Mass:
50 tons
Tech Level:
Inner Sphere Level 3
Primary Role:
Pursuit
Cost:
11,987,300 C-bills
Battle Value: 1,163
Weapon Value: 1,503
Chassis: Crucis Type VI
Endo-steel
Power Plant: Pitban 400 XL
Cruising Speed: 87.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 127.0 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump
Capacity: None
Armor: Durallex Light
Ferro-fibrous
Armor
Capacity: 98.2% of maximum
Armament:
2 Sutel
Line Extended-range Medium Lasers
4
Martell Medium Lasers
Communications System:
Omicron 4002 Networking Channel
Targeting/Tracking System:
TRSS Eagle Eye
Manufacturer: Burger's
Battlemechs
Primary
Factory: Tancredi IV
Internal Structure.........Endo-steel................2.5
Engine.....................400
XL...................26.25
Walking
MP's............8
Running
MP's...........12
Jumping
MP's............0
Heat Sinks..................11 (22)..................1
Gyro.......................XL
Gyro...................2
Cockpit..............................................3
Armor Factor...............165
Ferro-fibrous.........9.25
Internal Armor
Head............3...........9
C.
Torso.......16..........25
(rear).................5
R/L
Torso......12..........20
(rear).................4
R/L Arm.........8..........15
R/L Leg........12..........24
Weapons
Loc. Crit
ER Medium Laser...........RA...........1.............1
ER Medium Laser...........LA...........1.............1
4 Medium Lasers...........RT...........4.............4
Overview:
As can be evidenced by the X in the designation, the HBK-6X Hunchback is an experimental model, utilizing many of the latest technological advances available to the Inner Sphere. Developed in early 3058, it was designed more as a proof-of-concept mech, as Burger engineers wanted to tinker to see if they could come up with a fast medium pursuit mech with decent speed and armor. The HBK-6X is what they came up with.
Capabilities:
The heart of the HBK-6X is a huge Pitban 400 XL engine, the largest mech engine available. This massive engine takes up over half the mech's tonnage, and gives it a maximum speed of an astounding 127 kph, faster than many light mechs and unprecedented for a 50-ton mech. Endo-steel construction, ferro-fibrous armor, and an extra-light gyro lighten up the mech enough to allow for near-maximum armor and decent weaponry.
Although a bit lighter than designers hoped, the mech's weapons array is by no means lax. Four of the tried-and-true Martell Medium Laser give the HBK-6X decent short-range punch without having to worry about ammunition. Two of the new Sutel Line ER Medium Lasers give the HBK-6X additional firepower into the middle ranges. Since the HBK-6X is designed as a pursuit mech, the lack of ammunition is an added bonus.
The extra-light engine and extra-light gyroscope are decided weaknesses in the HBK-6X, though they were required to give the mech its speed and armor. It is hoped that this impressive speed and near-maximum armor protection will compensate for this.
Deployment:
Only 8 prototypes were constructed. These have been dispersed to the various Tancredi Highlander and Armored Militia units for operational testing. It is not known yet if the design will enter production. Rumor has it that a limited production run will be made, as the mech's high cost would limit demand for a longer run.
Variants:
A different team at Burger's Battlemechs used a slightly different approach to experimenting with the Hunchback. Designated the HBK-6XA, this one differs by using standard armor, a standard gyro, and dropping the engine to a GM 300 XL. While this reduces the top speed to just under 100 kph, still fast for a 50-ton mech, this variant adds a 180 meter jump jet capacity. The weapons load is closer to the original Hunchback, with a medium-bore autocannon in the right torso backed up by 3 Sutel Line ER Medium Lasers. Burger's Battlemechs has begun a limited production run of this variant.
Cost/Value Statistics:
Variant Cost (C-bills)
Battle Value Weapon
Value
HBK-6X........11,987,300..........1,163...........1,503
HBK-6XA.......10,117,500..........1,378...........1,353
Battleforce 2 Statistics:
Variant
MP Dam. PB/M/L OH
Armor/St. Pts. Spec
HBK-6X.......8.......4/3/0........0.......4/2........12
HBK-6XA.....6J.......4/3/1........0.......4/2........14
Heavy Metal Pro Files:
HBK-6X Hunchback
HBK-6XA Hunchback
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Page last modified 31 December, 2003