Prefect (BattleMech)

Prefect
Production information
Manufacturer	Irian BattleMechs Unlimited
Production Year	3085
Model	PRF-1R
Class	Heavy
Technical specifications
Mass	75 tons
Chassis	Crucis-III Deluxe Endo Steel
Armor	Durallex Ferro-Fibrous
Engine	PlasmaStar 375 Light
Communications System	Irian Technologies HMR-35s
Targeting Tracking System	Omnicron TrackerKeeper
Heat Sinks	17 Double heat sinks
Speed	86 km/h
Jump Jets	None
Armament	1x Heavy PPC 1x Snub-Nose PPC 2x ER Medium Lasers
BV (2.0)	1,847

Description

The Prefect was an ammo-independent Republic of the Sphere BattleMech, designed specifically for guerrilla combat. With increasing legal tensions between the new born Republic and military manufacturers who suffered heavy damage at the hands of Stone's Coalition during Operation SCOUR, Exarch Devlin Stone commissioned a new BattleMech intended to create jobs, bolster his military, and to stave off the worst of the lawsuits. While ultimately unsuccessful on the last count, the well-regarded Prefect would enter service with the public RAF as well as black ops units.

Mandating a simple, fast and durable energy weapon design based on the guerrilla-style warfare he conducted in the early years of resistance to the Blakists, Stone was forced to make a number of concessions and include a more expensive Endo Steel chassis along with Ferro-Fibrous armor, as well as the more fragile Light Fusion Engine and XL Gyro in an attempt to win over the military-industrial complex.

Weapons and Equipment

The 'Mech's principal weapon is its Lord’s Light 3 Heavy Particle Projector Cannon, which can inflict considerable amounts of damage. For close in fighting the 'Mech would turn to its Lord’s Light 5 Snub-Nose Particle Projector Cannon in its right arm actuator, and a pair of Diverse Optics Extended Range Medium Lasers. While considered under-armed for its weight, the Prefect's high speed made it highly effective in its heavy striker/guerrilla role.

Variants

• PRF-1C 

  This variant entered service in 3133. Based on a field refit, it carries a pair of ER Medium Lasers and Snub Nose PPC, but the Heavy PPC was replaced by a standard ER PPC. This freed enough space and weight to fit an Angel ECM Suite and Emergency C3 Master suite. BV (2.0) = 1,857

• PRF-2R 

  This alternate version of the Prefect was being developed prior to the 'Mech being put into production. This version exchanges the Heavy PPC and two ER Medium Lasers for pair of Light PPCs and adds a second Snub-Nose PPC. The second prototype could become the actual production base model. BV (2.0) = 1,710

• PRF-3R 

  This variant of the Prefect carries two Snub-Nose PPCs and a Heavy PPC. These are supplemented by a TSEMP Cannon and heat is controlled by thirteen double heat sinks tied into a Radical Heat Sink System. It uses an XL Engine and removes the ER Medium Lasers of the base model to provide enough room for this equipment. BV (2.0) = 2,412

Custom Variants

• PRF-1R Prefect Veronica 

  Used by Veronica Monteiro-Montoya of Lamenkov's Liability, this variant replaces the Heavy PPC with an extended range model, C3 Slave, Guardian ECM Suite, and an extra half ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 1,835

Bibliography

• BattleTech Dossiers: Lamenkov's Liability
• Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 2
• Record Sheets: 3085 Print Edition
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge
• Technical Readout: 3085