Technical readout 2866 Rise of the Scavengers

LCT-2D Locust
History:
One of the most common, and lightest, ‘Mechs in
existence, the Locust was first built by Bergan Industries
in 2499. The key to its success and long life is its
combination of superior speed and heavy armor. Its
major weakness is its lackluster firepower. While
equivalent to other ‘Mechs of similar weight, a Locust
pilot will find himself outgunned by just about everything
else on the field.
Originally designed as a reconnaissance ‘Mech, the
Locust is fast enough to get where it needs quickly, and
perhaps more importantly, get away just as fast.
Just over 100 years later, Bergan Industries would
launch their first Third Generation BattleMech, the CHP-
1N Champion in 2602. Weighing three times as much as
the Locust, but keeping the same design aesthetic, the
Champion featured the latest advances in composite
armor, an improved missile fire control system, and a
lightweight, extended range autocannon licensed from
Lubalin Ballistics.
While Bergan Industries was able to sell Locusts to all of
the Star League Member States, due to the advanced
technology used by the Champion, it was restricted to
SLDF use only. Ironically, with the destruction of Bergan
Industries’ New Earth plant during the Amaris Civil War,
and the subsequent technological decline, the Champion
has slowly disappeared from Inner Sphere while its low
tech little brother, the Locust, lives on.
In fact, after the fall of Star League, Bergan Industries
sold production licenses for the Locust to Achernar
BatteMechs, Corean Enterprises and the Free Worlds
League Defense Industry, as well as to number of
companies located in the Periphery.
Capabilities:
With the loss of many of the BattleMech manufacturing
centers throughout the Inner Sphere from the ongoing
Succession Wars, the Locust has been forced into new
roles on the battlefield. Now assigned to the front lines,
the Locust is often required to engage heavier ‘Mechs in
holding actions until reinforcements can arrive to relieve
it. Originally armed with a single medium laser and a
pair of anti-infantry machine guns, the LCT-1V simply
lacked the firepower to engage other units with any
chance of success.
The LCT-2D variant gives the venerable Locust a fighting
chance on the modern battlefield. Replacing the original
LTV 160 fusion engine with a lighter Hermes 140, the -
2D carries significantly more firepower with only a slight
reduction in mobility.
Still capable of maintaining a top speed of almost 120
kph, and retaining its formidable armor, the -2D carries a
complement of three Martell medium lasers backed up
by a pair of Diverse Optics Type 10 small lasers giving it
triple the firepower of the original.
In addition, the use of an exclusively energy based
weapons load out dramatically increases it survivability
by eliminating the possibility of a catastrophic
ammunition explosion.
One of the most commonly overlooked features of the
Locust is its relatively spacious cockpit when compared
against other ‘Mechs of the same weight. This means a
scout who can stay alert longer when on extended
patrols of the countryside. The reverse canted legs and
large, fully articulated feet also provide an unusually
smooth and stable ride for such a swift machine.
The Locust is also well equipped for night operations.
Most models feature a directional searchlight mounted
above the cockpit that is directly integrated with the O/P
911 targeting and tracking system. In addition the O/P
911 features infrared and seismic sensor arrays.
Variants:
Aside from the original -1V model, at least three other
variants of the Locust are commonly found among the
armies of the Great Houses.
In 2567, engineers in the Lyran Commonwealth
introduced the LCT-1S version. Carrying a Bical SRM
Twin-Rack in each arm, it retains the center torso
mounted medium laser. However, the increased
firepower comes at the expense of the 1/Star Slab
armor, which is replaced with the thinner Durallex Light.
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The most radical version of the Locust, the LCT-1M, was
pioneered by Achernar BattleMechs on New Avalon and
began production in 2571. Removing the arm mounted
machine guns in favor of a pair of Holly LRM-5s and
keeping the medium laser, the -1M is protected by only a
single ton of armor. Useful only as a light and fast fire
support platform, the -1M can easily be rendered
inoperable by any opposing unit, including even infantry.
Due to its fragility, it is the most uncommon variant,
found primarily among House Davion’s Ceti Hussars and
other similar units styled after the SLDF light horse
regiments.
The -1E, first produced in 2811, carries a Magna Mk II
medium laser and its smaller brethren, the Magna Mk I,
in each arm and eliminates the centerline medium laser.
It retains its trademark heavy armor and marks the first
attempt to make the Locust a front line fighter.
Current Manufacturers:
The Lyran Commonwealth is the only Successor State
that does not produce Locust.
Bergan Industries
Ares – Capellan Confederation
Achernar BattleMechs
New Avalon – Federated Suns
Corean Enterprises
Stewart – Free Worlds League
Free Worlds League Defense Industry
Gibson – Free Worlds League
Model Cost BV PV
LCT-1V 1,511,200 432 14
LCT-1M 1,535,200 424 15
LCT-1S 1,511,200 440 14
LCT-1E 1,574,200 553 15
LCT-2D 1,590,200 617 ???
Alpha Strike Statistics
TP: BM SZ: 1 TMM: +3
MV: 14” Role: Striker
Damage S: 3 M: 2 L: 0
OV: 0
Armor: O O
Sructure: O O
Special: ENE