Stalking Spider

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Stalking Spider
Stalking Spider
Production information
Manufacturer Constantin Assembly Plant M27A-E, Homer
Production Year 3059[1]
Model SSR
Class Medium
Cost 5,814,500 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan BattleMech
Mass 50 tons
Chassis Type QX745-50 Mod. III
Armor Compound RSH5 Ferro-Fibrous
Engine Fusion Standard 250 Mk. IX
Communications System Build 1700/1 Tacticom
Speed 86 km/h (119 km/h with MASC)
Jump Jets BMP Series XXI Mod. 12
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,884[2][3]
BV (2.0) 2,236[4][5]


Description

After obtaining the husk of an Inner Sphere Tarantula, Clan Cloud Cobra scientists decided to use it as the basis for a quadruped BattleMech. The 'Mech received the name Stalking Spider because it mounts enough jump jets in the legs to rocket it to 150 meters in one jump. Because the MechWarrior must move the legs during the jump, it appears that the design is crawling through the air like a spider, making it very impressive during drops. The Stalking Spider also uses MASC to move up to 119 km/h in short bursts. In addition to its respectable speed, the 'Mech is protected by eight tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor, and it uses eleven double heat sinks to manage its heat.[5]

Weapons and Equipment

The big gun on the Stalking Spider is its Type DDS "Kingston" ER PPC, which allows it deal a strong strike from long ranges. For close-up work, it has a pair of CCWP-14 SRM-4 launchers and a pair of Series PPS-XIX Medium Pulse Lasers. While the design can build a significant amount of heat if the MechWarrior constantly alpha strikes, an experienced pilot should be able to manage the Stalking Spider's heat easily. The design can stay at long range and snipe with its ER PPC, then quickly close to finish off an opponent with its pulse lasers and missiles.[5]

Variants

  • Stalking Spider
    This variant of the Stalking Spider, introduced 3060, removes the PPC and missiles, but retains the pulse lasers. It adds a Heavy Large Laser and a Targeting Computer to direct the 'Mech's laser fire. This hunter-killer is aided by the inclusion of an Active Probe and TAG. An additional double heat sink keeps heat levels manageable. BV (1.0) = 1,735[6], BV (2.0) = 2,056[7]
  • Stalking Spider
    This variant was introduced during the torrent fighting of the Jihad in 3072. The principal improvement of the design is the installation of eight Improved Jump Jets. The 'Mech's long-range abilities have been considerably reduced, due to the removal of larger weapons. The original design's number of Double Heat Sinks & the two Medium Pulse Lasers have been retained, while adding a single SRM-6 Launcher & a pair of Heavy Small Lasers. A ton of ammunition has been given to the SRM launcher, and additional armor was added. BV (2.0) = 1,643[8]

Related BattleMechs

  • Stalking Spider II - Redesigned Dark Age version of the Stalking Spider which features a Quad BattleMech Turret.[9]
  • Tarantula - The Tarantula was the inspiration for the Stalking Spider after parts of it were obtained by Clan Cloud Cobra.

Notes

In German products the unit's proper name was translated to Jagdspinne, which means Raft Spider.

Gallery

References

  1. MUL online date for the Stalking Spider
  2. Combat Operations, p. 110
  3. Record Sheets: 3060, p. 147
  4. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 235
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Technical Readout: 3060, pp. 158-159, "Stalking Spider 'Mech Profile"
  6. Record Sheets: 3060, p. 148
  7. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 236
  8. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged p. 237, "Stalking Spider's Jihad era variant from the Jihad era".
  9. Technical Readout: 3145 Mercenaries, p. 32-33 - Stalking Spider II is redesign of the Stalking Spider.

Bibliography