Night Hawk

This article is about the 35-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Nighthawk (disambiguation).
Night Hawk
Night Hawk
Production information
Manufacturer Mountain Wolf BattleMechs[1]
Production Year 2656[2]
Model NTK-2Q[1]
Class Light
Cost 5,126,625 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 35 tons
Chassis Telestar Model 6LQ
Armor ProtecTech Light
Engine GM 210 XL
Communications System TharHes Kr-A P/comm
Targeting Tracking System RCA Instatrac Mk X
Heat Sinks 12 double
Speed 97 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 863[3][4]
BV (2.0) 997[1][5]


Description[edit]

The Night Hawk was designed as a fast reaction BattleMech for hunting down Periphery raiders that had managed to penetrate the front lines. Mountain Wolf BattleMechs submitted their proposal for the Night Hawk, their first BattleMech, to the Star League Defense Force in 2655, and after many months of trials, the 'Mech was put into full production in 2656. Production continued for almost 300 years until 2945, when the factory producing the Night Hawk was destroyed and did not see production again until 3055.[3][6]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Night Hawk is an impressive light 'Mech on the modern battlefield, with a top speed of 97.2 km/h that is provided by a GM 210 XL extralight engine. For protection from enemy fire, the Night Hawk has seven tons of ProtecTech Light armor which can defend it from fire from most other light 'Mechs. Finally, to dissipate the vast amount of heat from its all energy weapons arsenal, the Night Hawk uses 12 double heat sinks.[3][6]

The Night Hawk carries an all energy weapons arsenal to allow it to operate in independent, long-term operations. The primary long range weapon on the Night Hawk is a Maxwell ER large laser that is backed up by a Defiance B3L large laser. Finally, for close range combat, the Night Hawk has a Defiance P5M medium pulse laser.[3][6]

Variants[edit]

  • NTK-2Q-EC 
    A prototype ER medium laser is installed in the left arm and an extra half ton of armor protects its Golden Century Clan Smoke Jaguar pilots. (Note: EC is an abbreviation used by historians to designate "Early Clan" designs.)[7] BV (2.0) = 1,041[8]
  • NTK-2P 
    This variant was a lower-tech version of the NTK-2Q which was produced from 2853 until the destruction of the factory in 2945.[9][10]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Night Hawk has the following Design Quirk:[13]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Nachtfalke. The model code was accordingly changed to NTF-2Q.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 38–39: "NTK-2Q Night Hawk"
  2. according to Technical Readout: 3058, p. 100: The SLDF's initial order for the Night Hawk was in 2566, probably a typo given the SLDF did not exist until 2571
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, pp. 204–205: "Night Hawk Profile"
  4. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 160
  5. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 225
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 100: "Night Hawk"
  7. Technical Readout: Golden Century, p. 62
  8. Technical Readout: Golden Century, p. 73
  9. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 144
  10. Master Unit List - NTK-2P
  11. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 161
  12. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 226
  13. BattleMech Manual, p. 93: BattleMech Quirk Table - Night Hawk Entry

Bibliography[edit]