Overview: The Clytemnestra has operated on the Solaris gaming circuit for forty years. In its original configuration it was slower and carried less weaponry than the current version, the SA-CTP-005. Despite its popularity with the public, the Clytemnestra had only lackluster sales because of its rather limited firepower; it had only a large laser and an inadequate autocannon 5. The two things that worked in the design's favor were its enormous fighting claws and its ability to dissipate large amounts of heat. The new design is hoped to alleviate the problems of inadequate firepowerwhile keeping the fighting ability of the claws and the heat reduction abilities of the old 'Double-oh Four'. Capabilities: The 005 is faster than its predecessor, capable of moving at up to 83 kilometers per hour, making it as fast as many medium 'Mechs and a few heavy ones. The Clytemnestra's long range weaponry is the Kallon Ultra AC/ 5 which can fire bursts of two standard armor piercing rounds in the time it takes a standard AC/5 to fire one. This increases the weapon's overall damage potential by 50%, but it also doubles the heat output of the cannon, and there is the chance that the weapon's arming circuitry will fail, rendering the autocannon useless. The remainder of the Clytemnestra's weaponry is for the gritty, close-quarters fighting of the arena. The 'Mech mounts the reliable Holly SRM-6, on its right torso, but in a tuba-like mount that compresses the launch tubes closer together. While the weapon itself is not prone to frequent breakdowns, the start up of the system may make repairs that much more difficult. Martell has recently introduced a new line of pulse lasers to the Inner Sphere, and Solaris Arms is its first customer to incorporate the company's flagship pulse laser. The Martell large laser is mounted in a special housing on the right arm, clearing the huge claw. The thing about the Clytemnestra that draws the crowds to its matches is its huge, tri-fingered claws, capable of slashing away close to a ton of armor in a single swipe. More than one overconfident MechWarrior has met his doom when his assault 'Mech was ripped to shreds by a Clytemnestra. Variants: The only other version that is produced by Solaris Arms is the 004, and it is being phased out. The 004 has a standard weight 260 Fusion power plan, regular armor, and seventeen regular heat sinks. It also has a large laser, anautocannon-5, and the BattleClaws. Owners may opt to have an additional one half ton of armor and a small laser on the 004, or a medium laser in the center torso. Some MechWarriors replace the standard large laser with and ER-version or replace the autocannon with a PPC and additional heat sinks. The claws are rarely removed. SA-CTP-005 Clytemnestra Mass: 65 tons Chassis: Solaris Arms 65 A Power Plant: 325 GM XL Cruising Speed, Ground: 51 kph Maximum Speed, Ground: 83 kph Jump Jets: None Jump Capacity: None Armor: Solaris Arms Ferro-Fibrous Armament: 1 Kallon Weapons Industries Ultra AC/5 1 Holly SRM-6 1 Martell Large Pulse Laser 2 Solaris Arms Mk 4 BattleClaws Manufacturer: Solaris Arms Primary Factory: Solaris VII Communications System: GM Delco Intertalk 25 with Voice/DAata Encoder/Decoder Targeting and Tracking System: SA-05TT Type: AS-CTP-005 Clytemnestra Tonnage: 65.0 Equipment Mass Internal Structure: 6.5 Engine: 325 XL 11.75 Walking MP: 5 Running MP: 8 Jumping MP: 0 Heat Sinks: 11(22) 1.0 Gyro: 3.0 Cockpit: 3.0 Armor Factor: 170 9.5 Loction : Internal Structure : Armor Value Head 3 9 Center Torso 18 29 Center Torso (rear) 6 Right/Left Torso 14 20 Right/Left Torso (rear) 6 Right/Left Arm 10 16 Right/Left Leg 14 21 Weapons and Ammo Loc. CS Mass UItra AC/5 LT 5 9.0 Ammo (AC/5) LT 1 1.0 SRM-6 RT 2 3.0 Ammo (SRM) RT 1 1.0 Large Pulse Laser RA 2 7.0 Claw* LA 4 4.0 Claw* RA 4 4.0 * Claws do the same damage as a club. Claws replace a 'Mech's hand actuators and weight one ton for every fifteen tons the Battlemech weighs. Claws occupy one critical hit space for every ton they weigh. (See Solaris VII boxed set) Back to BattleTechnology 20 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1993 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