Atlas AS8-Gv

Mass: 100 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-D-A
Production Year: 3050
Cost: 11,066,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,157

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 300 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    2  ER Large Lasers
    1  LB 10-X AC
    1  LRM-15
    1  SRM-4
    1  Beagle Active Probe
    1  Guardian ECM Suite
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

Overview:
The sight of BattleMechs lumbering across the terrain is a familiar one among
the worlds of the Inner Sphere. Nevertheless, the sight of an AS7-D Atlas still
manages to make even experienced MechWarriors break out in a sweat and brings
the bitter taste of bile to their mouths.

 The Atlas was designed as a last-ditch attempt to ensure the superiority of
the Star League's Regular Army over the growing armies of the House Lords. It
was an understandable reaction to the Cameron edicts passed from 2751 to 2761
by the High Council, which permitted the five Lords to double the size of their
personal armies. General Kerensky himself set down the specifications for the
Atlas. He said it should be "a 'Mech as powerful as possible, as impenetrable
as possible, and as ugly and foreboding as conceivable, so that fear itself
will be our ally."


Capabilities:
Ugly and foreboding are two apt descriptions for the Atlas. Though some 'Mechs
might be taller and heavier, none have the Atlas' aura. Considerable effort
went into making the Atlas' weapons as visible as possible, giving an opposing
MechWarrior plenty of opportunity to see that he is outgunned and to decide he
is not being paid enough to die. Designers spent an entire year fashioning the
head and cockpit to create a perfect merging of function and gruesomeness. The
result was a complete success, and so MechWarriors nicknamed the Atlas "Death's
Head".

 The Atlas was the first 'Mech to mount such a large and devastating
autocannon. Even though it carries only ten rounds for its Class 20 AC, the
mere threat of such a large autocannon is often enough to send some 'Mechs
scurrying. The weapon's only problem is that it lacks a cooling jacket and can
overheat easily.

 The Atlas' long-range missile delivery system is a unique design. Upon
discovering that 20 launching tubes would not fit into the 'Mech's torso, the
designers decided to install five tubes with a feed system that can shoot four
salvos within ten seconds. The feed system is fairly reliable, and Techs need
only worry about shielding the ammo from heat emitted from the nearby reactor.
Reloading is quick, as each missile tube system has its own ammunition clip.
Completely loaded, the missile system can shoot twelve salvos of 20 missiles.
The large aperture between the two missile systems may look like another
weapon, but it is the omnicoupling, where power and coolant cables can be
attached to start up or repair the Atlas.

 The 'Mech's armor is thick, and the forward torso and legs are especially well
protected. Someone once calculated that if a battalion of Stinger 'Mechs
engaged an Atlas, the Atlas would retire for repairs an hour later, leaving
only one Stinger still able to move.

 The head is roomy enough to support a small disk antenna, giving the Atlas
limited surface-to-space communications. When entering battle, the pilot can
fold up the antenna and stow it in a protected portion of the Atlas' head.

 The three medium lasers and short-range missiles make the 'Mech a good
close-range fighter, while its internal structure gives the arms and hands
enormous power. This has created many horror stories concerning Atlases and
their ability to pick-up medium-sized 'Mechs with one hand and fling them to
the ground as though they were mere toys.

 The main drawback of the Atlas is its slow speed. Intelligent opponents will
retreat before the forbidding machine, hoping either to draw it into tight
quarters, such as a city or woods, or sucker it into water or mud. Once there,
the Atlas' lack of mobility is compounded. If a company depends on an Atlas for
fire support, then a wily enemy will hit and run, hoping to draw the swifter
'Mechs away from the slow Atlas.


Battle History:
The Atlas was first used against Stefan the Usurper. In the final battles to
gain control of Earth's major spaceports, the Atlas was instrumental in
securing beachheads to allow troops to land safely.

 General Kerensky's second-in-command, General DeChavilier, spearheaded the
final assault on the Usurper's last stronghold, the Imperial City. He
continually exposed his Atlas to enemy fire, yet marched on as if the laser
bolts, missiles, and cannon shells were nothing more than the annoying buzz of
flies. When DeChavilier's Atlas pushed over the concrete outer wall surrounding
the Imperial Palace, Kerensky headed for the Usurper's palace gates in his
Orion.

 Considering the Atlas' raw power, it is no wonder that Kerensky wanted all
Atlases to accompany him into his self-imposed exile. Oddly, more than
two-thirds of the pilots who refused to join him were Atlas pilots. Perhaps
they felt that they could better their social standing by remaining in the
Inner Sphere. The remaining Atlases and those still being produced on Hesperus
and Quentin continue to inspire terror wherever they tread.


Variants:
With the passing years, it has become difficult to replace many Atlas parts, as
most supplies have been destroyed or exhausted. The Atlas can use slightly
different weapon designs, but they invariably decrease the size of the 'Mech's
interior.

 As for modifications, few Successor Lords have tried to tamper with success.
Some have replaced the medium lasers on the 'Mech's hands with large lasers.
This variant is only moderately successful, however, as the new lasers are
unreliable when tied into the already-taxed battle computer.


Notable 'Mechs & MechWarriors:
MechWarrior Rodney Van Kleven

 A member of the elite 6th Syrtis Fusiliers, Rodney Van Kleven is an aristocrat
with the instincts of a democrat. Extremely personable, he is well-liked by
everyone from fellow MechWarriors to the lowliest ship's cook.

 On the battlefield, Van Kleven uses his Atlas, which he calls the Boar's Head,
like a 100 ton scout. He stomps all over the field, creating general terror in
the enemy lines and almost always overheating his 'Mech. He has won several
land grants, but quickly loses the titles when his 'Mech overheats and shuts
down on the battlefield.


General of the Army Vasily Cherenkoff

 Commander of Lord Kurita's forces, Cherenkoff's Atlas is seldom in the
vicinity of a raging battle. Preferring to park his red Atlas next to a mobile
HQ, he uses it only in an emergency or when inspecting troops. The general is
as abrasive as he is fat. The current joke among his troops is that the Atlas
is the only 'Mech that can carry his weight, and that even its leg actuators
groan under the strain.


Additional:
From TRO 3025.


Distribution from RS 3025/3026.


Entered by Corbin Ball.


================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     152 points               10.00
Engine:             Fusion Engine                300                      19.00
    Walking MP: 3
    Running MP: 5
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             17(34)                    7.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 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 - 304                 19.00
    CASE Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT                                             1.00

                                                      Internal       Armor
                                                      Structure      Factor
                                                Head     3            9
                                        Center Torso     31           48
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  13
                                           L/R Torso     21           31
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  11
                                             L/R Arm     17           33
                                             L/R Leg     21           42

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER Large Laser                               RA        12        2         5.00
ER Large Laser                               LA        12        2         5.00
LB 10-X AC                                   RT        2         6        11.00
Beagle Active Probe                          RT        0         2         1.50
LRM-15                                       LT        5         3         7.00
SRM-4                                        LT        3         1         2.00
Guardian ECM Suite                           CT        0         2         1.50
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (10)                      RT        -         1         1.00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (10)                         RT        -         1         1.00
@LRM-15 (16)                                 LT        -         2         2.00
@SRM-4 (25)                                  LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 7

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:     10    Points: 22
3          4       4       4       0      4     0   Structure:  8
Special Abilities: PRB, RCN, ECM, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1, FLK 1/1/1