Overview: The JR7-31P Rattlesnake is the latest design from Phoenix Heavy Industries. Phoenix, a manufacturing concern located on Ashkum in the Capellan March of the Federated Commonwealth, has gained a reputation since the Fourth Succession War as a developer of unique combat designs and refits. Other recent Phoenix designs include the UM-R 90 SuburbanMech and the Omar Hovertank/APC. Phoenix has developed a close working relationship with the St Ives Compact, and the relationship has been profitable to both parties. Phoenix manufactures 'Mechs to the Compact's specifications, to improve the defensive capabilities of the relatively small Compact military. In return, the Compact provides advanced technical information to Phoenix, enabling the corporation to upgrade both its manufacturing facilities and its product line. The latest requirements submitted by St Ives called for "a reconnaissance BattleMech, built with advanced technology, capable of engaging and destroying any other'Mech of the same or lesser tonnage." Phoenix had already begun work on an upgrade of the JR7-D Jenner, and the incorporation of recovered Star League technology made meeting the Compact's requirements a simple matter. When testing the new design, however, the Phoenix designers found that they had built something far more significant than another recon-killer. Testing of the new JR7-31 P included field trials against heavier 'Mechs, to determine its ability to survive such a mismatch. In almost every case, the new design was able not only to survive, but to win, in one-on-one combat against 'Mechs up to 75 tons. The combination of high maneuverability and significant firepower allowed the JR7-31P to control the range and tempo of combat, striking at high speed to attack the enemy's vulnerable rear armor while evading his return fire. A defeated Crusader pilot declared that the new 'Mech was "as fast as a rattlesnake and just as deadly." Thus, the JR7-31 P Rattlesnake gained its name. Capabilities The Rattlesnake is based on the design of the JR7-D Jenner, and at first glance is externally identical to its older cousin. Close examination will reveal heavily-reinforced, ferro-fibrous armor and reconfigured weapons ports. The most radical changes, however, are hidden from external view. Power for the Rattlesnake is supplied by a Phoenix 245XL engine, providing excellent speed at a lesser weight than conventional engines. Some of the saved weight has been used to augment the 'Mech's jump capability, raising it from the Jenner's 150 meters to 210 meters. Thus, the Rattlesnake has impressive mobility both in open terrain and in more confined areas. The truly unique feature of the Rattlesnake, however, it its armament. The JR7-31P carries close-range firepower equivalent to some heavy 'Mechs, in the form of seven HEC Mjolnir-5 medium lasers and a Mjolnir-3 light laser. Eleven dual-capacity heat sinks allow the Rattlesnake to use its entire arsenal without significant heat buildup. Provision has been made in the targeting system to incorporate an advanced fire-coordination system when these become available (see Variants). Hammerstorm Electronics, the manufacturers of the Rattlesnake's weapons systems, expressed initial surprise at the lack of long-range weapons in the 'Mech's design. As the Phoenix design team pointed out, however, the Rattlesnake can close the range between itself and any target rapidly, thus making the lack of long-range firepower less important than it would be with a slower 'Mech. Battle History: No reports are yet available on the Rattlesnake's performance in actual combat. The 'Mech, however, has been deployed in lance strength by several units in both the St Ives Compact and the Federated Commonwealth. It is certain to be a significant factor in any battle in which it it involved. (See Snake Dance, elsewhere in this issues, for the first recorded engagement involving Rattlesnakes.) Variants: The Rattlesnake was designed to incorporate an HEC Munin IX-X fire-coordination system, popularly known as a "C-Cubed unit", to link the Rattlesnake's targeting computer to friendly missile-support units. This system is still in development. JR7-31Ps are currently equipped with an extra medium laser occupying the space for the Munin system. The Munin system will be installed on these 'Mechs at no charge as soon as it becomes available. Notable'Mechs and MechWarriors Lieutenant James Lanier Lieutenant Lanier is a member of the Fire Hawks, Phoenix's private mercenary unit. Lanier was assigned to temporary duty as a test pilot for the SuburbanMech design, and was promoted to his current rank for his actions in defending the test facility against a pirate raid. He has been detached to continued duty with the design team as a senior test pilot. Lanier is now involved with a project to upgrade the Thunderbolt BattleMech to advanced technology. JR7-31P Rattlesnake Mass: 35 Tons Internal Structure: Phoenix JR35 Engine: Phoenix 245 XL Cruising Speed: 75.5 kph Maximum Speed: 118.9 kph Jump Jets: Phoenix J245 Jump Capacity: 210 m Armor: Phoenix Cuirass 112 Ferro-Fibrous Armament: 7 Hammerstorm Mjolnia-5 Medium Lasers 1 Hammerstorm Mjolnir-3 Small Laser Manufacturer: Phoenix Heavy Industries Communications: Harnmerstorm Hugin Mk XIV Targeting/Tracking System: Harnmerstorm Munin Mk IX Type: JR7-31P Rattlesnake Tons Tonnage: 35 35.0 Internal Structure: 3.5 Engine: Phoenix 245 XL 6.0 Walking MPs: 7 Running MPs: 11 Jumping MPs: 7 Heat Sinks: 11(22) 1.0 Gyro: 3.0 Cockpit: 3.0 Armor Factor: 116 6.5 Location Internal Structure Armor Value Head 3 9 Center Torso 11 15/6 Rt/Lt Torso 8 11/5 Rt/Lt Arm 6 11 Rt/Lt Leg 8 16 Weapons and Ammo: Type Loc Critical Tons Medium Laser CT 1 1.0 Medium Laser LT 1 1.0 Medium Laser LT 1 1.0 Medium Laser RT 1 1.0 Medium Laser RT 1 1.0 Medium Laser LA 1 1.0 Medium Laser RA 1 1.0 Small Laser LT 1 0.5 C3 Slave Head 1 1.0 Jump Jets CT 1 0.5 Jump Jets LT 3 1.5 Jump Jets RT 3 1.5 (Note: The Rattlesnake does not have Hand Actuators or Lower Arm Actuators in either arm. Back to BattleTechnology 21 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1994 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