Panther

Panther
Production information
Manufacturer	Alshain Weapons, Wakazashi Enterprises
Model	PNT-9R
Class	Light
Cost	2,485,710 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	35 tons
Chassis	Alshain 56-Carrier
Armor	Maximillian 42
Engine	Hermes 140
Speed	64.8 km/h
Jump Jets	Lexington Lifter
Armament	1xPPC 1xSRM-4
BV (1.0)	664
BV (2.0)	769

Description

The Panther is one of the 'Mechs that is most iconic of the Draconis Combine. The design was originally commissioned in 2739 and had a revision after the disastrous Battle of St. John in 2759 that led to a re-evaluation of the design, ceasing of production of the 8Z version and to the later more recognized version that mounts a PPC instead of the problematic Large Laser. In the early 3070s, Wakazashi Enterprises licensed the design from Alshain Weapons, who had difficulty keeping up with demand following the loss of two factories to the Clans.

The Panther operates as a direct fire support 'Mech for other light units. The main disadvantage that the Panther has in this situation is that the design only has a top speed of 64.8 km/h which, while not the slowest speed held by a light 'Mech, is extremely slow for the Panther's weight class. The Panther also suffers from heat problems, as its weapons payload is centered around a high-heat energy weapon.

Armament

The Panther's primary weapon is a Lord's Light PPC that has one of the highest damage outputs of any weapon. Unfortunately, the PPC is also one of the most heat intensive. The PPC is backed up by a Telos Four-Shot SRM-4 launcher. This mix of long and short-range weapons allows the Panther to stay at range and inflict damage on its enemies and close in and use the SRM-4 to make the killing blow.

Variants

• PNT-8Z - This was an early version of the Panther at the time of its introduction in 2739. It was built in limited numbers and was first used by the SLDF. It mounted an ancient, Tronel Large Laser (known for heat and maintenance issues), another Heat Sink and one ton more armor. Conjecture suggests that all -8Z models were upgraded to the same successful configuration as the later -9R model, but retained their different on-board electronics. BV (2.0) = 741

• PNT-10K - The -10K Panther is a high tech upgrade of the -9R Panther. The chassis has been rebuilt using Endo Steel construction techniques. The saved weight was used to add an Artemis IV fire control system to the missile launcher, as well as upgrading the PPC to an extended range model. While these upgrades increased the Panther's lethality, the new ER PPC produces fifty percent more heat than the original version in exchange for the advantage of extended range. This, without the upgrading of the heat sinks, has caused the 10K to be plagued with heat problems. It is so bad, in fact, that many MechWarriors opted for a field refit to go back to standard PPCs. BV (1.0) = 706, BV (2.0) = 838

• PNT-10K2 - The -10K2 Panther retains the ER PPC of the -10K and removes the Artemis IV as well as a heat sink. The remaining heat sinks have been upgraded to double strength versions, alleviating the heat problems that plague the -10K and an additional SRM-4 has been added. BV (1.0) = 888, BV (2.0) = 913

• PNT-12A - The -12A Panther is an upgrade of the Panther, that attempts to alleviate the heat problems for which the -10K became infamous. In order to do this, the heat sinks have been upgraded to double strength versions. The ER PPC has been replaced with an ER Large Laser and a Medium Pulse Laser, while the SRM-4 has also been upgraded to a streak version. It also utilizes a Targeting Computer. BV (1.0) = 925, BV (2.0) = 982

• PNT-12K - The -12K Panther is also an upgrade of the -10K. This version is almost identical to the -10K2, but has replaced the two SRM-4 launchers with a single MRM-10 and an additional ton of armor. BV (1.0) = 908, BV (2.0) = 930

• PNT-13K - Designed before the Jihad this version only entered service after that war started. An XL engine increases the 'Mech's top speed to 86 km/h while eight Improved Jump Jets maximizes mobility on the battlefield. An XL Gyro allows the PNT-13K to carry a SRM-4 and a Plasma Rifle. BV (2.0) = 996

• PNT-14S - The variant produced by the Word of Blake replaces the PPC with a Snub-Nose PPC. To supplement close-range combat, the -14S carries a pair of Rocket Launcher 10s. The Endo Steel chassis supports enough Improved Jump Jets to vault the Panther up to 180 meters at a time. Thirteen heat sinks keeps heat in check, made possible by the inclusion of a Small Cockpit. BV (2.0) = ???

• PNT-16K - The latest variant from Wakazashi is protected by Light Ferro-Fibrous armor on the Endo Steel chassis. The ER PPC is flanked by two Streak SRM-4s. Even with that, ten double heat sinks are able to keep heat levels under control. BV (2.0) = 988

• PNT-C - The PNT-C is a modification of the -10K model and simply removes the Artemis IV for a C3 slave. BV (1.0) = 696, BV (2.0) = 833

Notable Pilots

• Minobu Tetsuhara, friend of Jaime Wolf and founder of the Ryuken, originally piloted his family's Panther, a mech nicknamed Katana Kat. Later he would switch to a Vindicator, and later still he would pilot a Dragon. Katana Kat would pass to his brother, Fuhito Tetsuhara, who used it successfully during the Fourth Succession War.
• Tomoe Sakade, wife of Theodore Kurita, used a Panther during her early career, up until its destruction during the Fourth Succession War.

Related BattleMechs

• Wight - Based on the Panther, the Wight possesses a Compact Engine and mounts a Heavy PPC and two ER Medium Lasers. BV (2.0) = 1,142

Gallery

• 

  13th Marik Militia Panther

• 

  PNT-10K Panther

• 

  PNT-13K Panther

• 

  PNT-9R Panther in Combat

• 

  PNT-10K Panter in Combat

Bibliography

• Heir to the Dragon (Novel)
• Introductory Record Sheets
• Record Sheets: 3039
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade
• Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I
• Technical Readout: 3025
• Technical Readout: 3025 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3075
• Technical Readout: 3085
• Wolves on the Border (Novel)
• Dragon's Fury - Abeda Measho's Dossier
• Swordsworn - Fetanet Eryaman's Dossier
• Swordsworn - Captain Ben Gerringer's Dossier
• Stormhammer - Alissa Goldberg's Dossier