Technical readout 2866 Rise of the Scavengers

HER-3T Hermes II
History:
First produced after the fall of the Star League, the
Hermes II is actually one of the newest BattleMech
designs in the field today. Designed by Irian
BattleMechs in 2798 as the successor to the original
Hermes introduced in 2632, the Hermes II is 10 tons
heavier and carries significantly more firepower and
armor than its predecessor.
Created to serve as both a scout and a strike unit, it is
equally at home operating with other scout units such as
the Stinger and Phoenix Hawk, or heavier units like the
Hunchback and Shadow Hawk. This is made possible
by the HER-2S’s top speed of 97.2 kph combined with
the long range of the Oriente medium autocannon
carried in its right arm. Seven and half tons of Riese-456
armor give it enough protection to engage in protracted
fights, even against units heavier than itself.
Its name comes from the distinctive wing shaped flanges
on the back of its feet. Originally conceived as heat
sinks, by the time the Hermes II was put in production
one had been moved the engine compartment and the
other to the left torso near the ammunition bin, but the
trademark shape remained.
The Hermes II has also proven to be a particularly
reliable and resilient design. After overcoming an early
problem with the placement of the Oriente autocannon,
the ‘Mech has gone to earn the nickname “Old Reliable”
due to the ease of maintenance and repair, which often
must be completed in the field under less than ideal
circumstances.
Irian BattleMechs is one of the oldest companies
operating in the Inner Sphere. Tracing it roots back to
2182 as United Fiber Optics on the planet of Irian, they
expanded first into mining and refining renaming
themselves Irian Technologies in 2309. The Irian
BattleMechs division got its start as part of Project
Arcturus, where the FWL reverse engineered the Terran
Hegemony’s Archer and Wasp BattleMechs. The WSP-
1A Wasp is still produced today at their facility on Shiro
III, alongside the HER-2S Hermes II, while the Archer
found its way to Earthwerks Incorporated’s plant on
Calloway VI.
Irian BattleMechs also began building the stolid GLT-3N
Guillotine under license from Newhart Industries shortly
after it was introduced. It continued to produce the
Guillotine even after Newhart’s New Earth plant was
destroyed in 2776. However, due the inability to produce
Endo-Steel, by 2825 they were forced to downgrade the
Guillotine, and switched production over to the GLT-4L.
There are rumors Irian BattleMechs is now looking to
partner with another FWL BattleMech producer,
Technicron Manufacturing, in hopes of licensing their
wildly successful Awesome and Quickdraw BattleMechs.
Capabilities:
The HER-3T replaces the Hermes 240 fusion engine
with a powerful Vox 280, increasing its top speed to
almost 120 kph and making it one of the fastest
BattleMechs on the field. This increased speed makes it
an even more potent scout, capable of ranging well in
front of the main body and able to outpace most any
other ‘Mech it may encounter.
Protected by seven tons of 4/Star Slab armor, the HER-
3T can handle a sustained engagement even against
heavier units and can fight a holding action until
additional friendly units arrive.
Armed with a Thunderbolt A5M heavy laser and backed
up with an Irian Weapon Works medium laser, the HER-
3T can make short work of other light scouts. A single
well placed shot with the Thunderbolt can disable a light
‘Mech, and coupled with its speed, the -3T has little
trouble getting into position for such a shot. Because of
this, the -3T is also well suited for duty in a pursuit lance,
tracking down and destroying retreating and fleeing
enemy units.
The Olympian Flamer also allows the HER-3T to serve
as an incendiary ‘Mech, setting fires to cover an advance
or, when required, to cover its withdraw from the
battlefield. The Olympian is an unusual design, using a
liquid-fuel mixture instead of venting plasma directly from
the fusion engine. This makes for a significantly safer
weapon, although the gel mixture is relatively difficult to
manufacture. The tanks are mounted just behind the
flamer itself. The Hermes II also uses its flamer as an
anti-infantry weapon.
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The Hermes II also carries the Irian E.A.R.
communications system. This powerful system is
capable of communicating with orbiting satellites giving it
significant value as a command and control unit and
greatly enhancing it scouting prowess. Weather,
navigation, communication, even scientific and military
satellites can be acquired. Many battles have been
determined not by actions on the battlefield, but by
weather or by a superior understanding of the local
topography. It can also handle communications with
friendly DropShips, relaying them directly to friendly
units.
Variants:
Thus far there has only been one major variant of the
Hermes II produced. The HER-2M, introduced in 2802,
dispenses with the autocannon in favor of additional
short range weapons. Two more medium lasers, along
with a pair of machine guns, replace the Oriente
autocannon. This variant also uses the larger Vox 280
fusion engine making it faster than the original. An
additional heat stink has also been added.
The version is used almost exclusively by the Dark
Shadows, the ‘Mech unit of SAFE, the intelligence arm of
the Free Worlds League.
Current Manufacturers:
Irian BattleMechs
Irian – Free Worlds League
Shiro III – Free Worlds League
Cost
HER-2S 3,159,380 784 21
HER-2M 3,262,513 910 24
HER-3T 3,266,713 939 ???
Alpha Strike Statistics
TP: BM SZ: 2 TMM: +3
MV: 14” Role: Striker
Damage S: 2 M: 2 L: 0
OV: 0
Armor: O O O O
Sructure: O O O
Special: ENE