Overview:
The Dire Wolf is the most
powerful OmniMech in the Clans inventory, but it suffers from a flaw common to
most assault Mechs-poor speed and maneuverability. Its slowness is seen by many
as a reason forthe poor showing of the Smoke Jaguars on Luthien and Tukayyid.
They relied greatly on the Dire Wolf , and on several occasions they
were unable to exploit openings in enemy lines and escape ComGuard traps.
The tremendous firepower of the Dire
Wolf was often handicapped by the 'Mech’s inability to move where and
when it was needed.Soon after the Tukayyid debacle, the Jaguars, followed
closely by three other Clans, began to field a new OmniMech, described by many
as a "Timberwolf on steroids. "The Clans call their new titan
the "Iron Cheetah," after a genetically engineered feline
native to Arcadia. The Iron Cheetah is much larger and more aggressive than its
now-extinct Terran ancestor, yet it retains the cheetah’s speed and agility.
It is a fitting name for an OmniMech that combines both relatively high speed
and considerable firepower.
Capabilities:
The Iron Cheetah tries to
correct the speed deficiency of the Daishi by installing a 400 XL
rating engine, increasing its speed by a third and granting the 'Mech superior
maneuverability to the Dire Wolf. Ferro-Fibrous armor gives it
protection that exceeds the Daishi’s slightly, yet with a weight
savings of 15%, and endo steel internal structure provides additional weight for
weapons and equipment. Despite the larger engine and loss of internal volume,
the Iron Cheetah still has nearly 80% of weapon capacity of the Dire
Wolf. Sixteen double heat sinks provide for the dissipation of the intense
heat often generated by the Iron Cheetah’s weaponry.
The primary configuration of the IronCheetah
was first seen during a 3054 Smoke Jaguar raid on Wolcott, and four alternates
have been seen since serving with three of the five invading Clans. The primary
design is geared toward combat at all ranges and has a powerful array of
weaponry -including a gauss rifle, twin ER PPCs, an Artemis-equipped LRM 15 and
two medium pulse lasers, along with an anti-missile system. A token ER small
laser protects the rear.
Alternate configuration A is designed
for combat at close range in the most difficult of environments - the man made
one. A huge Class 20 Ultra autocannon is backed up by twin large pulse lasers
and twin SRM-6 Streak racks. Six machine guns compensate for the lack of A-Pods,
while an active probe helps to reduce the ever-present danger of ambush in urban
settings. The removal of the lower arm actuators allows it to flip its arms, a
useful advantage in close quarters where turning around might be difficult.
Alternate configuration B, seen
primarily with Clan Wolf, is a very interesting design, apparently created for
rough terrain or urban combat at ranges of less than 400 meters. Twin large
pulse lasers and a half dozen medium pulse lasers are linked to an advanced
targeting computer to provide astounding accuracy at all ranges. Jump jets
provide the Iron Cheetah with a 120-meter jump capacity, an impressive
achievement for such a large OmniMech. The lack of ammunition-based weapons is
evidence of Clan Wolf’s appreciation of the designs of relying on easily
disrupted supply lines, a painful lesson learned by many of the other invading
Clans on Tukayyid.
Alternate Configuration C resembles
the primary configuration of the Daishi and is particularly deadly.
Four ER large lasers and an LRM 15 provide long range punch, while four medium
pulse lasers and twin SRM-2 Streaks racks provide accurate firepower at closer
range. Despite eight additional heat sinks, configuration C must stagger its
weapons fire or face shutdown. The design also removes the arm actuators,
allowing it to rotate its arms to cover its rear arc, a deadly surprise for many
an unsuspecting MechWarrior.
The final configuration recorded to
date, and used primarily by the Ghost Bears, shows an intriguing mix of
weaponry. This D configuration carries twin ER large lasers, a gauss rifle, and
an LB 20-X autocannon. There appears to be a logical reason for this somewhat
eclectic mix of weaponry. The cannon uses standard rounds at first and, aided by
the lasers and gauss rifle, punches holes in an opposing Mech’s armor. Then
switching to shotgun shells, the IronCheetah can wreak havoc with the
internal systems of the enemy Mech. A Guardian ECM system fills the center
torso, while an ER small laser guards the rear arc. Heat is not a consideration
with this configuration, allowing a tremendous rate of fire, hampered only by
ammunition limitations.
Deployment:
The Smoke Jaguars were the first to
use the IronCheetah against the Inner Sphere during a 3054 raid on
Wolcott. During the raid, theJaguar commander, separated from the rest of her
force, defeated an entire lance of BattleMechs. The Jaguars have since deployed Iron
Cheetahs to several clusters intheir occupation zone. Apparently, the Iron
Cheetah will supplement the Dire Wolf, replacing it in situations
where more speed is needed. The Jaguars use all of the listed configurations
except for the D, which is apparently exclusive to the Ghost Bears.
Type: Iron Cheetah
Equipment | Mass | |
Internal Structure: | Endo Steel | 5 |
Engine: | 400 XL | 26.25 |
Walking MP: | 4 | |
Running MP: | 6 | |
Jumping MP: | 0 | |
Heat Sinks: | 16 [32] | 6 |
Gyro: | 4 | |
Cockpit: | 3 | |
Armor Factor: | 307 | 16 |
Internal Structure |
Armor Value |
|
Head | 3 | 9 |
Center Torso | 31 | 48 |
Center Torso (rear) | 14 | |
R/L Torso | 21 | 32 |
R/L Torso (rear) | 10 | |
R/LArm | 17 | 34 |
R/L Leg | 21 | 42 |
CASE in all appropriate locations
Weight and Space Allocation
Location | Fixed | Spaces Remaining |
Head | Endo Steel | 0 |
Center Torso | Ferro Fibrous | 1 |
Right Torso | 2 Engine | 7 |
2 Ferro Fibrous | ||
Endo Steel | ||
Left Torso | 2 Engine | 7 |
2 Ferro Fibrous | ||
Endo Steel | ||
Right Arm | Ferro Fibrous | 7 |
Left Arm | Ferro Fibrous | 7 |
Right Leg | 2 Endo Steel | 0 |
Left Leg | 2 Endo Steel | 0 |
Primary Weapons Configuration
Weapons and Ammo | Location | Critical | Tonnage |
Gauss Rifle | RA | 6 | 12 |
Medium Pulse Laser | RA | 1 | 2 |
Medium Pulse Laser | RA | 1 | 2 |
Ammo (Gauss) 16 | RT | 2 | 2 |
ER PPC | LA | 2 | 6 |
ER PPC | LA | 2 | 6 |
LRM 15 | LA | 2 | 3.5 |
Artemis IV FCS | LT | 1 | 1 |
Ammo (LRM) 16 | LT | 2 | 2 |
Anti-Missle System | LT | 1 | .5 |
Ammo (AMS) 48 | LT | 2 | 2 |
ER Small Laser | RT (R) | 1 | .5 |
Alternate Configuration A
Weapons and Ammo | Location | Critical | Tonnage |
Ultra AC/20 | RA | 8 | 12 |
Machine Gun | RA | 1 | .25 |
Large Pulse Laser | LA | 2 | 6 |
Large Pulse Laser | LA | 2 | 6 |
Machine Gun | LA | 1 | .25 |
Machine Gun | LA | 1 | .25 |
Machine Gun | LA | 1 | .25 |
Machine Gun | LA | 1 | .25 |
Ammo (AC) 10 | RT | 2 | 2 |
Streak SRM 6 | RT | 2 | 3 |
Ammo (Streak) 15 | RT | 1 | 1 |
Double Heat Sink | RT | 2 | 1 |
Streak SRM 6 | LT | 2 | 3 |
Ammo (Streak) 15 | LT | 1 | 1 |
Double Heat Sink | LT | 2 | 1 |
Machine Gun | LT | 1 | .25 |
Ammo (MG) 200 | LT | 1 | 1 |
Double Heat Sink | LT | 2 | 1 |
Beagle Active Probe | CT | 1 | 1 |
Alternate Configuration B
Weapons and Ammo | Location | Critical | Tonnage |
Large Pulse Laser | RA | 2 | 6 |
Medium Pulse Laser | RA | 1 | 2 |
Medium Pulse Laser | RA | 1 | 2 |
Medium Pulse Laser | RA | 1 | 2 |
Large Pulse Laser | LA | 2 | 6 |
Medium Pulse Laser | LA | 1 | 2 |
Medium Pulse Laser | LA | 1 | 2 |
Medium Pulse Laser | LA | 1 | 2 |
Jump Jets | LT | 2 | 4 |
Targeting Computer | LT | 5 | 5 |
Jump Jets | RT | 2 | 4 |
Double Heat Sink | RT | 2 | 1 |
Double Heat Sink | RT | 2 | 1 |
ER Small Laser | CT | 1 | .5 |
Alternate Configuration C
Weapons and Ammo | Location | Critical | Tonnage |
ER Large Laser | RA | 1 | 4 |
ER Large Laser | RA | 1 | 4 |
Medium Pulse Laser | RA | 1 | 2 |
Medium Pulse Laser | RA | 1 | 2 |
SRM 2 Streak | RA | 1 | 1 |
Double Heat Sink | RA | 2 | 1 |
Double Heat Sink | RA | 2 | 1 |
ER Large Laser | LA | 1 | 4 |
ER Large Laser | LA | 1 | 4 |
Medium Pulse Laser | LA | 1 | 2 |
Medium Pulse Laser | LA | 1 | 2 |
SRM 2 Streak | LA | 1 | 1 |
Double Heat Sink | LA | 2 | 1 |
Double Heat Sink | LA | 2 | 1 |
LRM 15 | RT | 2 | 3.5 |
Ammo (LRM) 8 | RT | 1 | 1 |
Ammo (SRM) 50 | RT | 2 | 2 |
Double Heat Sink | RT | 2 | 1 |
Double Heat Sink | LT | 2 | 1 |
Double Heat Sink | LT | 2 | 1 |
Double Heat Sink | LT | 2 | 1 |
Alternate Configuration D
Weapons and Ammo | Location | Critical | Tonnage |
LB 20-X AC |
RA | 9 | 12 |
ER Large Laser | LA | 1 | 4 |
ER Laser Laser | LA | 1 | 4 |
ER Medium Laser | LA | 1 | 1 |
Ammo (LB-X) 15 | RT | 3 | 3 |
Ammo (Gauss) 16 | RT | 2 | 2 |
ER Small Laser | RT (R) | 1 | .5 |
Gauss Rifle | LT | 6 | 12 |
Guardian ECM Suite | CT | 1 | 1 |