Commando Quarterly 1st Quarter 2006 - low res

TACTICAL ANALYSIS:
48 The Commando Quarterly
Assault Class BattleMechs By: Ron Barter
Assault Class BattleMechs
Ranging in weight from 80 to 100 tons,
these machines are the ultimate expression of
power on the battlefield with maximum
offensive firepower. If the heavy ’Mech is the
“queen” of the battlefield; the the assault
’Mech is definitely the “King” of the Battlefield.
Like the chess piece of the same name, this ’Mech class
features typically slow mobility, but is extremely powerful
and dangerous, especially at close quarters. A tactical
disadvantage of this fact is that like the king chess piece, the
assault ’Mech is actively sought out as a primary target.
The three maxims of speed, firepower, and protection still
apply to this class of BattleMech. Most assault class ’Mechs have
a maximum speed of 50 KPH, a few can reach speeds of 60-80
KPH and a few can attain short duration bursts of 100 KPH by
using the expensive and complicated MASC technology. Unlike
other ’Mech classes, speed is not a deciding factor; 30-50 KPH is
suitable for the roles of this class. If additional
mobility is required, jump jets may be used, but are
very large and bulky for this assault ’Mechs. This
class truly does not rely on speed but on the
other two maxims to make its name and on
the battlefield.
Firepower. No other Battle-
Mech class can wield the
number of weapons with
heavy damage potential than
this class of ’Mech can field. A
single Thunderhawk assault
’Mech carries more firepower than
3 Hollander class light ’Mechs or 2 Daikyu class
heavy ’Mechs. A 100 ton assault ’Mech with a
maximum speed of 50 KPH and a unmodified
chassis (no specialized armor or internal
structure) with full armor protection has a
theoretical maximum weapon payload
of 45.50 tons; with a light fusion engine
this increases to 50.0 tons, and if fitted
with a extra-light fusion engine the
payload increases to 55 tons. This
allows for a combination of hard-hitting
weapons and an ample supply of
ammunition, a heavy concentration of energy
weapons with ample heat sink coverage, or a mixture of
long range and close range weapons to fill a variety of roles.
The final maxim is armor protection; armor can be the
primary deciding factor in a battle, the ’Mechs that can withstand
the heaviest damage without succumbing (excluding the very
difficult head shots of course) may very well rule the day. A
medium class BattleMech can carry a maximum of 12 tons of
protective armor; a heavy class can carry 14.5 tons. The assault
class ’Mech has a maximum protection capacity of 19.50 tons, a
staggering amount of armor that can protect an assault from
withering hostile fire that would surely destroy a light or medium
’Mech outright, and probably cripple a heavy ’Mech beyond repair.
As implied by the title of this ’Mech weight class the primary
role envisaged for this class is assault, whether to rout an enemy
on the battlefield, assault a fortification or base, or counter an
enemy assault this ’Mech class fits its title role aptly. The class is
also suited to several other roles that include:
1. Fire support (direct and in-direct)
2. Close Assault
3. Urban Defense/Assault
4. Breach
5. Command and Control
Fire support is a role that can be accomplished by any class
of ’Mech. What makes assault ’Mechs ideally suited to this role is
the number of weapons that can be carried and more
importantly the ammunition that can be carried
to support the weapons. The ARC-8M Archer
class heavy ’Mech features 2 Type 15 Longrange
missile launchers and carries a
comfortable 4 tons of ammunition, adequately
filling the fire support role with a volley of
30 missiles. The assault class PPR-5S
Salamander Battlemech features 3 class
20 Long-range missile Launchers and a
staggering 9 tons of ammunition. While a
lance of medium weight fire support mechs
such as the Trebuchet (4.1 million c-bills
each) is cheaper than a single Salamander
(18.6 million), the fact remains the lance
requires 4 mech warriors, and 4 times the
maintenance and repair costs of a single
BattleMech and reduces the space on a
DropShip for carrying other ’Mech types.
Similarly, in-direct fire support in the form
of Arrow IV launchers can carried by
heavy ’Mechs such as the Catapult and
the Anvil, however they can only carry a
single launcher and ammunition is limited.
The Clan Naga and the DCMS O’Bakemono
are both equipped with 2 Arrow IV launchers
and typically 6 tons of ammunition.
Assault ’Mechs in this role carry sufficient armor
and ammunition to provide sustained fire support on the
battlefield, thus making them ideal to any commander.
Sometimes it is advantageous to move quickly into an
enemy’s line of advance and disrupt their plan of attack by
causing massive mayhem and confusion. Some assault ’Mechs
have been configured for such a role although some were not
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