After the first wave of the Clans invasions, modifications of existing BattleMechs - particularly those which had shown themselves to be useful during the invasions began to flood BattleTechnology's offices. Keep them coming, please!
An interesting coincidence was the arrival on the same day of a paper on UrbanMech modifications from TekTeam's Margaret Spain and the Fire Hawks'combat report on their SuburbanMech.
One of the considerations in fighting Clans 'Mechs is attempting to fight at closer ranges, to nullify their long-range advantage. Therefore, it's time to take a hard look at the potential of all our specialized 'Mechs. It's of particular interest that these modifications utilize existing technology. no putting your order into the Excel factory and getting put on a waiting list!
Sometimes it is interesting to see a variety of modification designs for one 'Mech; here we have a chance to add an actual trial under fire. As Mech Warriors know - to their cost - a 'Mech may look great on the design printout, it may look shiny and deadly marching out of the factory, but the only real way it can be evaluated is in battle. How it performs while some poor slob is in the cockpit trying to do damage while keeping his or her happy rear end from acquiring same is what really counts!
During the final days of the Star League, UrbanMechs defended major centers throughout the InnerSphere. Large numbers of UrbanMechs remained operational despite heavy losses during the fighting. While largely effective when fighting in the limited role of inner city defense, UrbanMechs operate at a severe disadvantage outside of that role, due to the 'Mech's extremely slow speed and limited ammunition load. Because of these limitations, many MechWarriors modify their UrbanMechs to try to overcome the 'Mech's shortcomings.
Most modified UrbanMechs follow one of two paths, both of which involve the removal of the heavy autocannon. The first and most common type of modification attempts to increase the speed of the UrbanMech. Normally this involves the replacement of the UrbanMech's normal Leenex 60 fusion engine with the GM 120, which is normally used by the extremely common Wasp or Stinger BattleMechs.
The UrbanMech's gyros are then upgraded to accommodate the additional power output. Additional jump jets are also fitted to further enhance the modified UrbanMech's mobility. Armament changes involve the fitting of either a PPC or a large laser in the 'Mech's right arm. In addition, many MechWarriors also fit a number of machine guns to deal with the increasing numbers of anti-'Mech-trained infantry.
A smaller number of MechWarriors accept the slow speed of the UrbanMech, but decided to greatly enhance the short and medium range firepower of the UrbanMech. The engine and gyro are retained, but the autocannon is replaced with a variety of weapons such as large and medium lasers, short range and long range missiles, and machine guns. The modified UrbanMech has a much longer battlefield endurance, and has potentially three times the damage potential at short range. As recovered Star League technology begins to be incorporated in current production 'Mechs, many MechWarriors simply cannot f ind or afford the 'new' equipment. Modif ication of existing UrbanMechs with the older Inner Sphere technology in ways that still enhance their capability is a cost effective means of improving this much-maligned BattleMech. The next time that a MechWarrior rounds the corner and encounters an UrbanMech, he or she may be in for a big surprise - like a PPC blast or a half-dozen incoming SIRM rounds!
Notable MechWarriors: Sergeant George Means
Sgt Means'modif ied UrbanMech has been utilized extensively in defensive action on Shiba along the Andurien-Liao border. He has replaced the heavy autocannon and small laser with a large laser and a pair of 4-tube short-range missile launchers. Since the modification of his 'Mech, Sgt Means has been involved in five major engagements, and has scored four assists and three solo kills - including the destruction of a Warhammer. During that fight, Sgt Means jumped out of the concealment of a burned-out building directly behind the Warhammer. Salvoing all of his weapons, Sgt Means was ableto penetrate the thin rear armor of the Warhammer and detonate its entire missile load.
Mech Warrior Charles Luce
MechWarrior Luce and his modified UrbanMech, the Full of Surprises, have been protecting the urban areas of Radstadt in Rasalhague space since the end of the Ronin Wars. Because of his experiences in the Ronin Wars, MechWarrior Luce elected to have the speed of his UrbanMech increased and Its weapons modified to make the 'Mech more survivable. While Full of Surprises is still relatively slowfor a light 'Mech, its extra speed allowed the 'Mech to gain several hours forthe evacuation of downtown Radstadt City while inflicting substantial damage on advancing Clan OmniMechs during their invasion of Radstadt.
Lieutenant Rachel Winslow
Lt Winslow has been working primarily as a technician for the mercenary technician unit TekTeam since 3019. After personally experiencing the shortcomings of the UrbanMech in combat, she designed a modification package for TekTeam's UrbanMech that greatly enhanced the firepower and combat endurance of the'Mech.
This involved the removal of the autocannon-1 0 and the addition of a PPC, six machine guns, one half-ton of machine gun ammunition, and two extra heat sinks, as well as an additional half-ton of armor. After the completion of a year-long retrof R of TekTeam's UrbanMech, the'Mech was involved in a number of recovery and defensive operations that proved the validity of the modifications. The modified UrbanMech was equally capable against infantry and other BattleMechs. By using the tactic of 'Flipping Arms' this modified UrbanMech was able to bring to bear practically the same level of firepower toward its rear as it could fire forward.
Design #1
UrbanMech (Mod): 30 Tons
Chassis: Republic-R (Modified)
Power Plant: 120 GM
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Jump Jets: Chilton 360
Jump Capacity: 120 m
Armor: Durallex Medium
Armament:
1 Magna Mk III Heavy Laser
2 Holly Short Range Missile Packs
Manufacturer: Orguss Industries (Mod)
Communications System: Dalban Interact
Targeting/Tracking System: Dalban Urban
Type: UM-R60 UrbanMech (Mod) Tons
Tonnage: 30 Tons 30
Internal Structure: 3.0
Engine: 120 GM 4.0
Walking MP's: 4
Running MP's: 6
Jumping MP's: 4
Heat Sinks: 10 0.0
Gyro: 2.0
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: Loc Crit Tons
Large Laser RA 2 5.0
SRM-4 RT 1 2.0
SRM-4 LT 1 2.0
Ammo (SRM) 25 RT 1 1.0
Jump Jets RT 2 1.0
Jump Jets LT 2 1.0
Design #2
UrbanMech (Mod): 30 Tons
Chassis: Republic-R (Modified)
Power Plant: Leenex 60
Cruising Speed: 21.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 32.4 kph
Jump Jets: Pitban 6000
Jump Capacity: 60 rn
Armor: Durallex Medium
Armament:
1 Fusigon Particle Projection Cannon
1 Harmon Light Laser
6 LFN Linblad Machine Guns
Manufacturer: Orguss Industries (Mod)
Communications System: Dalban Interact
Targeting/Tracking System: Dalban Urban
Type: UM-R60 UrbanMech (Mod) Tons
Tonnage: 30 Tons 30
Internal Structure: 3.0
Engine: Leenex 60 1.5
Walking MP's: 2
Running MP's: 3
Jumping MP's: 2
Heat Sinks: 13 3.0
Gyro: 1.0
Cockpit: 3.0
Armor Factor: 104 6.5
(location) Internal Structure Armor Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 1011/8
Rt/Lt Torso 7 9/5
Rt/Lt Arm 5 10
Rt/Lt Leg 7 14
Weapons and Ammo: LocCrit Tons
PPC RA 3 7.0
Small Laser LA 1 0.5
Machine Gun (2) RA 2 1.0
Ammo (MG) 100 RT 1 0.5
Machine Gun (2) LA 1 1.0
Machine Gun FIT 1 0.5
Machine Gun LT 1 0.5
Jump Jets CT 2 1.0
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