Shadow Hawk

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Shadow Hawk
Shadow Hawk
Production information
Manufacturer Lang Industries Incorporated
Model SHD-2H
Class Medium
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


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-5D Shadow Hawk
  • 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.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,018, BV (2.0) = 1,147[1][2]
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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) = [3]
  • 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.

Shadow Hawk IIC

Main article: Shadow Hawk IIC

The SLDF took several examples of the Shadow Hawk 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. In the War of 3039 he fought in the DCMS, piloting a HTM-27W Hatamoto-ku.
  • 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.

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Total Warfare Style Record Sheets: Phoenix Upgrades, pg. 99
  2. Note that this design is a retconn, differing significantly from the -2K described in Technical Readout: 3025, pg. 66~~~~
  3. BattleTechnology #21

Bibliography