Overview The UM-R90 SuburbanMech is a joint effort between Phoenix Heavy Industries (PHI) of Ashkum and Hammerstorm Electronics of Antietam, two manufacturing concerns located in the Federated Commonwealth. Their intent was to upgrade the capabilities of the moderatelysuccessful UrbanMech without compromising its role as a cost effective city-fighting 'Mech. The design team responsible for the SuburbanMech refused to consider the incorporation of recovered Star League technology in the 'Mech's design. The high cost of such components would have made the resulting 'Mech too expensive for less-developed worlds, which are its primary market. Even with enhanced capabilities, the SuburbanMech remains a defensive weapon, more suited to city fighting than to assault or reconnaissance missions. Capabilities The external appearance of the SuburbanMech is virtually identical to its predecessor, the UrbanMech, and the armor configuration is the same. Internally, however, the two 'Mechs are radically different. The SuburbanMech replaces the heavy Imperator autocannon and its ammunition with a Hammerstorm PPC. Two torso-mounted mediu rn lasers cover targets at close range, and the small laser in the left arm is retained for point defense. Two additional heat sinks help to offset the increased heat load. Enough weight and space is made available by the weapons modifications to install a DAV 90 engine. The new engine increases the 'Mech's speed by 50 percent while retaining the UrbanMech's unique lightweight gyro system. Jump capability is also increased by 50 percent, to 90 meters. Battle History In 3047, the first production models of the SuburbanMech were undergoing final testing at PHI's facilities when an unidentified raiding force attacked the factory complex. The majority of PHI's corporate mercenary unit, the Fire Hawks, was on an offplanet mission; two MechWarriors from Mallory's Headhunters were present to observe the trials, however. They had brought their 'Mechs with them; one lance of Fire Hawk heavy 'Mechs, two Headhunters 'Mechs, and four SuburbanMechs were left to defend the factory against 18 assorted raider 'Mechs. In the close quarters of the factory, the SuburbanMechs proved their worth, disposing of eight light and medium 'Mechs in just under five minutes. The Fire Hawks and Headhunters destroyed six more raiders, and the other four surrendered when their DropShips abandoned them. One week later, an explosion was recorded at a pirate jump point,in the Ashkum system, as the raiders'JumpShip apparently failed in an attempt to quick-charge its jump drive. Notable'Mechs and MechWarriors Senior Cadet James Lanier Normally a member of the Fire Hawks'Command Lance, Cadet Lanier was working on the SuburbanMech development project while a replacement was being obtained for his recently-destroyed Thunderbolt. Lanier accounted for a Stinger, a Spider, and a Phoenix Hawk during the battle on Ashkum. While he was impressed with the SuburbanMech, he still looks forward to resuming regular duty with the Fire Hawks (Note: Cadet rank in the Fire Hawks is equivalent to the more common MechWarrior rank in other units). Lance Sergeant Mark Goff A specialist in city fighting from Mallory's Headhunters, Goff is credited with killing a Blackjack and a Crusader in the Ashkum battle. Goff used the increased mobility of the SuburbanMech to good advantage when he dropped the Crusader by jumping behind it and firing into its back. Goff, who was evaluating the SuburbanMech for use by the Headhunters, has recommended the purchase of two lances of the design for home defense. SuburbanMech Chassis: Phoenix UM-R Special Power Plant: DAV 90 Cruising Speed: 32.4 kph Maximum Speed: 54.0 kph Jump Jets: Phoenix J55 Jump Capacity: 90 m Armor: Phoenix Cuirass Armament: 1 Harnmerstorm HEC FIrestorm Particle Projection Cannon 2 Harnmerstorm Mjolnir-5 Medium Lasers 1 Harnmerstorm Mjolnir-3 Light Laser Manufacturer: Phoenix Heavy Industries Communications System: Harnmerstorm Hugin Mk VIII Targeting/Tracking System: Harnmerstorm Munin Mk VI Type: UM-R690 SuburbanMech Tons Tonnage: 30 Tons 30 Internal Structure: 3.0 Engine: 90 DAV 3.0 Walking MP's: 3 Running MP's: 5 Jumping MP's: 3 Heat Sinks: 13 3.0 Gyro: 1.0 Cockpit: 3.0 Armor Factor: 96 6.0 (location) Internal Structure Armor Factor Head 3 9 Center Torso 1011/8 Rt/Lt Torso 7 8/4 Rt/Lt Arm 5 10 Rt/Lt Leg 7 12 Weapons and Ammo: LocCrit Tons PPC RA 3 7.0 Medium Laser LT 1 1.0 Medium Laser LT 1 1.0 Small Laser LA 1 0.5 Jump Jets CT 1 0.5 Jump Jets LT 1 0.5 Jump Jets RT 1 0.5 Back to BattleTechnology 18 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by Pacific Rim Publishing. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com