Shootist C (Artillery Command Unit)
Mass: 70 tons
Chassis: Dennenbach-Mitchell Mark IV
Power Plant: General Dynamics (VOX) 280
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: MV Ferro-Fibrous Upgrade
Armament:
1 ER PPC
1 Thumper Artillery Piece
2 Medium Pulse Laser
Manufacturer: Refits / Clan General
Primary Factory: New Kent
Communication System: Domman Echo II
Targeting & Tracking System: Wayne Marksman
Introduction Year: 3061
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-D-D
Cost: 6,462,153 C-bills
Overview
As the Clan Reformation moved on, fights with the Inner Sphere forces became more and more common, including the frustrations that came with it. Artillery deployment amongst the Clans was still rather limited by the early 3060s and while Arrow IV platforms were common, the common tube artillery was still rare. Most OmniMechs were not setup to carry these types of weapons to begin with and regular combat vehicles were not easy enough to deploy for use in the more mobile “anti-Spheroid” activity.
Clan Steel Viper sat and pondered the issue for a while, looking at the ‘Mech inventory which was available to them. One design everyone was sitting on and not knowing what to do with was the Shootist, an SLDF machine which never shone on its own. Meant originally as a stopgap as the Royal Regiments were not getting enough Marauders, it had then been used as a bludgeon and a “Hunchback commander” later on. With the Excalibur, Guillotine and a few other 70 tonner available widely to the Clans, the Shootists which had been pulled out of Brian Caches had been used in training exercises and not much else.
Clan Steel Viper scientists went in aggressively in acquiring the various Shootists and started experimenting with a variety of artillery pieces and cannons, finally settling down for the very basic Thumper due to its lightweight (arguably) and ease of production. Still featuring a full command and control system, the Shootist C (or Shootist Artillery Command Unit) became popular with commanders in Provisional Galaxies and front-line support units.
Capabilities
The Shootist Artillery Command Unit (ACU) or Shootist C keeps the original setup regarding heavy armor and front-line survivability even though it is not meant to engage enemies directly if possible. 11 tons of ferro-fibrous armor gives it almost the maximum armor available for a 70 ton ‘mech and is comparable to the original Shootist armor, while it keeps a top speed of 64 kmph. While not mobile for a Clan machine, as a command ‘mech and artillery machine, it was not seen by Clan Steel Viper as relevant to increase its mobility. The use of a standard chassis and standard engine, rather than endo-steel and an XL engine, kept the cost per unit down.
The main weapon is, obviously, the arm mounted, stabilized Thumper Artillery Piece, capable of extreme range fire and high damage potential. The assembly takes up most of the left arm and a good chunk of the left torso, but this was used by the Steel Viper scientists as bracing. 2 tons of reloads are generally enough for most engagements.
For self-defense, the Shootist C is still quite capable, relying on an ER PPC mounted in the opposite torso from the Thumper, giving it good range and damage potential. Once something gets closer, a pair of arm-mounted Medium Pulse Lasers can usually defend you well enough for the rest of your star to come and help you out.
Deployment
One of the first recorded usage of the Shootist ACU was in a short engagement between Clan Steel Vipers and the Com Guards on the Lyran border. A Com Guards unit was attempting to capture an HPG uplink which the Steel Vipers had held. As the Com Guards did not want to damage the asset, they brought a regular force supplemented by infantry, eschewing artillery. The Provisional Trinary holding the HPG featured a trio of Shootist ACU as command ‘mechs.
The battle began before the Com Guards expected, as artillery shells started dropping on their infantry transports. With a trio of Naga OmniMech, the Provisional forces had more artillery than they needed and once the Shootist ran out of reloads, they were replaced with the Naga’s Arrow IVs. By the time the rest of the Trinary engaged the Com Guards, their infantry contingent was devastated and most of their ‘Mechs were heavily damaged, making them easy picking while the the Shootist Cs still provided command-level support to their allies.
Technical Readout
Type: Shootist C
Technology Base: Clan (Advanced)
Tonnage: 70
Battle Value: 1,715
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 7
Engine 280 Fusion 16
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6
Jumping MP: 0
Double Heat Sink 13 [26] 3
Gyro 3
Cockpit 3
Armor Factor (Ferro) 211 11
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 22 32
Center Torso (rear) 10
R/L Torso 15 23
R/L Torso (rear) 7
R/L Arm 11 21
R/L Leg 15 29 Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm
Weapons and Ammo Location
Critical Heat Tonnage
ER PPC RT 2 15 6.0
2 Double Heat Sink RT 4 – 2.0
Thumper LA/LT 15 5 15.0
Thumper Ammo (40) LT 2 – 2.0
CASE LT 0 – 0.0
2 Medium Pulse Laser RA 2 4 4.0
Features the following design quirks: Command Mech, Stabilized Weapon (Thumper)
