Technical readout 2866 Rise of the Scavengers

CGR-2B5 Charger
History:
Wells Technologies delivered the CGR-1A1 Charger to
the Star League in 2665. Promising to deliver an ultraheavy
reconnaissance BattleMech capable of surviving
sustained contact with the enemy, the -1A1 was
designed solely to gather information, never to engage in
actual combat.
Built around the massive LTV 400 power plant, the
largest fusion engine ever built, and carrying ten tons of
Durallex Heavy armor, the -1A1 tips the scales at 80
tons, technically making it an assault class ‘Mech. With
a top sustained speed of 86.4 kph, the Charger can in
fact keep up with units weighing just half its size, and it is
an awe inspiring sight to see such a massive BattleMech
moving so quickly.
However, the LTV 400 engine alone weighs as much as
a medium BattleMech at an astounding 52.5 tons. With
so much space and weight dedicated to just the engine,
the Charger is left with little room for weapons. Carrying
an array of five Magna Mk. I light lasers, it is outgunned
by even the lowly 20-ton Stinger.
The engineer at Wells Technologies did not see this as a
problem. Given the Charger’s primary role was that of a
scout, there was little need for heavy weapons, in fact,
they reasoned keeping the armament so minimal would
encourage the pilot to stay focused on gathering
intelligence rather than engaging enemy forces.
To their credit, the engineers at Wells Technologies
spared no expense on the electronics suite. The
Charger uses the multi-channel Tek BattleCom
communications system. The Tek BattleCom is heavily
shielded against interference and can be outfitted with
jamming and ECM gear. It is also capable of
establishing an uplink to orbiting satellites, making it
invaluable to forward operation commanders and an
ideal system for a scout ‘Mech.
Interestingly enough, it also carries the Dalban Hirez
targeting and tracking system. Designed by Apple
Computers Interstellar, it remains one of the most
advanced T&T systems available today. With built in
target identification, a 180 degree scanning arc, and a
full suite of sensors, it was likely chosen for its ability to
quickly identify, with 90% accuracy, enemy units rather
than to actually target them with its paltry weapons. The
Dalban Hirez also features a lock-on indicator, which
warns the pilot when an enemy ‘Mech has targeted them
giving the pilot time to initiate evasive maneuvers.
Ultimately the massive price tag and poor weapons load
out doomed the Charger and barely had the SLDF taken
the first shipments of the ultra-heavy scout ‘Mech than it
was pulled from the frontlines and assigned to garrison
duty and other non-critical areas.
Technicians soon discovered, however, that the Charger,
for its many flaws, was a well built and utterly reliable
machine requiring significantly less maintenance the
most BattleMechs. Ironically, it was the fall of the Star
League and the complete devastation of the First
Succession War that saved the ill regarded BattleMech.
Desperate for BattleMechs of any kind, the Draconis
Combine Mustered Soldiery was all too happy to buy as
many Chargers as Wells Technologies could produce,
including their many surplus units.
Capabilities:
The CGR-2B5 addresses the main flaw of the Charger,
its armament, while maintaining its best asset, its
mobility. The colossal LTV 400 is replaced with a much
lighter Pitban 320, reducing its top speed to 64.8 kph.
To offset this loss of speed, four massive HildCo Model
12 jump jets have been added to the legs and center
torso giving the -2B5 a jump capacity of 120 meters.
The five light lasers are discarded in favor of three
Magna Mk. III heavy lasers. An additional twelve heat
sinks are installed to deal with the heat, giving it a total of
22 heat sinks. The armor has been increased as well,
with the -2B5 carrying 11.5 tons of Valiant Lamellor.
With excellent mobility for its weight class, the Charger is
also well known for its devastating physical attacks. Its
kick is capable of destroying the entire leg of any light
scout ‘Mech on the field with a single blow and a punch
from its armored battle fist rivals the power of a particle
cannon. The Charger is capable of literally ripping apart
light ‘Mechs and quickly pounding heavier ones into
scrap.
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Variants:
There are no commonly produced variants of the
Charger.
Current Manufacturers:
Wells Technologies
Luthien – Draconis Combine
Model Cost BV PV
CGR-1A1 7,520,370 981 18
CGR-2B5 7,722,120 1435 ???
Alpha Strike Statistics
TP: BM SZ: 4 TMM: +1
MV: 8j” Role: Skrimisher
Damage S: 3 M: 3 L: 0
OV: 0
Armor: O O O O O O
Sructure: O O O O O O
Special: ENE