Shadow Hawk

Shadow Hawk
Shadow Hawk
Production information
Manufacturer Lang Industries Incorporated,
Earthwerks Incorporated,
Majesty Metals and Manufacturing,
Odin Manufacturing,
Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Model SHD-2H
Class Medium
Cost 4,539,382 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 55 tons
Chassis Lang T1
Armor Maximillian 43
Engine Core Tek 275
Speed 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets Pitban LFT-50
Armament
BV (1.0) 918
BV (2.0) 1,064[1]


Description

A recon and strike BattleMech developed during the Golden Age, the Shadow Hawk is a powerful fusion of maneuverability and firepower. With long-range missiles and class-5 autocannon for ranged combat, and SRMs and lasers for close in work, the Shadow Hawk outguns many BattleMechs in its weight class. Jump Jets enhance an already speedy BattleMechs ability to bring its guns to bear and keep better-armed enemies at range. A superior BattleMech for commanding a reconnaissance company or serving as a spotter for heavy and assault lances, the Shadow Hawk is a proven and capable design that has served with distinction for five centuries.

Armament

The Shadow Hawk as mentioned above carries a varied, but effective, mix of weapons. Primary among them is the Armstrong J11 Autocannon/5. This weapon as well as the Holly LRM-5 launcher provide the Shadow Hawk with good long range striking capabilities. When the Shadow Hawk closes to shorter ranges it can bring to bear its Holly SRM-2 launcher and its Martell Medium Laser which can generally finish off most 'Mechs of its own weight class or smaller that might have survived the mixed autocannon and LRM fire.

Variants

  • SHD-1R - First introduced in 2457, this first generation of the Shadow Hawk employs early BattleMech technology in its weaponry, equipment and its armor. This design was first produced by Lang Industries on Caph, where design as part Hegemony's efforts to keep ahead of Inner Sphere newly stolen BattleMech technology. The SHD-1R was equipped with single shoulder mounted Class 5 Autocannon and single Medium Laser. The 'Mech's primitive fusion engine allowed the 'Mech to reach maximum of 60+ Km/ph and power its three Jump Jets. The 'Mech was protected by 14 tons of Primitive Armor and had 10 heat sinks. BV (2.0) = 841[2]
  • SHD-2Hb - The Royal upgrade of the Shadow Hawk changes the role of the 'Mech to a close-range brawler. The weapon systems are replaced with a LB 10-X AC, two Streak SRM-2 and two medium lasers. The heat sinks are doubles and the ammo is protected by CASE. To save weight it uses Endo-Steel chassis and Ferro-Fibrous armor. BV (2.0) = 1354[3]
  • SHD-2K - The -2K Shadow Hawk dramatically overhauls the chassis by replacing all original armaments, save the LRM-5, with a Donal PPC and extra heat sinks. This House Kurita specialty became one of the deadliest units of the Succession Wars.[4] BV (1.0) = 1,018, BV (2.0) = 1,147[4][5]
  • SHD-2D - The -2D looks to increase the close range capabilities of the Shadow Hawk at great cost to its armor. The -2D reduces the armor protection by five tons and adds a second SRM-2 launcher and an additional Medium Laser. BV (1.0) = 765, BV (2.0) = 899[6]
  • SHD-2D2 - The -2D2 is an upgrade of the -2D Shadow Hawk. This upgrade changes the SRM-2 launchers to Streak SRM-2s and carries a total of six and a half tons of armor. Otherwise, it is identical to the -2D Shadow Hawk. BV (1.0) = 896, BV (2.0) = 1,049[9]
  • SHD-3K - Based on the -2K, this variant carries a Heavy PPC, MML-5, and ER Medium Laser. CASE protects the missile ammunition, while Heavy Ferro-Fibrous armor covers the 'Mech. A C3 Slave unit is installed to provide targeting data to friendly units.[10] BV (2.0) = 1,591[11]
  • SHD-5M - The -5M Shadow Hawk is the first complete overhaul and upgrade of the design. The chassis has been upgraded with Endo Steel, the engine is an extralight version, and the weapons load has undergone an almost complete renovation. The 'Mech uses double heat sinks, carries ten and a half tons of armor with CASE, and is armed with an Ultra Autocannon/5, LRM-20 launcher, Streak SRM-2, and a Medium Laser. In addition, the jumping distance is now a full 150 meters. BV (1.0) = 1,349, BV (2.0) = 1,430[13]
  • SHD-5S - The 5S is a variant of the 5M used by the Special Forces. It replaces all standard weapons with one Large Laser, one Medium Pulse Laser and four Medium Lasers. In addition, it carries a Beagle Active Probe in the right torso, while an Guardian ECM Suite is installed in the left torso. Its left arm is also equipped with a TAG, while its head contains a cargo space. It is armored by eleven and a half tons of standard armor. BV (1.0) = , BV (2.0) = [14]
  • SHD-8L - This variant uses a Medium VSP, an MML-5, and a Plasma Rifle. Improved Jump Jets provide a jump range of 210 meters. For electronic warfare support, this version uses a Guardian ECM Suite and a Beagle Active Probe. Power is provided by an XL Engine.[17] BV (2.0) = 1,536[18]
  • SHD-9D - The Shadow Hawk 9D carries as its primary weapons a new Light Autocannon/5 and a pair of MML-5 launchers. The MML launchers can fire both LRM and SRM ammunition, giving the 'Mech a great deal of tactical flexibility. For close range defense, the 'Mech has a highly accurate Medium Pulse Laser which is also linked to a Targeting Computer with the Autocannon for increased accuracy. The 9D also has a C3 Slave, allowing it to share targeting data with friendly units which are linked to the 'Mech in a C3 Network. The pilot is protected by Light Ferro-Fibrous armor and a Full-Head Ejection System. BV (2.0) = 1,313[19]

Related BattleMechs

  • Shadow Hawk IIC - The SLDF took several Shadow Hawks with them on their Exodus. The Clans eventually upgraded several of the old SHD-2H 'Mechs with Clan technology, creating the Shadow Hawk C and, later, completely redesigned the original model to make the Shadow Hawk IIC. BV (1.0) = 1,646, BV (2.0) = 1,732

Notable Pilots

Famous individuals in the BattleTech universe who piloted Shadow Hawks include:

  • Dechan Fraser, recruited in the Inner Sphere by Wolf's Dragoons, was a Sergeant in the Dragoons in 3023 but quickly rose through the ranks. By 3026 he was a Lieutenant in command of a lance, and on 8 October 3026 he was promoted to Captain. In his dark blue Shadow Hawk with a golden falcon painted on the chest, Dechan Fraser helped Minobu Tetsuhara save Jaime Wolf's life on Quentin IV in 3023, successfully commanded a light company on Barlow's End in 3026, killed the CO of the attacking Ryuken on An Ting on 11 January 3028 and killed Jerry Akuma two days later. In a battle on Misery on 23 April 3028, his lance captured Fadre Singh and on 20 May engaged Minobu Tetsuhara's provisional command lance, capturing both him and Michi Noketsuna. After Misery, Dechan Fraser left the Dragoons to follow Michi Noketsuna in his quest for vengeance.[22] In the War of 3039 he fought in the DCMS, piloting a HTM-27W Hatamoto-ku. During the Dragoon Civil War, he piloted a Black Knight.
  • Grayson "Death" Carlyle piloted a Shadow Hawk during the destruction of Carlyle's Commandos (and the infancy of the Gray Death Legion). Carlyle and this particular chassis proved itself over and over again during the liberation of Verthandi in 3024.
  • Brendin Weaver piloted a custom Shadow Hawk during his early years of arena fighting. His Black and green Shadow Hawk was armored with Ferro-Fibrous plates on an Endo-Steel Chasis. For the most part the weapons are the same in a sense: Downgrading the AC/5 for an Ultra Autocannon-2, downgrading the SRM to a Streak-SRM-4, adding two ER Small Lasers to the right arm and upgrading the Medium Laser to an ER Large Pulse Laser. His mech mounts jump-jets.

BattleMech Gallery

  • SHD-1R Shadow Hawk

  • SHD-5D Shadow Hawk

  • SHD-7M Shadow Hawk

  • SHD-7CS Shadow Hawk

  • SHD-12C Shadow Hawk

  • SHD-Shadowhawk.png

References

  1. ↑ Technical Readout: 3039, p. 289
  2. ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 1, pp. 5, 19 SHD-1R Shadow Hawk - Profile on primitive Shadow Hawk and specs.
  3. ↑ Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 40
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Total Warfare Style Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, p. 99
  5. ↑ Note that this design is a retcon, differing significantly from the -2K described in Technical Readout: 3025, p. 66
  6. ↑ Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 148
  7. ↑ The Battle for Twycross, p. 48
  8. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 85
  9. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 75
  10. ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 242
  11. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 76
  12. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 77
  13. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 78
  14. ↑ BattleTechnology #21
  15. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 79
  16. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 80
  17. ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 242
  18. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 81
  19. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 82
  20. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 83
  21. ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 243
  22. ↑ Wolves on the Border

Bibliography

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