BattleTech Vehicle Technical Readout

Type/Model: Nightshade Combat Interference VTOL PR1
Tech: Mixed Tech / 3062
Config: V.T.O.L.
Rules: Level 3, Standard design
   
Mass: 25 tons
Power Plant: 160 Vlar Fusion (IS) with Jet Boosters
Cruise Speed: 129.6 km/h
Maximum Speed: 194.4 [259.2] km/h
Armor Type: Rock Hard Standard
Armament:
1 Farstar-C ER Medium Laser (C)
1 Heimdall Angel ECM Suite (IS)
1 Rockhound Bloodhound Probe (IS)
Manufacturer:    Pryde Rock Industries
   Location:    Pryde Rock
Communications System:    Rock Talk 10
Targeting & Tracking System: Rock Trac 10


Overview:

One of our agents has recently managed to obtain the following information about this new craft. It is a major refit on the old Nightshade first seen testing in July of 3062 and its effect on the battlefield can not be underestimated.

It carries both the new Bloodhound Active Probe and the new Angel ECM. Supposedly, both technologies came from Comstar with another shipment of engineers who knew how to build these rare items.

Capabilities:

The Angel emits a broad-band signal that interferes with all sonar, radar, UV, IR, and magscan sensors. Also effected are the Artemis IV and V fire-control-systems, and Beagle and Bloodhound Active Probes, along with their clan equivalents. This signal projects a "cloak" to a radius of 180 meters, protecting all units within the circle.

Enemy long-range sensors can find vehicles and 'Mechs within the curtain, but the Angel obscures the reading, preventing identification. By the time the enemy gets within visual range, sensors can sometimes override the jamming, but most pilots rely on their own eyes.

The Bloodhound Active Probe on the other hand has a range of 240 meters and can detect any hidden unit with anything less then an Angel ECM. Though unarmored infantry with standard ECM are still too hard to detect.

The Bloodhound can also identify vehicles 30 percent faster then a standard sensor suite and once identified, that target is permanently stored in its memory. Should the Bloodhound meet the same target again, it will remember speed, damage, and even forcast a fighting style to the Nightshade pilot. During off hours, the pilot can review any battle on the tactical display, modifying actions with a joystick. The Bloodhound projects the tactical change and shows the results, making the Nightshade a highly valuable trainer.

As a combat chopper though, the new Nightshade is still mediocre. The massive engine and the jet boosters PRI engineers added give the Nightshade excellent acceleration, but at a cost of cargo space.

The only weapon on the Nightshade is a medium laser mounted in the nose of the craft, though they did upgrade it to the clan equivalent Farstar-C produced on Pryde Rock and hooked it to the pilot's helmet. When the pilot turns his head, the gun swivels with him. It is a good system, and the new Nightshade carries four tonnes of standard armor plating, so it is much more robust and harder to take down. As with any VTOL though, the pilot's main concern is the vulnerable rotor assembly, which cannot be effectively armored for aerodynamic reasons.

As with most PRI construction, the Talk & Trac 10 comm and targeting gear was placed in the Nightshade, giving it better then average capabilities. [in addition to the normal +1 initiative bonus when commanding a unit, also give the chopper a +1 gunnery bonus at all times due to better coordination.]

Deployment

As of March 5, 3063, Our agents have confirmed that four of these craft have been sent to the 388th (White Banshees) Com Guard Division along with four Rippers to test with the already arrived Pintos. As all three designs have the same speed profiles, it is expected that they will work well together.

Unfortunately, we have lost three men getting this information. PRI's security appears to be tightening, especially with what appears to be new design work in progress on 'Mech class frames.


Type/Model: Nightshade Combat Interference VTOL PR1
Mass: 25 tons
Const. Options: Fractional Accounting
Equipment:   Items Mass
Internal Structure: 18 pts Standard 0 2.50
Engine: 160 Fusion 0 6.00
Jet Boosters: Body 1 .60
Shielding & Trans Equip:   0 3.00
   Cruise MP: 12    
   Flank MP: 18 [24]    
Heat Sinks: 10 Single 0 .00
Cockpit & Controls: 0 1.25
Crew: 2 Members 0 .00
Rotor Equipment: Co-axial Rotors 0 2.50
Turret Equipment:   0 .10
Armor Factor: 64 pts Standard (IS) 0 4.00

    Internal Armor
    Structure Value
  Front: 3 20
  Left / Right Sides: 3 11/11
  Rear: 3 10
  Rotor: 3 2
  Chin Turret: 3 10

Weapons & Equipment: Loc Heat Ammo Items Mass
1 ER Medium Laser (C) ChinTur 5   1 1.00
1 Angel ECM Suite (IS) Body 0   1 2.00
1 Bloodhound Probe (IS) Body 0   1 2.00
TOTALS:   5   4 24.95
Items & Tons Left:       6 .05

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 6,186,889 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,088
Cost per BV: 5,686.48
Weapon Value: 126 / 126 (Ratio = .12 / .12)
Damage Factors:    SRDmg = 6; MRDmg = 4; LRDmg = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 12V,   Armor/Structure: 0 / 3
    Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/-,   Overheat: 0
    Class: VA,   Point Value: 11
    Specials: ecm, prb

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