Difference between revisions of "UrbanMech"

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Large numbers of ''UrbanMech''s were produced by [[Orguss Industries]] from [[Introduction Year::2675]] until the destruction of their assembly lines.  ''UrbanMech''s were also produced up through the mid-[[Production Ceased::3081]] at the Betelgeuse facility of [[Hellespont Industrials]].  As such, ''UrbanMech''s could be found in all of the armies of the [[Successor States]].  However most military leaders saw the slow little 'Mech as a liability, confining their stockpiles to garrison duty or stripping them of parts.  This dismissive attitude towards the ''UrbanMech'' saved it from the ravages of the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]] and ensured its continued use into the [[thirty-first century]]. The [[Capellan Confederation]] remained the largest and only user of ''UrbanMech''s to actually deploy them for front-line duty, a result of the devastation of the [[Fourth Succession War]] and their desperation for any 'Mech to replenish their losses.  The [[Confederation Reserve Cavalry]] and [[Capellan Defense Force]] had the lion's share of ''UrbanMech''s, followed by the [[Tikonov Republican Guard]] and [[St. Ives Armored Cavalry]]; outside the Confederation the [[Federated Suns]]' [[Capellan March Militia]] fielded the largest number of ''UrbanMech''s due to the fact it was composed of large amounts of captured Capellan equipment. Its prominence within the Confederation meant the ''UrbanMech'' was among those 'Mechs within the [[CCAF]] to receive upgrades following the recovery of [[lostech]]; the other States followed suit with much less priority over improving other 'Mechs.  Despite this the sheer costs necessary to replace the ''UrbanMech'''s engine and increase its top speed meant even the Confederation limited their refit packages to improving the weapons and armor only.<ref name=TRO3025r/><ref name=TRO3050U/>
 
Large numbers of ''UrbanMech''s were produced by [[Orguss Industries]] from [[Introduction Year::2675]] until the destruction of their assembly lines.  ''UrbanMech''s were also produced up through the mid-[[Production Ceased::3081]] at the Betelgeuse facility of [[Hellespont Industrials]].  As such, ''UrbanMech''s could be found in all of the armies of the [[Successor States]].  However most military leaders saw the slow little 'Mech as a liability, confining their stockpiles to garrison duty or stripping them of parts.  This dismissive attitude towards the ''UrbanMech'' saved it from the ravages of the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]] and ensured its continued use into the [[thirty-first century]]. The [[Capellan Confederation]] remained the largest and only user of ''UrbanMech''s to actually deploy them for front-line duty, a result of the devastation of the [[Fourth Succession War]] and their desperation for any 'Mech to replenish their losses.  The [[Confederation Reserve Cavalry]] and [[Capellan Defense Force]] had the lion's share of ''UrbanMech''s, followed by the [[Tikonov Republican Guard]] and [[St. Ives Armored Cavalry]]; outside the Confederation the [[Federated Suns]]' [[Capellan March Militia]] fielded the largest number of ''UrbanMech''s due to the fact it was composed of large amounts of captured Capellan equipment. Its prominence within the Confederation meant the ''UrbanMech'' was among those 'Mechs within the [[CCAF]] to receive upgrades following the recovery of [[lostech]]; the other States followed suit with much less priority over improving other 'Mechs.  Despite this the sheer costs necessary to replace the ''UrbanMech'''s engine and increase its top speed meant even the Confederation limited their refit packages to improving the weapons and armor only.<ref name=TRO3025r/><ref name=TRO3050U/>
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A testament to the desperation of the [[Word of Blake]] [[Jihad]], [[Hellespont Industrials]] would reactivate a shuttered production facility on [[Betelgeuse]] to produce the ''UrbanMech'' alongside primitive "[[retrotech]]" designs for material starved Capellan garrison forces.<ref name=OCCp16>''Objectives: Capellan Confederation'', p. 16 "Sian Commonality - Industrial Systems - Betelgeuse"</ref> This plant would maintain production of the ''UrbanMech'' in a steadily increasing volume of configurations throughout the [[Dark Age Era]] as the CCAF secretly expanded before it waged war against the [[Republic of the Sphere]]. Rather than dramatic and expensive enhancements, Hellespont's new variants retain the venerable design's low ground speed urban combat focus and can be applied as refits as readily as new production.<ref name=RGIV2p13>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 3'', p13 "UrbanMech"</ref>
  
 
==Weapons and Equipment==
 
==Weapons and Equipment==
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*;UM-R93 : First appeared in [[3130]], this Capellan Confederation [[Dark Age Era]] upgrade of the ''UrbanMech'' carries a [[Plasma Rifle]], [[ER Medium Laser]] and [[ER Small Laser]]. Additionally, it carries 12 tons of Hardened Armor, which, while making it as tough as many Medium 'mechs, reduces its already slow speed even further. BV (2.0) = 894<ref name=xtrorots2p7>''Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 2'', p. 7</ref><ref>[http://masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/7344/urbanmech-um-r93 MUL Profile for the UM-R93 UrbanMech - Alpha Strike Card, Introduction Date, and BV2 included.]</ref>
 
*;UM-R93 : First appeared in [[3130]], this Capellan Confederation [[Dark Age Era]] upgrade of the ''UrbanMech'' carries a [[Plasma Rifle]], [[ER Medium Laser]] and [[ER Small Laser]]. Additionally, it carries 12 tons of Hardened Armor, which, while making it as tough as many Medium 'mechs, reduces its already slow speed even further. BV (2.0) = 894<ref name=xtrorots2p7>''Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 2'', p. 7</ref><ref>[http://masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/7344/urbanmech-um-r93 MUL Profile for the UM-R93 UrbanMech - Alpha Strike Card, Introduction Date, and BV2 included.]</ref>
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*;UM-R96 : Another field refit developed by chronic tinker [[Njord Wing]] in [[3149]], the R96 is an evolution of the R80 with features of Wing's R93 refit. The R80's Snub-Nose PPC serves as the R96's main weapon, supported by a [[Small X-Pulse Laser]], reducing its logistical needs. The weight saved allows the use of the R93's Harded Armor shell for enhanced protection at the cost of speed.<ref name=RGIV2p13/> BV (2.0) = 852<ref name=RGIV2p14>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2'', p14 "UrbanMech UM-R93"</ref>
  
 
===Apocryphal Variants===
 
===Apocryphal Variants===
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*''[[Master Unit List: Battle Values]]''
 
*''[[Master Unit List: Battle Values]]''
 
*''[https://mwomercs.com/resistance-heroes MechWarrior Online Resistance Heroes Sales]
 
*''[https://mwomercs.com/resistance-heroes MechWarrior Online Resistance Heroes Sales]
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*''[[Objectives: Capellan Confederation]]''
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*''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2]]''
 
*''[[Record Sheets: 3039]]''
 
*''[[Record Sheets: 3039]]''
 
*''[[Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere)]]''
 
*''[[Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere)]]''

Revision as of 06:01, 25 September 2020

UrbanMech
UrbanMech
Production information
Manufacturer Orguss Industries

Hellespont Industrials

Production Year 2675[1]
Model UM-R60
Class Light
Cost 1,471,925 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 30 tons
Chassis Republic-R
Armor Durallex Medium
Engine Leenex 60
Communications System Dalban Interact
Targeting Tracking System Dalban Urban
Heat Sinks 11
Speed 32.4 km/h
Jump Jets Pitban 6000
Armament
BV (1.0) 454
BV (2.0) 504[1]


Description

The UrbanMech was designed for just what its name suggests, urban combat and defense. This was achieved by starting with a cheap, easily-produced chassis, giving it six tons Durallex armor to rival the protection found on many medium-weight BattleMechs, and mounting a pair of Pitban 6000 jump jets for a jumping distance of 60 meters. The trade-off was that it could only mount the miserable Leenex 60 engine, making the UrbanMech the slowest light 'Mech in existence with a cruising speed of 21 km/h and top speed of only 32.4 km/h. This was a severe disadvantage if the 'Mech attempted to fight in open country - something for only the foolish or desperate - but off-set by the fact that fighting in the close confines of a Star League city left little room to maneuver anyways and the UrbanMech's low profile made it difficult to target. Thus the 'Mech was primarily used for fighting guerrillas and other light 'Mechs in an urban environment, an arena where it also achieved some success fighting medium and even heavy-weight 'Mechs. Standard tactics for an UrbanMech lance was to split up into its constituent parts and occupy various buildings in order to snipe the enemy before falling back to the next defensive line.[1][2][3]

Large numbers of UrbanMechs were produced by Orguss Industries from 2675 until the destruction of their assembly lines. UrbanMechs were also produced up through the mid-3081 at the Betelgeuse facility of Hellespont Industrials. As such, UrbanMechs could be found in all of the armies of the Successor States. However most military leaders saw the slow little 'Mech as a liability, confining their stockpiles to garrison duty or stripping them of parts. This dismissive attitude towards the UrbanMech saved it from the ravages of the Succession Wars and ensured its continued use into the thirty-first century. The Capellan Confederation remained the largest and only user of UrbanMechs to actually deploy them for front-line duty, a result of the devastation of the Fourth Succession War and their desperation for any 'Mech to replenish their losses. The Confederation Reserve Cavalry and Capellan Defense Force had the lion's share of UrbanMechs, followed by the Tikonov Republican Guard and St. Ives Armored Cavalry; outside the Confederation the Federated Suns' Capellan March Militia fielded the largest number of UrbanMechs due to the fact it was composed of large amounts of captured Capellan equipment. Its prominence within the Confederation meant the UrbanMech was among those 'Mechs within the CCAF to receive upgrades following the recovery of lostech; the other States followed suit with much less priority over improving other 'Mechs. Despite this the sheer costs necessary to replace the UrbanMech's engine and increase its top speed meant even the Confederation limited their refit packages to improving the weapons and armor only.[2][3]

A testament to the desperation of the Word of Blake Jihad, Hellespont Industrials would reactivate a shuttered production facility on Betelgeuse to produce the UrbanMech alongside primitive "retrotech" designs for material starved Capellan garrison forces.[4] This plant would maintain production of the UrbanMech in a steadily increasing volume of configurations throughout the Dark Age Era as the CCAF secretly expanded before it waged war against the Republic of the Sphere. Rather than dramatic and expensive enhancements, Hellespont's new variants retain the venerable design's low ground speed urban combat focus and can be applied as refits as readily as new production.[5]

Weapons and Equipment

The UrbanMech packs a powerful punch for its size. The standard version carries an Imperator-B Autocannon/10 in its right arm and as a back up weapon it carries a Harmon Light Small Laser in the left arm for suppressing infantry. With these two weapons the UrbanMech can constantly harass, or if piloted by an experienced enough MechWarrior, down 'Mechs up to twice its own size. A single ton of ammo for the autocannon, located in the right torso, leaves little endurance for a prolonged fight, though it fits in perfectly with the hit-and-run nature of the 'Mech; one way or another most observers agree the UrbanMech is good for about two minutes of combat.[1][2][3]

Variants

  • UM-R50 (exact designation apocryphal[6]
    This was a variant without arms. The idea was to give the 'Mech a smaller silhouette in combat. However, the drawbacks of having no arms turned out to be greater than any benefits and this particular variant is generally regarded as a failure. Only very few units of this subvariant survived into 3025.[1][2]
  • UM-R60L 
    Generally associated with the Capellan Confederation, who have modified a few of their UrbanMechs in this fashion, the -R60L is an upgrade to make the UrbanMech twice as deadly as the -R60 version. The -R60L sacrifices two tons of armor, allowing it to replace the Imperator-B Autocannon/10 with an Imperator-Zeta Autocannon/20 that is capable of downing most light 'Mechs and severely damaging most medium 'Mechs in a single salvo. Besides the thinner armor this modification comes with a very limited ammunition supply, which made it unpopular.[1][2] BV (1.0) = 443, BV (2.0) = 470[7]
  • UM-R63 
    This is the official upgrade kit for the Capellan Confederation's UrbanMechs, distributed for field modification since before 3050. It replaces the Autocannon/10 with a Mydron Excel LB-X Autocannon/10 version and retains the small laser, but adds a Magna 200P Small Pulse Laser. BV (1.0) = 494, BV (2.0) = 540[3]
  • UM-R69 
    This Free Worlds League variant upgrades the autocannon to an Ultra Autocannon/10 and the laser to an ER Small Laser. This is all made possible by the upgrade to five tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor and the removal of the eleventh heat sink. While the ultra-class autocannon provides superior firepower, it can also eat through the single ton of ammunition at an alarming rate.[3] BV (2.0) = 589[8]
  • UM-AIV 
    This variant of the UrbanMech replaces the standard weaponry with an Arrow IV missile launcher and ER Medium Laser. It requires an Endo Steel chassis and Small Cockpit to provide room, and the UrbanMech can only carry ten rounds for the Arrow system. Despite these limitations, it is still a decent fire support unit. Notably, it can be used to launch nuclear-tipped Arrow IV missiles (see Notes below). BV (2.0) = 603[12]
  • UM-R93 
    First appeared in 3130, this Capellan Confederation Dark Age Era upgrade of the UrbanMech carries a Plasma Rifle, ER Medium Laser and ER Small Laser. Additionally, it carries 12 tons of Hardened Armor, which, while making it as tough as many Medium 'mechs, reduces its already slow speed even further. BV (2.0) = 894[13][14]
  • UM-R96 
    Another field refit developed by chronic tinker Njord Wing in 3149, the R96 is an evolution of the R80 with features of Wing's R93 refit. The R80's Snub-Nose PPC serves as the R96's main weapon, supported by a Small X-Pulse Laser, reducing its logistical needs. The weight saved allows the use of the R93's Harded Armor shell for enhanced protection at the cost of speed.[5] BV (2.0) = 852[15]

Apocryphal Variants

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.

  • "Machine Gun variant" 
    In Technical Readout: 3050 Revised's entry for the UM-R63 UrbanMech, it is noted that the -R63's Small Pulse Laser was substituted for "the machine gun". As the original UrbanMech has no machine gun, it has been speculated that a previously unknown Capellan UrbanMech variant exists, in which a machine gun and half a ton of ammo would take the place of the curious and largely useless eleventh heat sink found on the standard -R60 and most other models including even the -R63. However, this supposed variant is pure conjecture. It was not mentioned in the original TR 3050, the reference was deleted entirely from TR3050U, no record sheet was ever created, and no MUL entry exists. BV (1.0) = 448, BV (2.0) = 492[citation needed]

From BattleTechnology:

  • UM-R90 SuburbanMech 
    Published in BattleTechnology issue #18, the apocryphal SuburbanMech mounts energy over ballistic weaponry for extended engagements, exchanging the UM-R60's Autocannon for a PPC and mounting a Medium Laser in each side torso, retaining the Small Laser. It was created by Craig Reed (who would go on to become a notable author of BattleTech fiction) and Robert Madson.
    Although still apocryphal, the SuburbanMech was notably included in the 2019 Urban Warfare expansion for the BattleTech (Video Game) by Harebrained Schemes.

From MechWarrior Online:

  • UM-K9 K-9 
    Complete with a light bar, the K-9 is an UrbanMech refitted for use by a planetary police department. The standard variant's autocannon is swapped for an Ultra AC/5 and the left arm small laser is updated to a Large Laser, with two small lasers mounted in the center torso. While its ground speed remains unchanged, the K-9's heavier weapons loadout is made possible through the use of an Endo Steel chassis and mounting ten double heat sinks.[16]
  • UM-SC Street Cleaner 
    Themed as the UrbanMech utilized by an unnamed member of Philip Capet's Capellan Mafia during Capet's final duel against Justin Allard in Solaris VII, the "Street Cleaner" is very similar to the standard UrbanMech featuring an Autocannon 10, supported by a Small Laser and Jump Jets.[17]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Related BattleMechs

  • UrbanMech IIC - The UrbanMech was one of the 'Mechs carried on the Exodus with General Kerensky and the remnants of the SLDF. Their descendants, the Clans, fully upgraded the design, arming it with an Ultra AC/10 and ER Small Laser.

Design Quirks

The UrbanMech has the following Design Quirks:[18]

The UM-R93 UrbanMech variant is subject the the following Design Quirks:[13]

Notes

  • Throughout the BattleTech fan community, the quirky UrbanMech is something of a beloved mascot 'Mech that features in many fan-made cartoon strips and video clips. When CGL sought fan input for additional stretch goals for their wildly successful 2019 Clan Invasion crowdfunding campaign, the fans opted for (and received) an UrbanMech Plushie.
  • Joke variants or derivates of the UrbanMech abound:
    • A canonical example is the UM-AIV variant, which was thought up as a means to bring a nuclear weapon and nuke the Kell Hounds at the gaming table for GenCon 2011; it even famously featured in the GenCon diorama.
    • A 30 ton UM-L99 UrbanMech LAM was listed, among numerous other joke units, in the Random Allocation Tables of the (non-canonical) Third League Turning Points: Free Taiw...St. Ives 2012 April Fools publication. Over the course of the 2019 Clan Invasion crowdfunding campaign, CGL produced an April Fools update (Update #99, dated 2 April 2020) in which they presented Technical Readout-style drawings of an UrbanMech LAM by fan Bishop Steiner.
    • Third League Turning Points: Free Taiw...St. Ives included a Record Sheet for the 70-ton UBL-20 UrbanLord. It has a 4/6/6 movement profile, 204 points of armor, and is armed with a "Gauss Cannon/20" and a "Large Grazer".
  • In German products the unit's proper name was altered to Stadtkoloss, which literally means Urbancolossus. The model code was accordingly changed to ST-K60.

Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Technical Readout: 3039, pp. 108-109
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 22-23
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
  4. Objectives: Capellan Confederation, p. 16 "Sian Commonality - Industrial Systems - Betelgeuse"
  5. 5.0 5.1 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 3, p13 "UrbanMech"
  6. The armless variant was mentioned, without mentioning its specific alphanumerical code, in Technical Readout: 3025 and Technical Readout: 3039. In the German edition of the former book the regular UM-R60 UrbanMech was translated as ST-K60 Stadtkoloß and the armless variant was designated ST-K50. The Master Unit List does indeed list a UM-R50 variant and references Technical Readout: 3039 as a source; the only unnamed variant mentioned there is the armless variant.
  7. Record Sheets: 3039, p. 80
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 160
  9. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 52
  10. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 190
  11. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 64
  12. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 63
  13. 13.0 13.1 Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 2, p. 7
  14. MUL Profile for the UM-R93 UrbanMech - Alpha Strike Card, Introduction Date, and BV2 included.
  15. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 2, p14 "UrbanMech UM-R93"
  16. MechWarrior Online Resistance Heroes Sale Page
  17. MechWarrior Online Solaris-7 Sale Page
  18. BattleMech Manual, p. 95 Design Quirk Table - UrbanMech Entry.

Bibliography