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Gangrene's Neo-LAMs
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Gangrene
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PostPosted: 07-Nov-2002 03:04    Post subject: Gangrene's Neo-LAMs Reply to topic Reply with quote

Here is some new tech I made up at the spur of the moment this afternoon. Its not supposed to be superior to current Battletech equipment, just a test of concept and I wanted a little feedback.



These are supposed to be used in conjunction with my guided missile rules. Also, these are supposed to be more strategic assets and not great tactical assets.



How do you like the use of a more complex math function in Bmech design?



Gangrene’s Neo-LAMs



Rules



Neo-LAM’s are mechs with the capability of flight. Unlike traditional Battletech LAMs, neo-LAMs do not have the ability to transform or leave the atmosphere. They are limited to the same range of movement as helicopters, and move according to the rules for VTOL’s, with the exception of the following changes.



It takes 2 flight mp in order to launch or land. A neo-LAM must move a minimum of 6 flight mp in order to stay in flight. After launching a neo-LAM is considered at level 2. Like VTOL’s, neo-LAM’s must spend 1 flight mp in order to change facing or to move up or down 1 level. For targeting purposes ignore the +1 modifier given to jumping mechs. Likewise give the flying mech a +2 to-hit modifier.



Equipment



Unlike LAM’s, neo-LAM’s flying system is completely separate from the main engine and is not restricted by the walking mp of the mech. However, the system is quite heavy and generally consumes 25% to 50% of the units mass. This has a tendency to leave such mechs the role of scouting. There is no weight limit on what mechs can mount this system.



Neo-LAM flight equipment consists of a series of jet propulsion engines coupled with a complex system for vector thrust (since mechs do not have any lifting surfaces like most aerial vehicles). Fuel is required, but for the short time span of Battletech engagements the amount of fuel consumption can be considered negligible. The system takes up 6 critical spaces in the right and left torsos. The mass is calculated according to the formula:



M = 2 + 0.6exp(Tf/85)



where T is the tonnage of the mech, f is the number of flight mp (minimum 6), and M is the mass of the system. It is recommended that this system be used in conjunction with fractional accounting from MaxTech. Otherwise just round the tonnage to the nearest half-ton.



ex. A 20 ton mech wants to mount the neo-LAM equipment for 8 flight mp.



M = 2 + 0.6*exp(20*8/85) = 5.94 tons.



*Note: This system isn’t based on any real-life engine calcs. Its just a computational scheme to get the results I desired.







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Jade_Dragon
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PostPosted: 12-Nov-2002 11:43    Post subject: RE: Gangrene's Neo-LAMs Reply to topic Reply with quote

VERY interesting to say the least...so basically this is just a super jump jet systems, quiaff?

Would these machines be capable of re-entry?

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Sir Henry
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PostPosted: 12-Nov-2002 12:14    Post subject: RE: Gangrene's Neo-LAMs Reply to topic Reply with quote

Sound reasonable....



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Gangrene
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PostPosted: 15-Nov-2002 21:05    Post subject: RE: Gangrene's Neo-LAMs Reply to topic Reply with quote

Quote:

On 2002-11-12 11:43, Jade_Dragon wrote:
VERY interesting to say the least...so basically this is just a super jump jet systems, quiaff?



Something like that. I just wanted to decouple the relationship between air movement and engine size. Plus if you're going to make a huge metal brick fly this is more realistic than jets weighing a few tons spitting out plasma.

Quote:

Would these machines be capable of re-entry?



I'm not sure what you mean. Since the system is mainly jet-style engines then the entire functionality relies on the existence of atmosphere. The system wouldn't be capable of taking a mech out of the atmosphere, so a mech would never "re-enter."

Basically the neo-LAMs are limited to the same movement as helicopters.

It might be able to help in a mech drop, though.

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[ This Message was edited by: Gangrene on 2002-11-15 21:09 ]
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