BattleMech Technical Readout
Type/Model: Griffin GRF-4M
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3050
Config: Biped BattleMech
Rules: Level 2, Modified design
Mass: 55 tons
Chassis: Earthwerk GRF Endo Steel
Power Plant: 275 Hermes XL Fusion
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: 5 Rawlings 55 Standard Jump Jets
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor Type: Starshield A with CASE Standard
Armament:
1 Poland Main Model A Gauss Rifle
1 Federated 10-shot LRM-10 w/ Artemis IV
1 Wunderland Beagle Active Probe
Manufacturer: Quantum-Tech Industries
Location: Port Stanley
Communications System: Neil 6000
Targeting & Tracking System: Wunderland XXXV-1 series w. Artemis IV FCS
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==Overview:==
The Griffin, an early candidate for new technology, has the distinction
of being produced from a rival state's design plans at two different
factories. Two Griffin factories, Brigadier Corp. on Oliver and Norse
BattleMech Works on Marduk, changed hands in the Fourth Succession War. That
is why Steiner units are beginning to get Griffins built from Marik plans
captured at Oliver and Kurita units will get Griffins built from Davion plans
captured at Marduk.
The most common model, the GRF-3M, carries the light Hermes 275 XL
engine, using the savings in weight to replace the LRM-10 with a Doombud Long
Range Missle 20-Rack and protect its reloads with Cellular Ammunition Storage
Equipment. This model also replaces the earlier PPC with a Fusigon Longtooth
Extended-Range Particle Projection Cannon, employing double heat sinks to
dissipate the extra heat generated by the newer weapon. Finally, a ChrisComp
Small Laser was mounted in the head.
The GRF-1DS model, produced by Defiance Industries at Hesperus, Kallon
Weapon Industries at Talon, and Norse BattleMech Works on Marduk, differs from
the Marik version but little. It is the standard Federated Commonwealth
version, even though it also appears in Kurita units and even though the
GRF-3M is beginning to appear in greater numbers in Federated Commonwealth
units. The GRF-1DS mounts a Thunderbolt-12 Large Pulse Laser instead of the
extended-range PPC of the Marik version.
The standard GRF-1N version, lacking any recovered technology, is still
common throughout the Inner Sphere. In fact, it is still in production at the
Vandenberg Mechanized Industries factory at Illiushin in the Taurian
Concordat.
==Battle History:==
During an anti-pirate campaign on Arixo, elements of the Highland
Rangers Striker Regiment performed a dangerous HALO combat drop over a
mountain range known to contain several pirate bases. Captain Marcus Gideon,
CO of 2nd Battalions Recon Company was one of the first out of the DropShip,
exposing himself to the bulk of the enemy fire.
When a pair of pirate Shologar Aerospace fighters arrived and started to
fire on the descending Mech's, Captain Gideon broke all the rules of combat
drops and opened fire on the lead fighter.
Gun camera footage from the captain's Griffin, as well as data recovered
from the fighter's black box; show that his first round hit the Shologar in
the left wing, damaging the control surfaces. The second round hit the engine
intake, shredding the delicate fans as it passed through.
Devoid of power, the Shologar started to fall to the ground, but a
ruptured fuel line caused a catastrophic explosion that killed the pilot
instantly. The second fighter broke off contact and retreated.
Captain Gideon continued to the ground and led his troops through six
days of close combat action, before finally destroying the last pirate
outpost.
==Variants:==
Unlike the variants produced in the Inner Sphere at the same time,
Quantum-Tech Industries' GRF-4M Griffin was the first to move away from energy
based primary weapons, replacing the ER-PPC with a Gauss Rifle. In order to
carry the extra weight, the designers stuck with an LRM-10 rack, but added an
Artemis IV Fire control system, and used Endo Steel in the construction.
This also allowed the addition of a Wunderland Beagle Active Probe, while
still providing the same layer of armour protection.
Some criticise the design for its lack of energy based back up weaponry
should the pilot use all the ammunition in battle. Due to this concern, there
is talk of providing a field upgrade kit that will replace the Active Probe
with an Extended Range Medium and Small lasers.
==Notable 'Mechs & MechWarriors:==
Captain Marcus Gideon, The Highland Rangers Striker Regiment.
Winner of the Martial Olympics gold medal for marksmanship five years in
a row, Captain Gideon is rumoured to have never missed a target with his
Griffin's Gauss Rifle. A natural marksman, he has been credited with several
kills, including a pirate Aerospace fighter while taking part in a combat
drop.
==Deployment==
To date only the Outer Colonies Defence Force fields any number of 4M's,
but several dozen have been sent to the Inner Sphere for sale to Mercenary
units.
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Type/Model: Griffin GRF-4M
Mass: 55 tons
Equipment: Crits Mass
Int. Struct.: 91 pts Endo Steel 14 3.00
(Endo Steel Loc: 1 HD, 3 LA, 1 RA, 2 LT, 2 RT, 1 CT, 2 LL, 2 RL)
Engine: 275 XL Fusion 12 8.00
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 16 .00
Armor Factor: 152 pts Standard 0 9.50
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 18 20
Center Torso (Rear): 7
L/R Side Torso: 13 20/20
L/R Side Torso (Rear): 6/6
L/R Arm: 9 14/14
L/R Leg: 13 18/18
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
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1 Gauss Rifle RA 1 16 9 17.00
(Ammo Locations: 2 RT)
1 LRM 10 w/ Artemis IV RT 4 12 4 7.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 LT)
1 Beagle Active Probe LT 0 2 1.50
CASE Equipment: LT 1 .50
5 Standard Jump Jets: 5 2.50
(Jump Jet Loc: 2 LT, 2 RT, 1 CT)
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TOTALS: 5 72 55.00
Crits & Tons Left: 6 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 10,594,456 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,562
Cost per BV: 6,782.62
Weapon Value: 908 / 857 (Ratio = .58 / .55)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 13; MRDmg = 16; LRDmg = 10
BattleForce2: MP: 5J, Armor/Structure: 4/2
Damage PB/M/L: 3/2/2, Overheat: 0
Class: MM; Point Value: 16
Specials: prb