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The Rapier is yet another innovation by Akula Corporate Engineering's Vehicle Division to incorporate C3 capabilities on a heavy dual purpose platform. Weighing in at some 80 tons, the Rapier is a very versatile weapons platform that is capable of providing both air defense and long range fire support to ground forces. While only moderately armored and lightly armed against smaller fast moving ground targets, the Rapier is still not to be underestimated on the field of battle. Capabilities: The Rapier's main mission profile is that of heavy air defence platform. In this role, it works in conjuction with Shilka SHK-7A's and the Mastermind Mobile HQ. Relying on its Kallon Sure-shot C3 Slave Unit for up to the minute battlefield information, the Rapier can devastate enemy aerospace forces. The Rapier is also very capable as a long range fire support unit should the need arise. To accomplish its mission, the Rapier is armed with 2 Valiant Ballista LRM20's with Artemis IV Fire Control Systems. These weapons are very accurate and reliable, and the Rapier carries 11 reloads for each launcher, in addition to the ready rounds in the launch tubes themselves. The main weapons are supplemented by a single Sperry Browning Machine Gun located in the vehicles brow. The Rapier utilizes advanced electronics such as the Garret/Gaurdian Interface Gaurdian ECM and Diplan Beagle Beagle Active Probe to ensure its combat effectiveness. The Beagle Active Probe allows the Rapier to pinpoint targets that move in under cover, and the Gaurdian ECM helps to make acquiring and tracking the Rapier difficult at best. The only dissapointing features of the Rapier are its somewhat slow speed and moderate armor. Capable of only 55 kph under ideal situations, the Rapier is often critisized as to slow to accomplish its mission. Its 11 tons of A.C.E. Type 4F Heavy armor are barely adequate should the Rapier find itself under fire. Despite these shortcomings, the Rapier is still a very deadly opponant on th modern field of battle. Deployment: The Rapier is deployed almost universally throughout the Inner Sphere. Used in conjuction with Shilkas and Masterminds, it is a very capable unit that has found favor in the armies or the Inner Sphere. Typical deployments are a lance of Rapiers and 2 lances of Shilkas controlled by a Mastermind Mobile HQ. |
| Equipment | Mass | ||||
| Engine: | 240 I.C.E. | 23.0 | |||
| Cruise MP: | 3 | ||||
| Flank MP: | 5 | ||||
| Internal Structure: | Standard | 8.0 | |||
| Heat Sinks: | 0 | 0 | |||
| Turret: | 2.5 | Control Equipment: | 4.0 | ||
| Lift Equipment: | 0.0 | ||||
| Power Amplifier: | 0.0 | ||||
| Armor Factor: | 176 | 11.0 | |||
| Internal | Armor | ||||
| Structure | Value | ||||
| Front: | 8 | 40 | |||
| Right: | 8 | 35 | |||
| Left: | 8 | 35 | |||
| Rear: | 8 | 26 | |||
| Turret: | 8 | 40 | |||
| Weapons and Ammo | Location | Heat | Mass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C3 Slave | Body | 0 | 1.0 | |
| Guardian ECM Suite | Body | 0 | 1.5 | |
| Beagle Active Probe | Body | 0 | 1.5 | |
| LRM-20 | Turret | 0 | 10.0 | |
| LRM-20 | Turret | 0 | 10.0 | |
| Artemis IV - LRM | Turret | 0 | 1.0 | |
| Artemis IV - LRM | Turret | 0 | 1.0 | |
| Ammo-LRM-20 Artemis IV | Body | 0 | 4.0 | |
| Machine Gun | Front | 0 | 0.5 | |
| Ammo-Machine Gun | Body | 0 | 0.5 |