Awesome
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Awesome | |
---|---|
Production information | |
Manufacturer | Technicron Manufacturing, Irian BattleMechs Unlimited |
Model | AWS-8Q |
Class | Assault |
Introduced | 2665[1] |
Cost | 6,598,170 C-bills |
Technical specifications | |
Mass | 80 tons |
Chassis | Technicron Type G |
Armor | Durallex Heavy |
Engine | Pitban 240 |
Speed | 54.0 km/h |
Armament |
|
BV (1.0) | 1,358[2] |
BV (2.0) | 1,605[3] |
Contents
Description
The Awesome was originally designed by Technicron Manufacturing to replace the STR-2C Striker. The Awesome is built around its impressive all energy based arsenal and heavy armor making it a highly independent and powerful assault 'Mech. Rugged and reliable, the Awesome is traditionally used in a vanguard role when penetrating enemy defenses. The Awesome's massive firepower also lends it to defensive actions, acting as a mobile turret when necessary. Because of its reliance on PPCs, the Awesome is able to act independently for extended periods of time. This trait is also useful in siege situations where the 'Mech can keep up a constant barrage, allowing it to win battles of attrition through bleeding an enemy dry.
Armament
The Awesome has a limited, but effective, armament consisting of three Kreuss PPCs giving it an immense amount of damage potential at ranges exceeding five hundred meters. The 'Mech also mounts a Diverse Optics Type 10 Small Laser for close range defense.[4]
Variants
- AWS-8R - The 8R variant of the Awesome introduced 2683[1] is also focused on long range damage but dispenses with the traditional energy-based loadout, armed with two LRM-15 launchers and a Large Laser and also retains the Small Laser. While providing long range damage potential equal to that of the 8Q, the heavy dependence on ammunition limits the amount of time a barrage can be maintained to just under a minute and a half. BV (1.0) = 1,283[2], BV (2.0) = 1,470[5]
- AWS-8T - Introduced in 2815[1], taking the concept of the 8R further, the 8T removed five heat sinks and replaces them with an additional Large Laser while retaining the two LRM-15s of the 8R. This modification makes good use of the Awesome's heavily heat sinked design, as the removal of the five heat sinks has little effect on the 'Mech and actually makes the 'Mech more effective when the LRM ammunition has been depleted. BV (1.0) = 1,312[2], BV (2.0) = 1,593[6]
- AWS-8V - An attempt to meld the concepts behind the 8R with the 8Q, the 8V was introduced in 2980[1], it is armed with a single PPC, an LRM-15 launcher, and a Large Laser. This mix of weapons allows the Awesome to keep up a constant barrage after it has depleted its LRM ammunition. BV (1.0) = 1,323[2], BV (2.0) = 1,510[7]
- AWS-9M - The 9M is an upgrade of the Awesome that uses Star League technologies and was introduced 3049[1]. The 'Mech is built around a 320 Hermes XL Fusion engine, giving the 'Mech a top speed of 64.8 km/h. The heat sinks were upgraded to double heat sinks to allow this variant to be rearmed with three Fusigon Longtooth ER PPCs. The ER PPCs are backed up by two Hovertec Streak SRM-2s, a Magna 400P Medium Pulse Laser, and a Diverse Optics Type 10 Small Pulse Laser. BV (1.0) = 1,469[2], BV (2.0) = 1,812[8]
- AWS-9Q - A basic upgrade introduced 3057[1] for the 8Q and 9Q Awesome, the heat sinks upgrades to double heat sinks and reduces the number of them to nineteen. The saved weight is used to add a fourth PPC to the 'Mech as well as a Guardian ECM Suite. BV (1.0) = 1,623[2], BV (2.0) = 1,875[9]
- AWS-10KM - The newest variant is a joint project between IBMU and Alshain Weaponry and was introduced 3067[1]. The 'Mech utilizes Irian's Compact Engine and Compact Gyro to save space at the expense of mass. It retains the speed and ECM of the 9Q, but utilizes an Endo Steel structure. Two Heavy PPCs deal a good deal of damage in each blow, while a Snub-Nose PPC is deadly and accurate at close range. BV (1.0) = ?, BV (2.0) = 1,961[9]
- AWS-11M - This version of the Awesome introduced during the end of the Jihad in 3079[1] uses eight Light PPCs as its main armament. To improve the damage potential of the 'Mech, half of those PPCs are equipped with experimental PPC Capacitors. Technicron engineers were forced to reduce the top speed of the Awesome to that of an 8Q, and to provide the room for two of the Light PPC's they had to equip the 11M with a heavy Compact Gyro. To offset the heat caused by the eight PPCs and capacitors, the engineers used twenty Clan-spec Double Heat Sinks. BV (2.0) = 1,801[10]
Non-Legal Variants
- AWS-9Ma - A customized variant of the stock AWS-9M model that was utilized by Adam Steiner during the 1st Somerset Strikers' liberation of Somerset in the midst of the Clan Invasion, the pulse lasers were removed and the AWS-8Q's standard Small Laser restored, the remaining weight devoted to a Guardian ECM Suite and a Command Console. Note: The AWS-9Ma as it appeared in the 1st Somerset Striker sourcebook used the now superseded Tactical Handbook Command Console, however the variant appears in the Master Unit List which implies a future legal interpretation will appear. [11]
Notable 'Mechs and pilots
- Marcus Barton, commander of the 2nd Regiment (Barton's Regiment) of McCarron's Armored Cavalry, piloted a modified AWS-8Q in the assault on Marlette in 3044. The Small Laser had been removed, and almost half a ton of armor was added (1 point to each leg, 2 points to each arm and 1 point to center torso front). BV (1.0) = ?, BV (2.0) = ?
- The AWS-9M variant of the Awesome was piloted by Adam Steiner during his mission to liberate Somerset from Clan Jade Falcon. His Awesome would later be destroyed in the Trial of Possession for the planet.
Gallery
A 4th Free Worlds Legionnaires Awesome runs into battle
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Master Unit List, "Awesome introduction dates"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Combat Operations, p. 121
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 163
- ↑ Introductory Record Sheets, p. 21
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 164
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 165
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 166
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 85
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 66
- ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Marik, p. 6
- ↑ 1st Somerset Strikers, p. 121 "Game Information - Inner Sphere BattleMechs - Awesome"
Bibliography
- 1st Somerset Strikers (sourcebook)
- Combat Operations
- Experimental Technical Readout: Marik
- Introductory Record Sheets
- Master Unit List
- Record Sheets: 3025/3026
- Record Sheets: 3039
- Record Sheets: 3050
- Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade
- Record Sheets: 3060
- Technical Readout: 3025
- Technical Readout: 3039
- Technical Readout: 3050
- Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
- Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade