Zeus

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Zeus
Zeus
Production information
Manufacturer Defiance Industries of Hesperus II
Model ZEU-6S
Class Assault
Cost 7,617,900 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 80 tons
Chassis Chariot Type III
Armor Valiant Lamellor
Engine Pitban 320
Speed 64.8 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,148
BV (2.0) 1,348


Description

The Zeus was first built by the Lyran Commonwealth in 2787, as the First Succession War began. It has a long and storied history within the Commonwealth and is a respected assault BattleMech. Having gone through a few changes since its original inception and production, the Zeus carries an arsenal that is built to attempt to keep an enemy at arms reach. If necessary though, the 'Mech can engage enemies at short range. The Zeus has also seen newer upgrades with experimental technologies, and, as it is the Lyran Commonwealth's pride and joy, it is usually one of the first 'Mechs to receive upgraded technologies.

Armament

The prototype Zeus carried a PPC but the most common and well known variant of the Zeus, the 6S, carries as its primary weapon a Defiance Type J Autocannon/5 backed up by a Coventry Star Fire LRM-15 for engaging enemies at long ranges. The 'Mech has a Thunderbolt A5M Large Laser to engage enemies when they are at intermediate ranges and finally, for close range combat, the Zeus has two Defiance B3M Medium Lasers. This makes the Zeus a 'Mech that is deadly at any range.[1]

Variants

  • ZEU-6T - The earlier and less common 6T model of the Zeus, the 6T carried as its primary weapon a Parti-Kill PPC. This weapon has the same effective range as the Autocannon/5 and does twice as much damage but also creates a great deal of excess heat. The 6T is otherwise armed identically to the 6S model and is also protected with eleven and a half tons of armor. BV (1.0) = 1,170, BV (2.0) = 1,436
  • ZEU-9S - The 9S is an upgrade using Star League technology. The 'Mech's arsenal and armor have been upgraded and the heat sinks have been upgraded to double heat sinks. The 'Mech is now armored with eleven tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor and carries as its main weapon an Defiance 1001 ER PPC. This is backed up for long-range combat by a Coventry Star Fire LRM-15 launcher and a Cyclops XII ER Large Laser. For close combat, the 9S carries two Defiance P3M Medium Pulse Lasers. BV (1.0) = 1,419, BV (2.0) = 1,639
  • ZEU-9T - The 9T variant of the Zeus carries the 6T to its next logical step. The 'Mech is built with a Light Fusion Engine and armored with thirteen and a half tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor. The 'Mech carries, as its primary weapon, an ER PPC backed up by an LRM-15 launcher with an Artemis IV fire control system for greater missile accuracy. Also, for long-range combat, the 9T carries an ER Large Laser. For close combat, the 'Mech is armed with two Medium Pulse Lasers and an ER Medium Laser. BV (1.0) = 1,480, BV (2.0) = 1,832
  • ZEU-10WB - This variant was produced by the Word of Blake following their seizure of Hesperus II from the Lyrans in 3070. It is armed with a pair of Heavy PPCs, supplemented by an ER Large Laser, though eleven double heat sinks can scarcely keep up with the heat buildup. Four ER Medium Lasers and a Small Laser provide short range backup. This is made possible by the inclusion of an XL Gyro. BV (2.0) = ???
  • ZEU-X - The first of what is commonly referred to as the Zeus X the ZEU-X is a variant of the Zeus that uses experimental technology to push the envelope of the design. The 'Mech is built using a Composite chassis which weighs half as much, but is only half as strong as a normal internal structure. The 'Mech is also armored with both normal armor and Reactive Armor on its limbs. The 'Mech is armed with an LB-X Autocannon/20 for the majority of its firepower. This is backed up by an MRM-30 launcher. For close combat, the Zeus has two Medium X-Pulse Lasers. Finally, for added speed, the 'Mech is built using a XXL engine which weighs only seventeen and a half tons, giving the 'Mech a maximum speed of 86.4 kph. BV (1.0) = 1,471, BV (2.0) = 1,902
  • ZEU-X2 - Built using the same engine and chassis as the ZEU-X, the X2 takes its weapons cues from the 9T model. The 'Mech carries as its main weapon an ER PPC, giving it a much greater range than the LB-X Autocannon/20 carried by the ZEU-X model. The 'Mech is otherwise armed identically to the ZEU-X model and is highly effectrive as a sniper 'Mech with its high mobility, allowing it to dictate the range of an engagement. BV (1.0) = 1,493, BV (2.0) = 1,747
  • ZEU-X3 - An experimental variant that deviates greatly from the design philosophy of the Zeus, the 3X model carries an ER PPC and four ER Medium Lasers as its weapons. The 'Mech is also armored with fourteen and a half tons of standard armor. The X3 also uses the XXL engine of the Zeus X. The true uniqueness of the design comes in its use of Improved Jump Jets. The X3 can jump up to two hundred and forty meters, which rivals the jumping capability of any light 'Mech. This combination of heavy armor, speed and firepower makes the X3 the nightmare of any light or medium 'Mech and can outmaneuver any heavy or assault 'Mechs. BV (1.0) = 1,992, BV (2.0) = 2,189
  • Dual Cockpit refits: The Zeus is one of the Lyran Commonwealth's (and later Lyran Alliance's) preferred 'Mechs to install Dual Cockpits. Standard refits usually install the Dual Cockpit on a ZEU-6S (removing one medium laser) or a ZEU-9S (removing one heat sink).

References

Kevin Nostra's Dossier from MechWarrior: Dark Age's Death from Above