Smoke Jaguar Dossier: Warhawk (Masakari)

Smoke Jaguar Dossier

Type: Battlemech

Name: Warhawk (Masakari)

Mech Class: Assault

Weight: 85 Tons

Tech Base: Clan (Omni) 


Description:
Introduced by Clan Smoke Jaguar in 2999 in preparation for the anticipated of the return to the Inner Sphere, when the Dragoon Compromise stalled such plans, the Jaguars unleashed the powerful Warhawk on their Warden opponents to deadly effect. Deployed extensively in the Jaguar frontline forces, often paired with the Daishi, the design truly came to prominence as originally intended, on the battlefields of the Jaguars' Invasion Corridor and earned the code name of Masakari, a Japanese battle-axe used on medieval Terra, from warriors within the DCMS who faced it.

Though it appeared in the Toumans of number of other Clans such as the Ghost Bears and Jade Falcons, with the Jaguars jealously guarding production, all examples of the highly prized 'Mech were battlefield salvage.

The Warhawk was powered by a massive 340 XL Engine that gave it a top speed of 64.8 km/h and mounted thirteen and a half tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor to protect itself from enemy fire. To dissipate the waste heat produced in its various configurations, it carried an awesome twenty double heat sinks. Additionally, though not truly fixed equipment on the chassis, the Warhawk managed to incorporate an advanced Targeting Computer into each of its configurations, making all of its direct fire weapons extremely accurate.

Armament: 
In its primary configuration, the Warhawk had an impressive arsenal of long range weapons which were centered around four ER PPCs that took advantage of the 'Mechs Targeting Computer. While unable to fire all of the ER PPCs at once it could use a volley fire strategy to manage its heat. These were backed up by an LRM-10 launcher that allowed the Warhawk a secondary weapon that can be utilized for long range combat.

Variants:
* Alt. Config. A - Configured for a more all around combat role, the Warhawk A had two ER Large Lasers for long range combat. These were supported by an LB 10-X Autocannon that could fire both solid and cluster ammunition and an LRM-15 launcher capable of providing long range missile fire support. For close combat, the 'Mech mounted a highly accurate Streak SRM-6 launcher.

* Alt. Config. B - The B configuration of the Warhawk was a generalist rather than focused variant. For long range combat, the 'Mech carried a Gauss Rifle which could do a great deal of damage at long range. For close combat, the 'Mech had three ER Medium Lasers and a single ER Small Laser as well as two SRM-6 launchers. Finally, the 'Mech also carried a Narc Missile Beacon launcher which was capable of tagging a 'Mech with a beacon that can be used by friendly units for more accurate missile fire on the designated target.

* Alt. Config. C - The C configuration was a sort of compromise on the Primary configuration of the Warhawk. The 'Mech carried two ER PPCs for deadly accurate long range fire, supported at close range by a pair of powerful and already highly accurate Large Pulse Lasers, the lethality of all four weapons only increased by the Targeting Computer. The 'Mech carried a Flamer as well for use against infantry and mounted three additional double heat sinks to handle the 'Mech's heat load.

Captain Nash's Analysis:  To be honest I'm quite surprised we have yet to run into a Masakari.  Though lighter these things scare me more than many clan 100 tonners.  The Prime with it's quad ERPPC's is downright nasty.  The A has no heat issues and can alpha strike constantly.  The B seems oddly under gunned.  Where the C version is one of the most feared mechs the clanners have.  Rumor has it Galaxy Commander Jeter pilots the C configuration of the Warhawk.    

Tech Readout: http://www.solaris7.com/TRO/HTMLBattleMech/BattlemechInfo.asp?ID=620