Smoke Jaguar Dossier: Pike Support Tank

Smoke Jaguar Dossier 

Type: Vehicle

Name: Pike Support Tank

Vehicle Type: Tracked

Weight: 60 Tons

Tech Base: Inner Sphere

Description:
The Pike was created at the direction of Magestrix Kyalla Centrella of Magistracy of Canopus's During the later part of Third Succession War. Her plan was to add inexpensive combat vehicle to help Great Houses wear down their BattleMech  Armies through attrition. The Pike would be tool she envisioned to make it possible. However, the logistic costs of sending vehicle to market in the Inner Sphere was to be more costly. With the Great House's shrinking numbers of ships in their JumpShips fleets, the vehicle did not make impact she had hope it would.

Armament:

The vehicle primary weaponry is its long-range Class 2 Autocannon. The ZeusBolt ACs have been given 5 tons of ammunition to snipe targets at distances. For close-in defense, the vehicle been given pair of SRM 2 launchers with a ton of ammunition.
The vehicle given 9 tons of StarSlab/9 Armor to protect its hull from damage. Its engine is capable of bringing the Pike to 54 Kilometers per hour.

Variants:  Clan version - The Clans have also built a version of the Pike. It carries slightly more armor and a single ER Small Laser in a front mount. The ZeusBolt AC's have been replaced by five Ultra AC/2s. Four tons of ammunition are carried in a CASE-protected bay.

Captain Nash's Mission #1 Analysis:
The overflight of the probe and how quickly the Jags were able to shoot her down, leads me to believe that it is the Clan variant of the Pike we are facing.  Each one of those tanks has the same damage potential as an AC20 only at a much longer range.  In fact the Clan Ultra AC2 has the longest range of non-artillery type weapon  mounted on a tank or mech.  Advice when facing these, get very close.  They are very accurate even for a rookie gunner at a range that veteran mechjocks would be challenged to hit with medium laser.  As with all vehicles try to get around to the sides as it provides a larger target and is easier to critical the motive system or turret.



Tech Readout:
http://www.solaris7.com/TRO/Vehicle/VehicleInfo.asp?ID=1127