Shadow Hawk LAM
Sarna News
| Shadow Hawk Land-Air 'Mech | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Allied Aerospace |
| Model | SHD-X2 |
| Class | Medium |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 55 tons |
| Chassis | Lang T1 Modified Bi-Modal LAM |
| Armor | StarSlab/2 Standard Armor |
| Engine | GM 180 |
| Speed | 64 km/h |
| Jump Jets | Allied Lifter B-Series |
| Armament | |
| BV (2.0) | 933[1] |
Description
The Shadow Hawk LAM was a Star League era prototype LAM, which notable for being the first and heaviest LAM ever produced. Based on the Shadow Hawk BattleMech, the design was to give the BattleMechs the ability to fly as Aerospace Fighter. Unlike the follow-on designs, Shadow Hawk LAM was constructed to transition from 'Mech to directly a Fighter with no intermediate AirMech mode. The craft was designed to be a revolutionary design that was to pave the way for new generation 'Mech designs.
Construction was completed in 2680, however it had number of problems. These problems cause years worth of delays. The Shadow Hawk LAM program had finally readied to fly its first prototypes in 2682. The original SHD-X1 version proved to a failure and caused considerable problems for Allied Aerospace attempts to sell the design to the SLDF. After two crashes, and dismal performance of its only chassis's that managed take off from ground. It went through number of revisions, a new version was constructed. The more refined X2 variant faced considerable scrutiny by SLDF evaluators. Under the command of Commander Nathan Bosworth, the X2 prototype successfully meets the SLDF's requirements. However, its high fuel consumption and bad press from previous efforts led to SLDF rejecting Shadow Hawk LAM.
Twenty SHD-X2 were built for trials with potential customers, but failed to do so court any of them into buying the 'Mech. Ultimately Allied scrapped the Shadow Hawk LAM program in favor of what became the more successful Phoenix Hawk LAM.[2]
Armament and Capacities
The SHD-X2's featured a Newhart Extended Range Large Laser in place of the original SHD-2H's Autocannon. The X2's mounts a right should mounted 5-tubed Long Range Missile Launcher with single ton of ammunition. For close range fighting the 'Mech has Martel Model 5 Medium Laser in right arm. While in fighter mode, the 'Mech has internally mounted Bomb Bays it can use saturate targets with bombs and other weapons carried by fighters.
The 'Mech has 10 Double Heat Sinks to manage its heat loads caused by flight and it weapons. The 'Mech hull is protected by 9.5 tons of StarSlab/2 Standard Armor and has the Structural Integrity of 18. The 'Mech notorious small fuel tank limits the 'Mech flight endurance.[3]
Variants
- SHD-X1 - The original prototype design, which had considerable amount of flaws. Based on the Shadow Hawk SHD-2H, the 'Mech carries a Class 2 Autocannon in place of the Class 5. The 'mech carried only 6.5 tons of armor for its protection. Only one chassis survived multiple crashes caused by its faulty schematics. BV2 = ????[4]
Notes
References
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 290 - BV for Shadow Hawk LAM.
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 290 Shadow Hawk LAM - 'Mech's history.
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, p. 290 Shadow Hawk LAM - Stats and features of the 'mech.
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3085, 290 Variants - SHD-X1's differences from X2 noted. No BV noted.