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Type/Model: Cherokee CHK-4E
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3060
Config: Biped BattleMech
Rules: Level 2, Standard design
Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: Spirit Type Beta-3a Endo Steel
Power Plant: 250 Core Tek Fusion
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: 5 Northrup 12000 Standard Jump Jets
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor Type: Valiant Lamellor Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
2 BlazeFire Longshot ER Medium Lasers
1 BlazeFire Sweetshot ER Large Laser
1 Luxor 3R LRM 10 w/ Artemis IV
1 Apple Churchill Guardian Guardian ECM
1 ExoStar Alpha One ER Small Laser
Manufacturer: Spirit Mountain Weaponries
Location: Brundage
Communications System: Kallon Secure Net Series III
Targeting & Tracking System: Kallon Lock-On Series III
Overview
Building on the success of the Navajo Battlemech, Spirit Mountain Weaponries has designed the Cherokee. The Cherokee has average speed and firepower for a medium 'Mech, which makes the design seem unremarkable. But what makes this design robust and survivable is its reliance on proven weapon systems and a standard fusion engine. While some MechWarriors see this as a limitation, many see that this will make the design easy to maintain and repair, which is a bonus for any design on the modern battlefield.
Capabilities
The Cherokee was designed to scout out enemy positions and provice ECM support for heavier units. Designed to operate with heavier units, engineers loaded the Cherokee with as much ferro-fibrous armor as the structure would allow.
It was decided the primary weapon system would be energy based, backed up by a long range missile rack. Both the larger laser weapons are provided by Johnston Industries. Their Blazefire lasers are considered by many to be the most reliable systems currently produced. Unfortunately Johnston did not make a small laser system which forced Spirit Mountain engineers to install the new ExoStar model produced by Universal Air on Delavan. The long range missile system chosen was the same model the Centurion battlemech uses, the Luxor 3R by Corean Enterprises. The Luxor has a proven track record and should provide reliable service. To improve the accuracy of the Luxor an Artemis IV FCS was added and two tons of ammunition was provided to ensure the Luxor would not run out of ammo in an extended engagement.
In keeping with Spirit Mountain technicians providing designs that are both affordable and survivable, the Cherokee was given a standard fusion engine. While this may limit the weight available for other systems, it ensures that if either the left or right torso armor is breached, the engine is in no danger. The Northrop 12000 jumpjets used are produced by Kallon Industries. These are the same reliable jumpjets used on the Wolverine 'Mech. The communications and targeting systems are produced by Kallon Industries on Talon and are based off the ones installed on the Navajo 'Mech.
Battle History
The Cherokee 'Mech is a jack of all trades, but master of none. In every combat situation the design has been in, it has performed as expected with no surprises.
When the Anjin Muerto CMM accidently received a lance of these new 'Mechs, they immediately assigned them to the scout units in the regiment. Barely three weeks had passed when pirates attacked the water purification plant on Rentz. Fortunately for the March Militia commander, he had just sent two light Mech companies to Rentz for maneuvers, and each was equipped with the Cherokee 'Mech. Using the Cherokee's advanced ECM system, which march militia units do not normally have, the two 'Mech companies were able to remain undetected as the pirate 'Mech company was leaving the purification plant with their haul. Keeping the pirates within range of their sensors, the two militia companies seperated with the 1st company following the pirate unit and the 2nd militia company staying in front of the pirates. When the Pirate dropship warmed up their engines in preparation for launch, the militia unit was finally able to determine the dropships location. The 1st militia unit struck at the pirates rear, driving them into the waiting 2nd company, which had set up an ambush. In the battle that followed the militia unit was able to completely destroy the pirate company. Thanks to the ECM capabilities of the Cherokee's, the waiting dropship was unaware of the fate of the pirate company. The militia unit was then able to surround the pirate dropship and in a lighting move captured it. Thanks to the successful use of the Cherokee's by the march militia, the Procurement Department has allowed the 'Mech to remain in the unit.
Variants
One out of every four 'Mechs produced is equipped with the Apple Churchill Beagle Active Probe instead of the Guardian ECM system. This allows units to be used effectively in harsh terrain and city environments. Another variant cirrently being tested is equipped with the new NAIS targeting computer. This variant is still in the testing stage, but shows promise.
Deployment
The Cherokee is currently being deployed to all front line regiments in the Federated Suns. The Cherokee is mostly deployed along side the new Argus 'Mech being produced in the Federated Suns. These two designs compliment each other and seem to work well together.
Type/Model: Cherokee CHK-4E
Mass: 50 tons
Equipment: Crits Mass
Int. Struct.: 83 pts Endo Steel 14 2.50
(Endo Steel Loc: 4 LA, 4 RA, 3 LT, 3 RT)
Engine: 250 Fusion 6 12.50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sinks: 10 Double [20] 0 .00
Gyro: 4 3.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors: 5 3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H R: Sh+UA+LA+H
Armor Factor: 161 pts Ferro-Fibrous 14 9.00
(Armor Crit Loc: 2 LA, 3 RA, 6 LT, 3 RT)
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 16 22
Center Torso (Rear): 8
L/R Side Torso: 12 17/17
L/R Side Torso (Rear): 6/6
L/R Arm: 8 15/15
L/R Leg: 12 23/23
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
1 ER Medium Laser RA 5 1 1.00
1 ER Large Laser LA 12 2 5.00
1 LRM 10 w/ Artemis IV RT 4 24 5 8.00
(Ammo Locations: 2 RT)
1 ER Medium Laser LT 5 1 1.00
1 Guardian ECM LT 0 2 1.50
1 ER Small Laser CT(R) 2 1 .50
CASE Equipment: RT 1 .50
5 Standard Jump Jets: 5 2.50
(Jump Jet Loc: 1 CT, 2 LL, 2 RL)
TOTALS: 28 77 50.00
Crits & Tons Left: 1 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 5,628,874 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,360
Cost per BV: 4,138.88
Weapon Value: 915 / 878 (Ratio = .67 / .65)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 15; MRDmg = 12; LRDmg = 6
BattleForce2: MP: 5J, Armor/Structure: 4/4
Damage PB/M/L: 2/2/1, Overheat: 1
Class: MM; Point Value: 14
Specials: ecm
