Games - BattleTech technology

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	Games - BattleTech technology

The Technology in the BattleTech fictional universe is quite diverse.

BattleMechs

A BattleMech (Mech), in the science fiction of BattleTech, is a war machine about 30 to 40 feet tall, and ranges from 20 to 100 tons in mass. BattleMechs are capable of speeds up to 180 kph (112 mph). These 'Mechs are powered by fusion reactors and are capable of fighting underwater and in outer space.

BattleMechs use a muscle-like artificial fibre called myomer to allow the 'Mech to walk and move. Powerful gyroscopes provide stability, which the pilot controls with a neurohelmet that effectively links the 'Mech's computer into the pilot's sense of balance and nervous system. The movement of a 'Mech is controlled by a dual joystick system and dual pedal system.

BattleMechs are armed with a frightening array of weaponry, including lasers, machine guns, autocannons, gauss rifles, flamers, particle projection cannons (PPCs), short, medium, and long range missiles, and the 'Mech's own arms and legs. It is interesting to note that BattleTech missiles are far shorter ranged than their modern counterparts which was explained by guidance technology being lost over time, through the Succession Wars; actually all these weapons have reduced ranges for the sake of the BattleTech board game enjoyment: it wouldn't be that fun to play without close-combat. A single 'Mech can easily destroy a city block. A BattleMech's only true rival is another 'Mech - artillery, aircraft, and tanks are nearly worthless against them without BattleMech support or a strong advantage in numbers.

Although the birth of the Battlemech started in the Inner Sphere, currently there are 2 differing origins for all Battlemech technology. With the invasion of the Clans in 3050, a differential had to be made to account for the superiority of Clan technology. Having nearly 300 years to perfect their craft while the Inner Sphere plunged deeper into darkness, the Clans burst onto the scene with tremendous force. The first official sighting of a Clan mech was that of a Timberwolf by the legendary Phelan Kell of the Kell Hounds. It was nick-named the Mad Cat by the Precentor Martial of ComStar, because of it's missile pods like a Catapult and the arms of a Maraurder. Similar gaffs in the naming of Clan mechs appear constantly. Upon seeing the Clan Summoner, it was dubbed by Prince Victor Steiner Davion as the Thor, because of its deliverance of "thunder and lightning" by its PPC and Autocannon.

Some of the differences in technology are the double heat sink, newer ferro-fibrous armor, lighter engines, lighter internal structure, superior sensor equipment, and the Omni feature which allowed them to change the overall weapons loadout while deployed in the field. All of this, and a superior code of military discipline led to a large chunk of the Inner Sphere being swallowed whole by the invasion of the Clans. Only a manipulation of their own code of honor led to their being halted at Tukayyid in 3052. Most of these newer innovations were salvaged by Inner Sphere governments and used as a basis for creating their own versions or re-creating them to the best of their ability. An unprecedented sharing of technology between Inner Sphere Houses was needed to strike back at the heart of Clan civilization, cripple them, and solidify the shaky truce of Tukayyid. Because of this, newer Inner Sphere designs also feature Omni ports for quick replacement, and the ability to adapt Clan technology into their systems, making it possible to intermix the two unique technology bases.

The first BattleMech ever developed was the Mackie, a well-described 100 tonne box with legs. It was developed in 2439 by the Terran Hegemony, first deployed in 2443, and produced throughout the rest of the Inner Sphere after the BattleMech construction plans were stolen in 2455.

Rarely used configurations of BattleMechs are the quad (four-legged 'Mech) and LAM (Land Air 'Mech).

The LAM had the ability to transform into a conventional aircraft and revert to BattleMech mode, enabling it to quickly traverse great distances in a short time. However its weight limit, real life legal conflicts with Harmony Gold (The LAMs, as well as several other 'Mechs, were based heavily off of 'Mecha designs from The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and other anime series) would end its official existence within the universe. The Wasp, Stinger and Phoenix Hawk were famous LAMs. These Land Air 'Mechs can be found in the original edition of Technical Readout: 3025, along with the other "lost" or "unseen" BattleMechs such as the Marauder, Crusader, Warhammer, and the non-LAM versions of the Stinger, Wasp, and Phoenix Hawk.

The quad 'Mech, though much maligned, has experienced a bit of a renaissance in the years after 3060. With the rediscovery of more efficient weapons, internal structure, and armor, the quad 'Mech's stability and ability to carry heavy weapons has much improved. However, the stigma associated with the general design still lingers, leaving the normal dual-legged BattleMech the vastly more common 'Mech. Notable quad designs include the 55 tonne Scorpion, 80 tonne Goliath, 70 tonne Barghest, and 100 tonne Sirocco

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