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Lightning

Type/Model: Lightning
Tech: Inner Sphere / 2750
Config: Hovercraft
Rules: Level 2, Standard design
   
Mass: 35 tons
Power Plant: 210 GM Fusion
Cruise Speed: 118.8 km/h
Maximum Speed: 183.6 km/h
Armor Type: 3/Star Slab Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
2 Raker-IV Medium Pulse Lasers
2 Maxima One Shot SRM 4 (OS)s
Manufacturer:    Curtiss Industries
   Location:    (Unknown)
Communications System:    Century Model 770
Targeting & Tracking System: TGI 2331C/TGI F-190


Overview:
       The Lightning is a lightweight, high-speed, hover strike craft designed in 2696 by Curtiss Industries under contract for Star League. The Lightning's design gives it a limited but important combat role. Carrying only light armor and weaponry, the Lightning is not well-equipped to engage in protracted fire-fight. The craft's agility and advanced fire-control system allow it to close at high speed, maneuver to a position of advantage, and fires its small but accurate array of short-range weaponry.
         In this way, the Lightning can harass enemy forces, especially slow 'Mechs and vehicles. Commanders often organize teams of Lightnings into strike forces, employing them in the initial phases to break up enemy formations and to cause general confusion.
         When used for other missions, the Lightning has many drawbacks. Not well-equipped to perform reconnaissance and too poorly armed and armored for more traditional combat, the Lightning can become a liability when its particular uses are unnecessary.


Capabilities:
       The GM 210 engine gives the Lightning a maximum speed of more than 175 kph. To keep from crashing into trees and other terrain obstacles, the Lightning carries a special collision-avoidance radar and computer system that detects objects at a   distance and adjusts the Lightning's heading and speed to avoid them. This system can hinder the vehicle in combat, and so the driver can override it.
         The craft is extremely maneuverable, mostly because of special thrusters mounted at various points along the hovercraft's hull. These thrusters utilize the hovercraft's high pressure   air system to assist the vehicle in maneuvering.
         An interesting feature of the Lightning's sleek, low hull is a set of wings mounted near the rear. At high speeds, these wings provide added lift and stability. In fact, the wings have elevators that allow the fast-moving vehicle to jump over low obstacles. Moving at top speed, the hovercraft has been able to clear two-meter fences in tests. In practice, this is a difficult and dangerous maneuver attempted only by expert drivers.
       Not designed for extended missions, the Lightning has a cramped crew compartment, a T-shaped area just large enough to hold the driver at the front, and the gunner and commander side by side right behind him. This tiny crew compartment also limits the amount of personal gear and supplies that the vehicle can carry.
         The Lightning is lightly armed with weapons designed for short-range combat, two Raker-IV medium pulse lasers, and two Maxima SRM-4 One Shot SRM launchers. These weapons can do extensive damage at close range.


Type/Model: Lightning
Mass: 35 tons
Equipment:   Items Mass
Internal Structure: 16 pts Standard 0 3.50
Engine: 210 Fusion 0 9.00
Shielding & Trans Equip:   0 4.50
   Cruise MP: 11    
   Flank MP: 17    
Heat Sinks: 10 Single 0 .00
Cockpit & Controls: 0 2.00
Crew: 3 Members 0 .00
Lift Equipment:   0 3.50
Armor Factor: 63 pts Ferro-Fibrous 2 3.50
    Internal Armor
    Structure Value
  Front: 4 20
  Left / Right Sides: 4 16/16
  Rear: 4 11
Weapons & Equipment: Loc Heat Ammo Items Mass
2 Medium Pulse Lasers Front 8   2 4.00
1 SRM 4 (OS) Right 0   1 2.50
1 SRM 4 (OS) Left 0   1 2.50
TOTALS:   8   6 35.00
Items & Tons Left:       6 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 1,470,500 C-Bills
Battle Value: 349
Cost per BV: 4,213.47
Weapon Value: 136 / 136 (Ratio = .39 / .39)
Damage Factors:    SRDmg = 17; MRDmg = 1; LRDmg = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 11,   Armor/Structure: 0 / 3
    Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/-,   Overheat: 0
    Class: GL,   Point Value: 4