Overview The Athena class FDC (fire direction center) carrier is an old but efficient design. First built for the Star League Regular Army in 2557, it has served on almost every battlefield in the Inner Sphere. The Athena forms the brain of most successful artillery units, and is considered a valuable war prize. Its continued existence is threatened, however, because of a lack of replacement parts for its powerful targeting computers. Capabilities The Athena uses a tracked chassis and ICE engine combination. This gives it excellent cross-country performance as well as mechanical reliability. Cruising and flanking speeds are well within operational requirements. The Starslab/5 armor provides protection form most counterbattery fires, while the twin SperryBrowning heavy machine guns give the Athena at least a minimal defense against enemy infantry. The heart of the Athena is its communications and computer package. This is a three ton unit made up of a StarCom 6 long range communicator, a HawkEye 235-B targeting computer, and a SternFeur 3201 fire direction computer. The three units are linked by a Plekhanov SureLock datalink system, which ties the three elements together into an efficient whole. Depending on which computer program is loaded, this system is capable of controlling the fires of artillery units from battery to regimental level. It also has the capability to communicate with other fire support assets, such as conventional aircraft and aerospace fighters, as well as ground combat forces. This makes the Athena an extremely cost-effective vehicle. The Athena carries seven personnel in addition to the driver. There are two targeting technicians, two computer operators, and two radio operators. Each serves a twelve hour shift during normal twenty four hour operations. The seventh crewman is the vehicle commander, normally a senior sergeant. The interior is well-padded to enable the Athena to function on the move with a minimum of operator distraction. The only weakness of the Athena is, ironically, its strength, the computer system. The current supply situation in the Inner Sphere makes it increasingly difficult to find repair parts, not to mention trained technical personnel. Less capable computers are used occasionally, but only as a last resort, as they seriously degrade the Athena's firepower coordination abilities. A secondary function of the Athena is that of backup command post. Designers insured that the Athena's systems and software were compatible with those of a Mobile Headquarters. This compatibility facilitates rapid data transfer between the two vehicles. It also allows the Athena to assume some of the functions of the Mobile Headquarters in the event the latter vehicle is knocked out. Battle History The Athena has seen action in every major conflict since the Unification War. Its contribution is indirect in nature but its ability to coordinate artillery and other fires has proven pivotal in many major campaigns. Athenas are often seen in command of self-propelled Sniper batteries in order to take advantage of each other's mobility. Some well-equipped regiments have used Athenas to replace wheeled command vans as backup command posts. Variants The most common variant involves replacing the computer package with less complex versions. Most often seen are a TacCom/5 long range communicator, a HawkEye 435 targeting computer, and a CBVM 260 fire direction computer combination. While an adequate replacement for the original equipment, this limits the Athena to an artillery command and control role only. Notable Vehicles and Crews Sergeant Roland Novak and "Battleaxe" "Battleaxe" was the name of an Athena serving in the Regimental Artillery of the 15th Lyran Guards. Sergeant Novack, the vehicle's commander, named the vehicle in honor of his mother-in-law. "Battleaxe" and crew gained notoriety during the recent Second Battle of Loric when it coordinated a TOT (time on target) barrage that completely demolished a Marik 'Mech staging area. Twelve Marik 'Mechs were destroyed and another twenty were damaged. The Regimental Artillery received the Lyran Unit Citation of Merit for their actions. Athena FDC Carrier Mass: 20 tons Chassis: CBI(SL) 20-V Movement Type: Tracked PowerPlant: Hermes-100 ICE Cruising Speed: 54 kph Flank Speed: 86 kph Armor: Starslab/5 Armament: 2 SperryBrowning Machine Guns Manufacturer: Carl isle- Brockhurst Industries Communication System: StarCom 6 Targeting and Tracking ystem: Hawkeye 235-B Fire Direction System: SternFeuer 3201 Type: Athena FDC Carrier Movement Type: Tracked Tonnage: 20 tons Cruise Speed: 5 Flank Speed: 8 Simulator Stats Engine: 6 Tons Rating: 100 Type: ICE Control: 1 Tons Lift Equipment: 0 Tons Power Amplifier: 0 Tons Heat Sinks: 0 Tons Internal Structure: 2 Tons Turret: 0.2 Tons Passenger Compartment: 1 Tons Armor: 72 Points 4.5 Tons Location Front: 18 Points Lt/Rt Side: 12/12 Points Back: 10 Points Turret: 20 Points Weapons and Ammo Type Facing Tons MG Turret 0.5 MG Turret 0.5 Ammo (MG) 200 Turret 1 Communications and Fire Direction Equipment Body 3 Back to BattleTechnology 8 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1989 by Pacific Rim Publishing. 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