Morningstar

Morningstar.gif
Morningstar City Command Vehicle
Production information
Manufacturer General Motors[1], Ceres Metals Industries[1]
Production Year 3065[2]
Mission Urban Warfare
Type Wheeled[1]
Cost 8,336,250 C-bills[2]
Technical specifications
Tech Base Inner Sphere[1]
Mass 60 tons[1]
Armor Durallex Standard[1]
Engine VOX 280 XL[1]
Speed 86[1] km/h
Crew 4[1]
Communications System Overlook J11 w/C3 Master Computer[1]
Targeting Tracking System Brightstar 17 Mk. II[1]
Heat Sinks 10[1]
Armament
BV (1.0) 412 (C3: 47)[3]
BV (2.0) 736[1][2][4]


Description

The Morningstar City Command Vehicle is designed to coordinate battles that take place within urban centers. Though it was ostensibly created to coordinate defensive operations in said areas, it has proven equally adept at going on the offensive. The Morningstar was engineered by a joint team from General Motors and Ceres Metals Industries and is produced their Kathil and Tikonov plants, respectively. Following the loss of Tikonov to the Capellan Confederation and the subsequent scattering of George Hasek's naval blockade, Morningstars began making their way into the CCAF. They are so well-liked that they planned to expand production to Warlock, despite the fact that the Morningstar is designed specifically to make use of the special autocannon munitions produced by the Federated Suns.[1]

The Morningstar uses an XL Engine to attain speeds up to 86 km/h. While not terribly fast, it is enough to maneuver in the restricted terrain it is designed for. Nine tons of armor protect it well-enough as it is not intended to be on the front lines. The Morningstar is built around its C3 Computer that can coordinate the fire of three other like-equipped units, especially the Minion that it is designed to work with. Four tons of cargo space enable the Morningstar to ferry infantry into the battle, giving it the capability of inflicting a nasty surprise on an unwary flanker.[1]

Weapons and Equipment

The Morningstar has a turret that contains a Mydron Excel Autocannon/10. This low-tech gun is included so that it can make use of special munitions, though it now seems decidedly antiquated. Two tons of ammunition are sufficient, though using heavier munitions can change this equation. A Targeting Computer makes the autocannon even more accurate. Three Slingshot Machine Guns serve to deter infantry from assaulting from the front or sides.[1]

Variants

  • Company Command 
    This variant that was only on the drawing board in 3068[5] downgrades the autocannon to an Autocannon/5 to make room for an additional C3 Computer, enabling this Morningstar to effectively coordinate the fire of an entire company. It also reduces the size of turret and a ton of ammunition, giving it the same battlefield longevity, but adds a Guardian ECM Suite[1]. BV (1.0) = 350 (C3: 35)[3], BV (2.0) = 680[6][5]
  • Laser 
    This unpopular variant also developed in 3065[7] removes the C3 Computer that is the Morningstar's entire reason for existing and replaces it with a Large Laser[1]. BV (1.0) = 601[3], BV (2.0) = 975[8][7]
  • HPG Carrier 
    This version of the Morningstar introduced in 3076[9] replaces the weaponry of the original with a six ton infantry compartment, Ground-Mobile HPG, and a single Magshot Gauss Rifle covering the front, left, and right sides of the vehicle. BV (2.0) = 458[10][9]

References

  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 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 Technical Readout: 3067, pp. 18-19, "Morningstar CCV"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 MUL online date for the Morningstar
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Combat Operations, p. 126
  4. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 22
  5. 5.0 5.1 MUL online entry for the Morningstar (Company Command) variant
  6. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 23
  7. 7.0 7.1 MUL online entry for the Morningstar (Laser) variant
  8. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 25
  9. 9.0 9.1 MUL online entry for the Morningstar (HPG) variant
  10. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 24

Bibliography