Gladiator (BattleMech)
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- For the Clan Battlemech that was designated Gladiator by the Inner Sphere, please see Executioner.
| |
| Gladiator | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | New Samarkand Armor Works, Merryweather Industries |
| Production Year | 2487[1] |
| Model | GLD-4R |
| Class | Medium |
| Cost | 5,002,057 C-bills |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 55 tons |
| Chassis | MW240 |
| Armor | Kemplar 5000 |
| Engine | Core Tek 275 |
| Communications System | Fujika Multiband |
| Speed | 86 km/h |
| Jump Jets | GE-220 |
| Armament |
|
| BV (1.0) | ?? |
| BV (2.0) | 1,291[2] |
Description
The first homegrown BattleMech produced by the Draconis Combine was the Gladiator. The 55-ton 'Mech took seven years to design, as Coordinator Kozo Von Rohrs refused to open up the process to anybody but a select group at New Samarkand Armor Works (the predecessor of Luthien Armor Works) who were under constant surveillance by DEST. 2468 finally saw the GLD-1R Gladiator hit mass-production. Following the Battle of Nox in 2475, the dishonored 'Mech was retired from official production as quickly as possible.[3]
Merryweather Industries was the first private company to attempt BattleMech production without governmental support. Despite their location in the Terran Hegemony, they acquired the plans to the Gladiator and produced a new run in 2490. They were unable to raise the capital to finish their second run, the 4R, and nearly went bankrupt before moving into IndustrialMechs.[3]
The 55-ton Gladiator has a top speed of 86 km/h, comparable to many other 'Mechs of the same weight. Nine and a half tons of armor provides a respectable amount of protection. Five jump jets enables the 'Mech to jump up to 150 meters at a time.[3]
Armament
A Lord's Light P1 PPC provides long range firepower. Two Argra 1L Medium Lasers is just as powerful up close and adds a Thunderstroke SRM-6 to exploit any holes in an enemy's armor.[3]
Variants
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- GLD-1R - The original Gladiator used primitive technologies, so it only had a Large Laser and two Medium Lasers. In addition, it could only manage a top speed around 64 km/h.[3] BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,027[4]
- GLD-2R - A more modern variant that still used some primitive technologies, the 2R upgraded the top speed of the 1R to 86 km/h. Few of these were ever fielded, as the design was apparently just a test bed for the newer technologies.[3] BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,245[5]
- GLD-3R - The test platform for Merryweather, the 3R upgraded the Large Laser to two LRM-10s.[3] BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,282[6]
- GLD-5R - The 5R is an upgraded variant that was unveiled by StarCorps Industries after a Gladiator fielded by Major Alex Keller of the Devil's Brigade that utilized cutting-edge and experimental technology gained notoriety. The production model is powered by a Light Fusion Engine and uses an XL Gyro to save space. Improved jump jets improves maneuverability and a C3i Computer allows the 'Mech to share targeting telemetry with like-equipped units. It is armed with a Snub-Nose PPC, two ER Medium Lasers, and an MML-5 with Artemis IV Fire Control System to improve accuracy. Additional heat sinks help to alleviate heat problems.[3] BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,345[7]
References
- ↑ MUL online date for the Gladiator (BattleMech)
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p. 207
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 206
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 199
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 200
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 201
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 202