For many of us, the ground vehicles in Battletech have never been as much fun to play as the big 'mechs themselves, their inclusion represents both an important "reality factor" as well as adding substantial dimension to the play possibilities. When handled by a veteran, vehicles can easily be the most dangerous units on a battlefield.
It's never the numbers which really give life to the vehicles and 'mechs
so much as the stories that get made up to describe them, or the tales that
are attributed to them and the lies told by the actual gamers themselves.
The Chipper is an older design, intended for guerilla combat and quick hit-and-run attacks against light and medium targets. In large numbers, Chippers can be dangerous to larger vehicles, but are of little value by themselves. Two variants are in production, the KJ-98a and the KJ-98b.
KJ-98a: 15-ton VTOL; GM 40 ICE (Cruise 9, Flank 14); 48 points armor; SRM-6 (body front); SRM-6 (body front); Ammo (SRM) 30 (body). Loaded Cost 508,500.
KJ-98b: 15-ton VTOL; ICE 40 engine (Cruise 9, Flank 14); 48 points armor; LRM-5 (body front); LRM-5 (body front); Ammo (LRM) 48 (body). Loaded Cost 367,500.
The Twin Hammer 2400 was designed and manufactured before the fall of the Star League. It was a powerful and simple design intended to wield massive firepower against enemy 'mechs and fortifications. The Twin Hammer proved reliable and potent when used as designed, but because of its poor speed it suffered dreadfully against infantry or in urban environments without support vehicles. The armor on the Twin Hammer is heavier than that on most 'mechs, and its huge ammo supply means it can slug away at 'mechs and enemy vehicles for extended periods.
After recovery of Star League technology, an upgraded model of the Twin Hammer designated the 3100 was released. The 3100 uses a different turret structure mounting the more powerful gauss rifles instead of the autocannons, and upgrades the armor structure. The reduced cost and increased firepower of the 3100 makes it extremely popular, despite the low production rate.
Twin Hammer 2400: 100-ton tracked vehicle; VLAR 300 (Cruise 3, Flank 5); 11 heat sinks; 224 points armor; AC/10 (turret); AC/10 (turret); ammo (AC) 50 (body); LRM-20 (turret); ammo (LRM) 12 (body); MG (turret); MG (body, front); ammo (MG) 100 (body); anti-missile system (body); ammo (AMS) 24 (body); medium laser (body, front); medium laser (body, front), CASE. Loaded Cost 6,586,000.
Twin Hammer 3100: 100-ton tracked vehicle; VLAR 300 (Cruise 3, Flank 5); 11 heat sinks; 250 points ferro-fibrous armor; gauss rifle (turret); gauss rifle (turret); ammo (gauss rifle) 40 (body); LRM-10 (turret); ammo (LRM) 12 (body); MG (body, right); MG (body, left); ammo (MG) 100 (body); anti-missile system (body); ammo (AMS) 24 (body); medium laser (body, front); medium laser (body, front); CASE. Loaded Cost 6,506,000.
The Kronos was originally fielded in 2872 in the Draconis Combine. At the time, there was a need for an inexpensive means of deploying heavy LRM systems. The Kronos performs adequately in its role as a long range siege engine, but the crew stations are unusually cramped due to the size of the missile system. The anti-personnel turret was added almost as an after-thought, and the design is unpopular due to the lack of an anti-missile system.
Two significant variants of the Kronos exist. The first known as the 936S and in common use throughout the Inner Sphere, replaces the single LRM-15 package with four SRM-4 launchers and three tons of ammo. The second variant, seen only in the decorated unit "Loebrich's Lancers" replaces the LRM-15 package with four LRM-5 launchers and three tons of ammo. Despite Colonel Loebrich's continued success as a battlefield leader, his theories about replacing all LRM systems with LRM-5s have continued to meet with resistance from military planners.
YU-936: 40-ton wheeled vehicle; GM 180 ICE (Cruise 5, Flank 8); 112 points armor; LRM-15 (body, front); ammo (LRM) 32; MG (turret); MG (turret); ammo (MG) 100 (turret). Loaded Cost 669,600.
YU-936S: 40-ton wheeled vehicle; GM 180 ICE (Cruise 5, Flank 8); 112 points armor; SRM-4 (body, front); SRM-4 (body, front); SRM-4 (body, front); SRM-4 (body, front); ammo (SRM) 75; MG (turret); MG (turret); ammo (MG) 100 (turret). Loaded Cost 700,800.
Loebrich's Lancers: 40-ton wheeled vehicle; GM 180 ICE (Cruise 5, Flank 8); 112 points armor; LRM-5 (body, front); LRM-5 (body, front); LRM-5 (body, front); LRM-5 (body, front); ammo (LRM) 72; MG (turret); MG (turret); ammo (MG) 100 (turret). Loaded Cost 567,600.
House Marik had a need for a fast , yet inexpensive close combat assault vehicle. The response of military engineers was the Kalivan. The Kalivan can move quickly across almost any terrain to deliver a powerful barrage of short range missiles before retreating to a safe distance to prepare for another pass. With its heavy armor and substantial ammo supply, the Kalivan can remain in conflict for extended periods before being forced to retire from a battlefield.
IO-SJG: 30-ton hover vehicle; VOX 80 ICE (Cruise 7, Flank 22); 104 points armor; SRM-4 (body, front); SRM-4 (turret); SRM-4 (turret); ammo (SRM) 50 (body); CASE (SRM); MG (body, right), MG (body, left); ammo (MG) 100 (body); CASE (MG). Loaded Cost 819,200.