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Design Overview
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                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Foxfire FXR-4R
Designer:           Dr. B, Banzai
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Inner Sphere
Technology Rating:  D
Tonnage:            15
Role:               Ambusher
Configuration:      Biped BattleMech
Era/Year:           Star League / 2780
Rules (Current):    Standard
Rules (Era):        Advanced
Rules (Year):       Advanced
Total Cost:         1,274,488 C-Bills
Battle Value:       270

Chassis:              Chariot Type XA 
Power Plant:          Magna 135 135 
Walking Speed:        97.2 kph  
Maximum Speed:        151.2 kph 
Jump Jets:            None
    Jump Capacity:    None
Armor:                Lexington Limited
Armament:             
    1 Magna Mk I Small Laser
    1 Firestorm Flamer
Manufacturer:         Unknown
    Primary Factory:  Unknown
Communications:       TharHes Piccolo I-2
Targeting & Tracking: TharHes Ares-9bis

================================================================================================
Overview:
    Karl von der Burg, a senior engineer employed by Defiance Industries, was also a amateur
    historian and became fascinated by accounts of the Eastern European Front during Terra's
    Second World War. After careful research and study, he realized an incendiary weapon mounted
    on a fast but lightly-armored 'Mech chassis might have tremendous potential for heating up
    other 'Mechs.
    Spending several months of his own time developing a workable prototype, von der Burg sprung
    his design on Defiance Industries' top corporate executives, who were ecstatic over the
    proposal. They immediately presented the concept to an equally-receptive Lord IS, Steiner,
    and production began shortly thereafter.
    Once the Foxfire started rolling out assembly lines, no one in the Lyran Commonwealth knew
    exactly what to do with it. Recognizing the value of its high speed, most generals deployed
    the FXR in reconnaissance units. It was not until special incendiary lances were formed,
    with Stefan the Usurper, that the Foxfire truly came into its own.
    By the beginning of the First Succession War, a Foxfire lance was attached to almost every
    BattleMech and tank regiment in the Commonwealth. In the case of conventional armored
    formations, these were often the only 'Mechs to serve in the same combat sector. Though
    deemed as a "weapon of last resort" on defense, numerous creative uses were discovered when
    Foxfires took the offense and operated freely on the worlds of other states.
    Exclusively manufactured at the Defiance facility on Hesperus II, the Foxfire has not been
    in production for at least half a century. Nevertheless, the best reports available indicate
    there arc between 2000 and 5000 still in service. Most of these are operating in Steiner
    controlled space but a few may also be with mercenaries and nearby Bandit Kings. Even today,
    the Foxfire remains a popular choice with several mercenary units, particularly the
    desperate ones.

Capabilities:
    For the Foxfire, the Firestorm flamer is its only purpose for existence. In essence, the
    entire 'Mech was designed to house and transport the energy weapon on and off the
    battlefield in the quickest possible time; everything else was judged optional. Although the
    armament on the FXR places strict limits on the 'Mech's combat capabilities, it has been a
    stunning success.
    The high speed of the Foxfire ranks it among the fastest armed BattleMechs in existence.
    Ironically, the Magna fusion power plant has one slight weakness: a tendency to overheat
    when running speed is maintained for very long.
    The armor is of good quality, though unspectacular. Both communications and targeting
    systems have worked adequately, even though the Ares-9bis system has been described as
    cheaply built and not designed to last. Fortunately, the target acquisition process is
    somewhat less crucial for Foxfire pilots than it would be for other MechWarriors; it seems
    likely that Defiance chose this system to scrimp on, knowing it would be of secondary
    importance on the FXR.

Deployment:
    One of the Foxfire's brightest moments is history took place on Hesperus II, less than 50 km
    from where the BattleMechs were manufactured. The Steiner defenders, a full regiment, had
    been diverted by misleading Kurita radio communications, and were now massed several hundred
    kilometers for the combat area. The only 'Mechs remaining were a single lance of Foxfires,
    detached for the regiment to stay behind. Meanwhile, an authentic Kurita force was advancing
    on the factory.
    Lieutenant Kaylar Greene, the Foxfire lance leader, quickly came up with an imaginative plan
    to lure the attackers away and give reinforcements time to arrive. A large forest bordered
    the facility along the Kurita line of advance. Greene split her lance in two, dispatching
    one pair to either side of the forest. The next few minutes were spent in sending literally
    hundreds of decoy communications on frequencies Kurita commanders were known to monitor.
    This gave the false impression that large Steiner forces were mobilizing on both sides of
    the forest, the same tactic the Kurita general used to divert the Steiner force in the first
    place!
    Though reluctant, the Kurita general believed the messages and saw no other choice but to
    enter through the forest, thinking the Steiner forces would not expect him to do that. As
    soon as the attacking battalion reached the half-way point, Greene ordered all Foxfires to
    begin igniting the woods. The ambush was a stunning success, and the Kurita force lost over
    20 'Mechs as opposed to no Steiner casualties. The brilliant maneuver resulted in a field
    promotion and decoration of valor for Lieutenant Greene.

Variants:
    No Known

Notable MechWarriors:
    MechWarrior Alexander Conorrbin
    Known as the Laureate of Lancaster, Conorrbin has established a reputation as a skilled
    Foxfire pilot and noted poet. His works have won a number of major awards within the Lyran
    Commonwealth, and his poem "Fox-Twilight-Fire" was personally dedicated to Duchess Katrina
    Steiner in a command performance. When not in battle or on routine scouting duties, the
    intellectual Conorrbin can often be found sitting in the shade of his Foxfire, the
    Will-o'-the-Whisper, composing villanelles and free verse. He is currently serving with
    House Steiner's 3rd Lyran Guard regiment at Court on Tharkad, and he plans to dedicate his
    next collection to the members of his unit.

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                          Standard                  1.50                     
Engine:                                     135 Fusion                 4.50                     
    Walking MP:                                 9                                               
    Running MP:                                 14                                              
    Jumping MP:                                 0                                               
Heat Sinks (Single):                            10                     0.00                     
Gyro:                                        Standard                  2.00                     
Cockpit:                                     Standard                  3.00                     
Armor Factor:                                   40                     2.50                     
    Type:                                    Standard                                           

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              5       
    Center Torso:                       5              6       
    Center Torso (rear):                               3       
    R/L Torso:                          4              4       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  2       
    R/L Arm:                            2              3       
    R/L Leg:                            3              4       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Laser                                               H                 1          0.50             
Flamer                                                    CT                1          1.00             

================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics                                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Value (PV): 10
TP: BM,  SZ: 1,  TMM: 3,  MV: 18"
Damage: (S) 1 / (M) 0 / (L) 0,  OV: 0
Armor (A): 1,  Structure (S): 1
Specials: ENE
 
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Code Release 2.25.5 (2025-11-01T16:12:58-04:00)