. 91: Design Quirk Table - Falcon Entry
  11. Technical Readout: Golden Century, p. 13

Bibliography[edit]