Difference between revisions of "Mobile Long Tom"
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{{Update Needed|[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 28]]}}
 
{{InfoBoxCombatVehicle
 
{{InfoBoxCombatVehicle
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| image = longtom.jpg
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| image = Mobile Long Tom RGilClan v28.jpg
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| name = Mobile Long Tom Artillery
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| name = LT-MOB-25 Mobile Long Tom Artillery
 
| manufacturer = [[Rebel Industrial Technologies, Inc.]]
 
| manufacturer = [[Rebel Industrial Technologies, Inc.]]
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| Mission = Artillery Fire Support
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| production year=2602
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| year reference= <ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/2202/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
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| Mission = Fire Support
 
| Type = Tracked
 
| Type = Tracked
 +
| cost = 1,722,275 C-bills<ref name=CO>''Combat Operations'', p. 120</ref>
 
| mass = 95 Tons
 
| mass = 95 Tons
−
| armor = 1/Star Slab
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| armor = [[StarSlab/1]]
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| engine = 190 ICE
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| engine = [[Robel 110]] [[ICE]]
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| crusing Speed = 20.2 Kph
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| comsys = [[ROMTECH 100]]
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| flank Speed = 25.6 Kph
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| T&T = [[O/P 10-40 LTR]]
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| Crew = 4
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| speed = 25.6
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| armament =  
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| Crew = 15
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*1 [[Armstrong Industries]] [[Long Tom Rifle]] Mobile Chassis System
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| armament = <span></span>
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*4 [[SperryBrowning Machine Gun]]s
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* 1x [[Long Tom artillery piece]]
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| BV (1.0) = N/A
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* 4x [[machine gun]]
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| BV (2.0) = N/A
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| BV (1.0) = 447<ref name=CO />
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| BV (2.0) = 515<ref name=MasterUnitList/>
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
−
The mobile version of the Long Tom rifle is slow, bulky and poorly defended, but it remains one of the most powerful long-range weapon systems still surviving from the days of the [[Star League]]. Though it lacks speed and grace, it can provide impressive fire support and defense. The Armstrong mobile Long Tom rifle variant is the last remnant of the [[Star League]]'s main guardian defense system. This powerful and accurate long-range weapon can reduce most small 'Mechs to scrap heaps.
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The '''Mobile Long Tom''' was essentially an [[artillery]] piece on wheels.  Known in official [[Star League]] records as the LT-MOB-25, it is actually six vehicles all hooked together as part of a massive convoy. This [[combat vehicle]] was first produced for the [[Star League Defense Force]] and the design soon became common in the every military throughout the Inner Sphere and Periphery.<ref name=MasterUnitList>''Master Unit List: Mobile Long Tom'', http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/2202/mobile-long-tom-artillery-lt-mob-25</ref>
−
The mobile Long Tom is actually a series of tracked vehicles working together to move and position the rifle for firing. However, the system can only be transported slowly. Garrisoned worlds in and near key cities usually possess this system.
 
  
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==Capabilities==
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The main unit was a 65-ton tracked vehicle and the only one in the convoy that possessed an, admittedly meager, engine capable of only 25.6 km/h and requiring constant refueling. This piloting cab also served as the targeting center, featuring an additional ton of [[communication equipment]] and the mounted weaponry. However the vehicle was protected by a scant four tons of armor, though it was not supposed to be anywhere near combat. For this reason the Long Tom relied on defensive units for anti-air support.<ref name=TRO3039>''Technical Readout: 3039'', pp. 78–79</ref>
−
The history of the mobile Long Tom is filled with stories of how the system saved entire cities with its awesome firepower. This immense weapon has enough energy to level an oncoming BattleMech.
 
−
The mobile system operates as a train of five tracked transports. The lead transport is the piloting cab as well as the targeting center, with the targeting system placed on top of the cab. This massive gun cannot be fired while being transported. With its twelve tons of armor and twenty tons of ammunition, the vehicle travels at a snail's pace, topping off at 25.6 kilometers per hour and needing frequent refueling. The sheer weight of the unit requires special heavy roads or rail tracks on which to move. A mobile Long Tom rarely travels cross-country, as there is a good chance that it will get stuck. Fifteen crew members are required to fire and drive the Long Tom.
 
−
The Long Tom excels at long-range attacks but is relatively weak at close quarters, and so tanks, infantry and Battlemechs often defend the unit. Though the Long Tom carries four side-mounted machine guns for close defense, these are hardly enough to take on an armed 'Mech. However, the greatest threat to the mobile Long Tom are aerospace fighters. [[Rifleman]] 'Mechs, known for air strike support, are frequently stationed with this unit.
 
  
−
==Battle History==
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Included in the artillery system was a pair of 5-ton support carriages. The purpose of these was to carry support personnel who directed the fire of the [[Long Tom]]. Finally, three 10-ton ammunition carriages were also towed around and carried enough ammunition to supply just over four minutes of continuous fire.<ref name=TRO3039 />  All four were protected by just two tons of armor each, and the weight of the full convoy meant the Mobile Long Tom could not travel cross-country due to the very-real threat of becoming stuck. For this reason its travel was restricted to heavy roads.<ref name=TRO3025R>''Technical Readout: 3025 Revised'', pp. 142–143</ref>
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In 2888,[[House Kurita]] launched yet another raid on the [[Davion]] world of [[Errai]]. On that lonely world was the city of Trent, a well-known storehouse for [[Davion]] troops and 'Mechs. Two Long Tom mobile systems used Trent's massive city square as a firing platform while the local 'Mech forces fought to hold back the [[Kurita]] raiders. During the battle's initial stages, the Long Toms destroyed more 'Mechs than all the [[Davion]] ground forces combined. Eventually, the [[Kurita]] raiders withdrew. Before they left, however, an aerospace fighter wing managed to cripple both Long Tom defenders. The Long Toms destroyed more than ten fighters before succumbing to the [[Kurita]] barrage.
+
 
−
While Houses [[Marik]] and [[Liao]] were fighting for the city of Garth on the planet [[Berenson]], the Long Tom once again proved that it could play both a defensive and an offensive role. The [[Marik]] attackers set themselves up in the city of Tromoth. From there, they moved up a Long Tom rifle system to bombard the city of Garth. At the same time, House Liao moved up one of their Long Tom mobile systems to attack the [[Marik]] raiders. The two guns attempted to destroy each other for nearly a week. Finally, spies in Garth sabotaged and disabled the [[Liao]] gun, giving the [[Marik]] weapon free rein to bombard the rest of the city. This gave the [[Marik]] attackers the break they needed to take Garth.
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==Weapons and Equipment==
−
In 3002, [[House Marik]] raided the city of Treth on the planet [[Loric]] in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]]. By moving and firing their only mobile Long Tom, the [[Steiner]] defenders fooled the [[Marik]] forces into thinking they faced three Long Toms in and around the city. The [[Free Worlds League]] troops withdrew quickly without seriously damaging the [[Steiner]] forces.
+
The purpose of this entire convoy of vehicles was to move one weapon: an Armstrong Industries [[Long Tom|Long Tom Rifle Mobile Chassis System]]. The artillery piece was capable of extremely long range fire more suited to demolishing defensive fortifications than firing into a firefight. The only short-range weapons were four, side-mounted [[Sperry Browning]] [[Machine Gun]]s that were more suited to anti-[[infantry]] than anti-[['Mech]] duty.<ref name=TRO3039 />
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The mobile Long Tom is an uncommon weapon, and troopers consider it an honor to serve on this cannon's crew. Very few are stripped for parts; most nonfunctioning Long Toms are maintained as is in case the parts needed to repair them are found. If the mobile system is destroyed, the weapon is mounted in a static defense area such as a fortress or city.
 
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
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The best know variant of the mobile Long Tom is the rail version, though it is even more rare than the tracked system. The rail version does not have the tracked version's freedom of movement, but it can travel faster via rail. Most of the Inner Sphere's rail tracks are in poor shape however. This variant has a crew of 25 and is virtually unarmoured. It is officially listed as LT-MOB-50 in Star League records.
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*;LT-MOB-25F<small>''([[2695]])''<ref>''[http://masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/9365/ MUL Online Date for the ''Mobile Long Tom LT-MOB-25F'']''</ref></small> : Built on a 65-ton chassis, the LT-MOB-25F is faster than its predecessor. [[Ferro-fibrous armor]] and [[CASE]] provide equivalent protection despite the reduced mass, though limited ammunition reserves and no extra [[communication equipment]] within the tractor itself leaves the LT-MOB-25F unable to perform any sort of extended fire support mission without a full complement of trailers. BV (2.0) = 726 (148 per-trailer) <ref>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 28'' pp. 6-7''</ref>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
*;LT-MOB-50<small>''(????)''</small> : This variant was only different from the -25 in that it was much rarer and used rails to travel faster. Due to the limited nature of rail travel, comparatively few of these were produced.<ref name=TRO3039 />
 +
 
 +
*;LT-MOB-95<small>''(????)''</small> : Introduced by the [[Federated Suns]] this variant combines all the weapons, ammo, and control systems in a single tracked chassis.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3150'', p. 222</ref>
 +
 
 +
=== Dark Age Dossier Variant ===
 +
*;Long Tom Artillery : During the post-[[Jihad]] years, a more compact version of the Mobile Long Tom known simply as the Long Tom Artillery was created. This combat vehicle retains the same tonnage and weaponry of the original but it is no longer configured in a wagon-train like fashion. Instead it is a single combat vehicle, which was first produced by [[Federated Suns]] and later by other powers including [[Capellan Confederation]].<ref>''Dossier of Sgt. Major Rusty Cooper'' - Dossier cites evolution of the original vehicle to new version. The Dark Age version of the Long Tom has not been given an official record sheet as of this writing. All stats and information comes from the single dossier released with the unique vehicle as part of [[MWDA|MWDA's]] Fire for Effect game release</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Notes==
 +
* Author [[Blaine Lee Pardoe]] stated in a [https://web.archive.org/web/20221102192457/https://blainepardoe.wordpress.com/2018/08/16/out-of-the-archives-the-battlemechs-i-wrote-about-or-designed/ blog entry] that, according to his memory which he admitted could be wrong, the mobile Long Tom was among the vehicles for which he invented the name and wrote the original background as initially published in TRO:3025, after being given only its art and game stats to work with for the TRO entry.
 +
*This combat vehicle was redesigned following the publication of ''[[Total Warfare]]'' and ''[[TechManual]]''. The stats presented in ''[[Technical Readout: 3039]]'' differ somewhat from those in ''[[Technical Readout: 3025 Revised]]''.
  
 +
==Gallery==
 +
<gallery>
 +
longtom.jpg|Original LT-MOB-25 ''Long Tom'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 3025|TRO:3025]]''
 +
Mobile Long Tom RGilClan v28.jpg|Mobile Long Tom from ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 28|RG:ilClan vol. 28]]''
 +
Long Tom FFE.png|Dark Age ''Long Tom'' from ''[[MechWarrior: Fire For Effect|MWDA FFE]]'' dossiers
 +
</gallery>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
*[[Technical Readout: 3025]] - Page 186-187
+
<references/>
−
*[[Technical Readout: 3025 Revised]] - Page 142-143
 
−
*[[Technical Readout: 3039]] - Page 78-79
 
  
−
<references/>
+
==Bibliography==
 +
* ''[[Combat Operations]]''
 +
* [http://cf.sarna.net/docs/mwda_dossiers/fire_for_effect_20.pdf MWDA Swordsworn's dossier of Rusty Cooper]
 +
* ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 28]]
 +
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3025]]''
 +
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3025 Revised]]''
 +
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3039]]''
 +
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3150]]''
  
  
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[[Category:Support Vehicles]]
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[[Category:95 ton Combat Vehicles]]
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[[Category:Artillery Support Unit]]
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[[Category:Artillery Combat Vehicles]]
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[[Category:Assault Combat Vehicles]]
 
[[Category:Combat Vehicles]]
 
[[Category:Combat Vehicles]]
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[[Category:95 ton Combat Vehicles]]
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[[Category:Fire Support Combat Vehicles]]
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[[Category:Tracked Combat Vehicles]]
 
[[Category:SLDF Combat Vehicles]]
 
[[Category:SLDF Combat Vehicles]]
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[[Category:Fire Support Combat Vehicles]]
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[[Category:Rail Support Vehicles]]

Latest revision as of 13:47, 18 December 2023

Mobile Long Tom RGilClan v28.jpg
LT-MOB-25 Mobile Long Tom Artillery
Production information
Manufacturer Rebel Industrial Technologies, Inc.
Production Year 2602[1]
Mission Fire Support
Type Tracked
Cost 1,722,275 C-bills[2]
Technical specifications
Mass 95 Tons
Armor StarSlab/1
Engine Robel 110 ICE
Speed 25.6 km/h
Crew 15
Communications System ROMTECH 100
Targeting Tracking System O/P 10-40 LTR
Armament

BV (1.0) 447[2]
BV (2.0) 515[3]


Description[edit]

The Mobile Long Tom was essentially an artillery piece on wheels. Known in official Star League records as the LT-MOB-25, it is actually six vehicles all hooked together as part of a massive convoy. This combat vehicle was first produced for the Star League Defense Force and the design soon became common in the every military throughout the Inner Sphere and Periphery.[3]

The main unit was a 65-ton tracked vehicle and the only one in the convoy that possessed an, admittedly meager, engine capable of only 25.6 km/h and requiring constant refueling. This piloting cab also served as the targeting center, featuring an additional ton of communication equipment and the mounted weaponry. However the vehicle was protected by a scant four tons of armor, though it was not supposed to be anywhere near combat. For this reason the Long Tom relied on defensive units for anti-air support.[4]

Included in the artillery system was a pair of 5-ton support carriages. The purpose of these was to carry support personnel who directed the fire of the Long Tom. Finally, three 10-ton ammunition carriages were also towed around and carried enough ammunition to supply just over four minutes of continuous fire.[4] All four were protected by just two tons of armor each, and the weight of the full convoy meant the Mobile Long Tom could not travel cross-country due to the very-real threat of becoming stuck. For this reason its travel was restricted to heavy roads.[5]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The purpose of this entire convoy of vehicles was to move one weapon: an Armstrong Industries Long Tom Rifle Mobile Chassis System. The artillery piece was capable of extremely long range fire more suited to demolishing defensive fortifications than firing into a firefight. The only short-range weapons were four, side-mounted Sperry Browning Machine Guns that were more suited to anti-infantry than anti-'Mech duty.[4]

Variants[edit]

  • LT-MOB-25F(2695)[6] 
    Built on a 65-ton chassis, the LT-MOB-25F is faster than its predecessor. Ferro-fibrous armor and CASE provide equivalent protection despite the reduced mass, though limited ammunition reserves and no extra communication equipment within the tractor itself leaves the LT-MOB-25F unable to perform any sort of extended fire support mission without a full complement of trailers. BV (2.0) = 726 (148 per-trailer) [7]


  • LT-MOB-50(????) 
    This variant was only different from the -25 in that it was much rarer and used rails to travel faster. Due to the limited nature of rail travel, comparatively few of these were produced.[4]
  • LT-MOB-95(????) 
    Introduced by the Federated Suns this variant combines all the weapons, ammo, and control systems in a single tracked chassis.[8]

Dark Age Dossier Variant[edit]

  • Long Tom Artillery 
    During the post-Jihad years, a more compact version of the Mobile Long Tom known simply as the Long Tom Artillery was created. This combat vehicle retains the same tonnage and weaponry of the original but it is no longer configured in a wagon-train like fashion. Instead it is a single combat vehicle, which was first produced by Federated Suns and later by other powers including Capellan Confederation.[9]

Notes[edit]

  • Author Blaine Lee Pardoe stated in a blog entry that, according to his memory which he admitted could be wrong, the mobile Long Tom was among the vehicles for which he invented the name and wrote the original background as initially published in TRO:3025, after being given only its art and game stats to work with for the TRO entry.
  • This combat vehicle was redesigned following the publication of Total Warfare and TechManual. The stats presented in Technical Readout: 3039 differ somewhat from those in Technical Readout: 3025 Revised.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ MUL online date for the Mobile Long Tom
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Combat Operations, p. 120
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Master Unit List: Mobile Long Tom, http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/2202/mobile-long-tom-artillery-lt-mob-25
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Technical Readout: 3039, pp. 78–79
  5. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, pp. 142–143
  6. ↑ MUL Online Date for the Mobile Long Tom LT-MOB-25F
  7. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 28 pp. 6-7
  8. ↑ Technical Readout: 3150, p. 222
  9. ↑ Dossier of Sgt. Major Rusty Cooper - Dossier cites evolution of the original vehicle to new version. The Dark Age version of the Long Tom has not been given an official record sheet as of this writing. All stats and information comes from the single dossier released with the unique vehicle as part of MWDA's Fire for Effect game release

Bibliography[edit]

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