compiled overview of the 30
ton Hammer 'Mech, from various
BattleTech novels and game sourcebooks:
The leaders and high military commanders of the
Free Worlds League have been awaiting the day when the
Inner Sphere powers would shift their focus from
their mutual Clan enemy to fighting amongst themselves once more. Seeking to be prepared for that day, the
Free Worlds League military commissioned
Free Worlds Defense Industries to design and produce a
BattleMech that could effectively counter the
Federated Commonwealth's
Valkyrie design.
The
Hammer boasts twin Coventry
LRM-5s, each with
Artemis IV fire control systems for better accuracy. Each
LRM launcher is equipped with enough ammunition to launch 24
salvos in combat. Three tried-and-true Martell Medium
Lasers complement the
LRMs.
The
Hammer's top speed of 81 kph matches the top running speed of the
Valkyrie. Because the
'Mech was specifically designed to counter the
Valkyrie, this was a necessity. The only argument for a lower speed was quickly eliminated when the engineers tested
jump jets and found that the stress on the
BattleMech's frame was beyond acceptable parameters. Because of that testing, however, the engineers decided to use
endo steel. The savings of weight from the infrastructure allowed the placement of more
armor over the volatile surfaces on the
'Mech's torso.
The communications system is also a well-tested one: the Datacom 50, in use throughout the
Inner Sphere, especially in the
Free Worlds League.
The
Hammer has proven effective at providing long-range cover fire to companies of lighter
'Mechs who routinely have no substantial missile
cover. The
Hammer, while not an
Archer (commonly used for fire support), can still force an opponent into a disadvantageous
position.
The
Hammer has been paired with another new design, appropriately known as the
Anvil, and together they are being tested in combat simulations on
Gibson.
In recent history the
Duchy of Andurien has suffered from rebellious officials,
pirate raids, and invasions by neighboring forces. Once the
Free Worlds League government began to assert its control over the
Duchy of Andurien more effectively, the decision was made to fieled test the new
'Mech designs in this arena. All units at the edge of
FWL space have been assigned some of the new
Hammers.
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