Mad Cat V Specs



Production Details:



Manufacturer/s: Clan Sea Fox, UPA Forgeworks



Production Year: 3139



Model: Prime



Class: Light



Cost: 7,300,000 C-Bills



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Technical Specifications:



Mass: 35 tons



Type: Omnimech



Chassis: Skel-5 Endo-Steel



Armour: Exo-9 Ferro-Fibrous



Engine: SOL-VII 245 XL-Engine



Communications

System: Mercury Mk IX



Targeting Tracking

System: 3 Series OPT



Speed: 113.4 kph



Armament: (Primary Configuration):

• 2xATM-3

• 2xER Medium Laser

• 4xER Small Laser

• NARC Launcher

• TAG



Equipment: (Primary Configuration):

• Beagle Active Probe

• ECM Suite

• 5xJump Jets



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Description:

First entering service in 3139, initially with Clan Sea Fox and the UPADF and then available to other buyers of a limited basis in 3140, the Mad Cat Mk V is the fifth generation of the venerable and still used Timber Wolf, with the proven design now having a model in the Light class of ‘mechs, and thus the design now having a chassis model for every weight class of ‘mechs. Similar to the Mad Cat III, the Mad Cat V was disliked by most of the other Clans, save for the Exiled-Wolves and Nova Cats, while it saw popularity with several factions within the Inner Sphere. But its most extensive usage is seen by the UPA, who build the omnimech like many other Clan designs. Unlike the previous incarnations of the Timber Wolf, which were geared more for offense, the Mk V is intended to act within a support role, as a scout, and more significantly, target acquisition and artillery spotting. While not the fastest light ‘mech, its top speed of 113.4 kph is still enough for it to traverse the battlefield quickly and keep out of enemy crosshairs, thanks to its XL 245 fusion engine. To keep it alive, the ‘mech has four tons of Ferro-Fibrous armour which, while not enough to last in direct combat, adequately protects it from glancing blows and light hits, using its speed and agility to stay alive. Furthermore, its Endo-Steel chassis allows it to free up space for its various equipment. Its ten Double Heat sinks may not keep it cool enough during a protracted firefight, but they are enough for doing its job.



The origins of the Mad Cat V, nicknamed by both the Clans and Inner Sphere as Pup Wolf, are rather obscure, but intriguing. A year after the Mad Cat IV Savage Wolf was released, Clan Sea Fox secretly received a basic (and allegedly rudimentary) design brief, essentially outlining a light omnimech version of the Timber Wolf for scouting and support. Clan Sea Fox was at first dubious and suspicious of the design brief, as its source was unknown. It was later that Clan Sea Fox learned brief was sent by the United Planetary Alliance (UPA), an Inner Sphere faction renowned for their advanced technology and extensive use of and ability to manufacture Clan technology and machines (something that has made the Clans very jealous and distrustful, and at times hostile, to the UPA). Despite knowing the one who sent the brief was not well liked by most Clans, the Sea Foxes considered the proposal. On one hand, they would be collaborating with an Inner Sphere faction, one that was especially disliked by the Clans, but on the other hand, the idea of a fifth generation Mad Cat was highly appealing to the Sea Foxes mercantile thinking. However, one condition was ruled by the UPA that almost caused the whole deal to fracture: the UPA were to be given the final plans so they could build the ‘mech themselves. Sea Fox was very defensive, knowing they couldn’t sell another Mad Cat class all too broadly within the Clans, and sales had to be limited in the Inner Sphere. Yet before the deal fell apart, the UPA made Clan Sea Fox a very desirable and hard to ignore offer: in return for the production plans of the Mad Cat V, the Sea Foxes would be given an equivalent to a Trinary of the UPA’s glorified Helljumper Omnimechs (which themselves were inspired by the Timber Wolf). Despite the fact the UPA would be getting the means to freely produce the Mad Cat V (which some believe they could’ve eventually designed themselves) while the Sea Foxes would only receive fifteen Helljumpers and no means to reproduce them, the Sea Foxes agreed, simply out of the fact they would be the first ever faction to possess the Helljumper outside of the UPA since 3070, the year it was made. Eager to receive the omnimechs and sooner pick them apart to find out what amazing but secret technologies went into the Helljumper that made the ‘mech so famous, Clan Sea Fox quickly got to work. Within two years, they had created the design which would become the Prime Configuration of the Mad Cat V, the initial design being good enough for the UPA’s approval. Thus, the plans were given by Clan Sea Fox to the UPA, and the UPA gave Clan Sea Fox its Trinary of Helljumpers. Allegedly, this whole endeavour was a UPA scheme to establish good relations with the Clans, at least Clan Sea Fox. Whether this is true or not, the deal certainly cemented an alliance between the two Inner Sphere and Clan factions, however limited it may be.



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Weapons and Equipment:



The Mad Cat Mark V is primarily a scout and support ‘mech, primarily a spotter, designed to operate alone though still in conjunction with other units, usually artillery. As such, its role is reflected in its loadout. To keep it hidden from enemy sensors, the ‘mech is equipped with an ECM suite, allowing it to remain undetected as it flanks the enemy force, preferably along a quiet route, away from the main fight. To aid in information gathering, it is equipped with a Beagle Active Probe, allowing it to ascertain and relay potentially vital information far more quickly, efficiently and with more detail. The V is also intended for target acquisition, and as such it is equipped to let it perform this role effectively. With a TAG, it can lase targets for artillery units to destroy, and if it cannot maintain visual contact for its TAG, it is equipped with a NARC Beacon Launcher with one ton of ammunition, sticking hostile units with beacons for airstrikes, missiles or long range artillery. Despite its support focused role, in keeping with the Timber Wolf line’s reputation as fighters, the Mk V is equipped with a reasonable weapons loadout perfect for harassment work and fighting other light ‘mechs rather than heavier combat. Its primary weapons are two ATM-3 launchers with two tons of ammunition (one ton long range, one ton high-explosive), sticking to the tradition of Timber Wolf ‘mechs having missile launchers in shoulder pods. These ATM-3 launchers provide both long and short range punch, enough to make the Mad Cat V a threat if ignored or unable to be dealt with. For closer range engagements, it is equipped with a pair of ER Medium Lasers, one in each arm. These allow it to deal enough damage to at least Light ‘mechs to show it is not to be trifled with. And lastly, a quartet of ER Small Lasers provide close range defence against enemy attackers, with one in each arm and one in the left and right side torsos. In addition to its assorted weapons and support equipment, the ‘mech also mounts five Jump Jets, allowing for jumps up to 150 metres, letting the ‘mech easily clear buildings, cross canyons and traverse rough terrain.



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Additional Features:

The Mad Cat V is outfitted with improved communications for its comms suite, protecting it from some forms of ECM to a certain degree. The gyro utilised in the ‘mech has been upgraded along with the actuators and myomer strands to keep the ‘mech stable even at top speed, making it hard to unbalance and enduring shaking from hits or nearby explosions. This also means that pilots can fire more accurately in these conditions, and experienced pilots can be effective marksmen even while moving. Lastly, the Mad Cat V has protected actuators, mitigating the risk of suffering from crippling damage to its limbs from enemy fire or infantry swarm attacks to its legs, though I light ‘mech is usually able to outmanoeuvre infantry with reasonable ease.



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Variants:



• Configuration A:

The A configuration is a more combat orientated variant. Sacrificing its support capability by dropping the NARC Launcher and TAG, it upgrades its ER Small Lasers to ER Medium Lasers, adds another ton of ATM ammo, split between standard, short range and high- explosive. Lastly, it adds an additional double heatsink to help with heat mitigation.



• Configuration B:

The B configuration is intended as a long range sniper unit, dropping the six ER Medium Lasers of the A Configuration for an ER PPC in the right arm. It also drops a ton of ATM ammo (for two tons, split between long range and high explosinve) for an ER Small Laser in the left arm, and two ER Micro Lasers in the torso for defence against infantry.





More to come…