Editing Mad Dog Mk IV (Vulture Mk IV)

{{InfoBoxBattleMech
| image           = Vulture_Mk._IV.png
| name            = ''Vulture Mk IV''
| manufacturer    = [[Manufacturing Plant SFF-TU1]]<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36">''Technical Readout: 3145 Mercenaries'', p. 36, "Vulture Mk IV"</ref>
| production year = 3137
| year reference  = <ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/6558/MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
| model           = Prime
|Tech Base=Clan
|mech type=OmniMech
| mass            = 60
| chassis         = Eden Mk 72-OM [[Endo Steel]]<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/>
| armor           = Composite Alpha-V1 [[Ferro-Lamellor]]<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/>
| engine          = Type I 300 XL<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/>
| comsys          = [[Comset 1]]<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/>
| T&T             = [[J-Track 52]]<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/>
| heat sinks      = 12 [[Double Heat Sink|double]]
| speed           = 86
| armament        = 1x [[ER PPC]]<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/><br>1x [[LB 5-X AC]]<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/><br>4x [[SRM 6]]s<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/><br>2x [[Extended Range Small Pulse Laser]]s<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/>
| BV (1.0)        =
| BV (2.0)        = 2,110<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged'', p. 41</ref>
}} 

==Description==
Manufactured by [[Clan Sea Fox]] and sold to every nation and [[Clan]], the ''Vulture Mk IV'' [[OmniMech]] is largely unchanged from the original in basic design terms, incorporating self-contained missile pods in the torsos that are angled upwards to obtain the longest possible range and the projecting cockpit armored with heavily reinforced ferro-glass that provides a panoramic view of the battlefield while providing ample protection to the [[MechWarrior (pilot)|pilot]], dispelling the illusion of vulnerability the ''Vulture Mk IV's'' appearance might suggest.<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/>

Intended to take and hold the high ground, the ''Vulture Mk IV'' lacks jump jets but is capable of moving at more than 80 km/h and has surprised many with its agility. Variants of this successful design largely restrict themselves to altering the configuration of the missile pods; to reduce the risk of pilots finding themselves defenseless once their ammunition is expended, every variant also incorporates at least one energy weapon. The ''Vulture Mk IV'' also mounts fourteen and a half tons of advanced ferro-lamellor armor for physical protection and is known as the ''Mad Dog Mk IV'' to the Clans.<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/>

==Weapons and Equipment==
The primary configuration of the ''Vulture Mk IV'' mounts three energy weapons - an Extended Range Particle Projection Cannon in the right arm and a pair of Extended Range Small Pulse Lasers in the center torso's chin turret, a visual quirk introduced in the Vulture Mk. II. A pair of SRM-6s are mounted in each of the left and right torsos along with a ton of ammunition in each side torso, and a single LB 5-X Autocannon with a ton of ammunition in the left arm rounds out the weapons load.<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/>

==Configurations==
*;Alternate Configuration A : This configuration retains the ER Small Pulse Lasers of the original but alters the remainder of the weapons load. A [[Large Pulse Laser]] replaces the ER PPC in the right arm, while the LB 5-X AC in the left arm is replaced with an [[Ultra AC/10]] and two tons of ammunition. Each of the four SRM-6s is replaced with an [[LRM 5]] although again each of the left and right torsos carries only a single ton of LRM ammunition. BV (2.0) = 2,177.<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged'', p. 42</ref>

*;Alternate Configuration B : This configuration retains the ER PPC and the ER Small Pulse Lasers of the original. It replaces the autocannon with another energy weapon - a [[Medium Pulse Laser]] - and swaps out the SRM 6s, mounting a single [[Streak LRM 15]] in each of the left and right torsos instead, each supplied with a single ton of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 2,649.<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged'', p. 43</ref>

*;Alternate Configuration C : A radical departure from the prime configuration, this configuration strips out all of the weapons, replacing them with an [[Improved Heavy Large Laser]] in the right arm, a pair of [[ER Medium Laser]]s in the center torso and [[Gauss rifle]] in the left arm. Two tons of ammunition are carried in the left torso, along with an additional [[Double Heat Sink]]. The C Configuration also mounts a [[Targeting Computer]] in the right torso. BV (2.0) = 2,584.<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged'', p. 44</ref>

*;Alternate Configuration D : The D configuration replaces the weapons loadout of the prime completely; mounted in the center torso are a pair of [[Micro Pulse Laser]]s, while each arm mounts a single [[Improved Heavy Medium Laser]]. An [[ATM 12]] is mounted in each of the left and right torsos, and the D configuration carries five tons of ATM ammunition in total - two in each of the left and right torsos and, in a variation unknown in the other configurations, a single ton in the right arm. This configuration also mounts two additional Double Heat Sinks, one in each arm. BV (2.0) = 2,346.<ref name="TRO:3145Mp36"/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged'', p. 45</ref>

== Notes ==
* The ''Vulture Mk IV'' was first described in ''[[Dark Age: LinkNet Articles (3136)]]''.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Mechmaddogmkiv.jpg|''Mad Dog Mk IV'' as depicted in the MechWarrior Clix game
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[MechWarrior: Dark Age]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Mercenaries]]''

[[Category:BattleMechs]]
[[Category: Heavy BattleMechs]]
[[Category: 60 ton BattleMechs]]
[[Category: OmniMechs]]
[[Category:Clan OmniMechs]]