[Mekton] UPEO Defender Armor-Buster Type

UPEO Defender Armor-Buster Type

Battlefield performance data of the UPEO Defender's early engagements revealed that while it performed fairly well against light enemy troopers, the Panzerfaust missiles were more frequently employed than originally expected of UPEO combat doctrine. And while the Defender had a well-rounded array of weapons, most of UPEO's pilots lacked sufficient training to utilize its loadout effectively.

With tensions increasing between the various corporations, UPEO began receiving increased support from General Resource Limited that included access to heavier weaponry than what originally the Defender was allowed to carry. The Armor-Buster type is a very simple modification of the Defender's weapons loadout, increasing overall ranged firepower by replacing the submachine gun and Panzerfaust missile launchers with a bazooka. Utilizing the Defender's ballistics targeting systems and loaded with large-caliber high explosive rounds, the bazooka can inflict devastating anti-armor shots in the hands of a UPEO pilot accustomed to using the Defender's submachine gun.

Operationally, the Armor-Buster type appears promising. While remaining somewhat fragile, the Defender now has a longer striking distance with the bazooka than with the submachine gun, but slightly shorter range than what was achievable with the Panzerfaust launchers. With only one type of ammunition to supply, logistics for the Armor-Buster type is simpler than the standard Defender loadout. Aside from the shorter overall striking range, the only other drawback observed is the loss of the Defender's ability to provide saturation fire with the removal of the submachine gun; however issuance of special bazooka shells may be able to mitigate this if necessary.

Configurations:
Form    MV  Land MA  Flight MA
Mekton  -2  5 Hexes  -

Frame and Armor: (Total Cost 43, weight 21.5 tons)
Location  Class       SP   DC  Kills  Spaces  Cost
Head      ST/ST-Std.  3/3  1   3/3    2/3     6
Body      ST/ST-Std.  3/3  1   6/6    3/6     9
L.Arm     ST/ST-Std.  3/3  1   4/4    2/4     7
R.Arm     ST/ST-Std.  3/3  1   4/4    2/4     7
L.Leg     ST/ST-Std.  3/3  1   4/4    2/4     7
R.Leg     ST/ST-Std.  3/3  1   4/4    2/4     7

Armament: (Total cost 21.65, weight 9 tons)
Weapon              Acc.  Range   Damage  Shots  Kills   Location  Cost  Space  Notes
L.Hand              +0    -       1K      -      1/1     L.Arm     1.75  1      Quick, Handy
R.Hand              +0    -       1K      -      1/1     R.Arm     1.75  1      Quick, Handy
Anti-Armor Bazooka  +0    8/64    8K      8/8    8/8     2-handed  9.3   7.8    HE ammo (Mag: 1 Kill)
Beam Saber          +1    -       7K      -      2/2     1-Handed  3.85  3.85   3 turns in use, rechargeable
Shield              DA-2  -       -       -      5/5 SP  L.Arm     5     1

Systems: (Total cost 7; weight 2.0 tons)
Subassembly          Location  Cost  Space  Notes
Cockpit              Body      1     1      Equipped w/ ejection seat, armored enclosure
Sensors, Main        Head      2     1      Sensor range 4km, communication range 800km, 1 Kill
Sensors, Backup      Body      2     2      Sensor range 1km, communication range 300km, 2 Kills
Spotlight            Head      0.2   -      Illuminate 1 hex
Damage Control Pack  R.Arm     1     1      Contains fire-retardant foam, glue bombs, flares and raft
Ext. Ammo (Bazooka)  External  0.8   0.8    Extra HE ammunition for bazooka, 1 Kill

Cost Multipliers:
Powerplant, Std. Cool Fusion (x0.0; located in Body)
Controls, Screen (x0.0)
Hydraulics, Std. (x0.0)

Base Weight: 32.5 tons
Base Weight + Fuel: 32.5 tons
Weight Efficiency: -3 tons (6 CP)
Final Weight: 29.5 tons
Base Cost: 71.65 (Allowed: 74 CP max)
Total Multipliers: x1.00
Final Cost: 77.65 CP (Allowed: 80 CP max)