Atlas AS7-JB

Atlas AS7-JB



Mass: 100 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-D-A
Production Year: 3050
Cost: 10,918,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,357

Chassis: Foundation Type 10X Standard
Power Plant: Vlar 300 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Glasgow Limited Primo Ferro-Fibrous w/ CASE
Armament:
    1 Poland Main Model A Gauss Rifle
    1 Coventry Surefire LRM-15 w/ Artemis IV FCS
    2 Cyclops XII ER Large Lasers
    1 SureShot Mk VI SRM-6 w/ Artemis IV FCS
    2 Defiance B3M Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Defiance Industries
    Primary Factory: Hesperus II
Communications System: Angst Discom
Targeting and Tracking System: Angst Accuracy

Overview:
The AS7-JB variant of the Atlas was Defiance Industries' attempt at countering 
the DCMS' new Atlas model, the AS7-K, which debut in 3049.  Like the Kuritan 
version, the AS7-JB was meant to pummel enemies at long-range.  Though a 
respectable design of its own, the Clan Invasion and a series of bureaucratic 
blunders ruined this variant from gaining any traction.  At the same time, it 
is believed that certain "Social Generals" that still festered within the LCAF 
used their influence to keep the Atlas as a "brawler" by design, not wanting it 
to become nothing more than a slower version of the Zeus battlemech.


Capabilities:
Defiance Industries did not want to sacrifice the durability of the Atlas by 
using an XL Engine, something that the Kuritans did with the AS7-K model, in 
order to free up space for the changes in weaponry.  Instead, the company 
retained the original standard engine, and opted to replace the 20 single heat 
sinks with 13 double heat sinks, and replaced the standard armor with 
Ferro-Fibrous.  This ensured that the AS7-JB is still just as durable as 
before, while improving the 'mech's cooling capacity.


Like the AS7-K, the Atlas AS7-JB has an ER Large Laser on each arm, and a Gauss 
Rifle on the right torso in for long-range attacks.  Unlike the Kuritan 
variant, the LRM-20 was reduced to an LRM-15.  However, this Atlas variant did 
retain the SRM-6 on the left torso, and the two medium lasers in the center 
torso, although both are now facing forward.  Furthermore, the missile 
launchers were mated to an Artemis IV guiding system for better accuracy.  As 
for ammunition, both the LRM launcher and the Gauss Rifle have two tons of ammo 
each, while the SRM launcher has a one-ton bin to draw from.


For additional protection, CASE was installed in each side torso, to help 
protect against missile ammo explosions, or if the Gauss Rifle itself gets hit 
and explodes.


Battle History:
Despite its limited deployment, the Atlas AS7-JB did gain certain degree of 
notoriety in the Solaris Gaming Circuits.  Jason Bloch, a veteran Solaris Games 
Mechwarrior, would use this Atlas variant in his championship run in 3050, 
winning the Grand Tournament in that year.  He would continue to find success 
using the AS7-JB in the Class Five Circuit, including winning the 3054 Grand 
Tournament as well.


Notable 'Mechs & MechWarriors: 
-Jason Bloch

A member of the Blackstar Stables, Jason Bloch is notable for his conservative 
fighting style, favoring on wearing down his opponents with long-range fire, 
prefering to avoid close combat until he considers his enemy is damaged and in 
heat trouble.  However, this approach is not always foolproof; in 3051, he lost 
to Elizabeth O'Bannon in a crucial match, ending his attempt at a repeat 
championship run.