Pendragon (BattleMech)
Sarna News
- This article is about the 95-ton BattleMech. For the JumpShip, see Pendragon (Individual JumpShip).
| |
| Pendragon | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors of New Valencia |
| Production Year | 3072[1] |
| Model | PDG-1X |
| Class | Assault |
| Cost | 22,810,126 C-bills[1] |
| Technical specifications | |
| 'Mech type | Mixed-tech BattleMech |
| Mass | 95 tons |
| Chassis | Custom TLR1-O Hybrid Chassis |
| Armor | Clan-grade ferro-fibrous |
| Engine | 285-rated XL engine |
| Communications System | Unspecified |
| Targeting Tracking System | Unspecified |
| Heat Sinks | 13 double (Clan) |
| Speed | 50 km/h |
| Armament |
|
| BV (2.0) | 2,296[2] |
Contents
Description[edit]
Loosely based on the successful Templar OmniMech and utilizing a mix of prototype Inner Sphere- and Clan-spec technologies, the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns advanced Operation MUSE RED, tentatively code-named Pendragon, as the prototype design, under direction of Dr. Selana Tarq for the Federated Suns' next generation of fire support BattleMechs.[2]
Started in 3072 at GM's New Valencia facility, Operation MUSE RED was charged with developing a hyper-advanced, long-range fire support 'Mech for House Davion. By 3078, a total of six MUSE RED prototypes had been constructed for testing the viability for full-scale production. Though suffering from the usual prototype issues of glitches and damage in accidents, construction of a second group of four more MUSE RED prototypes was authorized. Rebuilding the Templar body with an experimental composite chassis and an off-the-shelf 285-rated XL engine, the so-called Pendragon is ten tons heavier than its progenitor. After simulations and initial trials showed the prototypes were unduly susceptible to penetrating fire on their fragile internal structure, the MUSE RED 'Mechs were fitted with Clan-grade ferro-fibrous armor and experimental CASE II systems to protect the Pendragon from ammunition explosions. Space concerns also forced the design team to switch the 'Mech's thirteen double heat sinks to more compact Clan-grade versions.[2]
Weapons and Equipment[edit]
The Pendragon's primary firepower comes from a pair of prototype Holly Extended LRM-20 launchers, one mounted in each arm, and able to attack at ranges few enemies can match. These are rendered deadly accurate when used in conjunction with a C3 Network, thanks to the design's head-mounted C3 Slave. To deter those who would attempt to close within the ELRMs' minimum range, the design's secondary weaponry consist of a relatively common Johnston High Speed ER PPC mated to a PPC capacitor in its left torso and a trio of Clan-grade ER medium lasers, custom-built by the Department of Military Communications and Research, in its right torso. A total of eight tons of ELRM-20 reloads, four tons in each CASE II protected torso, gives the Pendragon adequate endurance in the field.[2]
Variants[edit]
- PDG-1R
- The production Pendragon required several changes to make use of Inner Sphere equipment. The first change was the reduction of the ELRM-20s to ELRM-15 launchers. The larger number of reloads available to these weapons allowed the engineers to cut the weight of the ammunition in half and relocate the ammunition and CASE II system to the arms. The Clan ER medium lasers were replaced by standard Inner Sphere models. The production version also retains the ER PPC and capacitor, but swaps the Clan ferro-fibrous armor for its Inner Sphere equivalent. The Pendragon's ground speed has improved to 64 km/h, thanks to the 380-rated XL engine. It still uses a composite internal structure however, so pilots should avoid close combat. BV (2.0) = 2,216[3][4]
- PDG-2R
- A theoretical version, this Pendragon variant removes an ER medium laser, ER PPC, PPC capacitor, and C3 slave unit. It replaces them with an ER large laser and a C3 master computer.[5]
- PDG-3R
- A combination of the 1R and 2R, the 3R has a C3 master computer, ER PPC, and medium lasers in the torso, while the arms carry light rotary autocannons for direct fire support.[6]
Design Quirks[edit]
The PDG-1R Pendragon variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[3]
Gallery[edit]
PDG-1X Pendragon from XTRO:Davion
PDG-1R Pendragon from TRO:Prototypes
