Saturday Mechwarrior New design SDR-8N Nagaina

A brief overview.

Battletech the game system has existed since the 80's.  While not quick playing by itself, (though there are apps that can speed the rolling up, one of my favorites is here)  it is a game that I've fond memories of.  There's even the popular unofficial version of the game, Megamek.  There are official computer based RPGs; Mechwarrior Online and Hairbrained Schemes Battletech.  These articles won't be touching those, since a) I can't run them on my old machine and b) they don't have the customization that the tabletop (and Megamek) has.  So I'll be posting some custom designs and if anyone wants to use them, great, just let me know if you enjoy them.

Disclaimer: Battletech and all its associated trade dress, trademarks and logos are property of Topps Company Inc, and this does not challenge that.  Frosch Military Technologies, Kabaker Agricultural Technologies, the names and places created for these articles are property of me.  Also, if you want to play me on Megamek or table top, drop me a line.

So without further rambling, I give you the Nagaina!

Field Testing Summation: Prototype Spider SDR-8R refit

Producer/Site: Frosh Military Technologies, Summerstide

Supervising Technician: Sally Frosh

Project Start Date: 3074

Non-Production Equipment Analysis:

Engine Supercharger

Partial Wing

Small X-Pulse Laser

Overview

The Nagaina began as the personal ride of Lieutenant Gina Taklachak.  A former AFFC mechwarrior, she operated an independent command of light hunter mechs.  She found her ride was too short ranged for her preferred style of being able to provide cover for her command.  The pulse lasers, while highly accurate, just did not have the range needed.  Clan made pulse lasers would have been too expensive, and too difficult to maintain.  The answer came with a shipment of Magna extended range medium lasers.  The initial plans to replace the two pulse lasers with four of the extended range lasers  were scrapped when she realized the heat burden would quickly overwhelm the Spider’s cooling system.  Instead she planned to install just two, with the extra weight to electronics. 

An ambush by a Word of Blake infantry battalion changed those plans.  The scout lance was able to extradite themselves from the ambush and route the Blakests in good order, but she realized she also would need the anti-infantry abilities a flamer, machine gun, or small pulse laser would provide. 

The answer came with the arrival of an FMT repair and refit team.  The technicians of Frosch Military Technologies were able to provide a compromise that filled all of Lieutenant Taklachak’s needs.

By replacing the paired pulse lasers with paired extended range medium lasers, the Nagaina’s range doubled, with a slight reduction in damage potential.  The diminished accuracy was compensated for in part by the installation of a Suns made targeting computer, which was installed in the head.  Finally, to help deal with the threat of infantry and fast moving targets, an expensive FMT Small X-Pulse laser was added to the right arm, mimicking the placement of the flamer on the original 5D variant.

The end result, a longer ranged and still cool running light ‘Mech, suited Lt. Taklachak’s style of leadership perfectly.  She can often be seen leaping from skirmish to skirmish on the battlefield, using the 300 meter jump distance (in normal atmospheric pressure) to dictate the range of one on one combat, or to suddenly support a member of her scout lance with well placed laser fire.  Whatever units her lance might be supporting, many have found the sight of the brilliantly painted red and gold Spider a welcome sight.

Type: Spider

Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)

Equipment				Mass
Internal Structure:		Endo Steel		1.5
Engine:		240 XL		6.0
	Walking MP	8
	Running MP	12
	Jumping MP	8(10)
Heat Sinks:		10(20)		0
Gyro:				3.0
Cockpit				3.0
Armor Factor:		104		6.5
		Internal Structure	Armor Value
	Head	3	9
	Center Torso	10	15
	Center Torso (rear)		4
	R/L Torso	7	11
	R/L Torso (rear)		3
	R/L Arm	5	10
	R/L Leg	7	14

Weapons and Ammo	Location	Critical	Tonnage
2 ER Medium Laser	CT	2	2.0
Small X-Pulse Laser	RA	1	1.0
Targeting Computer	H	1	1.0
Partial Wing	LT/RT	4 LT/4 RT	2.0
Jump Jets	LT	4	2.0
Jump Jets	RT	4	2.0