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Description

Locust VTOLAM

*As a note, my Social Generals saw the vestigial version, WiP rules of this last month, while I tinkered away. Still not what I consider "fully final", but massaged enough for more open commentary on any changes, perceived or real balance issues, etc. This is of course by no means official, nor rules legal, but in the spirit of the old Battletechnology and other Magazines that gave us stuff like the Hovertank "LAM" (Wouldn't that be a.. LLM?) and such.

LCT-XX LOCUST VTOLAM
Experimental Tech (Illegal) 3150*

VTOLAM conversions is a form of Bimodal LAM construction that attempts to marry the mobility of a VTOL with the ruggedness of a Mech. One of the major differences is the lack of jump jet requirement found on traditional LAMs, being as this uses a conventional rotor/duct fan arrangement for air mobility.

Likewise the added rotor components raise the weight of the Conversion Equipment to 20% of the Mech's total Mass and VTOLAMs are restricted to the traditional 30 ton weight limit for conventional VTOLs, and like all BiModal designs lose all the benefits of the Airmech configuration.

A couple of advantages are that they are not as equipment restricted as a Conventional Lam because of the torso undergoing minimal realignment in conversion, allowing for the use of any fusion engine type, as well as alternate gyros. Likewise, with no need for reaction mass, fuel is not needed for flight mode. Landing Gear is in the form of retractable Skids, so require 1 crit space in each side torso, but none in the CT.

Restrictions, unless stated above, all the traditional LAM restrictions still apply. The Armor points for the Rotor move to the Rear CT in Mech Mode, meaning that 2 pts damage to the rear armor (even if there is more armor) will destroy the rotors and leave the machine unable to convert.

Movement in VTOL Mode is factored as per standard VTOLs, allowing for backwards, sideslips, etc, but also denying the ability to use "ASF" movement (1 map per MP of speed), and likewise it is restricted by all the typical atmospheric considerations that would ground a VTOL.

VTOL Cruise and Flank Speed are figured as normal VTOL taking the engine size and rounding down to the nearest MP, losing some power to the parasitic drag on the gear, so for instance a 25 ton VTOL would normally use a 185 rated engine for 13mp, a 210 for 14... the Locust VTOLAM uses a 200 for mech mode, so you would round down to 13/20 air movement)

Basic Idea so far is this is still an 8/12 LCT-1V derived machine. I might make a few tweaks (like a clan grade laser, or MGs, etc) but mostly the added 5 tons is to help absorb the weight of the conversion gear.

Background: After Grey Monday as part of their Build Up for their incursion into Davion Space and eventual planned assault on the Republic, House Liao started many plans into new experimental designs. The VTOLAM was inspired by Hell's Horses QuadVees, but Daoshen Liao wanted something more useful and practical. Traditional LAMs weren't useful for their frontline combat prowess, but their versatility and tactical flexibility. So this new machine would need to do that but without all the headaches and design hurdles of making the old staple LAMs.

Two versions were initially tried. A Bimodal ASF based version, and a new radical concept, the VTOLAM. While the BiModal tech had never truly left prototype stages, it did have some promise, of potentially being more rugged and robust, easier to maintain. It was eventually decided that the resources, training, etc even for a Bimodal ASF based unit was just too much a strain on logistics, so even though the concept was unproven, the VTOL based version was pushed ahead for testing. While much more limited in some regards, being unable to fly in a vacuum, for instance, and being much slower, it had other practical advantages, including not needing fuel, or being as restrictive and intrusive with the conversion gear, allowing for the use of non standard Engines and Gyros, if desired. And the VTOL mode still allowed for far superior mobility than a mech, but also better ground hugging characteristics than an ASF can safely operate at.

While Bergan has traditionally built the Locusts for the CCAF, for security reasons, the Locust LAM project is being overseen by Hellespont, though many of the parts are being produced and purchased as special runs, from Bergan.

As of 3150, two prototypes are on Hellespont's testing grounds, and showing promise as scouts, raiders, and SAR units. Likewise the one bimodal ASF prototype is still on hand for testing and data collection. A third VTOL prototype is in early and as to date, unsuccessful test stages. The TAG and one Machine Gun were removed to mount a Guardian ECM in the right arm/pylon, to work in conjunction with Stealth Armor. But so far, even the much more limited geometry reconfiguration of the Bimodal VTOLLAM has proven too much for the Stealth Armor to reliably work on, and even when it does work, it has only been at about 65% efficacy.

*updated to show original art concept scribbles and the alternate Rules Legal Bimodal LAM version (will try to whip up physical stats for it when I get a chance)

consider joining my Patreon for early access, unwatermarked images & exclusives. http://patreon.com/BishopSteiner
or you could simply buy me a "coffee" (or 10) on Ko-Fi: http://ko-fi.com/bishopsbeerfund

Description

Locust VTOLAM

*As a note, my Social Generals saw the vestigial version, WiP rules of this last month, while I tinkered away. Still not what I consider "fully final", but massaged enough for more open commentary on any changes, perceived or real balance issues, etc. This is of course by no means official, nor rules legal, but in the spirit of the old Battletechnology and other Magazines that gave us stuff like the Hovertank "LAM" (Wouldn't that be a.. LLM?) and such.

LCT-XX LOCUST VTOLAM
Experimental Tech (Illegal) 3150*

VTOLAM conversions is a form of Bimodal LAM construction that attempts to marry the mobility of a VTOL with the ruggedness of a Mech. One of the major differences is the lack of jump jet requirement found on traditional LAMs, being as this uses a conventional rotor/duct fan arrangement for air mobility.

Likewise the added rotor components raise the weight of the Conversion Equipment to 20% of the Mech's total Mass and VTOLAMs are restricted to the traditional 30 ton weight limit for conventional VTOLs, and like all BiModal designs lose all the benefits of the Airmech configuration.

A couple of advantages are that they are not as equipment restricted as a Conventional Lam because of the torso undergoing minimal realignment in conversion, allowing for the use of any fusion engine type, as well as alternate gyros. Likewise, with no need for reaction mass, fuel is not needed for flight mode. Landing Gear is in the form of retractable Skids, so require 1 crit space in each side torso, but none in the CT.

Restrictions, unless stated above, all the traditional LAM restrictions still apply. The Armor points for the Rotor move to the Rear CT in Mech Mode, meaning that 2 pts damage to the rear armor (even if there is more armor) will destroy the rotors and leave the machine unable to convert.

Movement in VTOL Mode is factored as per standard VTOLs, allowing for backwards, sideslips, etc, but also denying the ability to use "ASF" movement (1 map per MP of speed), and likewise it is restricted by all the typical atmospheric considerations that would ground a VTOL.

VTOL Cruise and Flank Speed are figured as normal VTOL taking the engine size and rounding down to the nearest MP, losing some power to the parasitic drag on the gear, so for instance a 25 ton VTOL would normally use a 185 rated engine for 13mp, a 210 for 14... the Locust VTOLAM uses a 200 for mech mode, so you would round down to 13/20 air movement)

Basic Idea so far is this is still an 8/12 LCT-1V derived machine. I might make a few tweaks (like a clan grade laser, or MGs, etc) but mostly the added 5 tons is to help absorb the weight of the conversion gear.

Background: After Grey Monday as part of their Build Up for their incursion into Davion Space and eventual planned assault on the Republic, House Liao started many plans into new experimental designs. The VTOLAM was inspired by Hell's Horses QuadVees, but Daoshen Liao wanted something more useful and practical. Traditional LAMs weren't useful for their frontline combat prowess, but their versatility and tactical flexibility. So this new machine would need to do that but without all the headaches and design hurdles of making the old staple LAMs.

Two versions were initially tried. A Bimodal ASF based version, and a new radical concept, the VTOLAM. While the BiModal tech had never truly left prototype stages, it did have some promise, of potentially being more rugged and robust, easier to maintain. It was eventually decided that the resources, training, etc even for a Bimodal ASF based unit was just too much a strain on logistics, so even though the concept was unproven, the VTOL based version was pushed ahead for testing. While much more limited in some regards, being unable to fly in a vacuum, for instance, and being much slower, it had other practical advantages, including not needing fuel, or being as restrictive and intrusive with the conversion gear, allowing for the use of non standard Engines and Gyros, if desired. And the VTOL mode still allowed for far superior mobility than a mech, but also better ground hugging characteristics than an ASF can safely operate at.

While Bergan has traditionally built the Locusts for the CCAF, for security reasons, the Locust LAM project is being overseen by Hellespont, though many of the parts are being produced and purchased as special runs, from Bergan.

As of 3150, two prototypes are on Hellespont's testing grounds, and showing promise as scouts, raiders, and SAR units. Likewise the one bimodal ASF prototype is still on hand for testing and data collection. A third VTOL prototype is in early and as to date, unsuccessful test stages. The TAG and one Machine Gun were removed to mount a Guardian ECM in the right arm/pylon, to work in conjunction with Stealth Armor. But so far, even the much more limited geometry reconfiguration of the Bimodal VTOLLAM has proven too much for the Stealth Armor to reliably work on, and even when it does work, it has only been at about 65% efficacy.

*updated to show original art concept scribbles and the alternate Rules Legal Bimodal LAM version (will try to whip up physical stats for it when I get a chance)

consider joining my Patreon for early access, unwatermarked images & exclusives. http://patreon.com/BishopSteiner
or you could simply buy me a "coffee" (or 10) on Ko-Fi: http://ko-fi.com/bishopsbeerfund