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Type/Model: Firefly Light Tank
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3025
Config: Tracked Vehicle
Rules: Level 1-FA, Standard design
Mass: 30 tons
Power Plant: 150 Omni Fusion
Cruise Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Armor Type: Valiant Buckler Standard
Armament:
1 BlazeFire Systems Large Laser
1 Intek Medium Laser
2 Bical SRM 2s
Manufacturer: Valiant Vehicles
Location: Johnsondale
Communications System: Wunderland XXXVI-4a series
Targeting & Tracking System: Wunderland XXXVI-4a series
Overview
The Firefly is the second front line vehicle to be produced by Valiant Vehicles. Many of the lessons learned with the production of the Striker Tank were put to good effect with this design. The new Wunderland XXI-4a Communication/T&T system is the latest available and should allow the Firefly to engage targets at longer ranges than the older XXXV-2 series systems. The Firefly has a spacious interior for a small tank, thanks to its well thought out design, allowing the crew more freedom than crews of other designs.
Capabilities
The Firefly Light Tank has become a valuable addition to all armored vehicle units, and to many infantry units as well. Its sleek and wide design makes the Firefly hard to hit, and a very stable firing platform as well. When engineers began designing the Firefly they reviewed the specification of every tracked vehicle used by every great house in the Inner Sphere. While this took almost 6 months, it did give the engineers an idea where other designs were lacking, and how to design the Firefly to make the tank a hardy and survivable design. Most notable was the light armor load on almost all other designs. Therefore engineers added enough armor to the tank to allow it to survive the harsh battlefield that BattleMechs dominate.
Next engineers decided to place a mix of long and short range weaponry on the Firefly. Taking a lesson from all the ammo based designs and their limitations, the engineers placed a Blazefire Large Laser in the turret and an Intek Medium Laser on the front hull. This would allow the Firefly to operate for long periods of time in the field without resupply. For close in weapons the Firefly was equipped with two Bical short range missile racks. These are placed on the left and right sides of the hull to allow it to target units that are trying to flank the vehicle. With 50 shots for the two launchers, neither should run out of ammunition quickly.
When the engineers turned to what engine to use they discovered an internal combustion engine would not allow the design to reach the speeds necessary to allow the tank to stay with the faster units that are currently being used. Fortunately, Corean Enterprises had opened a second line in their fusion engine plant on New Avalon to allow for increased production of the Valkyrie BattleMech, and the production line was capable of producing far more fusion plants than Corean needed, which Valiant agreed to purchase. The addition of the fusion plant allowed the engineers to slightly increase the already formadable armor and to increase the speed of the tank to an impressive 86 kph at flank speed.
As an afterthough, the engineers designed a small storage area into the tank. This would allow the crew to carry additional supplies or a small amount of common parts on extended deployments.
Battle History
The Firefly has a colorful service history. The tank has had many spectacular victories and several devastating defeats. When the design was first deployed with Davion front line units, many unit commanders mistakenly thought the Firefly could stand up to 'Mechs in combat. This lead to the loss of many Firefly on their first missions. Rumors soon started to circulate that the design was defective and that was the cause of so many designs being lost. An internal investigation by the Davion High Command soon discovered that unit commanders were using the tanks for missions that heavier tanks were needed for. Valiant Vehicles immediately sent out veteran teams that were used to test the tank to instruct unit commanders on the full capabilities of the Firefly.
After the 3 month stand down, the Firefly was once again cleared for combat missions. When the Davion Light Guards raided the Combine world of Altair, the Firefly finally showed its true potential. A company of Fireflys lead elements of the 18th Dieron Regulars on a wild chase across Altair, the Fireflys were able to destroy three Light 'Mechs and disable four more with no losses to themselves. The Regulars tanks were too slow to be used effectively against the Fireflys, and the superior armor of the tanks allowed the Fireflys to survive the fights with the Regulars 'Mechs. Enough forces were drawn away from the primary target to allow 'Mech forces of the Light Guards to successfully raid the Riever production facility, damaging the facility enough to stop production for almost a year.
Variants
The only know variant is used by mercenary units. The Intek medium laser is replaced by three machine guns and 1/2 a ton of ammo. This variant is used to support infantry units in urban environments.
Notable Vehicles & Crew
Captain Michael Phillips
Capt. Phillips was the commander of the company of tanks that raided Altair. Drawing on the training he had recieved during the 3 month stand down, he used his tanks in classic hit and fade operations, often leading the company by example. Of all the tanks in his unit, his was the most shot up, with only 10% or its armor remaining. After Altair, Capt. Phillips was promoted to Major and given command of the the scout battalion of the Light Guards 2nd Recon Armor Regiment.
Deployment
The AFFS uses the Firefly extensively in the light armor regiments of their front line RCT's and Militia units. Several mercenary units have also purchased the tank, which has allowed the tank to spread all across the Inner
Sphere.
Type/Model: Firefly Light Tank
Mass: 30 tons
Construction Options: Fractional Accounting
Equipment: Items Mass Int. Struct.: 15 pts Standard 0 3.00
Engine: 150 Fusion 0 5.50
Shielding & Transmission Equipment: 0 2.75
Cruise MP: 5
Flank MP: 8
Heat Sinks: 11 Single 0 1.00
Cockpit & Controls: 0 1.50
Crew: 2 Members 0 .00
Turret Equipment: 0 .50
Armor Factor: 104 pts Standard 0 6.50
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front: 3 24
Left / Right Sides: 3 20/20
Rear: 3 16
Turret: 3 24
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Items Mass
1 Large Laser Turret 8 1 5.00
1 Medium Laser Front 3 1 1.00
1 SRM 2 Left 0 50 2 2.00
1 SRM 2 Right 0 1 1.00
Cargo Bay Capacity Body 1 .25
TOTALS: 11 6 30.00
Items & Tons Left: 5 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 781,950 C-Bills
Battle Value: 411
Cost per BV: 1,902.55
Weapon Value: 284 / 284 (Ratio = .69 / .69)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 15; MRDmg = 6; LRDmg = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 5T, Armor/Structure: 0 / 4
Damage PB/M/L: 2/2/-, Overheat: 0
Class: GL; Point Value: 4
Specials: tran0
