Stone Rhino (Behemoth)
Sarna News
| Stone Rhino (Behemoth) | |
| Stone Rhino (Behemoth) | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Tokasha MechWorks |
| Class | Assault |
| Cost | 10,512,000 C-bills |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 100 tons |
| Chassis | Star League Monster (Standard) |
| Armor | Compound 12A1 Standard with CASE |
| Engine | 300 Standard |
| Speed | 54.0 km/h |
| Jump Jets | Grandthrust Mk 5 |
| Armament |
|
| BV (1.0) | 2,626[1] |
| BV (2.0) | 3,001 |
Description
Considered a mistake, the original design of the Stone Rhino was known as "Amaris' folly". Developed in a project whose objective was to create a BattleMech able to withstand an entire BattleMech company assault, these machines were to be launched into mass production and used to stop General Aleksandr Kerensky in his attempt to retake Terra. The prototype was described as a monstrosity whose leg actuators shut down during its first test run, so the project was summarily scrapped.
The Stone Rhino was one of the most remarkable surprises sprung upon the Inner Sphere by the invading Clans. Since the Inner Sphere forces knew about the Amaris Behemoth that was the name they gave to the 'Mech.
Bringing awesome firepower, those machines cannot be used effectively by commanders because they cannot afford to lose one. Mainly seen in Clan Smoke Jaguar, only a small number of those beasts have been described. No other Clan appeared to field this design, but because it is a venerable design, other Clans are suspected to possess some, widely spread throughout their toumans.
The Stone Rhino made use of eighteen tons of standard armor. It could jump up to ninety meters in one bound.
Armament
The design featured Large Pulse Lasers in each arm, twin Gauss Rifles in the torsos fired through the dorsal barrel, and an almost superfluous Small Pulse Laser located just below the cockpit. The Stone Rhino also sported an interesting feature; each arm contained a retractable, shock-absorbing cowl covering the weapon barrels. This allowed MechWarriors to use the arms as battering rams without damaging the weaponry.
Variants
- Stone Rhino 2 - In order to plug holes in their touman, Clan Goliath Scorpion scientists revisited the Behemoth. Like Clan Smoke Jaguar before them, they upgraded and improved upon the design. This version used an Extra-light Engine to mount a pair of Thunderstroke Series 2b Gauss Rifles along the top of the 'Mech. Each arm carried a Series 4D-2 Heavy Large Laser, a Series 22a Heavy Medium Laser, and a General Systems Heavy Small Laser. It retained the shock-absorbing cowls of the original. Another pair of Heavy Mediums protected the rear of the 'Mech. A head-mounted Shield-3 Anti-Missile System defended against missiles, while an Anti-Personnel Pod in each leg discouraged unarmored infantry. This design had jump jets, nineteen tons of armor, and a meager sixteen double heat sinks.[2] BV (1.0) = 2,531,[3] BV (2.0) = 3,107
- Stone Rhino 3 - A Clan Hell's Horses variant made use of two Large Pulse Lasers in each arm and two ATM 9s. Two ER Micro Lasers protect the 'Mech's backside, while the other other equipment was removed to add heat sinks.[2] BV (1.0) = 2,795,[4] BV (2.0) = 3,072
Notes
- Prior to the Battle of Misery, Wolf's Dragoons counted a Behemoth BattleMech in its Alpha Regiment, piloted by a Gordon Zed. This 'Mech presumably used 3025-era technology, but an exact description was never published. Both the 'Mech and its MechWarrior were destroyed on Misery.[5]