BattleTech Vehicle Technical Readout

Type/Model:	Ripper Light VTOL PR1
Tech:	Mixed Tech / 3063
Config:	V.T.O.L.
Rules:	Level 3, Standard design
Mass:	10 tons
Power Plant:	70 Omni XL Fusion (IS) with Jet Boosters
Cruise Speed:	129.6 km/h
Maximum Speed:	194.4 [259.2] km/h
Armor Type:	Rock Hard Mark 1 Standard

Armament:

2 Farstar-C ER Medium Lasers (C)

Manufacturer:    Pryde Rock Industries

   Location:    Pryde Rock

Communications System:    Rock Talk 10

Targeting & Tracking System: Rock Trac 10

Overview:

The Ripper grew out of the Star League's need for a VTOL aircraft that could carry a squad of men and equipment into a battle and emerge intact. Design specifications issued in 2680 called for a craft with quick response and reliability, using proven components.

The Ripper PR1 grew out of Terra's Pryde's and Comstar's need for a steady supply of VTOLs to replace losses at Second Pryde Rock and on Terra. First seen in April of 3063, we are not prepared to guess at how popular it will be.

The new Ripper still carries elite infantry units and jump infantry squads, which need quick deployment or retrieval, in its outsized infantry compartment. The Ripper is so fast and maneuverable that the infantry compartment has special acceleration couches to handle the high Gs. The Ripper has an extra-light fusion plant, unlike the older standard fusion, that makes the extra mass devoted to the infantry compartment possible. Price is held down by the removal of the Ferro-Fibrous armor for standard Rock Hard Mark 1, but it is still highly expensive.

Capabilities:

Heavily armored for a VTOL, and carrying more armor then the original despite the standard armor, the Ripper PR1 can take a Clan PPC to the nose and keep on flying. Armor on the sides have been similarly upgraded, but a well-equipped infantry squad, or a small laser with two shots, can down the machine from the rear.

Pilots continue to use the "drop, stop, and roll" method of dumping infantry out, but the new Farstar-C lasers replacing the older systems give the PR1's covering fire a bit more bite then of old. What is perhaps the most interesting upgrade is the addition of jet boosters to the sides of the Ripper. Able to match the Pinto PR1 at nearly 260 kph, this new version is even more capable of getting behind enemy lines then the original.

The final update was PRI's now standard replacement of the comm. and targeting systems with the Talk & Trac 10 which provide superior targeting capabilities and battlefield awareness. [+1 bonus to gunnery at all times and +1 bonus to initiative when leading a unit.] We are searching for ways to neutralize this system, but have yet to meet any significant progress.

Deployment

This vehicle has not yet entered deployment, but we assume it will be placed in Com Guard and Kungsarme formations before the year is out. The prototype and three others are currently undergoing lance and platoon-level testing with Pinto and Beagle forces to find out how well they all work together. According to infantry other agents have talked to, the larger compartment is greatly appreciated and has been given rave reviews.

We can only hope that the high cost of this unit compared to the earlier models will keep it out of heavy use.

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Type/Model:	Ripper Light VTOL PR1
Mass:	10 tons
Const. Options:	Fractional Accounting

Equipment:		Items	Mass
Internal Structure:	5 pts Standard	0	1.00
Engine:	70 XL Fusion	2	1.00
Jet Boosters:	Body	1	.10
Shielding & Trans Equip:		0	.50
Cruise MP:	12
Flank MP:	18 [24]
Heat Sinks:	10 Single	0	.00
Cockpit & Controls:		0	.50
Extra Crew:	1 (2 Total)	1	.50
Rotor Equipment:	Main/Tail Rotors	0	1.00
Armor Factor:	38 pts Standard (IS)	0	2.38

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		Internal	Armor
		Structure	Value
	Front:	1	15
	Left / Right Sides:	1	8/8
	Rear:	1	5
	Rotor:	1	2

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Weapons & Equipment:	Loc	Heat	Ammo	Items	Mass
2 ER Medium Lasers (C)	Front	10		2	2.00
Infantry Bay Equipment	Body	0		1	1.00
TOTALS:		10		7	9.98
Items & Tons Left:				0	.02

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Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:	1,507,289 C-Bills
Battle Value:	1,638
Cost per BV:	920.2
Weapon Value:	138 / 138 (Ratio = .08 / .08)
Damage Factors:	SRDmg = 12; MRDmg = 8; LRDmg = 1
BattleForce2:	MP: 12,   Armor/Structure: 0 / 1
	Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/-,   Overheat: 0
	Class: VA,   Point Value: 16

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