Archer ARC-3V

Mass: 70 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: 13,269,973 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,494

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 280 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    2  Ultra AC/5s
    8  Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

Overview:
The ARC-2R Archer is one of the best-known designs still in use today. First
produced in 2474, the Archer quickly earned respect and popularity among
BattleMech regiments that was unequalled by any other type. Star League records
show that nearly 100,000 Archers were constructed before the beginning of the
Succession Wars. Most of these have now been destroyed or lost to spare parts
depots. However, some production of the many Archer variants continues to this
day in most of the Successor States.

 The Archer was designed initially as a heavy-hitting assault 'Mech, able to
pound defending units at long range as it approached. Over the centuries, it
has also been used in a variety of other roles, ranging from city-busting to
indirect fire support.


Capabilities:
The ARC-2R Archer is an early model assault 'Mech. Its two Doombud LRM 20-racks
can support and attack or defensive situation in the initial stages of combat.
The two self-loading missile storage bins located on each side of the upper
torso beneath the launchers are ample enough for continued bombardment as long
as necessary. The four Diverse Optics Type 18 medium lasers are designed for
medium- to short-ranged combat, with two of them positioned in a central turret
above the cockpit for rearward fire.

 The Archer is one of the few BattleMechs whose cockpit is located beneath the
central torso. This obviously gives the pilot a battlefield perspective quite
different from most normal cockpit positions. Armor protection is still about
the same as in other heavy 'Mechs, however, as the torso armor belt is located
above the cockpit area, protecting the gyro mechanism and the VOX 280 engine
unit.

 Like so many other 'Mechs, the Archer is plagued with heat buildup problems,
which makes it dangerous to shoot both the long-range missiles and the medium
lasers at the same time. Nor is the 'Mech particularly effective in toe-to-toe
combat, despite its two heavy battle fists. Another problem is the Archer's
familiarity. It has been around for so long that all combatants know its design
capabilities and its weaknesses too well. Though still an effective battle
machine, there are rarely any new tricks an Archer can spring on an opponent.


Battle History:
During the defense of Rallonsdown Starport on the planet Chian in 2931, an
Archer piloted by Suizo Ozawa of House Kurita Repair and Replacement Station
241 was set upon by a full lance of Bandit King Helmar Valasak. After several
hours of hit-and-run tactics, Ozawa had destroyed two of the four attackers.
Heavily damaged, his Archer charged the remaining two pirate 'Mechs, crippling
one with the last shot from his medium lasers. The remaining enemy Shadow Hawk
delivered a devastating attack with his autocannon, followed by a series of
punches that toppled Ozawa's Archer into the surrounding rubble of buildings.
Knowing the Shadow Hawk was coming in for the kill, Suizo Ozawa set his Diverse
Optics Type 18 medium lasers into overload in hopes of setting off its
remaining ammunition and attempted to eject. The explosion engulfed both
'Mechs, and caught Ozawa before he could clear the escape tube. In 2932, Repair
and Replacement Station 241 was renamed Ozawa Station in his memory.


Variants:
The many modifications to the Archer design over the centuries could themselves
fill a book. There are currently no less than six different versions of the
Archer in wide use by each Successor House and the mercenary Wolf's Dragoons
(the only mercenary unit still able to construct its own Archers). These
variations include the amount of armor, number of heat sinks, and weapons
systems carried. For instance, House Kurita's Archer has replaced the four
medium lasers with two large lasers, and dropped the long-range missiles down
to two 15-racks. Two additional heat sinks were installed, but armor was
sacrificed due to the weight of the large lasers. House Steiner and Wolf's
Dragoons have added two SRM quad racks to their Archers, sacrificing two medium
lasers (Wolf's Dragoons) and dropping the LRM-20s to LRM-15s (House Steiner).
Almost all weapon variations have been tried on the Archer, and many of these
are still around.


Notable 'Mechs & MechWarriors:
MechWarrior Ted "Slim" Atkins

 A legend among many 'Mech regiments, "Slim" Atkins is one of the oldest
MechWarriors still on active duty. Throughout his career, he has refused any
promotion, preferring to remain in Charles Henry's Lance of the Waco Rangers.
The Rangers are a battalion-sized mercenary unit thought to be full of misfits
and drifters, many of whom have proven themselves as among the best
MechWarriors of the day. Atkins is famous for his gunnery skill aboard his
beloved Archer, the Six-Gun Slim. Seeing the insignia of crossed energy pistols
on the front of Atkin's Archer coming toward them, many opponents quickly
decide to engage other targets.


Captain Ansel Graham

 Currently assigned to Davion's Sixth Crucis March Militia, Captain Graham has
fought in over 50 engagements against House Kurita, and is well-known for his
battle tactics. Having always operated Archers in combat, he is considered an
authority in their use. His last Archer, the Archeron VIII, had to be
cannibalized when its major components eventually wore out. Now in the newly
rebuilt and refurbished Archeron IX, Captain Graham helps train new warriors in
the Crucis March.


Additional:
From TRO 3025.


Distribution from RS 3025/3026.


Entered by Corbin Ball.


================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     107 points                7.00
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine             280                       8.00
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             15(30)                    5.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 2 LA, 2 RA
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 208                 13.00
    CASE Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT                                             1.00

                                                      Internal       Armor
                                                      Structure      Factor
                                                Head     3            9
                                        Center Torso     22           33
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  10
                                           L/R Torso     15           24
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6
                                             L/R Arm     11           22
                                             L/R Leg     15           26

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Medium Lasers                              RA        6         2         2.00
2 Medium Lasers                              LA        6         2         2.00
Medium Laser                                 RT        3         1         1.00
Ultra AC/5                                   RT        1         5         9.00
Medium Laser                                 LT        3         1         1.00
Ultra AC/5                                   LT        1         5         9.00
2 Medium Lasers                              CT        6         2         2.00
@Ultra AC/5 (40)                             RT        -         2         2.00
@Ultra AC/5 (40)                             LT        -         2         2.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 5

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      7    Points: 15
4          6       6       2       0      3     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA