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Design Overview
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                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Cobra CBR-02LA
Designer:           09-Tyba
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Inner Sphere
Technology Rating:  E
Tonnage:            45
Role:               Sniper
Configuration:      Biped BattleMech
Era/Year:           Civil War / 3067
Rules (Current):    Standard
Rules (Era):        Standard
Rules (Year):       Standard
Total Cost:         4,392,775 C-Bills
Battle Value:       1,462

Chassis:              Defiance 450 Endo Steel
Power Plant:          VOX 225 
Walking Speed:        54 kph    
Maximum Speed:        86.4 kph  
Jump Jets:            Rawlings 55 
    Jump Capacity:    120 meters
Armor:                Lexington Limited High Grade Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:             
    2 Defiance Model 6 ER Large Lasers
    3 Defiance B3M Medium Lasers
Manufacturer:         Defiance Industries
    Primary Factory:  Hesperus II
Communications:       TharHes Calliope 270
Targeting & Tracking: TharHes Ares LM

================================================================================================
Overview:
    Imported from fan-made TRO:3063, organized and directed by Steve Satak. Which of the writing
    team created this mech is unknown.
    
    When the CBR-02 Cobra began its trials with the Third Donegal Guards in 3060, Defiance
    Industries was so confident in their new ?Mech that they had already begun full production.
    This unfounded optimism turned out to be costly. As the Guardsmen tasked with piloting the
    first production models began turning in their performance reports, it became apparent the
    CBR-02 was deficient in several key areas.
    
    Defiance spokesmen downplayed the reports at first, but many on the Board of Directors were
    afraid that the Lyran Alliance Armed Forces (LAAF) might reduce or even cancel their
    original order, saddling Defiance with millions in lost sales. The managers drove their
    designers mercilessly to alter the Cobra. Within two months the CBR-02LA appeared and it
    eventually earned high marks, much to the relief of corporate heads. In hindsight, it is not
    hard to see the missteps that occurred ? or the circumstances that make the new Cobra a
    success where its predecessor failed.

Capabilities:
    The Apollo, a Free Worlds League design, inspired the CBR-02. Although the Alliance and the
    League have enjoyed a recent stretch of relative peace, pilots were less than eager to use a
    ?Mech perceived by many as a knock-off of a traditional enemy?s design.
    There was more than nationalism to their objections. With the LAAF?s return to a
    pre-Federated Commonwealth doctrine stressing emphasis on heavy ?Mechs and vehicles, it was
    clear to many that the original Cobra did not fit. Steiner Commanders began to focus on
    large direct-fire weapons that suited their new ?slugging match? style of combat. LAAF
    ?Mechs such as the Trebuchet, Archer and Griffin either reduced or replaced LRM racks with
    shorter-range systems. An Apollo-inspired design, though perfect for Marik forces, had
    become a square peg in a round hole. However, the Lyran High Command still needed a ?Mech to
    provide fire support and so a redesign was in order.
    
    Understanding these factors almost too late, the Hesperus designers seized on the only
    practical option - a complete overhaul of the Cobra?s existing weaponry. Returning to the
    drawing board, they quickly replaced the Coventry launchers with two Cyclops XII extended
    range lasers. The Cobra can now provide fire support with the additional advantage of more
    tightly concentrated damage. The original Starfire missile racks lacked the Apollo?s Artemis
    IV guidance systems, making the choice of energy weapons even more efficient in protracted
    combat ? the choice also saved face for the company, as the ammo-laden CBR-02 did not
    feature CASE.
    
    The space formerly allocated to ammo bays was reassigned to four torso-mounted jump jets,
    providing greater maneuverability in nearly any terrain. Defiance Industries then added two
    more double heat sinks to combat heat generated by the lasers and jump jets. Last but not
    least, the engineers increased the Cobra?s survivability with an additional two tons of
    Lexington Limited ferro- fibrous armor.

Deployment:
    The new production run is undergoing a more rigorous testing this time around. Defiance
    Industries provides this ?Mech to units on the condition they submit detailed reports on its
    performance. While no one has yet uncorked a champagne bottle, early results are promising
    and it appears likely to replace the original. Defiance has already converted nearly thirty
    percent of existing Cobra assembly lines to produce the CBR-02LA.

Variants:
    No other versions are planned, but the question of what to do with older models is being
    worked out behind closed doors. Comments overheard from a high-ranking Lyran officer suggest
    a field refit pack will be issued in a few months to upgrade existing CBR-02s to CBR-02LB.
    Its weapon profile would be very similar to the CBR-02LA. Converting torso space allocated
    for ammo bays over to jump jets presents the only difficulty, since such an extensive refit
    would be unworkable in the field. The excess space will likely be devoted to an additional
    pair of Defiance medium lasers.

Notable MechWarriors:
    Brogan, an officer with the Thirteenth Arcturan guards, took part in the campaign against
    the Thorin militia in 3062. She was wounded while ejecting from her Cobra during fighting in
    the Remington Forest. Damage sustained to her inner ear prevented Brogan from returning to a
    CBR- 02LA cockpit. Declining an honorable discharge, Brogan volunteered to serve as
    MechCommander (a new command and control position) with the Thirteenth?s surviving Third
    battalion.

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                         Endo Steel                 2.50                     
Engine:                                     225 Fusion                10.00                     
    Walking MP:                                 5                                               
    Running MP:                                 8                                               
    Jumping MP:                                 4                                               
Heat Sinks (Double):                         13 [26]                   3.00                     
Gyro:                                        Standard                  3.00                     
Cockpit:                                     Standard                  3.00                     
Armor Factor:                                  152                     8.50                     
    Type:                                 Ferro-Fibrous                                         

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              9       
    Center Torso:                      14             22       
    Center Torso (rear):                               5       
    R/L Torso:                         11             18       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  4       
    R/L Arm:                            7             14       
    R/L Leg:                           11             22       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser                                              H                 1          1.00             
2 Jump Jets                                               RT                2          1.00             
2 Jump Jets                                               LT                2          1.00             
ER Large Laser                                            RA                2          5.00             
Medium Laser                                              RA                1          1.00             
ER Large Laser                                            LA                2          5.00             
Medium Laser                                              LA                1          1.00             

================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics                                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Value (PV): 35
TP: BM,  SZ: 2,  TMM: 2,  MV: 10"/8"j
Damage: (S) 3 / (M) 3 / (L) 2,  OV: 1
Armor (A): 5,  Structure (S): 4
Specials: ENE, JMPW1
 
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Code Release 2.25.5 (2025-11-01T16:12:58-04:00)