Rifleman
Rifleman | |
---|---|
Production information | |
Manufacturer | Kallon Industries |
Model | RFL-3N |
Class | Heavy |
Cost | 4,860,000 C-bills |
Technical specifications | |
Mass | 60 tons |
Chassis | Kallon Type IV |
Armor | Kallon Royalstar |
Engine | Pitban 240 |
Speed | 64.8 km/h |
Armament | |
BV (1.0) | 797[1] |
BV (2.0) | 1,039 |
Contents
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.[2]
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.[3] BV (1.0) = 860,[4] BV (2.0) = 1,066
- RFL-3N (C) - A Clan-tech retrofit of the standard SLDF Rifleman taken from Brian Caches and intended for second-line and solahma troops, the Rifleman C replaces all Inner Sphere weaponry, without altering any structural components of the original RFL-3N, carrying two Clan-tech Large Pulse Lasers and LB 5-X ACs instead.[5]
- 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.[6] BV (1.0) = 869,[4] 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.[7] BV (1.0) = 1,115,[4] 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. [8] BV (1.0) = 1,062,[1] BV (2.0) = 1,227
- 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.[9][10][11]
- 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.[12] BV (1.0) = 1,275,[4] 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.[13] BV (1.0) = 1,166,[14] BV (2.0) = 1,521
- RFL-7X - This variant was produced during the Jihad as a field refit kit. Using an Endo Steel chassis, XL Gyro, and XL Engine allowed designers to increase the top speed to 97 km/h and include six jump jets. Light Ferro-Fibrous armor protects the 'Mech, while each arm mounts a Light PPC and Snub-Nose PPC. BV (2.0) = 1,645[15]
- 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. Until the arrival of the -7X, this was the only known Rifleman variant to mount jump jets.[16][17][18] BV (1.0) = 1,664,[4] BV (2.0) = 1,777
- RFL-8X - Used by the Republic of the Sphere this variant uses twin ER PPCs and several ER Medium Lasers, integrated into a Targeting Computer, to provide heavy firepower. This version of the Rifleman also has a higher top speed (86 km/h) thanks to a Light Fusion Engine.[19]
- RFL-9T - The Rifleman 9T is armed with a pair of Light PPCs backed up by a pair of Light Autocannon/5s for medium 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 also uses Stealth Armor, making it much harder to hit at long range.[20][21]
- RFL-C 2 - This version is produced at Clan Jade Falcon's Red Devil Industries plant. Using an experimental XXL Engine and Improved Jump Jets to provide mobility, the chassis is protected by Ferro-Fibrous Armor. Each arm mounts an ER Large Laser and Improved Heavy Medium Laser.[22] BV (2.0) = ????
Custom Variants
- RFL-X3 Rifleman MUSE WIND - The Rifleman MUSE WIND was an experiment to combine Clan and Inner Sphere equipment in a production 'Mech. An Inner Sphere produced chassis, XL Engine, XL Gyro, double heat sinks, and Jump Jets form the core of the 'Mech. The Ferro-Fibrous armor that maximizes protection comes from the Clans, as does the weaponry: Each arm mounts a HAG/20 and the torso-mounted medium lasers are Clan Medium Pulse Lasers. The HAG ammo is protected by an Inner Sphere CASE system. BV (2.0) = 2,012[23]
Related BattleMechs
- Rifleman II - Known as the Rifleman II, the RFL-3N-2 is an upgrade fielded by the SLDF Royals, adding twenty tons to its overall mass. The Rifleman II uses an Endo Steel structure and an XL Engine, and carries a paired LB-X Autocannon/10s and Large Pulse Laser in each arm, as well as a pair of Medium Lasers, a Beagle Active Probe, and fourteen Double Heat Sinks. This armament makes the Rifleman II especially effective as an anti-aircraft weapons platform.[24]
- 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 Noton, An early 31st Century Solaris Champion and Mercenary
- Conner Rhys-Monroe - 32nd Century Mechwarrior & Former Knight of the Sphere, Senate Alliance political/military leader
- John "Gentleman Johnny" Clavell - A Mechwarrior in Wolf's Dragoons Black Widow Company, though he later switched to a Firefly.
- Davis McCall - An early-mid 31st Century Mechwarrior with the Gray Death Legion That piloted an RFL-3N until it was destroyed by the Clans.
BattleMech Gallery
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Combat Operations, p. 121
- ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 135
- ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 134
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Combat Operations, p. 127
- ↑ The Battle for Twycross, pp. 46 & 48
- ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 136
- ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 137
- ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 138
- ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 139
- ↑ "Rifleman"
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 250
- ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 140
- ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 141
- ↑ Combat Operations, p. 130
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 251
- ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 142
- ↑ Technical Readout: Project Phoenix, p. 27
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 251
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 250
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 251
- ↑ Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 143
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 251
- ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Davion, p. 5
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p. 169
Bibliography
- Master Unit List.pdf
- Combat Operations
- Record Sheets: 3025
- Record Sheets: 3050
- Record Sheets: 3055
- Record Sheets: 3067
- Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades
- Rifleman
- MWDA Novel: Sword of Sedition
- MWDA Novel: Fortress Republic
- Technical Readout: 3025
- Technical Readout: 3039
- Technical Readout: 3050
- Technical Readout: 3055
- Technical Readout: 3075
- Technical Readout: Project Phoenix
- Total Warfare Style Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades
- Experimental Technical Readout: Davion
- Technical Readout: 3085