Cobra CBR-08

Mass: 45 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3070
Cost: 4,056,375 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,168

Chassis: Unknown Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 225 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Ferro-Fibrous w/ CASE
Armament:
    2  MML-9s
    2  ER Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

Overview:
During the Marik/Liao invasions of 3057, Lyran Alliance commanders were
impressed by the fire-support actions of the enemy's new Apollo 'Mech. The
Lyrans contacted Earthwerks, makers of the Apollo, only to learn that
Earthwerks had been instructed to refuse any orders for the Apollo from the
Federated Commonwealth, and that they were extending that refusal to the newly
formed Lyran Alliance. Undaunted, LAAF officials contacted Defiance Industries
about developing a similar 'Mech, a request to which Defiance gladly responded.

 Defiance engineers used field descriptions of the Apollo as the basis for
their new 'Mech design, retaining the LRM-15s but choosing standard medium
lasers over the less effective small pulse lasers. They also changed the
placement of the weapons, putting them all in the 'Mech's arms to give a larger
field of fire. LAAF officials requested that the new design - dubbed the Cobra
for its hood-like targeting and tracking system - be lighter arid faster than
the Apollo, but retain the standard engine to keep costs down.


Capabilities:
The Cobra is intended as a fire-support 'Mech, and it serves admirably in that
role. Though it lacks Artemis IV FCS systems for its LRMs, the Cobra's mobility
enables it to get to a good firing position and gives it a range of motion that
provides the missiles with a nearly 360-degree field of fire. Defiance chose to
copy the missile arrangement of the Zeus, arranging the missile tubes around
and set back from a solid core. This arrangement allows the Cobra to punch
without fear of damaging the missile rack. Backing up the LRMs is a pair of
medium lasers, classic short-range protection for a fire-support 'Mech.

 Using a standard engine keep costs down and also adds to the survivability of
the Cobra. Despite all the miracles Defiance managed to work, however, the
design contains some flaws. it leaves no space for CASE equipment, a drawback
that makes some pilots consider the Cobra a deathtrap. Also, despite the use of
ferro-fibrous alloys. the Cobra lacks adequate armor for a 'Mech of its size,
sacrificing protection for speed. Only time will tell if that trade-off was a
wise one.


Deployment:
The Cobra has so far gone only to the Third Donegal Guards, undergoing a
testing period with them. It is fairly certain that LAAF officials approve of
the design. however, as production has begun in earnest despite the fact that
testing has not yet been completed. Other realms barred from purchasing Apollos
have also expressed interest. The LAAF is expected to authorize sales to the
Free Rasalhague Republic, but it seems unlikely that either the Federated
Commonwealth or the St. Ives Compact will be allowed to purchase the design.


Additional:
Entered by Larry Leslie, aka Highball

Verified by Dave Welch


================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                    75 points                2.50
    Internal Locations: 2 CT, 4 LT, 3 LA, 3 RA, 2 LL
Engine:             Fusion Engine                225                      10.00
    Walking MP: 5
    Running MP: 8
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             10(20)                    0.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 143                  8.00
    Armor Locations: 12 RT, 2 RL
    CASE Locations: 1 LT                                                   0.50

                                                      Internal       Armor
                                                      Structure      Factor
                                                Head     3            9
                                        Center Torso     14           22
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  6
                                           L/R Torso     11           18
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  4
                                             L/R Arm     7            13
                                             L/R Leg     11           18

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MML-9                                        RA        5         5         6.00
ER Medium Laser                              RA        5         1         1.00
MML-9                                        LA        5         5         6.00
ER Medium Laser                              LA        5         1         1.00
@MML-9 (LRM) (26)                            LT        -         2         2.00
@MML-9 (SRM) (22)                            LT        -         2         2.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 3

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      5    Points: 12
5          3       3       1       0      2     0   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1