Hermes II

Hermes II
Production information
Manufacturer	Irian BattleMechs Unlimited
Production Year	2798
Model	HER-2S
Class	Medium
Cost	3,165,680 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	40 tons
Chassis	Irian Chassis Class 40
Armor	Riese-456
Engine	Hermes 240
Communications System	Irian E.A.R.
Targeting Tracking System	Wasat Aggressor
Heat Sinks	10
Speed	97.2 km/h
Armament	1xAutocannon/5 1xMedium Laser 1xFlamer
BV (1.0)	665
BV (2.0)	784

Description

The Hermes II, was first produced in 2798, was designed as a replacement for the original Hermes BattleMech that was used by the Star League. The design is built to be a scout 'Mech with a top speed of 97.2 km/h. While this is not a very fast speed for a scout 'Mech, it is a respectable speed for scouting duties. The main drawback to the use of the Hermes II as a scout 'Mech is its dependence on ammunition for its autocannon. Additionally, the Hermes II carries enough armor and heavy enough weaponry to serve as a front line BattleMech effectively when needed.

Armament

The primary weapon on the Hermes II is an Oriente Autocannon/5, which gives it a respectable reach on the battlefield. As secondary weapons, the Hermes II carries an Irian Weapons Works Medium Laser for anti-'Mech combat as well as an Olympian Flamer, which gives it a good deterrent against infantry attacks.

Variants

• HER-2M 

  Nicknamed the Mercury, this variant of the Hermes II removes the autocannon for two additional Medium Lasers and two additional Machine Guns. The saved space was used to upgrade the engine to allow the Hermes II to have a maximum speed of 118.8 kph, allowing it to excel in its role as a recon 'Mech. BV (1.0) = 740, BV (2.0) = 910

• HER-4K 

  Also sometimes referred to as the Hermes III, this variant of the Hermes II is a modification of the design built to remove its dependence on ammunition by removing all of the weapons from the 'Mech and replacing them with two Large Lasers and an additional heat sink. It solely appears in the Draconis Combine, suggesting that it was an export-only version. (The HER-4K Hermes III should not be confused with the HER-4K variant of the Hermes, which was an export version for the Draconis Combine of the Hermes II's predecessor.) BV (1.0) = 749, BV (2.0) = 976

• HER-5C 

  Used by Word of Blake, the 5C variant of the Hermes II takes aspects of the 2M and 4K variants. The chassis has been upgraded to Endo Steel and the 'Mech is powered by an extralight engine. The primary weapon is an ER Large Laser. This is backed up with three ER Medium Lasers. Finally, the 5C carries an Improved Narc Missile Beacon and an Improved C3 Computer to allow it to assist other friendly units in targeting enemy units. BV (1.0) = 887, BV (2.0) = 1,119

• HER-5ME 

  Used by the Dark Shadows battalion of SAFE, the "Mercury Elite" is armed with only a Light Gauss Rifle, making the Hermes II into a sniper. This comes at the cost of two tons of armor. BV (2.0)= 886 [Note that the Technical Readout states that this variant makes use of Ferro-Fibrous armor. Despite having the room, the Record Sheet does not incorporate this.]

• HER-5S 

  The 5S variant of the Hermes II is an upgrade of the design that upgrades the chassis to use Endo Steel construction and removes the original autocannon and upgrades it with an Ultra Autocannon/5. The Medium Laser has also been upgraded with a Medium Pulse Laser and the heat sinks have been upgraded to double heat sinks. BV (1.0) = 740, BV (2.0) = 857

• HER-5Sr 

  By using an XL Gyro and removing the Ultra Autocannon, engineers were able to install a Guardian ECM Suite and a Heavy PPC. BV (2.0) = 1,242

• HER-5SA 

  A modification to the 5S, the 5SA incorporates an XL Engine to upgrade the medium laser to a Large Pulse Laser. The remaining half-ton is used as additional armor on the legs. This is quite an extravagant upgrade for what is ostensibly a training 'Mech. BV (2.0)= 924

• HER-6D 

  This variant is used by the Davion Light Guards. It exchanges the laser for an ER Medium Laser and the autocannon for a Rotary Autocannon/5. It still has only one ton of ammo for the autocannon, however, forcing MechWarriors to use their ammunition wisely. BV (2.0)= 1106

• HER-7S 

  An experimental 'Mech "ahead of its time", the HER-7S is the brainchild of Baron Roderick Axel of Lopez, who was long on belief he knew better than the military industrial complex how to develop an advanced upgrade of the Hermes II. Unfortunately, he was short on practical understanding of the true costs involved. Built on a Composite Structure, powered by a massive 320 rated XXL Engine and clad in relatively low seven an half tons of armor, the HER-7S had a top speed of over 120 kph and a 240-meter jump distance. Mounting ten Double Heat Sinks, an ER Flamer, a Clan-spec Large Pulse Laser and a Light PPC linked to a Clan-grade Targeting Computer, the 'Mech is a deadly combatant. However, due to the absurd expense and extreme fragility of the design, only three prototypes were manufactured, and in fact the whole proceedings seem to have been just a way for Irian Technologies to use the Baron's money to gain more hands-on experience with the technologies involved. BV (2.0) = 1,578

'Mech Gallery

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  HER-2S Hermes II of the Fusiliers of Oriente

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  HER-5S Hermes II

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  HER-5S Hermes II in Combat

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  HER-7S Hermes II in Motion

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Bibliography

• Experimental Technical Readout: Marik
• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New
• Record Sheets: Upgrades
• Technical Readout: 3025
• Technical Readout: 3025 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3085