Overview The Aries Manufacturing Corporation's Viking-class hydrofoil marked that firm's entry into the watercraft field. Previously the company had manufactured heavy mining and construction equipment. The establishment of the Watercraft Division was an attempt to gain lucrative defense contracts and diversify the company's manufacturing base. Indeed, the Viking filled a needed niche in the Star League's arsenal. The League had been plagued by insurgencies on tropical and water worlds, where the terrain was illsuited to BattleMechs and other conventional forces. Hydrofoils, along with hovercraft, offered a quick reaction tool to deal with the insurgents. The unmatched speed and relatively low cost of these vessels quickly gained them an important place in the Star League defense forces. Total production figures have been lost, but were estimated to be in the tens of thousands. While many of these boats have been lost in the holocaust of the Succession Wars, they remain a fairly common sight on water-rich worlds of the Inner Sphere. Capabilities The Viking is a fairly conventional design, well within current manufacturing capabilities. The sole exception to this is its fusion engine, which has proved the major stumbling block to maintaining production at original levels. As long as the supply of fusion engines lags behind demand, the hydrofoil can only be produced in relatively small numbers. However, current numbers of available craft are considered adequate. The Viking is designed for a crew of six: two pilots, two copilot/navigators, and two gunners. The crew is divided into two shifts for long patrols. During quick reaction missions, only three crewmen are carried. The off-duty crewmen can share the amenities of a small cramped cabin just aft of the bridge. It is primarily a place to sleep and provides basic sanitary facilities along with a tiny galley. The hydrofoil's armament is placed in a turret located forward of the bridge. It consists of a single Magna Mk III large laser and a Holly SRM 6 pack. This ensures the vessel has both long and short range firepower capabilities. The hydrofoil's defensive ability is not deficient either, as the craft boasts a respectable eight tons of armor. This enables it to survive most heavy firefight situations it may encounter. With its cruising speed of 108 kph and a flank speed of 162 kph, it can generally outrun anything it can't handle. Its high speed also gives it the ability to close rapidly, fire its weapons, and get away with a minimum of damage. A notable feature of the Viking is its communications systems. Developed especially for the Viking by Shafirov Maritime Comsystems Ltd., it gives the hydrofoil extremely long range communications capabilities. With the addition of an optional satellite dish, the Viking gains planetwide and orbital communications abilities. This is especially useful on long patrols, where the nearest help may be in the form of distant aerospace or conventional fighters. Hunterkiller teams of hydrofoils and fighters were formed late in the Star League era to take advantage of this feature. They proved especially deadly in the long guerrilla wars on Iskur and Nergal, two planets made up almost exclusively of shallow seas and large island chains. Battle History The Viking has had a fairly successful career with every military force it has served with, from the Star League to the current Successor States. It has proved suitable for both long patrols and quick strike missions, as well as providing security for such waterborne installations as oil drilling platforms. Provided it is used in its intended role, the craft is entirely capable of carrying out its assigned mission. When pressed into heavy combat roles, such as baffling 'Mechs, it fares less well although still performing admirably. Variants The most common variant involves replacing the large laser with an Imperator A autocannon. This gives the hydrofoil a longer range weapon but necessitates a larger turret and the loss of 4.5 tons of armor. Notable Vehicles and Pilots Lieutenant "Crazy" Joe Pruitt Undoubtedly the most famous Viking pilot, "Crazy Joe" and his hydrofoil Oddball III were personally responsible for locating and assisting in the cleanup of three of the largest guerrilla bases on Nergal. While shooting up the last base, "Crazy Joe" encountered his worst nightmare, an enemy 'Mech, in the form of a rebel Griffin. In a one-in-a-million shot, the Viking's large laser hit the cockpitof the Griffin while it was attempting a death-from-above attack. The cockpit, already damaged in previous battles, exploded, killing the pilot. Lieutenant Pruitt received the Star League's Distinguished Service Cross for his feat. STATS Mass: 50 tons Movement Type: Hydrofoil Power Plant: SeaStar 245 Naval Fusion Cruising Speed: 108.0 kph Flank Speed: 162.0 kph Armor: Aries Tricom Armament: Magna Mk III Large Laser; Holly SRM Six- Pack Manufacturer: Aries Manufacturing Corporation Communications System: Shafirov PV-7 Targeting and Tracking System: Aries FarTrak Type: Viking Tonnage: 50 Movement Type: Hydrofoil Cruise Speed: 10 Flank Speed: 15 Engine: 18 tons Rating: 245 Type: Fusion Control: 2.5 tons Lift Equipment: 2.6 tons Power Amplifier: 0 tons Heat Sinks: 10 0 tons Internal Structure: 5 tons Turret: 0.9 tons Armor: 128 8 tons Location : Points Front : 30 Lt./Rt. Side : 20/20 Back : 20 Turret 38 Weapons and Ammo: (Type, Facing, Tons) Large Laser Turret 5 SRM 6 Turret 3 Ammo (SRM) 15 Body 1 Commo Gear Body 1.5 Back to BattleTechnology 6 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1988 by Pacific Rim Publishing. 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