Warhawk (Masakari)

Warhawk (Masakari)
Warhawk
Production information
Manufacturer Abysmal Manufacturing Complex

Imperial BattleMechs


Phan Industrialplex[1]

Production Year 2999[2]
Model Prime[1]
Class Assault
Cost 26,425,323 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan
Mass 85 tons
Chassis Huntress WH
Armor Forging X85 Ferro-Fibrous
Engine General Systems 340 XL
Communications System Series 10 CBS MultiFreq
Targeting Tracking System HawkEye J360
Heat Sinks 20 double
Speed 64 km/h
Armament

Primary Configuration

BV (1.0) 2,632[3]
BV (2.0) 3,194[1][4]


Description[edit]

Initially introduced by Clan Smoke Jaguar in 2999 in preparation for the anticipated return to the Inner Sphere. After the Dragoon Compromise stalled such plans, the Jaguars unleashed the powerful Warhawk on their Warden opponents to deadly effect. Deployed extensively in the Jaguar frontline forces, and often seen paired with the Dire Wolf, the design truly came into prominence on the battlefields of the Jaguars' Invasion Corridor, where it earned the code name of Masakari - a Japanese battle-axe used on medieval Terra - from the DCMS warriors who faced it.[2][5][6]

Though it appeared in the toumans of a number of other Clans, such as the Ghost Bears and Jade Falcons, the Jaguars jealously guarded their production, and all examples of the highly prized 'Mech outside of the Jaguars were battlefield salvage until production lines and design specs finally spread to the Fire Mandrills, Diamond Sharks and Goliath Scorpions after the Smoke Jaguars' Annihilation.[2][5][6] Produced exclusively on the Clan Homeworlds, the design was one of many lost to the Inner Sphere Clans after contact with the Homeworlds ceased during the Jihad,[7] with attrition steadily reducing the numbers of increasingly patchwork survivors by the ilClan era.[8]

Meanwhile in the Deep Periphery, even following their Abjurement the Goliath Scorpions went to extreme lengths to maintain their Warhawks, resorting to cannibalizing severely damaged 'Mechs for parts. Cherishing the Warhawk for its pinpoint accuracy, the design was among those revived once resources allowed and prior to the Hanseatic Crusade, where it played a key role in the Escorpión Imperio's conquest of the Hanseatic League. The wealth of League resources following the Crusade allowed the new Scorpion Empire to retool the factory on Antwerp to resurrect the Warhawk, rebuffing interest from Clan Sea Fox buyers to see to their own internal needs first.[8]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Warhawk is powered by a massive 340 XL engine that gives it a top speed of 64.8 km/h and mounts thirteen and a half tons of ferro-fibrous armor to protect itself from enemy fire. To dissipate the massive waste heat produced in its various configurations, it carries a staggering twenty double heat sinks. Additionally, though not truly fixed equipment on the chassis, the Warhawk manages to incorporate an advanced Targeting Computer into each of its configurations, making all of its direct fire weapons extremely accurate.[2][5][6][8]

In its primary configuration, the Warhawk has an impressive arsenal of long range weapons which are centered around four ER PPCs that take advantage of the 'Mech’s Targeting Computer. While unable to fire all of the ER PPCs at once it can use a volley fire strategy to manage its heat. These are backed up by an LRM-10 launcher that allows the Warhawk a secondary weapon that can be utilized for long range combat.[2][5][6][8]

Due to space constraints dictated by the targeting computer and over-engineered cooling system, large-bore autocannons are infrequently mounted, the consequence of complex routing of ammo feeds. The Warhawk excels when using direct-energy weapons and ER PPCs are signature weapon on many configurations.[9]

Alternate Configurations[edit]

  • Alternate Configuration A 
    Configured for a more generalized combat role, the Warhawk A has two ER Large Lasers for long-range combat. These are supported by an LB 10-X Autocannon that can fire both solid and cluster ammunition and an LRM-15 launcher capable of providing long-range missile fire support. For close combat, the 'Mech mounts a highly accurate Streak SRM-6 launcher.[1] BV (1.0) = 2,167,[3] BV (2.0) = 2,399[1][10]
  • Alternate Configuration B 
    The B configuration of the Warhawk is a generalist rather than focused variant. For long-range combat, the 'Mech carries a Gauss rifle which can do a great deal of damage at any range. For close combat, the 'Mech has three ER Medium Lasers and a single ER Small Laser as well as two SRM-6 launchers. Finally, the 'Mech also carries a Narc Missile Beacon launcher which is capable of tagging a 'Mech with a beacon that can be used by friendly units for more accurate missile fire on the designated target.[1] BV (1.0) = 2,063,[3] BV (2.0) = 2,320[1][11]
  • Alternate Configuration C 
    The C configuration is a sort of compromise on the Primary configuration of the Warhawk. The 'Mech carries two ER PPCs for deadly accurate long range fire, supported at close range by a pair of powerful and already highly accurate Large Pulse Lasers, the lethality of all four weapons only increased by the Targeting Computer standard to all configurations. The 'Mech carries a Flamer as well for use against infantry and mounts three additional double heat sinks to handle the 'Mech's heat load.[1] BV (1.0) = 2,522,[3] BV (2.0) = 2,998[1][12]
  • Alternate Configuration D 
    A 'Mech that can handle itself well at long range, the Warhawk D carries as its primary long range weapons a pair of ER Large Lasers which are supported by an Ultra Autocannon/10 that can fire at twice the rate as a standard autocannon. For short range the 'Mech has a single ER Small Laser and, as a sort of wild card, carries an ATM-9 launcher which can fire ammunition for long, medium, and short ranges which carry larger warhead payloads as the 'Mech closes on its target.[1] BV (1.0) = 2,238,[3][13] BV (2.0) = 2,474[1][14]
  • Alternate Configuration E 
    A sort of fusion of the B and C variants, the Warhawk E mounts an ER PPC, a Large Pulse Laser, and an SRM-6. The new addition to the design is three Plasma Cannons.[1] BV (2.0) = 2,895[1][15]
  • Alternate Configuration F 
    Apparently designed to reduce heat, this configuration of the Warhawk carries a single ER PPC in each arm backed up by an LRM-20 and LRM-10. A torso-mounted Ultra AC/2 rounds out the weapons. Like most Warhawk variants, this version carries an advanced Targeting Computer. BV (2.0) = 2,775[16][8][17]
  • Alternate Configuration G 
    A brutal short-ranged juggernaut, the Warhawk G mounts a mammoth LB 20-X Autocannon in its right arm, supported by paired Improved Heavy Large Lasers and a Streak SRM-6 in its left. Fitted with a Supercharger to rapidly close to optimum range, the expected Targeting Computer ensures maximum efficiency of the three tons of LBX rounds and single ton of Streak missiles. BV (2.0) = 2,909[8][18]
  • Alternate Configuration H 
    A close combat configuration of the Warhawk, the H configuration carries as its only true long-range weapon an LRM-10 launcher. This is backed up by a pair of Large Pulse Lasers and a pair of Heavy Large Lasers, which give the 'Mech incredible close-range damage potential. To handle the heavy heat load, the Warhawk H carries an additional four double heat sinks.[1] BV (1.0) = 2,185,[3][19] BV (2.0) = 2,601[1][20]
  • Alternate Configuration I 
    Built as a long-range sniper, this configuration of the Warhawk carries an ER PPC and an ER Large Laser in each arm, supported by an LRM-5 and an SRM-6 in the center torso. Carrying a ton of reloads for each missile launcher and two extra Double Heat Sinks, an advanced Targeting Computer ensures its primary weapons are deadly accurate. BV (2.0) = 3,026[8][21]
  • Alternate Configuration L 
    A multi-range brawler, the L configuration carries an ATM 12 with three tons of ammo in a CASE II–protected ammo bay in its right arm, supporting paired PPC Capacitor-equipped ER PPCs and two ER Flamers in its left arm. To maximise its abilities, the Warhawk L is fitted with a Watchdog CEWS package, a Targeting Computer and Supercharger. BV (2.0) = 3,687[8][22]
  • Alternate Configuration T 
    A mixed-technology short-ranged brawler configuration, the Warhawk T carries twin IS-Grade plasma rifles in its right arm alongside two Clan-tech ER PPCs in its left arm. Three tons of Plasma reloads and a Targeting Computer give it plenty of combat utility before the last-ditch Rocket Launcher 10 in its center torso comes into play. BV (2.0) = 2,938[8][23]

Custom Configuration[edit]

Apocryphal Configurations[edit]

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

These variants were introduced in various apocryphal sources, and thus far have not appeared in any canonical media.

From MechWarrior Online:

  • WHK-NQ "Nanuq" 
    A customized variant of the Warhawk, reportedly piloted by Hunter Tseng. The Nanuq uses a trio of ER Medium Lasers in its left arm. The center torso carries an Active Probe. In its right torso carries an LRM-15 with two tons of ammo and one ton of ultra autocannon ammo. The right arm carries a pair of Ultra Autocannon/10s with two tons of ammo.[25]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Warhawk has the following Design Quirks:[26]

Notable Pilots[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper Clan name was translated to Kriegsfalke (literally: Warfalcon). The unit's proper Inner Sphere name was left unchanged.
  • Some MechWarriors of the Inner Sphere dubbed the Masakari Massacre because they're very good at slaughtering their enemies.[36]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 68–69: "Masakari"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, pp. 140–141: "Masakari OmniMech Profile"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Combat Operations, p. 109
  4. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 130
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Technical Readout: 3050, pp. 38–39: "Masakari OmniMech Profile"
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Technical Readout: 3050 Revised, pp. 36–37: "Masakari OmniMech Profile"
  7. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 128
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 20, p. 13: "Warhawk (Masakari)"
  9. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 20, p. 13: "Warhawk (Masakari)"
  10. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 131
  11. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 132
  12. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 133
  13. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 138
  14. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 134
  15. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 135
  16. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 136
  17. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 20, p. 31: "Warhawk (Masakari) F"
  18. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 20, p. 32: "Warhawk (Masakari) G"
  19. Record Sheets: 3060, p. 213
  20. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 137
  21. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 20, p. 33: "Warhawk (Masakari) I"
  22. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 20, p. 34: "Warhawk (Masakari) L"
  23. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 20, p. 30: "Warhawk (Masakari) T"
  24. Tales of the Jihad: the Last Day of Zeta
  25. MechWarrior Online - "Clan Heroes"
  26. BattleMech Manual, p. 93 BattleMech Quirk Table - Archer Entry.
  27. Falcon Guard, ch. 9
  28. Falcon Rising, ch. 18
  29. D.R.T, p. 75
  30. Operation Audacity, ch. 3
  31. Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, p. 68
  32. Luthien, p. 14
  33. Malicious Intent, ch. 6
  34. Endgame, ch. 14
  35. Operational Turning Points: Hanseatic Crusade, p. 2
  36. Tales from the Cracked Canopy: Blind Arrogance, p. 132

Bibliography[edit]