Your Nation's Main Battle Mech (No Tanks)

[Hladgos]

[Irathe]

https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/image ... u4GK6hMPOa

[Bears Armed]

Why the separate gun? Bearing in mind the scale, what else can use that weapon anyway? Why not actually have it built into the mech itself, which would be more efficient?

The advantage of a mecha rifle is that it can be swapped out in next to no time if the original rifle is ineffective.

Only if you've actually got the alternative weapon handy: Okay, so if you're going to carry the alternative along anyway, why not just install both of them into the mech itself?

[Minroz]

Motor Golem

Motorgolems are general classification of mechs in Iclamia. Rooted from the idea is advanced fire-support platform in order to support regular infantries and tank units, where in places they can’t go in. They’re part of national reformation programs to enhance military capabilities. Motorgolems are huge and tall robots are used primarily by military forces in Iclamia, most especially by Minroz, Xoraine and Omaska. Mogol is the short term for Motorgolems.

(Image)
RK-92 Yěmán (野蛮) ‘Savage’
(Image)
RK-92-in-action

Height: 8.1 meters
Weight: 12.5 tons
Top Speed: 130 km/h
Operational Duration: 230 hours
Power Source: Gas turbine engine
Standard Armaments: 14.5mm machine gun (x2 head mount), Longdai BK-540 37mm Rifle

The RK-92 Yěmán (野蛮) ‘Savage’ is a mass produced Mogol from the Minrozian World Empire. It is the most ubiquitous mech amongst modern Iclamian nations and has also seen use by terrorist and crime organizations. The Savage has less armour than many Xoran and Omaska Mogols, but makes up with increased manoeuvrability. The earlier RK-91 model housed a diesel piston engine, the newer Rk-92 has adopted the gas turbine engine. The best features of the Savage are without a doubt its low cost and high availability relative to other Iclamian mechs. It’s quite a versatile mech and noted for their high reliability including able to withstand severe environmental conditions. The Savage models are continued to be employed as a Frontline Minrozian Army unit, alongside T-39 Baghaturs.

You say it's meant to go places regular infantry and tanks cannot. At 8.1m tall, I honestly can't think of anywhere that this could fit where an infantryman could not.

Well at that time, I had trouble explaining that part, but I get what you mean. I'm trying to say the Mogols are meant to be Manoeuvrable and flexible armoured units in tight spaces like Urban environment for e.g. whereas the tanks are sometimes slow to react.

[Novus Niciae]

The advantage of a mecha rifle is that it can be swapped out in next to no time if the original rifle is ineffective.

Only if you've actually got the alternative weapon handy: Okay, so if you're going to carry the alternative along anyway, why not just install both of them into the mech itself?

Mecha units like armored units would have a supply/maintenance unit not far from their operational area to attend to tasks like carrying reloads of missiles and repairs, and alternative weapons, or accessories that are not always used like additional armoring or a flight or hover pack could easily be stored there.

And there are several good reasons why both might not be mounted and for adopting rifle mounting in general,
1: Weight, carrying a couple of rifles which will not be used on a particular engagement would be a waste of weight on the vehicle resulting in a lower top speed.
2: Power, If the rifle draws power from the mecha then the power supply may not be able to power all the options.
3: Tactical flexibility, as I mentioned earlier being able to change weapons quickly without the need for a workshop is a great advantage.
4: Interchangeability between units: A mecha with a damaged or depleted rifle can field salvage the rifle of a downed comrade and return to full operational strength.
5: Forward compatibility and ease of upgrade: Having a rifle based weapon leaves open more options when a new rifle is developed and it can more easily be used by existing units.
6: Heat dissipation: A rifle weapon more surface area available than an internally mounted weapon for the dissipation of heat resulting in a potentially faster rate of fire.
7: Quick disposal: In the event of a catastrophic malfunction of the weapon due to damage to the weapon or it's ammo (like a incendiary round inside the ammo hopper of a mecha grenade launcher) the weapon can easily be thrown away, allowing for the mecha itself to remain undamaged.

[The UEG-Space Command]

UNSC M304I Tyrannosaurus Combat Mech

• Designation - UEG.UNSC.M204I
  
• Name - Tyrannosaurus
  
• Manufacturer - Reach Armament Company
  
• Role - Squad Support Combat Mech
  
• In Service - 2655 | Present [2668]
  
• Number of Crew - 4 [Left weapons operator, right weapons operator, commander, driver, medic droid]
  
• Place of Origins - Reach, Unified Earth Governments Planet
  
• Length/Height/Mass - est. 30ft | est. 30ft | est. 82 Tons
  
• Armament - Four Automatic Magnetic Accelerator Cannon | Two Missile Pods
  Additional Armament - [These can be added to the MBT]
  
• Engine - Mass Electric Generator
  
• Armor - Forerunner Grade B3 Metals | One Shield Generator

[YellowApple]

The YellowApple Aerospace Marines do not utilize legged vehicles in combat applications. However, several different legged vehicles are used for non-combat scenarios involving rough terrain.

[Bajireyn]

UNSC M304I Tyrannosaurus Combat Mech

• Designation - UEG.UNSC.M204I
  
• Name - Tyrannosaurus
  
• Manufacturer - Reach Armament Company
  
• Role - Squad Support Combat Mech
  
• In Service - 2655 | Present [2668]
  
• Number of Crew - 4 [Left weapons operator, right weapons operator, commander, driver, medic droid]
  
• Place of Origins - Reach, Unified Earth Governments Planet
  
• Length/Height/Mass - est. 30ft | est. 30ft | est. 82 Tons
  
• Armament - Four Automatic Magnetic Accelerator Cannon | Two Missile Pods
  Additional Armament - [These can be added to the MBT]
  
• Engine - Mass Electric Generator
  
• Armor - Forerunner Grade B3 Metals | One Shield Generator

Couldn't you use an AI to do the jobs of the gunners,leaving more space for armor , ammo or weapons?

[Immoren]

Do Warjacks of Iron Kingdoms count as mechs in context of this thread? They are humanoid war machines, but they are controlled telepathically from distance rather than from inside.

[Ularn]

Do Warjacks of Iron Kingdoms count as mechs in context of this thread? They are humanoid war machines, but they are controlled telepathically from distance rather than from inside.

Yes.

[Inutoland]

I'm considering a pillbug-shaped mech for my FT incarnation, that rolls into an armoured ball for orbital drops and for rapid-rolling movement.

What do youse think?

[Ularn]

I'm considering a pillbug-shaped mech for my FT incarnation, that rolls into an armoured ball for orbital drops and for rapid-rolling movement.

What do youse think?

It's no-more nuts than the idea of a mech itself, although I'd question the use of rolling while on the battlefield; apart from the problems with manoeuvring and staying upright, you'll make your pilot sick. Using it as a way of getting through the atmosphere and surviving impact would be cool though. I'd still recommend using some sort of parachute/retro rockets to slow your descent though.

[Inutoland]

I'm considering a pillbug-shaped mech for my FT incarnation, that rolls into an armoured ball for orbital drops and for rapid-rolling movement.

What do youse think?

It's no-more nuts than the idea of a mech itself, although I'd question the use of rolling while on the battlefield; apart from the problems with manoeuvring and staying upright, you'll make your pilot sick. Using it as a way of getting through the atmosphere and surviving impact would be cool though. I'd still recommend using some sort of parachute/retro rockets to slow your descent though.

Oh yes, drogue parachutes to slow descent to survivable speeds. And you can probably avoid making the pilot sick by enclosing him in a gyroscopically-stabilised internal cockpit.

My main question is on mounting the weaponry. Head-mounted might make it too low to be much use, while having some sort of gunports in the back armour strikes me as a really ass-backward way of doing things.

Pop-up turret(s)?

The whole idea of a mech is basically a triumph of Rule of Cool over reason. I think something like this with more legs and lower to the ground might be a more survivable approach. And having your Kugelmechs drop in ball form and then unroll is pretty cool.

[Inutoland]

<OOC: Double post, but days apart so it counts.>

I finished designing the Kugelmecha:
Writeup

[Ularn]

<OOC: Double post, but days apart so it counts.>

I finished designing the Kugelmecha:
Writeup

(Image)

I would think about possibly shortening the legs. Right now the ground clearance makes me think it would be too easy to sneak a rocket up in there. Another idea would be to have the leg joints hidden behind the armour as much as possible, since they're going to be your weakest spot.

EDIT: I wonder how feasible a wheeled version of this might be as well. Mind if I attempt to make a few tweaks for research purposes?

[Inutoland]

<OOC: Double post, but days apart so it counts.>

I finished designing the Kugelmecha:
Writeup

(Image)

I would think about possibly shortening the legs. Right now the ground clearance makes me think it would be too easy to sneak a rocket up in there. Another idea would be to have the leg joints hidden behind the armour as much as possible, since they're going to be your weakest spot.

EDIT: I wonder how feasible a wheeled version of this might be as well. Mind if I attempt to make a few tweaks for research purposes?

Go for it. A wheeled pillbug not-mecha would be interesting.

This is probably with the legs at maximum ground clearance. It'd probably sit lower in actual combat. Legs are arranged in kind of a >< pattern like pillbug legs, so it's pretty easy for it to raise up and squat down.

One thing I'm considering is to have a little more armour on the sides. Something that would be completely overlapped in ball configuration, but would provide a bit more side protection when unrolled.

[Hyserea]

Hyserean Medium Reconnaissance Unit (MRU) ML-1 Miru - A piloted bipedal vehicle used to traverse the mountain regions of Harenne and Pallisio. It was developed through a joint effort by the three nations, and symbolizes the increasing uniformity of Hyserean military inventories.

Basic armament consists of a rifle (modified from BK-27) and two Anti-tank Guided Missiles. Smoke-grenade and chaff launchers are also developed, but have yet to be fitted, as well as a SAW.



Note: Hyserea is MT, so it actually does not use these. Maybe an FT/AU/really-far-PMT would.

[Ularn]

Hyserean Medium Reconnaissance Unit (MRU) ML-1 Miru - A piloted bipedal vehicle used to traverse the mountain regions of Harenne and Pallisio. It was developed through a joint effort by the three nations, and symbolizes the increasing uniformity of Hyserean military inventories.

Basic armament consists of a rifle (modified from BK-27) and two Anti-tank Guided Missiles. Smoke-grenade and chaff launchers are also developed, but have yet to be fitted, as well as a SAW.

(Image)

Note: Hyserea is MT, so it actually does not use these. Maybe an FT/AU/really-far-PMT would.

I like the ears - nice touch!

[The UEG-Space Command]

UNSC M304I Tyrannosaurus Combat Mech

• Designation - UEG.UNSC.M204I
  
• Name - Tyrannosaurus
  
• Manufacturer - Reach Armament Company
  
• Role - Squad Support Combat Mech
  
• In Service - 2655 | Present [2668]
  
• Number of Crew - 4 [Left weapons operator, right weapons operator, commander, driver, medic droid]
  
• Place of Origins - Reach, Unified Earth Governments Planet
  
• Length/Height/Mass - est. 30ft | est. 30ft | est. 82 Tons
  
• Armament - Four Automatic Magnetic Accelerator Cannon | Two Missile Pods
  Additional Armament - [These can be added to the MBT]
  
• Engine - Mass Electric Generator
  
• Armor - Forerunner Grade B3 Metals | One Shield Generator

Couldn't you use an AI to do the jobs of the gunners,leaving more space for armor , ammo or weapons?

They're doing other things, plus it was made in 55, A.I started the vehicle phase 100% around 64 so there is just a small difference but we can always update anyways.

[Osterveim]

I would say this, despite the nonsensical nature of mechs. I'd never actually use a mech in an RP.

[SquareDisc City]

I really like the pillbug mech. One idea, maybe have a gun coming out of each side, that will be at the centre when it's rolled up. Then this can driven to rotate counter to the forward rolling motion, letting the mech fire forwards (or upwards or backwards). Depending on refinement it might not be all that accurate, but even a general spray of bullets is going to have its impact.

[OMGeverynameistaken]

Behold, the 'Redeemer' class tripod:


We use it for stepping on communists.

[Inutoland]

Behold, the 'Redeemer' class tripod:
(Image)

We use it for stepping on communists.

Hail, Herbert George Wells!

[Purpelia]

Couldn't you use an AI to do the jobs of the gunners,leaving more space for armor , ammo or weapons?

Say what you want. But I believe that it would be a very foolish thing to remove the man from the loop when it comes to firing. Even if his job is just to pull the trigger.

[Da Han Zhong]

Our nation uses the following mechs as the mainstay of armoured operations:

Kehei Prototype Wanzer - Prototype Assault/General Purpose Wanzer produced by Shanghai Steel. Reserved for elite deployments. There are two current models of Kehei - Type 68 and Type 71. Type 68 is a more expensive, higher-quality model (of which four models currently exist), which is typically armed with either a prototype weapon or a sniper-class cannon. The type 71 is a production candidate model with some 20 units all told in production, chiefly armed with machine gun-class cannon and either ballistic shields or shoulder-mount missile launchers. Intended to compete with foreign models like Frost and Zenith, the two wanzer models are fully-self contained, and the type 68 is capable of functioning in vacuum. This functionality was one of the cost-reducing losses in the development of the Type 71.

Yongsai 3 - An ageing remodel of the Yongsai Wanzer used in assault roles. Typically armed with a "shotgun"-type cannon and a ballistic shield. Despite its age, the "3" refit brings modern C&C to the table. The Yongsai is the mainstay of rank-and-file WAP-mounted troops.

Tiandong 3 - Heavyweight wanzer typically used for "crash" assaults. Its heavy armour and high speed combine to make it a perfect crash wanzer. It often assaults ahead of the main body of the armoured column before falling back, typically assisted by a missile screen from the rear.

There are other models, but I'm having a hard time finding photographs right now.

Edit: Stats and other information.