Phoenix (BattleMech)

Phoenix
Production information
Manufacturer	Krauss-Liemann Incorporated Diplass BattleMechs
Production Year	2520
Model	PX-3R
Class	Medium
Cost	4,234,250 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	50 tons
Chassis	12b Krauss-Liemann
Armor	PanzerSlab Type 3
Engine	Magna 250
Communications System	Vex/Holden TriComm Plus
Targeting Tracking System	Dillon QuadTrac w/Particle Cannon Suite
Heat Sinks	14
Speed	86 km/h
Jump Jets	Gerard Special A
Armament	1x PPC 2x SRM-2s
BV (2.0)	1,106

Description

The Phoenix was the Rim Worlds Republic's first effort to design a jump-capable BattleMech designed and produced by Krauss-Liemann Incorporated. Terens Amaris was convinced that the Wasp and its jump jets heralded a sea-change in tactics and was determined to build a 'Mech larger than the Wasp that incorporated them. Unfortunately, the Republic lacked jump jets, so the project stalled while technicians reverse engineered the technology. Terens insisted on "quality over quantity" in the Republic's BattleMech program, delaying production until well after the Terran Hegemony had fielded the Griffin and Shadow Hawk. The First Consul diverted resources away from other production efforts to accomplish this which became a massive boondoggle. Nonetheless, the Phoenix and its jumping capability did allow the Republic to execute new battle plans, including combat drops from DropShips. No other power produced or salvaged the Phoenix and it was believed to have become extinct following Aleksandr Kerensky's conquest of the Rim Worlds Republic. It was surprising, then, when a ComStar report indicated that the Hanseatic League was deploying a number of them.

The earliest prototypes of the Phoenix underwent numerous changes throughout its long development history. Having nearly reached completion of a prototype in 2470, Terens Amaris ordered the design team to implement jump jet technology for immediate testing - information that had been acquired by the Republic's intelligence agency. They quickly scrambled to redesign a machine that was essentially complete as a result. The design philosophy had been intended to create a front-line "trooper" BattleMech that would engage enemies at all ranges and so had mounted a PPC and two SRM-4 launchers. In order to reconfigure it as jump-capable, the launchers were downgraded to twin SRM-2s, but received slightly better armor protection. Ultimately Krauss' engineers encountered the same problems as the Terran Hegemony with their earlier Wasp and it took an additional four years until the redesigned prototype was unveiled and another 6 before it was production ready. It was mired by constant problems including electronics interference when the particle cannon was fired, with pilots giving it the name "Sparkly Bird." The legs were also too weak to deal with the stress of landing a 50 ton BattleMech, resulting in fractured or shattered leg and torso structural components. These were eventually corrected after thirty-three years, just thirteen years before Krauss-Liemann Incorporated designed the modern PX-3R Phoenix.

The main feature of the medium-class Phoenix is its ability to jump up to 150 meters. Capable of attaining 86 km/h, the Phoenix is protected by nine tons of armor.

Weapons and Equipment

Primarily a sniper, the Phoenix mounts a Stolz Harbinger 2 PPC. To back it up, the 3R carries a pair of Marklin Mini SRM-2 launchers. Two ammo bins enable the use of different munitions, including Infernos.

Variants

• PX-1R 

  The original prototype of the primitive Phoenix introduced in 2474, the 1R was slower with a top speed of 64 km/h and had fewer heat sinks. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 900

• PX-1KC 

  Wechsel Royal Industrial Repair and Heavy Machining (WRI, Inc.) on Kaumberg has created four variants of the RetroTech Phoenix. The PX-1KC replaces the PPC and two heat sinks with an Autocannon/5 and a ton of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 766

• PX-1KL 

  The second WRI, Inc. Phoenix configuration replaces the PPC, two heat sinks, and the SRM-2s of the original for a single Large Laser supported by an SRM-6 and two tons of ammo. BV (2.0) = 930

• PX-1KR 

  The third WRI, Inc. Phoenix configuration replaces the PPC and two heat sinks with a Heavy Rifle and two tons of ammunition. The loss of the 'Mech's jump jets for the heavy, inefficient weapon and an extra half ton of armor makes it unpopular with pilots. BV (2.0) = 760

• PX-1KT 

  The final WRI, Inc. Phoenix configuration may be the best. The PPC is traded for a Thunderbolt 10 missile with two tons of ammunition. This lets the Phoenix hit with as much damage as the original, but at a much lower heat penalty. BV (2.0) = 857

• PX-4R 

  This variant developed in 2581 was highly anticipated, but it proved to be so unpopular that production was canceled. The decision to switch to an ammunition-fed Autocannon/10 instead of the PPC is blamed. BV (2.0) = 996

Design Quirks

The PX-1R Phoenix variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:

• EM Interference
• Obsolete (2525)
• Poor Workmanship
• Weak Legs

The PX-3R Phoenix has the following Design Quirks:

• Directional Torso Mount (SRMs)
• EM Interference

Gallery

• 

  Original Phoenix from TRO:3075

Bibliography

• Era Digest: Age of War
• Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 5
• Field Report 2765: Periphery
• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Record Sheets: 3075
• Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged
• Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War
• Technical Readout: 3075
• Touring the Stars: Kaumberg