Valke Recon BattleMech

DESCRIPTION

The Valke line of BattleMechs are lightweight, fast moving recon mechs. They are designed to work in a team of four of five with the express goal of providing real-time battlefield data to allied combatants and field commanders.
Through their various contracts, the Riesenjager Mercenary Company sought the need for a more capable recon unit. This project started with the development of the Huginn Drone; a semi-autonomous remote recon drone that initially was designed to be man portable. The next evolution of this came when Aurigan Defense Industries engineers developed a method for the Huginn to be launched and captured by their armored vehicles.
Experiments were then undertaken at Naumkeag Motor Works to adapt the drone launching equipment to a BattleMech. An RVN-3L Raven was donated for the trials. It was stripped of all its weapons and the drone launch/capture device was mounted on the rear of the mech. The modified Raven was then put in a lance of other scout mechs to undergo a series of trials and wargames. Satisfied with its performance, the RJMC issued a contract for a series of production models. Licenses for the required weapons were acquired and Naumkeag Motor Works opened up a new line at their Worcester based Industrial Mech plant to accommodate the contract.

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT

The Valke Mechs borrow many assets from the Raven BattleMech. They use a NMW Model V chassis (a modified Hellespont Type R chassis manufactured under license).

VARIATIONS

VLK-1A
The VLK-1A is typically used by the Valke team's lance leader. It carries four Omicron 3000 model medium lasers carried in the arms and either side of the torso. This variant is charged with protecting the rest of the team during recon operations.
VLK-2M
The VLK-2M is a missile platform. It is designed to use targeting data from the -3R model to target and strike enemies with indirect fire. It carries a pair of Omicron 3000 model medium lasers in the torso and a pair of Sian Ceres Jaguar Long Range Missile launchers between both arms. This allows the model to fire up to ten missiles per volley.
VLK-3R
The VLK-3R follows the original concept for the Valke. It carries a pair of Omicron 3000 Medium Lasers in its arms. The Huginn Drone launce/capture system is mounted to the back, allowing the catapult to open and launch the drone from the top of the mech. Originally a dual cockpit setup was drawn up but was eventually thrown out for increased parts parody between the variants. Without a second operator to work the drone, most Mechwarrirors piloting the Valke simply park the mech while recon operations are undertaken, leaving them relatively vulnerable. However, between their lance-mates and the Valke teams typically being placed behind the battle lines, no Valke's have been lost to enemy fire as of 3065.

Power Generation

Hermes 210 XL Fusion Engine (imported from Vandenberg Mechanized Industries)

Weapons & Armament

VLK-1A
4x Omicron 3000 Medium Laser (manufactured under license by Aurigan Defence Industries)

VLK-2M
Omicron 3000 Medium Laser (manufactured under license by Aurigan Defence Industries)
2x Sian Ceres Jaguar Long Range Missile System

VLK-3R
2x Omicron 3000 Medium Laser (manufactured under license by Aurigan Defence Industries)

Armor and defense

6.5 tons Hellespont Lite Ferro-Fibrous Armor (forged under license at Ayer Metallics' Berkley plant)

Communication Tools & Systems

Ceres Metals Model 666 with Guardian ECM

Sensors

C-Apple Churchill

Additional & auxiliary systems

VLK-3R
Huginn Drone Launch/Recovery system

Manufacturer

Naumkeag Motor Works

Creation Date

3058

Owning Organization

Riesenjager Mercenary Company

Price

5,426,325

Rarity

20 of each variant produced (so far)

Height

11 meters

Weight

35 tons

Speed

97.2 kph