Viewing BattleMech Unit
    Overview |  Distribution |  Battle Value |  Cost |  Availability |  Alpha Strike  | Reviews   
 Units  »  Search  »  BattleMechs  »  Ambassador MBSDR-2
Design Overview
Generate in     format       
                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Ambassador MBSDR-2
Designer:           Dr. B, Banzai
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Inner Sphere
Technology Rating:  E
Tonnage:            15
Role:               Scout
Configuration:      Biped BattleMech
Era/Year:           Star League / 2501
Rules (Current):    Standard
Rules (Era):        Advanced
Rules (Year):       Unavailable
Total Cost:         2,300,575 C-Bills
Battle Value:       326

Chassis:              Endo Steel
Power Plant:          165 XL
Walking Speed:        118.8 kph 
Maximum Speed:        183.6 kph 
Jump Jets:            Norse Industries 1G 
    Jump Capacity:    30 meters
Armor:                Ferro-Fibrous with CASE
Armament:             
    1 Anti-Missile System
Manufacturer:         Unknown
    Primary Factory:  Unknown
Communications:       Lynx-shur Multiband 12.6M with Guardian ECM Suite
Targeting & Tracking: Beta Finder 101

================================================================================================
Overview:
    One of the most unusual BattleMechs ever produced, the MBSDR-I Ambassador was designed
    solely for diplomatic rendezvous. During the Unification War, occasions arose when two
    leaders of roughly equal status needed to meet in face-to-face discussions. Communication by
    radio or hyperpulse generator was often unsatisfactory for political negotiations due to the
    time lag, or because it was simply too impersonal. Intimate, confidential talks and
    bargaining generally yielded better results. However, any attempts for direct contact were
    far too risky for both sides; snipers, assassins, and ambushes remained an everpresent
    danger.
    In an effort to encourage diplomatic relations between all parties involved (including both
    remnants of outlying governments and Star League nation-states), Star League engineers
    designed a specially equipped BattleMech, incapable of offense but well-suited for
    preserving the life of its dignitary/pilot.
    In a politically-motivated move of generosity, the Star League provided Ambassadors free of
    charge to any prince, archon, chancellor, duke, or duchess who requested one. Accepted
    reluctantly at first, the Ambassador slowly won adherents among senior leaders of every
    House. Though the Star League nominally loaned these 'Mechs, it soon became a matter of
    honor and pride for each "borrower" to maintain and preserve his own 'Mech in the best
    possible condition. In fact, some leaders refused to conduct diplomatic talks in any other
    way, insisting that their counterpart be equally equipped as a show of good faith and
    comparable standing. By the end of the Good Years, over 200 MBSDRs were being used by the
    six major Houses, and the Star League maintained nearly 100 more for its highest-ranking
    dignitaries.
    After the Second Succession War concluded, few Ambassadors remained operational or intact.
    With every state and duchy short on supplies due to the preceding century of unbridled
    destruction, almost all of these 'Mechs were stripped for parts to re-equip combat-capable
    BattleMechs. (It is known that approximately 30 new 'Mechs of this type did leave for the
    Periphery during General Kerensky's exodus.)
    It is not known which House now possess functional Ambassadors, or which leaders may be in
    control of them. It is believed that at least 150 still exist, scattered throughout the
    Inner Sphere, though most of those will likely be out of service. Many of the Ambassadors
    now found among the Successor States are missing their engines, heat sinks, and
    communications equipment; even the armor has been removed from some, leaving the skeleton
    bare. However, a recent unconfirmed ComStar report indicates the model is once again in
    production of Terra, at the rate of two per month.

Capabilities:
    Many BattleMech designers agree the MBSDR-I Ambassador was one of the finest models ever
    built, certainly not in terms of efficiency or combat potential, but from the standpoint of
    craftsmanship. Conceived and constructed during the Star League's finest years, the quality
    of components used has rarely been equaled yet alone exceeded. Many of the original parts
    (what few remain), including the excellent League-designed heat sinks, represent a level of
    technology now lost to 31st-century Successor States. Numerous cockpit fixtures and
    incidentals were hand-crafted, and the overall feel to the Ambassador pilot is one of
    unparalleled splendor and comfort.
    The light Riese armor, heavily concentrated in the head to better protect the pilot, is of
    high quality and requires virtually no care. The huge VOX engine runs with exceptional
    reliability and has never been directly or indirectly responsible for a pilot casualty. Of
    course, with a top speed in excess of 175 kph, anyone who wishes to do harm to an MBSDR must
    be able to keep up the pace. During prototype trials, one Ambassador even outran a stock
    skimmer over a 1500-meter measured course, possibly making this the fastest 'Mech design
    ever constructed.
    Lacking any weapons and thus not equipped with a targeting system, the Beta Finder tracking
    system is used primarily for transmitting and receiving IFF (Identification Friend or Foe)
    recognition signals. The communication system more than makes up for it, however, with one
    of the most sophisticated multi-channel frequency scramblers ever mounted in a vehicle. This
    permits undetectable communication between two participating 'Mechs, thus preserving
    diplomatic integrity.
    The Ambassador strikes many first-time pilots as a gadget-oriented 'Mech. However, the Star
    League heat sinks are of greater interest to battle-hardened MechWarriors: each sink has
    double the heat-dissipation efficiency of current designs. Unfortunately, few 'Mechs have
    their original heat sinks anymore; most were removed long ago.
    If any valid complaint can be raised against the 'Mech's structure or features, it would
    have to involve the Norse jump jets. The exhaust ports have a tendency to ice over in
    sub-freezing temperatures, a condition that can make jumping slightly hazardous to say tile
    least.

Deployment:
    Though difficult to believe, records seem to reflect that MBSDRs have never heard more than
    a handful of shots fired in anger. This astonishing fact is due entirely to the way the
    model was employed. Many Ambassadors remained in rear-area systems, never venturing beyond
    tile securely-maintained confines of their nation-state's borders. On rare occasions when
    these 'Mechs (not truly "Battle"Mechs, but no other term existed) did venture forth, their
    respective DropShip and JumpShip received heavy escort for safe passage.
    After arriving at their destination, preliminary communications would be established with
    the other party. The Ambassadors and dignitaries would only land on a planet after complete,
    mutual agreement for a peaceful summit had been arranged on both sides. Each party would
    then drop a 'Mech, and both would race to a predetermined rendezvous point. Once there, the
    two leaders would sit in their respective cockpits perhaps 30 meters apart and talk for as
    long as desired, adjourning whenever one chose to leave. Such conferences could last few
    hours to days.
    Large garrisons and DropShips might be elsewhere on (or above) the same world, but the sheer
    presence of Ambassadors signified high level political discussions; all other parties –
    combatants and noncombatants – were cleared from the meeting area's immediate vicinity,
    without exception. Throughout the Good Years, these rules of conduct were preserved with
    remarkable dedication and fewer than a dozen breaches of faith are recorded.

Variants:
    <<< CLASSIFIED >>>

Notable MechWarriors:
    First Lord of the Star League Michael Cameron
    Lord Cameron often traveled to High Council sessions in his Ambassador, known as tile Rising
    Star of Terra. Although he occasionally came with a sizable BattleMech escort when protocol
    demanded, he expressed a preference to travel alone. Cameron personally-negotiated several
    deals concerning the fate of Rim Worlds Lord Tadeo Amaris, visiting with other Lords and
    their representatives in carefully arranged Ambassador meetings.

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                         Endo Steel                 1.00                     
Engine:                                       165 XL                   3.00                     
    Walking MP:                                 11                                              
    Running MP:                                 17                                              
    Jumping MP:                                 1                                               
Heat Sinks (Single):                            10                     0.00                     
Gyro:                                        Standard                  2.00                     
Cockpit:                                     Standard                  3.00                     
Armor Factor:                                   35                     2.00                     
    Type:                                 Ferro-Fibrous                                         

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

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anti-Missile System                                       H                 1          0.50             
Jump Jet                                                  CT                1          0.50             
Guardian ECM Suite                                        RT                2          1.50             
Anti-Missile System (Ammo 12)                             LT                1          1.00             
CASE                                                      LT                1          0.50             

================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics                                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Value (PV): 14
TP: BM,  SZ: 1,  TMM: 4,  MV: 22"/2"j
Damage: (S) 0 / (M) 0 / (L) 0,  OV: 0
Armor (A): 1,  Structure (S): 1
Specials: AMS, CASE, ECM, JMPW4
 
"Make your bargain before beginning to plow." - Arab Proverb
Copyright © 1995-2025 Scott Bukoski. All rights reserved.
BattleTech, 'Mech, BattleMech, MechWarrior, CityTech, BattleForce, and AeroTech
are registered trademarks of The Topps Company, Inc. © 2025 The Topps Company, Inc., All rights reserved.
Code Release 2.24.13.1 (2024-09-02T12:52:21-04:00)