Mad Cat Mk II
Sarna News
| |
| Mad Cat Mark II | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Manufacturing Plant DSF-94 |
| Production Year | 3066[1][2] |
| Class | Assault |
| Cost | 24,036,900 C-bills |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 90 tons |
| Chassis | DSAM Endo 4 |
| Armor | Forging ZM15 Ferro-Fibrous |
| Engine | Type 79 360 Fusion XL |
| Speed | 68 km/h |
| Jump Jets | Grandthrust Mk. 5 |
| Armament |
|
| BV (1.0) | 2,877 |
| BV (2.0) | 3,138 |
Contents
Description
The Mad Cat Mk II was in development for fifteen months by the time production began in 3061[2]. The sole rationale for the Mad Cat Mk II was to increase profits for Clan Diamond Shark after war with the Inner Sphere in the 3050s. Designed to be sold to fellow Clans, this rebuild of the Timber Wolf carries thirteen tons of ferro-fibrous armor while being one of most nimble BattleMechs of its class, yet still packing serious weaponry.
Despite this, Mk II's most notable potential buyers, Clan Wolf and Clan Jade Falcon, did not purchase even a single unit, though they won some numbers in Trials. Significant numbers of Mad Cat Mk II were sold to Clan Nova Cat[3], and the Mech served also in Clan Ice Hellion[4], Clan Jade Falcon[5], Clan Wolf-in-Exile [6] in addition to Diamond Shark itself.[7].
On a limited basis, [8] Clan Diamond Shark sold unmodified Mad Cat Mk IIs to Inner Sphere factions, most notably the Draconis Combine and Federated Commonwealth, (later renamed "Federated Suns"), and also the Lyran Alliance[9] bought an unknown amount of Mark IIs.
Armaments
The Mad Cat MK II's primary weapons are a pair of Gauss Rifles, each of which can strip off a ton of armor at six hundred and thirty meters. The rifles are supported by two LRM-10s which give the 'Mech indirect fire capability. For short range combat, four ER Medium Lasers can chew up what's left of the opposition. The Mech's primary role is long to medium range combat, with best performance within 450 meters where all of its weapons can reach the opponent.
Variants
- Mad Cat Mk. II-Enhanced - This version uses several Advanced Technology systems to increase its effectiveness on the battlefield. Each arm carries an ER Large Pulse Laser and an ER Medium Pulse Laser, while a pair of LRM-10's provide long range firepower. Four jump jets allow the Mad Cat Mk. II Enhanced to cover 120 meters at a time. The top speed of the 'Mech was reduced to 54 km/h, however, due to the use of twenty-five tons of Hardened Armor. This protection, outweighing some 'Mechs, ensures that the Mad Cat Mk. II-Enhanced can continue to fight long after most of its foes have been destroyed. BV (2.0) = 2,732[10]
Dark Age Variants
A post-Jihad upgrade of the Mad Cat Mk II replaces both Gauss Rifles, ER Medium Lasers and LRM-10s with four Witherer Heavy Large Lasers and two Type X "Short Bow" LRM-15s, offering greater firepower and far better battle endurance.[citation needed]
Other known, but personal, field-variants still replace the Gauss Rifles and LRM-10s with :
- Two Ripper Series ER PPCs, two Type X "Short Bow" LRM-15s and four Series 2d ER Medium Lasers
- Two Type XV LRM-15 launchers, two Series 4D-2 Heavy Large Lasers and four Series 14a Medium Pulse Lasers
Finally, a Clan Sea Fox refit replaces all of the armament with one EMRG "Galaxy" Series Gauss Rifle, one Series 4D-2 Heavy Large Laser, and one Series 6A Heavy Medium Laser and improved jump jets - Improved Blasters Model X-1 - improving the jump capacity by 50%.
Notes
Like its predecessor, the original Mad Cat, the Mad Cat Mk II has been made the icon 'Mech for the franchise with the attempted re-imagining of BattleTech with WizKids Games' Dark Age miniatures game and storyline. However, the Mk II never actually appeared in Dark Age. There were a total of eight "Mad Cat II" models, but all of them were, rather than Mk II models, visually identical to the original Mad Cat. The Mad Cat II miniatures were explained to be direct upgrades to the original Mad Cat chassis.
The model was even used as the original Timber Wolf figure for the MechAssault set.
References
- ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 58
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Production commenced in 3061, but sales did not begin until 3066
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3067, p. 132
- ↑ Combat Operations, p. 115
- ↑ Combat Operations, p. 116
- ↑ Combat Operations, p. 119
- ↑ Combat Operations, p. 112
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3067, p. 132
- ↑ Combat Operations, p. 132
- ↑ Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 153
Bibliography
- Combat Operations
- MechWarrior: Dark Age dossiers : Kal Radick, Inova Wolf, Seka Ward and Gus Edgington
- Technical Readout: 3067
- Technical Readout: Prototypes