BattleMech Technical Readout
Name/Model: Cestus ((Dale L. Kemper 'Mech, GDW Issue #44)) CST-3S
Designer: The Grand Poobah
Source(s): Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology: Inner Sphere
Technology Rating: D
Tonnage: 65
Configuration: Biped BattleMech
Era/Year: Age of War / 2555
Rules (Current): Introductory
Rules (Era): Introductory
Rules (Year): Introductory
Total Cost: 5,334,725 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,152
Chassis: Technicron Type B
Power Plant: Magna 260
Walking Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Jump Jets: Rawlings 55
Jump Capacity: 120 meters
Armor: Rigid TBC Type II
Armament:
2 Diverse Optics Type 15 Medium Lasers
1 Halberd VI LRM 5
1 Halbred VI LRM 5
2 Linbald Autocannon/2s
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications: AllComm 250
Targeting & Tracking: Chicester ASR-14
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Overview:
With hard-hitting capability at extreme long ranges that even today's newest 'Mechs have
trouble countering, the CST-3S Cestus type heavy BattleMech is very useful in its designed
role of long-range support for heavy assaults. House Steiner is currently fabricating new
components for the Cestus, but the other Successor States seem to be phasing out the 'Mech
for newer, more available types. Originally numbering 100,000, only about five percent
remain in operation, mainly due to a serious lack of spare parts and components.
The Cestus is one of the older heavy 'Mechs remaining in the Successor States' forces.
First produced in 2555, the Cestus was very popular in the glory days of the Star League.
Approximately 100,000 of these 'Mechs were constructed before the beginning of the
Succession Wars. Unfortunately only some five percent are still in operation today, mainly
due to the serious lack of spare parts and components for an older design such as this.
Currently, House Steiner is fabricating new new components for the Cestus, but the other
Successor States seem to be phasing out the 'Mech for newer, more available types.
The Cestus was designed for long-range support of heavy assaults, and such was usually
assigned directly to the assault lances in a 'Mech regiment. Occasionally this
organizational method was modified so that the Cestus was assigned to support lances
instead. With its extensive array of long-range weapons and heavy armor, the Cestus had the
staying power necessary in many large-scale 'Mech engagements.
Capabilities:
The Cestus BattleMech is very useful in its designed role. Its long-range armamnet consists
of double, arm mounted Linbald long-range autocannons and torso mounted Halbred VI
long-range missile racks. This combinations gives the Cestus a hard-hitting capability at
extremely long ranges that even today's newest 'Mechs have trouble countering. Arm-mounted,
double, Diverse Optics Type 15 medium lasers also give the 'Mech an offensive weapon
effective at short and medium ranges.
The Cestus has average maneuverability for a heavy 'Mech. It does, however, have an
advantage over most large 'Mechs in that its jump capable. Its twin Rawlings 55 jump jets
have enabled many of these 'Mechs to take advantage of a tactical situation or escape from
one that has turned sour. With its additional heat sinks installed, the Cestus still retains
most of its offensive capability even during jump jet operations.
Deployment:
During the First Succession War numerous Cestus BattleMechs were part of all front line
forces of the Successor States. Because of this their losses were quite high. During the
occupation of Malory by House Kurita forces, every Cestus 'Mech in the ten invading
regiments was either disabled or destroyed in all-out fighting against the House Davion
defenders. By the Second Succession War the number of operational Cestus 'Mechs had dropped
dramatically. The surviving units were usually used for long-range support and rarely got
into heavy combat situations.
More recently, during the battle of Ellison in 3015, a support lance of House Davion
invaders composed mainly of Cestus 'Mechs were forced to defend against an intense
counterattack by House Laio defenders. With the attackers charging through thickly forested
terrain, the long-range capabilities of the Cestus was made impotent, and the heavy 'Mechs
were forced to fight at a disadvantage closer in. Within a few minutes, the Davion support
lance was overwhelmed by a reinforced lance of Laio medium 'Mechs. The entire Davion
invasion group was forced to fall back and regroup, giving the House of Laio one of its rare
glimpses of victory.
Variants:
The most prominent variant of the Cestus involves the removal of the jump jets, the
additional heat sinks, and two tons of armor so that long-range missile 10 packs can replace
the five packs installed in the left and right torso of the standard model. Although this
modification creates an ammunition problem (the Cestus type 'Mechs missile storage lockers
are very difficult to increase in size), this variant increases the long-range support role
as it is designed, most of the defensive components will not be as necessary, since the
'Mech should never be involved in heavy combat situations. As most MechWarriors will tell
you, however, you can't always dictate what kind of combat situation you will be in.
Notable MechWarriors:
During the withdrawal of Kurita forces from the planet Sanderson in 2963, MechWarrior Regie
Nogales and his Cestus, "Bad Boy III" were listed as "missing, presumed lost" by the
commander of the 4th Galedon Regulars. This was not the case, however, Nogales' 'Mech has
sustained considerable head damage, which had knocked him unconscious and and destroyed the
'Mechs directional antenna for its communications system. When the last Kurita DropShip had
lifted off, Nogales was just coming to in a deep gully some twenty klicks away. When he
tried to reach the now empty landing zone, Nogales was immediately spotted by Davion forces,
and the chase began.
Using his long-range weapons to good effect, Nogales attempted to evade the pursuing lance
and find time to rig a replacement antenna. With he broken and rough nature of the terrain,
he was able to use his jump jets to good advantage. He kept any faster enemy scouts from
getting nearer by using his long-range weapons. Finally, Nogales was able to contacts the
ships of the Kurita raiding force just before they left orbit and headed to their JumpShip.
A flight of AeroSpace fighters was dispatched to support him, and a small Leopard-class
DropShip the "Tayatumo Maru" was detached to pick him up to rejoin his unit. Upon his
reunion with his comrades, he received the Order of Draconis Second Class for his excellent
tactics.
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Equipment Mass
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Internal Structure: Standard 6.50
Engine: 260 Fusion 13.50
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6
Jumping MP: 4
Heat Sinks (Single): 12 2.00
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Armor Factor: 176 11.00
Type: Standard
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 21 24
Center Torso (rear): 5
R/L Torso: 15 22
R/L Torso (rear): 5
R/L Arm: 10 20
R/L Leg: 15 22
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Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
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2 Jump Jets RT 2 2.00
LRM 5 RT 1 2.00
LRM 5 (Ammo 24) RT 1 1.00
2 Jump Jets LT 2 2.00
LRM 5 LT 1 2.00
LRM 5 (Ammo 24) LT 1 1.00
Autocannon/2 RA 1 6.00
Autocannon/2 (Ammo 45) RA 1 1.00
Medium Laser RA 1 1.00
Autocannon/2 LA 1 6.00
Autocannon/2 (Ammo 45) LA 1 1.00
Medium Laser LA 1 1.00
================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics
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Point Value (PV): 30
TP: BM, SZ: 3, TMM: 1, MV: 8"j
Damage: (S) 2 / (M) 2 / (L) 1, OV: 0
Armor (A): 6, Structure (S): 5
Specials: IF1
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