Kuma

Kuma
Production information
Manufacturer	Alshain BattleWorx
Production Year	3082
Model	Standard
Class	Heavy
Cost	16,346,880 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Clan BattleMech
Mass	60 tons
Chassis	Clan Series Heavy KMX
Armor	Arcadia Compound Delta VII Ferro-Fibrous Armor
Engine	360 Type II Extralight fusion engine
Communications System	Garret GBX-2 Amalgamated
Targeting Tracking System	RCA Instatrac Version 8
Heat Sinks	11 Double Heat Sinks
Speed	97 km/h
Jump Jets	Clan Series Type 4 Heavy Improved
Armament	1x Heavy Large Laser 2x ER Medium Laser
BV (2.0)	1,952

Description

Intended as a symbol of Inner Sphere/Clan unity, the Kuma (Japanese for "Bear") is a fast if lightly armed Ghost Bear Dominion heavy cavalry BattleMech.

With increasing tensions between Clan Ghost Bear warriors and former members of the KungsArmé after the merger of the Free Rasalhague Republic into the Dominion, the Ghost Bear Khans asked both groups of warriors to collaborate on a 'Mech design. Almost unanimously both sides wanted a fast and highly mobile heavy design free of ammunition concerns, with firepower a secondary consideration. While derisively referred to by some as the Charger IIC, the specialist Kuma was a heavy cornerstone to light Stars in the post-Jihad Dominion touman.

Built on an Endo Steel frame, powered by an enormous 360 Type II XL fusion engine and equipped with a large number of Improved Jump Jets, the Kuma is one of the most mobile heavy 'Mechs ever built, with a ground speed equal to the medium-weight Phoenix Hawk and a jump distance as high as the light-weight Spider. Clad in ten and half tons of standard armor, eleven Double Heat Sinks are barely able to cope with the design's weaponry and jump jets.

Weapons and Equipment

The price paid for the Kuma's impressive speed and mobility, the design carries a relatively anemic array consisting of a single left-arm mounted Series 4D-2 Heavy Large Laser supported by a pair of right-arm mounted Series 2f ER Medium Lasers. While its all-energy armament provided it a level of independence from supply lines, the Kuma's level of firepower was barely equal to that of depleted Succession Wars era technology medium 'Mechs.

Variants

• Kuma 2 

  A slightly less mobile but more heavily armed variant developed in 3083, the Kuma 2 replaced the heavier Improved Jump Jets with standard versions which reduced its jump distance to 180 meters. The weight saved allowed the replacement of the Heavy Large Laser with a Plasma Cannon with two tons of ammunition, and a 9-Tubed Advanced Tactical Missile Launcher with four tons of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 2,309

• Kuma 3 

  An even faster proof of concept variant introduced in 3085, the Kuma 3 replaced the standard power plant with an even larger advanced 420-rated XXL fusion engine, and yet more jump jets (ten, specifically). With a ground speed superior to many common combat hovercraft and VTOLs, and a jump distance almost equal to that of a Land-Air 'Mech, the Kuma 3 had minimal armor and a single externally mounted gun pod. BV (2.0) = 625

• Kuma 4 

  This version of the Kuma is based on the original model developed in 3141. It carries an ER Large Laser backed up by two ER Medium Lasers. Each arm and torso location are equipped with a Harjel II repair system. BV (2.0) = 1,865

Design Quirks

The Kuma has the following Design Quirks:

• Accurate Weapon (Heavy Large Laser)
• Hard to Pilot

Bibliography

• Record Sheets: 3085 Print Edition
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge
• Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades
• Technical Readout: 3085