Rifleman

Rifleman
Production information
Manufacturer	Kallon Industries
Model	RFL-3N
Class	Heavy
Technical specifications
Mass	60 tons
Chassis	Kallon Type IV
Armor	Kallon Royalstar
Engine	Pitban 240
Speed	64.8 km/h
Armament	2xLarge Lasers 2xAutocannon/5s 2xMedium Lasers
BV (1.0)	797
BV (2.0)	1,039

Description

The definitive anti-aircraft 'Mech, the Rifleman was first fielded in 2505, making it among the first 'Mechs ever built. Its combination of long-ranged weaponry, including rapid-fire autocannons, and its excellent Garret D2j targeting and tracking system ensured it would remain a viable battlefield unit through half a millennium of combat. When pressed into combat against ground units, the Rifleman is merely adequate, suffering from light armor protection, poor heat management, and limited ammunition supply. It is particularly noted for its thin rear armor, a weakness for which its ability to reverse its arms only partly compensates. The Rifleman is far more successful when used as a fire-support 'Mech, and five centuries of combat have provided many triumphant examples of its employment in this role.

Armament

The Rifleman's focus on anti-aircraft work dictated a heavy load of long-range weapons to the exclusion of everything else. It carries a particularly heavy battery of two Magna Mk. III Large Lasers paired with two Imperator-A medium autocannons, one of each mounted in each arm. Two Magna Mk. II Medium Lasers are mounted in the torso to provide backup. One ton of autocannon ammunition is carried in the center torso. The 'Mech's ten heat sinks are grossly inadequate for constant fire, but in an anti-aircraft role, the Rifleman is expected to have time to dissipate heat while the target aircraft turns for its next pass.

Variants

• RFL-3C - One of two variants designed by Hanse Davion, the 3C removes the Large Lasers and Autocannon/5s, and mounts a pair of Autocannon/10s and an extra ton of armor. Two tons of ammunition are carried. BV (1.0) = 860, BV (2.0) = 1,066

• RFL-3N-2 - Known as the Rifleman II, this upgrade fielded by the SLDF Royals adds twenty tons. It utilizes an Endo Steel structure and an XL Engine to save weight. It carries pairs of LB-X Autocannon/10s and Large Pulse Lasers. The LB-X autocannon's ability to produce shotgun-like flak makes them deadly and accurate anti-aircraft weapons. The pair of Medium Lasers are retained and a Beagle Active Probe is added. Fourteen double heat sinks keep this design cool.

• RFL-4D - The 4D is commonly known as the second "Hanse variant." It replaces the Autocannon/5s with PPCs and removes the Medium Lasers. The extra weight is used to mount five extra heat sinks. BV (1.0) = 869, BV (2.0) = 1,173

• RFL-5D - A recovered-technology version of the RFL-4D, the 5D replaces the PPCs with ER_PPC models and restores the original model's Medium Lasers. An XL engine is used to free up weight, which is used to mount seventeen double heat sinks and increase armor protection to nine tons. BV (1.0) = 1,115, BV (2.0) = 1,395

• RFL-5M - The 5M is another product of the Gray Death Memory Core technology boon. The standard autocannons are replaced by Ultra models, but the ammunition load remains a single ton. CASE is now mounted to protect this ammunition, double heat sinks are mounted and two more are added, and another ton of armor is carried. The free weight for all these changes is created by the use of an XL Engine. BV (1.0) = 1,062, BV (2.0) = 1,227

RFL-8D Rifleman

• RFL-6D - This variant of the 6X replaces the Small Lasers with a head-mounted C3 Slave to aid it in targeting. It leaves everything else except for the autocannon intact. They are replaced with a pair of Mydron Snakekiller Light Autocannon/5s in each arm. Each arm is fed by three-ton ammunition bins, each of which are protected by CASE. The large ammunition bins allow a variety of ammunition types to used.

• RFL-6X - The 6X is one of three "Project Phoenix" variants, designed as a fast-response anti-aircraft 'Mech. Its top speed has increased to 87 km/h through the use of a larger XL Engine. Its chassis has been removed in favor of an Endo Steel model. It carries dual LB 10-X Autocannons with four tons of ammunition, paired with ER Medium, and ER Small Lasers. BV (1.0) = 1,275, BV (2.0) = 1,464

• RFL-7M - Another "Phoenix" model, the 7M was intended to act as a long-range sniper unit. It is armed with two Light Gauss Rifles, six ER Medium Lasers, a Small Laser, and a Guardian ECM Suite. BV (1.0) = 1,166, BV (2.0) = 1,521

• RFL-8D - The definitive "Project Phoenix" model, the 8D is intended as more of a line unit. It mounts two Mydron Model RC Rotary Autocannon/5s with six tons of ammunition, a pair of Bright-Blossom ER Medium Lasers, and the heaviest armor of any known Rifleman variant. This is also the only known Rifleman variant that mounts jump jets. BV (1.0) = 1,664, BV (2.0) = 1,777

• RFL-9T - A powerful long range sniper, the Rifleman 9T is armed with a pair of Light PPCs backed up by a pair of Light Autocannon/5s for long range sniping. These are backed up by a pair of ER Medium Lasers for close combat. All of the 'Mechs weapons are linked to a Targeting Computer for increased accuracy. The 9T is also armored with Stealth Armor, making it much harder to hit at long range.

• Rifleman IIC - One of the 'Mechs the SLDF took with them when they left the Inner Sphere was the Rifleman. The Clan variant is five tons heavier. It mounts four Large Pulse Lasers, Jump Jets, and an Active Probe. BV (2.0) = 2,122

Notable Pilots

Gray Norton - Solaris Champion and Mercenary

Conner Rhys-Monroe - Mechwarrior & Former Knight of the Sphere in 32nd Century.

References

• Combat Operations
• Record Sheets: 3025
• Record Sheets: 3050
• Record Sheets: 3055
• Record Sheets: 3067
• Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades
• Rifleman
• Technical Readout: 3025
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3055
• Technical Readout: 3075
• Technical Readout: Project Phoenix
• MWDA Novel: Sword of Sedition