During the Fourth Succession War, several Kurita and Steiner units reported the presence of what seemed to be Phoenix Hawk LAMS doing various types of reconaissance and assisting the various Tyr undergrounds in their operations. As it turned out, the Tyr had found a cache of what is now believed to be the predecessor of the Phoenix Hawk LAM. This 'new' LAM has been classified as the Munin LAM, named for Munin (memory), one of Odin's ravens. During the five year period following the war, the Munin LAMs were used to keep the Draconis Combine offbalance in the Rasalhague district. The Munins were used with great effectiveness on the border world of Outpost (see scenario on page 52).where a group of unknown Periphery bandits attacked a Tyr base in 3033. Technical Aspects: The interesting differences between the Munin LAM and its better-known successor the Phoenix Hawk LAM are fascinating. The chassis is quite similar. The first major difference is the engine. Instead of the Phoenix Hawk LAM's 270 GM, the Munin LAM uses a 225 VOX, which cuts down on the speed by 11 kph. This opens up a perfect spot for the Land Air Mech Conversion Equipment. Some interesting heat problems are caused by this placement which required more heat sinks than the Phoenix Hawk LAM 's. Some of the disadvantages of this model show up in the Duralex Light Armor System. The armor had to be lighter to ensure that the extra heatsinksand the conversion equipment are able to do their jobs efficiently. Of course the Munin LAM has the same problem as other LAMs; the delicacy of the conversion equipment. That can't be solved with present technology. The weaponry on the Munin is as effective as anything to be found on any battlefield. The 1 Magna Mark III, 2 Magna Mark II's and a Magna Mark I laser are all linked, with the LOCKET targeting system. This targeting system seems to be one of the best: lines of sight are almost unparalleled. Capabilities: The Munin LAM is probably one of the more versatile LAMs that can be found in the Rasalhague worlds. It is most used as a reconaissance unit, or as a rearguard mobile defense. Its slight reduction in speed on the ground is made up for when the LAM is in its AirMech form; it gets a speed of 162 kph versus the Phoenix Hawk's airspeed of 97.2 kph. The weaponry on the Munin LAM can have many advantages over the Phoenix Hawk. It has no chance of the deadly ammunition explosions which plague so many BattleMechs in this day and time. The lasers are potentially more deadly, when taken in conjunction with the Star League LOCKET targeting system. It is theorized that this system has some sort of pinpoint targeting, but it is so delicate that none have survived in a destroyed 'Mech. The forces which possess intact Munins have not made one available for study. A third factor which gives the Munin a greater advantage is its heat sink system, which is greater than either the Phoenix Hawk or the Phoenix Hawk LAM's. In 'Mech form, there is a slight heat buildup which can be taken care of by judicious use of weaponry. On the other hand, in either Air Mech or Aerospace Fighter modes, the heat sink system provided by Isbjorn's Coolant Systems has no appreciable heat build up. Variants: A few variants can be seen. For example, the two Mark II lasers may be removed and replaced with a Power Punch SRM 6-pack. The punch is greater than the lasers', but it means that three of the heat sinks must be eliminated. This particular variant has been seen on the Steiner world of Hesperus II. Another variant replaces the Magna Mark I laser with a Holly LRM 1 0-pack and an ammo pack. This requires the elimination of one heat sink. This particular variant is said to have been seen in the Benjamin Military District of House Kurita. Notable Mechs and Pilots: Mechwarrior Hanse Marovsky Hanse Marovsky and his Munin are well known in the Free Republic of Rasalhague. He is a scout along the Periphery border. He racked up a number of missions keeping tabs on the Pesht regiments during the Fourth Succession War. He may be the oldest mechwarrior in the Inner Sphere. It is said that he had had one career as a soldier for the Free Worlds League before he left with a bounty on his head. He is currently on indefinite leave along with his 'Mech. MN-1 B Munin LAM Tonnage: 45 tons Chassis: Orguss Stinger Power Plant: VOX 225 Manufacturer:Eldridge Industries Communications System: Tek BattleCom Targeting / Tracking System:LOCKET Cruising Speed:54 kph Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph'Mech Form Jet Propulsion System: Allied AVRTech 100 Air Cruising Speed: 900 kph Air Overthrust Speed: 1440 kph Armor System: Duralex Light Armament: 1 Magna Mk I Heavy Laser 2 Magna Mk II Medium Lasers 1 Magna Mk III Light Laser Simulator Stats: Type: MN-1 B Munin LAM Tons: Tonnage: 45 tons 45.0 Internal Structure 4.5 Engine VOX 225 10.0 Walking MPs: 5 Running MPs: 8 Jumping MPs: 0 Thrust: 5 Overthrust: 8 Cockpit: 3.0 Gyro: 3.0 Heat Sinks:15 5.0 Armor: Armor Factor: 120 7.5 Head: 3 9 Center Torso: 14 20/5 RT/Lt Torso: 11 14/4 RVLtArm: 7 10 RT/Lt Leg: 11 15 Weapons: Type: Location Critical Tons Large Laser RA 2 5.0 Medium Laser RA 1 1.0 Medium Laser LA 1 1.0 Small Laser LA 1 0.5 Conversion Equipment CT 2 2.5 Conversion Equipment RT 1 1.0 Conversion Equipment LT 1 1.0 Back to BattleTechnology 10 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1988 by Pacific Rim Publishing. 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