Irys Arist'lar
Character
Image Source: http://jepray.deviantart.com/art/Battletech-Fl-32-Flanker-188308077
Intent: air defence
Development Thread: No
Manufacturer: Geonosian Industries
Model: F5 Buckler Anti-aircraft walker
Affiliation: ACA
Modularity: yes. Each weapon system or sensor package can easily be upgraded.
Production: mass
Material: Durasteel
Role: anti air
Height: 5m
Length: 8m
Width: 15m
Weight: 30 tonnes
Minimum Crew: 1
Optimal Crew: 3: commander, driver, gunner
Propulsion: bipedal
Top Speed: 30 kph
Armaments: surface to air missiles, flak cannon, composite beam laser
Squadron Count: 6
Passenger Capacity: 0
Cargo Capacity: 1tonne
Misc. Equipment: ACA comms equipment.
Description: This walker is designed to protect convoys or fixed assets against attack from the air. They are often found alone as part of a larger task force, or in groups near defensive positions. The most expensive system on the Buckler is the sensors. The advanced multi-spectral sensor package mounted at the top of the walker saw more development that the rest of the system. It is designed to be swapped out in future when new versions are developed to combat emerging threats. The Buckler can also launch a HKD sensor drone to extend the horizon of scanning when it is acceptable to reveal it's position.
The sensors will typically detect targets at a range of 40km, and will then start more focused scanning and optical/infrared imaging.
The walker is armed with two weapons systems to engage both high velocity fighters at a distance and smaller and more agile targets at closer range (including small drones and potentially even jet pack troops). At range the walker will use its twelve surface-to-air missiles to engage. These are shoulder mounted in two banks of six. These are highly agile, guided missiles.
At distances less than 2km the Buckler will use its rapid tracking arms to engage. One arm mounts a composite beam leader, the other a magnetically accelerated flak launcher.
The Buckler has no defences against ground targets. In a pinch the beam cannon could be fired at a ground target at a higher elevation.
The, Buckler is typically camouflaged for the environment it's being deployed to. This is in the form of thin plastic pieces that are easily interchangeable in the field. This isn't going to fool anyone close by. However, the walker has a relatively low thermal signature so avoiding detection for orbital scan is likely.
The walker has one final party trick. If three or more of them are located nearby they can combine signal data to improve sensor accuracy, but not sensitivity. The three walkers must be situated in a roughly triangular formation and be separated by 100m-1km.
The Buckler can do little more than tickle anything larger than a Corvette. Dealing with atmospheric capital ships is an honour reserves for the renowned proton cannon.
