BattleMech Technical Readout
Name/Model: Aphid AP-H1D
Designer: KaiserDunk
Source(s): Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology: Inner Sphere
Technology Rating: D
Tonnage: 20
Configuration: Quad BattleMech
Era/Year: Late Succession Wars / 3028
Rules (Current): Introductory
Rules (Era): Introductory
Rules (Year): Introductory
Total Cost: 1,565,200 C-Bills
Battle Value: 513
Chassis: MMM Type AP
Power Plant: LTV 160
Walking Speed: 86.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 129.6 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: StarSlab/1
Armament:
2 Martell Model 5 Medium Lasers
1 SperryBrowning Machine Gun
Manufacturer: Majesty Metals & Manufacturing
Primary Factory: Canopus IV
Communications: Majestrix Alpha
Targeting & Tracking: O/P 911
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Overview:
Designed at the start of the Fourth Succession War when it looked like certain subsystems
purchased from the Capellan Confederation needed for the manufacture of light scout ‘Mechs
such as the Locust were bout to be cut off by the advancing Davion forces, the Aphid was
rapidly designed using domestically available components. The new ‘Mech was rapidly
prototyped and put into production in a surprisingly short period of time. It took less
than two years from the initial proposal to the new ‘Mech entering service as the Aphid.
Capabilities:
The Aphid was designed for speed and reliability in the field. While the complexity of a
quad chassis would seem to be counter-intuitive given this objectiive, the design allows for
the mass and inertia to be widely distributed across the four legs, This in turn lowers
the operational stresses low across each leg.
The firepower of the Aphid is centered on the two torso-mounted Martell Model 5 medium
lasers. The lasers have a very accurate and well-protected platform, and the lack of a
need for ammunition resupply allows an Aphid to operate further from traditional supply
lines. A single SperryBrowning machine gun is mounted under the cockpit, providing some
defense against infantry and unarmored light vehicles without any additional heat. The
Aphid actually has one of the most forgiving heat curves of any light ‘Mech, only generating
waste heat when the lasers are fired while moving at maximum speed.
The electronics systems, especially the communication system, was a major source of
concern for the Majistracy armed forces as the supplier for the Locust was in danger of
being cut off and its chassis was proving very difficult to modify to allow for the
substitution of a different component. Instead, the Aphid was designed with the Magestrix
Alpha communications suite, which is rugged, reliable, and powerful though the size of it
required the cockpit to be designed around the Alpha.
Deployment:
The Aphid is only seen in the various Curiasser units as well as in some scout lances of the
Lancers. While there has been some interest from the Capellan Confederation, the lack of
sufficient production capacity at the Majesty Metals & Mining facility on Canopus IV has
limited the supply to barely meet the needs of the Majestracy. Earthworks Incorporated has
supposedly been in negotiations with MM&M to manufacture the Aphid under license at their
Grand Base facility but this far to no apparent avail.
Variants:
The only variant thus far contemplated is intended to extend the range of the Aphid in the
field by replacing the single machingun with a Diverse Optics Type 10 small laser under the
cockpit. This would increase the overall heat load on the light ‘Mech, and has given the
concept a new nickname of the Hotfoot, as the laser will be right under the ‘MechWarrior.
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Equipment Mass
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Internal Structure: Standard 2.00
Engine: 160 Fusion 6.00
Walking MP: 8
Running MP: 12
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks (Single): 10 0.00
Gyro: Standard 2.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Armor Factor: 64 4.00
Type: Standard
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 8
Center Torso: 6 8
Center Torso (rear): 2
R/L Torso: 5 8
R/L Torso (rear): 1
R/L Front Leg: 4 7
R/L Rear Leg: 4 7
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Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
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Machine Gun H 1 0.50
Machine Gun (Ammo 100) CT 1 0.50
Medium Laser RT 1 1.00
Medium Laser LT 1 1.00
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Alpha Strike Statistics
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Point Value (PV): 19
TP: BM, SZ: 1, TMM: 3, MV: 16"
Damage: (S) 2 / (M) 1 / (L) 0, OV: 0
Armor (A): 2, Structure (S): 2
Specials:
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