Overview In 2464, the Office of Military Procurement of the Star League sent out a request for bid proposals for a new type of 'Mech that would be specially designed for long-ranged support of advanced units. One of the'Mech factories to bid on this lucrative contract was Merryweather Industries, a firm long forgotten within the Successor States of today. Merryweather's design and proposal survived the initial screening given to all manufacturers and funding was made available for a series of prototypes to be developed. Thus was born the GLID-3R Gladiator BattleMech, a type nearly forgotten in this age of rapid aging and loss of war materials. The Gladiator design proved successful in its first field tests in 2468. There was great celebration within the Merryweather Home Office on Alula within the confines of what is now the Successor State of House Marik. This applause was premature, however. In early 2470 the Star League Military Procurement Office revoked the contract it had given to Merryweather for 1200 Gladiator 'Mechs, citing computer simulation reports which showed that, as designed, the 'Mech was not powerful enough to fulfill its intended role. Merryweather Industries nearly went into bankruptcy, having built nearly 160 of the'Mechs and tooled up for at least 2,000 more. Private investors were sought and some House Lords, notably of the Lyran Commonwealth and the Draconis Combine, were convinced to purchase a portion of the overrun, with the permission of the Star League government. In this way, Merryweather was able to continue production to the 2,000 figure level. It then discontinued the Gladiator program and went into production of civilian type 'Mechs for the construction and mining industries. The long-range close-support role in'Mech lances was eventually f illed with the highly successful ARC-2R Archer design-a 'Mech fully 15 tons heavier than and with twice as much long-range missile weaponry as the Gladiator carried. Merryweather Industries was utterly destroyed during the total wars of the First Succession Conflict. The areas of its main factory complex on Alula are still dangerous to enter even to this day. It is now known how many Gladiator'Mechs are still in existence, but a reasonable estimate would be between 100 and 150. Capabilities: The Gladiator design appeared to be capably armed for the initial decades of the BattleMech era. Unfortunately, 'Mech design simply bypassed it before it could become fully operational. Like the ancient naval vessels of Terra's early 20th Century, it became an obsolescent "Pre-Dreadnought" in the wake of a far more capable design. As a lighter support 'Mech, however, the Gladiator has proven to be well qualified. Thetwo DLC-10 shoulder-mounted long-range missile racks can deliver severe punishment to lighter 'Mechs in the field. For close-in defense, the Gladiator also possesses two arm-mounted Duodyne Mark II medium lasers. In today's 'Mech battlefield, this would indeed be a light armament for a 55-ton BattleMech. The Gladiator does possess above average maneuverability for a medium 'Mech. With its maximum speed of 84.2 kph, it can keep up with most scouting forces in the field. Its GE-2200 Jump Jets allow a certain amount of altitude variation in its movement ability. Heat build-up is a controllable problem with the addition of two additional heat sinks within the structure of the vehicle. The area where the Gladiator surpasses all other 'Mech types within her tonnage class is in protection. Currently, this 'Mech sports more armor than any other mass-produced 55-ton type. This armor advantage aids the Gladiator in any confrontation with opponents of her size or less but is little solace when the vehicle is attacked by a larger, more powerfully armed 'Mech. There is little doubt that Gladiators will be almost entirely eliminated from the field of combat within the next fifty years or so. None have been produced for nearly 550 years and spare parts for them are nonexistent. In fact, it is a wonder that the type has survived so long and hasn't followed the way of such extinct 'Mech types as the Mackie and the Behemoth. More and more, Gladiators will turn up as additional pieces replacing the destroyed parts of other 'Mech types. Even today, nearly all Gladiators in operation are of a hybrid nature; none are left as they were built. Battle History: In 2476, during the Battle of Beckvern Hill on the planet Nox, Gladiators under the command of the Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth, Michael Steiner, undertook to support a general Steiner advance on the slopes surrounding the House Kurita defensive positions. The initial attack was a success but trouble soon developed when Kurita heavy 'Mechs supported by AeroSpace fighters staged a counterattack on the Gladiator support line, sending them into total confusion. The Steiner assault was repulsed with heavy losses. Michael Steiner was later killed in the same battle while leading an attack into the rear areas of the Kurita forces. More recently, in 3007, during a minor raid by Davion forces on Graham IV in Marik-held space, a Gladiator-supported lance attacked a scouting force of the attackers with more success. While Marik light'Mechs pinned down the recon'Mechs of the Davion raiders, long-ranged Gladiators poured fire into the enemy position, forcing them to retreat with heavy losses. The Marik defenders suffered little damage. Variants: There are probably as many variants of the Gladiator as there are Gladiators still in existence. Some of the more popular modifications, however, revolve around eliminating the GE2200 Jump Jets and adding up to four more medium or light lasers in hip or shoulder mounts. This alleviates the understrength problems of the design to some extent, sacrificing some of the design's maneuverability. Another design variant that is seen often replaces the DLC-10 long-range missile racks in their shoulder mounts with LRM-15's of various types. This increase in offensive power forces the reduction of armor protection to severe levels as well as eliminating any thought of jump jets, but it does permit the'Mech to support assaulting units more effectively if it is itself in a well-defended position. Notable 'Mechs and MechWarriors MechWarrior Micha Ranier Currently employed with the mercenary regiment known as Barret's Fusiliers, Micha Ranier is part of the battalion recon lance. Atop the Gladiator "Rust Bucket Blues," he is responsible for the long range support of the recon lance if it ever gets into trouble, the logic being that most scout and recon lances will encounter other scout and recon lances and that the firepower of aGladiatorcould prove decisive atthattime. This seems to be proven out as Ranier has tallied up over a dozen kills and assists while with the Fusiliers. MechWarrior Bill "The Junkman" Fallon Pilot of the hybrid Gladiator "Bits and Pieces," Junkman Fallon is a member of the mercenary unit know as Mobile Fire. His 'Mech looks nothing like a Gladiator, with two different sized arms taken from a destroyed Wasp and a disabled Vindicator, and legs stripped from a battered Rifleman. Weapons and internal makeup are still essentially the original Gladiator, however. Junkman Fallon says that he has rebuilt his 'Mech at least five times to keep it running. His lancemates claim it is more like ten. Mass: 55 tons Chassis: MW240 Power Plant: CoreTek 275 Cruising Speed: 58.1 kph Maximum Speed: 84.2 kph Jump Jets: GE-2200 Jump Capacity: 120 rn Armor: Kemplar 5000 Armament: 2 DLC-10 Long Range Missile 10-Racks 2 Duodyne Mark 11 Medium Lasers Manufacturer: Merryweather Industries Communications System: Fujika Multiband Targeting and Tracking System: General Systems AV-12 NOTE: Stats reflect GLD-3R Gladiator as designed. There is no 'Mech of this type that still retains all original equipment. All have been modified to some degree. Type: GLD-3R Gladiator Tonnage: 55 Internal Structure: 5.5 Tons Engine: CoreTek 275 15.5 Tons Walking MPs: 5 Running MPs: 8 Jumping MPs: 4 Heat Sinks: 12 2 Tons Gyro: 3 Tons Cockpit: 3 Tons Armor Factor: 160 10 Tons Internal Structure : Armor Value Head 3 : 9 Center Torso: 18 : 25/6 Rt./Lt. Torso: 13 : 24/6 Rt./Lt. Arm: 9 : 15 Rt./Lt. Leg: 13 : 15 Weapons and Ammo: Loc. : Critical : Tons LRM 10 : RT 2 : 5 Tons LRM 10 : LT 2 : 5 Tons Ammo (LRM) 12 : RT 1 : 1 Tons Ammo (LRM) 12 : LT 1 : 1 Tons Medium Laser : RA 1 : 1 Tons Medium Laser : LA 1 : 1 Tons Jump Jets : RT 2 : 1 Tons Jump Jets : LT 2 : 1 Tons Back to BattleTechnology 3 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1988 by Pacific Rim Publishing. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. 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