Overview: The BSD-7K was initially designed as the Kuritan answer to the Hatchetman, but over the seven years of pre-design work, it was redesigned into a much larger, deadlier 'Mech. The 'Mech was created by Dr. Batu lbinbachl of the highly respected Sun Zhang Military Academy research facility to be a close combat machine. Designed with the maximum amount of leg armor and heavy-duty leg actuators - as well as jump jets - the Bushido was created to execute both regular kicking attacks and the famed 'Death From Above'. The unusual combination of jump jets with an extra-heavy heavy 'Mech frame began as an innovative answer to the toe-to-toe combat which was appearing more and more in the later years of the Succession Wars. Capabilities: The Bushido is a very competent 'Mech design when used for its primary purpose, ie, to kill other 'Mechs in hand-to-hand combat. Using its large laser, two medium lasers, and PPC to'soften up'an oncoming enemy, the Bushidowill then attempt either to close to hand-to-hand range, or to execute a 'Death From Above' attack. The large blade, similar to the Hatchetman's axe, can literally cleave an enemy 'Mech in two! The Bushido has only energy weapons for two reasons: there can be no ammo explosions, and there is no need for resupply. The Bushido can operate for a much longer period of time in baffle because it is not restricted by ammo amounts. The Bushido has ample heat sinks to deal with firing both of its heavy weapons, but only if it is not jumping. The Spacely Corporation's 'Pondhoppers' prove more than equal to the task of lofting this 75-ton killing machine through the air with a minimum of clogging or malfunctions. The Magna- Hellstar PPC in the Bushido's right torso has a proven background in the Marauder, and has received only praise. The Sunglow Type 2 Laser utilized in the left torso also has a proven record of dependability. The two Hyperdyne Model 351 Medium Lasers are very durable, but still are occasionally damaged in hand-to-hand combat. The sensitive lenses and frame alignments can be disturbed by the impacts common in 'Mech fighting. The two rear-facing small lasers provide some small rearward defensive capability. The Ginsu Corporation Katana is the amazing result of metallurgical technology only recently discovered in a Star League research facility found deep within the Draconis Combine. It was also found to be present on the memory core recovered by the Grey Death Legion. The metal that the blade is formed of is a mixture of iridium, titanium, and diburnium. The resulting alloy is 'folded'to produce multiple layers, much as the katanas of old Japan on Terra. This produces not only an exceedingly strong blade, but also a razor-sharp cutting edge that is very resistant to chipping or dulling. Battle History: As the Bushido is a fairly new 'Mech design, it has seen little use outside of the Luthien proving grounds. There are only 24 of these 'Mechs in existence at this time, but the number is due to become much greater as the RKS Battlesysterns Plant on Pesht retools its facility to produce the Bushido. Four of these new BattleMechs have seen use. In June of 3029, two Bushidos that were being tested on Waldheim III's rough terrain were committed on the fight for the planet. Both units were destroyed, but in that destruction they accounted for a lance of Davion heavy 'Mechs. After the Fourth Succession War, the Bushido was put through a decade of further testing and modification: prototypes were then sent to the Periphery border for testing against Bandit raids. In city fighting on Schuyler, the Bushido held its own in hand-to-hand fighting against the Ghost Bears; two Bushidos each took out a Vulture, and did significant damage to a Koshi before being destroyed themselves. BSD-7K Bushido Mass: 75 Tons Internal Structure: RKS Masterframe BSD Power Plant: Vlar 300 Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph Jump Jets: Spacely Corporation Pondhopper-4000s Jump Capacity: 120 m Armor: Durachrome 232C Armament: 1 Magna-Hellstar PPC 1 Sunglow Type 2 Large Laser 2 Hyperdyne Model 351 Medium Lasers 2 Diverse Optics Type 10 Small Lasers 1 Ginsu Corporation Katana Blade Manufacturer: RKS Battlesystems Com System: AT&T CombatCom 21 L Targeting/Tracking System: Sightsys Arclight 4T Type: BSD-7K Bushido Tonnage: 75 Tons 75.0 Internal Structure: 7.5 Engine: Vlar 300 19.0 Walking MPs: 4 Running MPs: 6 Jumping MPs: 4 Heat Sinks: 15 5.0 Gyro: 3.0 Cockpit: 3.0 Armor Factor: 232 14.5 (location) Internal Armor Head 3 9 Center Torso 2330/16 Rt/Lt Torso 1620/12 Rt/Lt Arm 1224 Rt/Lt Leg 1632 Weapons and Ammo: Type Location Critical Tons PPC RT 3 7.0 Large Laser LT 2 5.0 Medium Laser RA 1 1.0 Medium Laser LA 1 1.0 Small Laser RT (R) 1 0.5 Small Laser LT(R) 1 0.5 Sword RA 4 4.0 Jump Jets RL 2 2.0 Jump Jets LL 2 2.0 Back to BattleTechnology 18 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by Pacific Rim Publishing. 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