Zaku MS-05

Record sheet for RAC/2 model and for Thunderbolt/10 model.

Mass: 45 tons

Tech Base: Inner Sphere

Chassis Config: Biped

Rules Level: Experimental Tech

Production Year: 3081

Dry Cost: 3,979,090 C-Bills

Total Cost: 3,985,090 C-Bills

Battle Value: 1,033

Chassis: MS-05-Clave Endo-Steel

Power Plant: General System 225 Fusion Engine

Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h

Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h

Jump Jets: Series 45

Jump Capacity: 150 meters

Armor: TrondHard Standard Armor

Armament:

1 Rotary AC/2

1 Hatchet

1 Small Shield

Manufacturer: Principality Manufacturing

Primary Factory: Trondheim

Communications System: Neil 6000

Targeting and Tracking System: Octagon Tartrac

Overview:

The MS-05 Zaku is the first BattleMech to hit production from the JarnFolks, in the deep periphery. It is rather simple design outside of its endo-steel skeleton. Built for ruggedness and easy of maintenance, the MS-05 can survive in the rough world of the deep periphery, far from major production center.

The design of the Zaku began when a group calling themselves The Clave established an embassy on Trondheim in 3067, before requesting the Jarl to establish cities on the world for the population they couldn’t keep ferrying around on their jumpships. As this happened, the Jarl wanted them to trade various technological marvels in order to improve on the JarnFolk’s lifestyles. With a functional endo-steel in orbit to allow for production of better materials for their ASF and jumpship fleets, the Clave asked if they could build an IndustrialMech facility.

Principality Manufacturing built a number of basic IndustrialMechs until 3080, where the Jarl asked them to start production of BattleMechs to help defend the Folk’s home, and the Clave’s new colonies. The brand new MS-05 Zaku was the first thing coming out of this partnership.

Capabilities:

The MS-05 Zaku is as “mid-range” as it can be as far as a medium ‘mech goes. The two “primary” models both use a handheld, stabilized weapon, either a Rotary AC/2 or a Thunderbolt/10 launcher, with the ammo being kept in carriable ammo magazines. This would later be copied by the Operation Zeta program of the Republic of the Spere.

Using a standard 240 engine and an endo-steel chassis, the Zaku can reach speed of 86kmph and uses 5 jump jets to jump 150 meters. It is well protected by 9 tons of standard plates, making it tough for 45 tons BattleMech. The inclusion of double heat sinks was a surprise, but as double heat sinks were the only thing produced by Principality Manufacturing for their other equipment, it made sense.

The arm opposite to the handheld weapon carries a small shield, along with either a 4-tubes SRM or a hatchet.

Battle History:

The MS-05 was not produced in any large amounts before its evolution (the MS-06 Zaku II) came into production, but the JarnFolk and Clave have used them to deter pirate raids on their territory, along with hunting down a group of Dark Caste warriors, with mixed results. Pilots generally complained of the limited firepower of the design, especially when faced with larger, more menacing Clan machines. The leg assembly was especially criticized.

Comments on the machine led to the Zaku II fixing many of these issues.

Quirks:

Easy to Pilot

Jettison Capable weapon

Bad Reputation

Weak Legs

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Equipment Type Rating Mass

——————————————————————————–

Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 75 points 2.50

Internal Locations: 1 HD, 1 CT, 7 LT, 3 RT, 2 LA

Engine: Fusion Engine 225 10.00

Walking MP: 5

Running MP: 8

Jumping MP: 5 Standard

Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LL, 2 RL 2.50

Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 10(20) 0.00

Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT

Gyro: Standard 3.00

Cockpit: Standard 3.00

Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H

Armor: Standard Armor AV – 144 9.00

Internal Armor

Structure Factor

Head 3 9

Center Torso 14 21

Center Torso (rear) 6

L/R Torso 11 18

L/R Torso (rear) 4

L/R Arm 7 14

L/R Leg 11 18

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Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass

——————————————————————————–

Rotary AC/2 RA 1 3 8.00

Hatchet LA – 3 3.00

Small Shield LA – 3 2.00

@Rotary AC/2 (90) RA – 2 2.00

Free Critical Slots: 14

BattleForce Statistics

MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 5 Points: 10

5j 1 1 1 0 2 0 Structure: 4

Special Abilities: MEL, SHLD, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA