Talon (BattleMech)

This article is about the BattleMech. For other uses, see Talon.
Talon (BattleMech)
Talon
Production information
Manufacturer Blackstone BattleMechs, Ltd.[1]
Production Year 2760
Model TLN-5W[1]
Class Light
Cost 6,034,275 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 35 tons
Chassis Blackstone QTS Light
Armor Kallon Light Shield A
Engine Edasich Motors 280 XL
Communications System Lockheed/CBM Comset 100
Targeting Tracking System Sturmfeur Highlight with BlindFire Radar
Heat Sinks 11 double
Speed 129 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,030[2]
BV (2.0) 1,175[3][1][4]


Description[edit]

The Talon was first deployed in 2670[3][5] to provide light BattleMech companies much needed long-range firepower and punch. Star League High Command was so impressed by the Talon during its combat trials in 2669, they immediately ordered the 'Mech into full production. The BattleMech was so wildly successful that sales to the Star League Defense Force quickly surpassed all other light BattleMechs.[3][5]

Upon introduction of the ER PPC around 2750, the Talon was one of several BattleMechs to be upgraded with the technology, resulting in the TLN-5W in 2760.[6] The initial production runs of the upgraded Talon were reserved for Royal units.[7] Both the TLN-5V and TLN-5W saw their deployment expanded during the Amaris-Kerensky Civil War, with the TLN-5V distributed widely, and the TLN-5W assigned to regular SLDF units for the first time.[7][8] The success of the Talon outlived the first League by a few decades. Every Successor State acquired the 'Mech as quickly as it could be manufactured, but production was never able to overcome the alarming rates of attrition during the First Succession War. When its last production facility was nuked in 2815, the fate of the Talon was sealed; the last Talon was cannibalized for parts during the first year of the Second Succession War, 2830.[3][5]

The technological renaissance of the Inner Sphere allowed production to begin on Inarcs once again in 3056.[3][5]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Talon is intended to act as a long-range sniper for light 'Mech units. To carry out this mission, the upgraded TLN-5W Talon was equipped with a Lord's Light 2 ER PPC that gives it a reach of just under 700 meters. For defense at close ranges, the Talon has two ChisComp 39 medium lasers that give it enough protection to defend itself from most other light 'Mechs.[3][5]

Talon BattleMechs are also fleet of foot, with a top speed of 129.6 km/h, allowing it to keep up with almost any light 'Mech in existence, and is able to reach this speed through the use of an Edasich Motors 280-rated XL engine. The 'Mech is armored with seven and a half tons of Kallon Light Shield A standard armor, which provides the highest amount of protection against enemy fire possible with standard, combat-grade armor. It also has 11 double heat sinks to handle the high heat load from its weapons payload.[3][5]

Variants[edit]

  • TLN-5V 
    The original variant of the Talon can be simply modified to the TLN-5W; this variant mounts a standard PPC instead of the upgraded ER PPC. This 'Mech is able to fire remain cool firing all weapons and running; even after loosing a small amount of engine shielding, the 'Mech can still remain cool by not using a single medium laser. BV (2.0) = 1,075[9]
  • TLN-5Z 
    This variant replaces the engine with a light engine that can only propel the Talon up to 119 km/h, but is cheaper and more durable. The 5Z also makes use of an endo steel chassis and ferro-fibrous armor to make up the difference in mass. The armament is replaced with a pair of arm-mounted ER large lasers, though the loss of a heat sink forces the MechWarrior to carefully manage their heat. A C3 slave unit is included so that the Talon can be incorporated into a C3 lance. This variant proved unpopular in the Lyran Alliance, so Blackstone exports it to the Draconis Combine and Federated Suns.[1] BV (1.0) = 939;[12] BV (2.0) = 1,168[13]

Apocryphal Variants[edit]

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

From Scorched Earth:

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Talon has the following Design Quirks:[17]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to Fang, which in German designates the whole foot of a bird of prey. The model code was accordingly changed to FNG-5W.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 48–49: "TLN-5W Talon"
  2. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 171
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, pp. 208–209: "Talon"
  4. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 231
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Technical Readout: 3058, p. 104: "Talon"
  6. MUL entry for Talon TLN-5W
  7. 7.0 7.1 Field Manual: SLDF, p. 241
  8. Field Manual: SLDF, p. 14
  9. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 232
  10. Technical Readout: Golden Century, p. 62
  11. Technical Readout: Golden Century, p. 74
  12. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 172
  13. MUL entry for Talon TLN-5Z
  14. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 191
  15. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 67
  16. Scorched Earth WWE 2017 (TW & AS)‎‎, p. 13: New Old Variant include in product scenario
  17. BattleMech Manual, p. 95: BattleMech Quirk Table - Talon Entry

Bibliography[edit]