BLACK CAIMAN (aka Stalker IIC)
Overview
Although originally designed and fielded by Clan Coyote, today the
Black Caiman is an integral part of every Clan's second-line and garrison Touman. In fact, while this BattleMech is no longer produced by the Coyotes, it remains in limited production at two other facilities: one Diamond Shark and one owned by the Star Adders.
Intended to replace aging SLDF-era
Stalker BattleMechs during the early years of the Golden Century, the
Black Caiman serves as a singular example of just how deadly Clan technology can be used to update ancient designs for the modern environment. Although one of the oldest Clan BattleMechs to remain in service, there are no serious plans to retire this unit.
It is simply too effective in the garrison role to discard lightly.
Capabilities
Like the
Stalker of old, the
Black Caiman masses 85 tons. Coyote Scientist-Warriors incorporated an Endo-Steel II internal chassis, however, in order to save mass. While the two designs mount the same
tonnage of armor, the
Black Caiman featured the newly developed (at the time) Clan Ferro-fibrous plating--allowing for an increase in armor protection to more than 98% of the maximum possible for an 85-ton bipedal frame.
Five of the STK-3F
Stalker's twenty heat sinks were removed, but all fifteen remaining were replaced with double-strength models, providing for an increase of 50% in heat dissipation capacity for the BattleMech. Both BattleMechs retain the 255 Strand standard fusion engine, which does (somewhat) limit the
Black Caiman's tactical deployment. Walking speed is a mere 32.4 kilometers per hour with a running speed of 54.0 kph.
These design choices did limit internal space, however, resulting in a very cramped interior that utilizes 100% of the available volume. This crimp on space has made altering the
Black Caiman a laborious and difficult process, and many Technicians swear at fever pitch (outside of the hearing of the Warrior caste) whenever a
Black Caiman enters the repair bays.
Armament closely mirrors that of the original
Stalker. Two LRM-10 racks are fitted one each to the right and left arm, but these weapons have been equipped with Artemis IV fire-control systems to ensure a larger percentage of missiles striking home against their target. Magazine capacity was doubled as well, giving each long-range missile rack twenty-four full salvos.
Complementing the LRMs at range, the
Black Caiman mounts two Large Pulse Lasers, installed one each in the right and left torsos. Using the Large Pulse Lasers and LRMs at range does not strain the improved cooling system, allowing for a Warrior to run and remain heat neutral.
At closer ranges, four Medium Pulse Lasers (mounted two each in the right and left arm) come to bear. As the range drops still further,
three SRM-6 launchers (one each in the right, left, and center torso, with two tons of ammunition for 10 triple salvoes--all of which are outfitted with Artemis IV FCS--)adds to the carnage the
Black Caiman is able to deliver onto its targets. This BattleMech has enough heat dissipation to allow for all seven of these weapons to be used and remain heat-neutral on a run. Alternatively, if the Warrior wishes to conserve ammunition, he can use one Large Pulse Laser, all four Medium Pulse Lasers, and either one LRM or SRM rack and generate only movement heat.
Recognizing that the SLDF
Stalker had been rather weak against infantry, the Coyote design team next added a Flamer just beneath the cockpit. Having two tons remaining, the design team decided to add an Active Probe (right torso) and an ECM Suite (left torso) to the design, allowing the
Black Caiman to serve as a command element for garrison units, as well as providing for an electronic counter-measures bubble to add to the defensive capabilities not just of this one BattleMech, but it's entire Star!
However, like the original SLDF version, the Warrior assigned to a
Black Caiman must make judicious use of his available weapon systems and not over-tax the cooling system. An Alpha-strike made by this BattleMech is liable to result in a Warrior detonating his own onboard ammunition supplies and shutting his war-machine down in the process. Such reckless Warriors are almost always heavily disciplined afterwards (if they survive the multiple internal explosions, that is!).
Although not suited for most open-field battles, the
Black Caiman is almost ideal for garrison duty. And while the design is not quite as ideal for offensive use, it has been used (rather frighteningly effectively, it must be said) in such a role by numerous Clans over the past century-and-a-half!
Code:
BattleMech Technical Readout
Type/Model: Black Caiman
Tech: Clan / 3050
Config: Biped BattleMech
Rules: Level 2, Custom design
Mass: 85 tons
Chassis: Endo Steel
Power Plant: 255 Fusion
Walking Speed: 32.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor Type: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
4 Medium Pulse Lasers
2 LRM 10s w/ Artemis IV
2 Large Pulse Lasers
3 SRM 6s w/ Artemis IV
1 Active Probe
1 ECM Suite
1 Flamer
Manufacturer: (Unknown)
Location: (Unknown)
Communications System: (Unknown)
Targeting & Tracking System: (Unknown)
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Type/Model: Black Caiman
Mass: 85 tons
Equipment: Crits Mass
Int. Struct.: 130 pts Endo Steel 7 4.50
(Endo Steel Loc: 2 LA, 1 RA, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL)
Engine: 255 Fusion 6 13.00
Walking MP: 3
Running MP: 5
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: 15 Double [30] 10 5.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 1 RA, 2 LT, 2 RT)
Gyro: 4 3.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors: 5 3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA R: Sh+UA 12 .00
Armor Factor: 259 pts Ferro-Fibrous 7 13.50
(Armor Crit Loc: 2 LA, 1 RA, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL)
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 27 40
Center Torso (Rear): 14
L/R Side Torso: 18 26/26
L/R Side Torso (Rear): 10/10
L/R Arm: 14 26/26
L/R Leg: 18 36/36
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
2 Medium Pulse Lasers RA 8 2 4.00
1 LRM 10 w/ Artemis IV RA 4 48 6 7.50
(Ammo Locations: 2 LA, 2 RA)
2 Medium Pulse Lasers LA 8 2 4.00
1 LRM 10 w/ Artemis IV LA 4 2 3.50
1 Large Pulse Laser RT 10 2 6.00
1 SRM 6 w/ Artemis IV RT 4 30 4 4.50
(Ammo Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT)
1 Active Probe RT 0 1 1.00
1 Large Pulse Laser LT 10 2 6.00
1 SRM 6 w/ Artemis IV LT 4 2 2.50
1 ECM Suite LT 0 1 1.00
1 SRM 6 w/ Artemis IV CT 4 2 2.50
1 Flamer HD 3 1 .50
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TOTALS: 59 78 85.00
Crits & Tons Left: 0 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 11,087,050 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,991
Cost per BV: 5,568.58
Weapon Value: 3,681 / 3,471 (Ratio = 1.85 / 1.74)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 48; MRDmg = 33; LRDmg = 19
BattleForce2: MP: 3, Armor/Structure: 6/7
Damage PB/M/L: 6/5/2, Overheat: 4
Class: MA; Point Value: 20
Specials: ecm, prb