V5.00dHydra HDR-1B 3E3EBA@MA 8 8 6 4 4 3J," )" ) .  7 (Unknown)7 (Unknown)8 (Unknown)8 (Unknown)7 (Unknown)8 (Unknown)8 (Unknown)5 (Unknown)5 (Unknown)77 7777 88888 77 88888 5 5 0 Introduced in 2540, the HDR-1A Hydra is an assault BattleMech designed to inspire fear in the enemy with its looks as well as its firepower. The head and weapon mounts for the PPCs and Flamers were all designed to give a reptilian mouth shape to appear as five hydra heads spitting flame and lightening at the enemy. The hands of the mech end in sharp points on the fingers to appear as claws. The leg and foot assemblies' also bare a clawed appearance. With an array of weaponry to give massive firepower at all ranges the Hydra is fully energy based to maximize efficiency. Weighing in at 100 tons and with a top running speed of 54.6 kilometers per hour, the Hydra can keep up with most assault forces. It also was the first mech at 100 tons to be equipped with a full 90-meter jump capability. The 'Mech serves with main-line units as a solid fire support or close assault machine combat roles. Produced by Bergan Industries of New Earth, from the same factories that produce the Champion and Locust battlemechs the Hydra never reached the popularity of those designs. The problem was the shaped armor designed to provide this mech with its fearsome visage. It was very hard to repair when damaged and could not be replaced with standard armor due to the way it molded to the weapon mounts. The factory that produced these mechs was heavily damaged during the Amaris crisis and did not return to production of even the more popular mechs until after the fourth succession war. One Hydra battlemech was found in the abandoned remains of the Bergan factory on the continent of Conseco in 3030. It is currently deployed with the elite mercenary unit Hawkins' Hellraisers. , The Hydra's mass makes it an assault BattleMech, but it more nimble that most with the addition of Anderson 300 jump jets. However, it also maintains all the armor and firepower of an assault machine. The Vlar 300 fusion engine is standard for a machine and is the same engine eventually used in the Atlas and King Crab mechs. Three Tiegart particle projection cannons located in the Hydra's arms and left torso provide the knock-out punch needed by any large 'Mech. These are the same PPCs carried by the Thug assault mech. The Tiegart is 10% smaller than standard PPCs but matches them for power and damage. The major drawback is the scarcity of replacement parts. Even though several redundant circuits provide backup power if needed, the Mechwarrior's control over the weapon suffers greatly without a steady supply of parts. The Hydra's remaining weapons array consists of 2 Zippo Flamers mounted in the head and chest protect the mech from swarming infantry and are shaped to appear as flaming dragon heads. The battery of 10 Aberdovey Mark III medium lasers can deliver huge amounts of punishment at close to medium range and are considered the best available lasers. The 17 experimental double strength heat sinks allow the Hydra to maintain a constant barrage of energy weapons fire that can cover the assault or retreat for its remaining lance mates. Heat only becomes a problem when a pilot attempts to fire both the PPCs and Lasers together. This can lead to immediate shut down but few opponents would be around to witness it. The communications and targeting systems are 2 of the best ever used in a mech. The Tek BattleCom ensures reliable contact with all units on the battlefield and the DLK Type Phased Array Sensor System allows the pilot to every advantage in hitting at opponent.+ The 20+ prototype Hydras saw battle on a few occasions during the Star-League era. Half of a production run were ordered by the Duke of New Earth to serve in the planetary guard where they would be showpiece mechs that could be used if war ever came to the that world. All were destroyed when that fateful time came over 2 centuries later during the fall of the Star League. But the few remaining records show that in battle the Hydra truly fought with the fury of its namesake often taking on and destroying several opponents at once. ` The only known variant ever tested was the 1B that changed little from the basic model. Designed for a closer combat role it replaced the 3 PPCs with 4 Large Lasers. 1 heat sink was added to this design and 1 laser from each side torso bay was modified to face the rear of the mech giving it more cover in the chaos of close combat situations. Lt. Derrick Hawkins The remaining Hydra known to the inner sphere in 3067 is deployed in the command battalion of Hawkins' Hellraisers. Lt. Derrick Hawkins is the second son of General Lance Hawkins the founder of the unit. He commands a security lance attached to the Generals Company. The mech has seen little action in over 30 years since it was discovered having spent over a decade being analyzed and tested by engineers from the NAIS.  Rumor has it that the refurbished Bergan facility is looking into a more battle worthy version of the design using more advanced technologies and standard armor mounts for the weapons. Commander Hawkins has made inquiries into purchasing at least a lance of first production run. Unfortunately the outbreak of the civil war in the Federated Commonwealth and the Word of Blake Jihad has put these plans on hold for now.  [ none ]Bergan Industries New EarthVlarValiant Lamellor Bergan CXV Tek BattleCom#DLK Type Phased Array Sensor SystemAnderson Propulsion 300