Raven

Raven
Production information
Manufacturer	Hellespont 'Mech Works
Model	RVN-3L
Class	Light
Cost	5,701,725 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	35 tons
Chassis	Hellespont Type R
Armor	Hellespont Lite Ferro-Fibrous
Engine	Hermes 210 XL
Speed	97.2 km/h km/h
Armament	1xSRM-6 2xMedium Lasers 1xBeagle Active Probe 1xNarc Missile Beacon 1xTAG 1xGuardian ECM Suite
BV (1.0)	592
BV (2.0)	710

Description

The Raven is a technological marvel and employs a large number of advanced electronic warfare systems, possibly making it the most advanced light 'Mech on the field, at least in detection and targeting equipment. It was first built by the Capellan Confederation as an electronics test bed unit that was pushed into combat during the Fourth Succession War, when the Federated Suns made a concentrated effort to destroy the Liao state. Since that time, rediscovered Star League technology has allowed the Raven to reach its full potential.

The Raven has a maximum speed of 97.2 km/h, which is respectable for a 'Mech of its weight class. It is armored with four and a half tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor, giving it good protection. To further its survivability, it is outfitted with CASE to protect against any ammunition explosions. The 'Mech is also powered by an XL Engine and carries some of the most advanced electronics warfare equipment in the Inner Sphere.

Armament

The Raven carries a small weapons array that is nevertheless respectable for its size. The primary weapons on board the Raven are a pair of Ceres Arms Medium Lasers. These are backed up by a Harpoon-6 SRM-6 to finish off any enemy units that it does engage. Generally, the Raven is kept out of direct firefights though, as it is more valuable as a recon or electronics warfare asset than as a front line combat 'Mech.

Electronics Suite

What made the Raven famous is its Guardian ECM suite. Early models carried 7.5 tons of electronic warfare equipment that was noted for lackluster performance.

No game rules were initially provided for this ECM equipment, however. The first official (licensed) publication to address it was the expanded German edition of the Solaris VII boxed set which postulated "House Rules" for the ECM 3025 device and also presented a record sheet for the RVN-1XL DC sub-variant of the Raven which was supposedly an arena 'Mech equipped with the ECM 3025 and a Dual Cockpit. Neither the ECM 3025 nor the record sheet are considered canon, however, as they were only published in German and never in English.

The Tactical Operations rulebook provides canonical (and different) rules for the Raven's original ECM equipment, calling it EW Equipment. Being a newer publication than the German Solaris rules, it would trump the latter even if they had been canonical in their time.

The recovery of lostech soon made the original ECM equipment obsolete, and later versions of the Raven completely replaced it with a combination of advanced systems, namely an Apple Churchill Beagle Active Probe, an Apple Churchill Guiding Light Narc Missile Beacon, an Apple Churchill Guardian ECM Suite, and finally an Apple Churchill 442x TAG.

Variants

• RVN-1X - The prototype of what became the 3L Raven, this is the unit that was pressed into service against the Federated Suns. With XL engine technology not yet available, the 'Mech mounts a standard Omni 175 fusion engine, is protected by five tons of standard armor, and carries two Medium Lasers and an SRM-6 as its primary weapons. The EW Equipment at the time that this 'Mech was built consisted of a massive 7.5 ton experimental electronic warfare suite that unfortunately did not live up to expectations. BV (1.0) = 674, BV (2.0) = 589

• RVN-1XL DC - This variant of the -1X version was used as an arena fighter in the Solaris Games. Two heat sinks were removed to allow for the installation of a Dual Cockpit and an additional ton of armor. The ECM 3025 is mounted in the left torso while two heat sinks are mounted in the center torso; together with the seven heat sinks installed in the engine this curiously leaves one heat sink unaccounted for although plenty of free critical slots are available. (The canonicity of this design is questionable, as it was only published in the German edition of the Solaris VII Boxed Set.) BV (1.0) = 1.157, BV (2.0) = ??

• RVN-2X - Many of the Ravens captured by the Federated Suns in the Fourth Succession War were refitted to the 2X standard. It replaces the EW equipment with a Large Laser and raises the armor to 6.5 tons. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 887

• RVN-3X - The RVN-3X uses, despite all of the heat problems, Triple Strength Myomer, whose plans were captured in the Fourth Succession War on Bethel by Capellan Forces. It is not intended for direct combat. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 640

• RVN-3X Raven X - This version uses experimental systems to increase battlefield performance. The standard skeleton is traded for a Composite Internal Structure and the electronic systems are replaced with a Bloodhound Active Probe, Angel ECM Suite, and an Apollo FCS for the MRM-20 system that replaces the SRM launcher. The remaining weaponry has been replaced by a Laser AMS and two Medium X-Pulse Lasers. An XL Gyro provides weight savings for this equipment. BV (2.0) = 1,050

• RVN-4L - The early 3060s -4L variant of the Raven incorporates the Confederation's new Stealth Armor. The 'Mech carries six tons of Stealth Armor and also uses double heat sinks for greater heat dissipation capabilities. The 'Mech is armed with two ER Medium Lasers and an SRM-6 and also carries the complete electronic warfare package carried by the 3L model. BV (1.0) = 667, BV (2.0) = 873

• RVN-4Lr - This variant removes the Narc and SRM, replacing them with an MML-7 equipped with Artemis IV guidance. The Capellans added a third medium laser, making this variant of the Raven an effective scout hunter. It can set easy ambushes because its Stealth Armor gives it an advantage angainst scouts. BV (2.0) = 989

• RVN-4LC - This variant allows the Raven to integrate with a C3 network by removing the 4L's active probe. It is replaced by a C3 Slave Unit and an ER Small Laser. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 884

• RVN-4X - The 4X is another Capellan variant. It attempts to turn the chassis into a pure combat unit. It removes the EW equipment and is outfitted with five jump jets, two Machine Guns, and a ton of ammunition. The armor was increased to seven tons. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 820

• RVN-SR - This variant is a field upgrade made by Capellan March forces who captured many Ravens during Operation Sovereign Justice. This modification of the -3L replaces the lasers and TAG with four Machine Guns linked to a Machine Gun Array to protect it from the infantry assaults that resulted in the capture of the 'Mechs to begin with. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 601

• RVN-SS - Another modification of the 3L by Capellan March troops, the -SS removes the NARC and missile launcher. This makes room for an additional pair of Medium Lasers, a Small Laser, Streak SRM-6, and an additional heat sink. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 904

• RVN-4N - appeared with MechWarrior: Age of Destruction figures.

• RVN-4R - appeared with MechWarrior: Age of Destruction figures.

Related OmniMechs

• Men Shen - Impressed by the Raven BattleMech, and eager to promote the Xin Sheng spirit of Capellan nationalism, the Capellan Confederation increased the weight by 20 tons and redesigned the chassis to be Omni-capable. The result is the Men Shen OmniMech.

'Mec Gallery

• 

  RVN-3L Raven

• 

  RVN-1X Raven

• 

  RVN-3X Raven

Bibliography

• Experimental Technical Readout: Liao
• Field Manual: Capellan Confederation
• House Liao Sourcebook
• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Record Sheets: 3039
• Record Sheets: 3050
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: 3067
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New
• Record Sheets Volume 1: Light Mechs
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3060
• Technical Readout: 3085