Ostsol

The Ostsol was designed as an all-energy-weapon alternative to Ostmann Industries previous heavy BattleMechs, the Ostwar and the Ostroc. However, Ostman Industries was already running at capacity building new Ostroc 'Mech, so rather than cease production on this popular line the company licensed the design to Kong Interstellar Corporation, creators of the popular Black Knight. The first Ostsols walked off the production lines at Kong in Introduction Year::2694 and entered into service with the Star League Defense Force, outfitting various Hussar and Dragoon regiments. Armed with a mix of lasers and requiring little resupply, the Ostsol is nearly impossible to interdict and able to operate independently of supply lines for extended periods of time. A versatile 'Mech, the Ostsol can operate as part of heavy lances in order to provide close-range firepower or lead recon and raiding lances thanks to its fast speed and advanced electronics. In fact an Ostsol is often so integral to its lance and its role so inconspicuous that occasionally its actual contribution to a given fight can be hard to determine.

Sale of Ostsol 'Mechs to Member States of the Star League was allowed in 2752 after an amendment to Council Edict 2650 was passed, increasing its deployment across the Inner Sphere. Production of the 'Mech was halted during the First Succession War when Kong Interstellar's Connaught factories were destroyed - the company could only make certain spare parts from then on - but given the wide distribution of the Ostsol it remained a common sight during the the rest of that period. Eventually Kong was able to team up with Free Worlds League engineers to start refitting these 'Mechs with rediscovered lostech, creating the OTL-5M just in time for the Clan Invasion.

A second renewal to the 'Mech's life came in 3064 when Duke James Sandoval made the mistake of involving the Draconis March in the Combine-Ghost Bear War. His unsanctioned invasion backfired terribly and, with the FedCom Civil War raging, there was no ready source to resupply his depleted forces. Under the Duke's orders, Robinson Standard BattleWorks began searching out older 'Mech designs which could be quickly refitted to modern standards and picked the Ostsol as a good candidate. After securing the design schematics from Kong, RSB began upgrading older Ostsols to the new OTL-6D standard, which were used to replenish units damaged during the invasion. Kong eventually repaired their factories enough to a level where new models could be produced starting in 3065 and new variants have been produced since then.

Weapons and Equipment
The Ostsol uses an all-laser weapons array which is particularly geared to close-quarters fighting. The primary weapons are two Tronel III Heavy Large Lasers in the right and left torsos, providing powerful medium to long-range firepower. As ranges close, the Ostsol is able to bring its four Tronel II Medium Lasers, two in either side torso and two more rear mounted, into play. The rear-facing weaponry means the 'Mech can't bring its full firepower to bear on a single target, limiting its ability to take on heavy 'Mechs one-on-one, but allows it to engage multiple opponents at once more easily. The rear lasers also help the 'Mech cover its own retreat and discourage pursuit. In addition to this firepower the Ostsol will often engage in hand-to-hand fighting, which can be particularly damaging to lighter 'Mechs.

Nine tons of armoring is considered decent for a heavy 'Mech, while its fast cruising speed of 54 km/h is thanks to a nineteen-ton Vlar 300 fusion engine. Besides speed though it's the 'Mech's highly-sensitive TRSS.2L3 targeting-tracking system, able to detect enemies over several kilometers in even the most difficult terrain, which makes it a good command platform for scouting missions. Sixteen heat sinks also help manage the heat output of its all-energy weapons payload.

Variants

 * OTL-4F : The 4F Ostsol introduced in 2871 was the only common variant of the 'Mech pre-Clan Invasion, completely removing the laser weapons and replacing them with two Dominion-V PPCs in the side torsos. The 'Mech is seen as, in some ways at least, a poor man's Marauder or Warhammer, and the PPC array can quickly overload the sixteen heat sinks. Though, on its own merits, the variant is a good long-range direct fire support 'Mech which uses its top speed of 86.4 kph to dictate combat ranges against most heavier 'Mechs. BV (1.0) = 1,023, BV (2.0) = 1,264


 * OTL-5D : A House Davion upgrade of the 4D model first fielded in 3065, the 5D upgrades its armor to eight and a half tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor and mounts five additional Rocket Launcher 10s, giving the Ostsol incredible one-shot firepower in a pinch and added shock value when facing an enemy. The fact it is very similar to the Taurian Concordat's OSR-3C Ostroc has raised questions as to the variant's origins. BV (1.0) = 1,084, BV (2.0) = 1,333


 * OTL-5M : The 5M variant of the Ostsol is an upgrade of the design using Star League technology and is built for close-range combat with production starting in 3050. The original engine, heat sinks, and weapons have been stripped from the chassis and replaced with a Hermes 300 XL engine and sixteen double heat sinks. Taking the place of its standard weapons, the 5M Ostsol carries two Tronel XIII Large Pulse Lasers and four Tronel XII Medium Pulse Lasers, two of which remain rear-mounted to discourage attacks against the 'Mech's weak rear armor. Finally, for added protection against missile attacks, the 5M carries a LFN Lindblad Shotgun Anti-Missile System in its right torso with one ton of ammo in the left. BV (1.0) = 1,102, BV (2.0) = 1,245


 * OTL-6D : A complete redesign of the Ostsol unveiled in 3064, the 6D is powered by a GM 300 XL engine and is built using triple strength myomer, which push the 'Mech's top speed to 97.2 kph when operating in its optimum heat range. Carrying fourteen double heat sinks, the 'Mech is protected with eleven and a half tons of StarGuard Ferro-Fibrous armor. The weapons payload of the 6D consists of two Diverse Optics ER Large Lasers, two Diverse Optics ER Medium Lasers, two Magna 600P Medium Pulse Lasers, and two Magna 200P Small Pulse Lasers.  The extended-range lasers are split between the side torsos, the medium pulses split between right torso and head, and both small pulse systems are in the center torso.  All of these weapons are linked to an advanced Targeting Computer, making them more accurate at range.  The valuable but aging TRSS 2L3 targeting system could not function properly with the targeting computer, however, requiring its replacement with a Federated Stalker system.  BV (1.0) = 1,379, BV (2.0) = 1,880


 * OTL-7M : The 7M steps outside the Ostsols design philosophy of independent operations. Introduced in 3065 the 'Mech is built around an Endo Steel chassis, and uses an extralight engine for power, though it only carries ten double heat sinks. The primary weapons are two Light Gauss Rifles and four ER Medium Lasers. Finally, CASE has been added to protect against a catastrophic failure of either of the Light Gauss Rifles. BV (1.0) = 1,294, BV (2.0) = 1,581


 * OTL-8D : This variant of the 6D, introduced in 3069, replaces that version's pulse lasers and large lasers with a Light PPC and a pair of Light Autocannon/5s. The weight savings allows the use of a Light Fusion Engine instead of the bulky extra-light version. The extra heat sinks of the 6D were no longer needed, so they were removed. In order to save even more weight, a new Heavy Ferro-Fibrous armor weave is used on this design, as is a small cockpit. The empty arms retain their hands, though the lack of heat buildup dictated the removal of the advanced myomers, making physical attacks less effective. A sizable CASE-protected ammunition bin in each side torso allows the use of different types of ammunition with the two light autocannons. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,462


 * OTL-8M : The 8M Ostsol was built by the Free Worlds League in 3066 using the same Endo Steel chassis as the 7M, adding a larger 360-rated extralight engine to boost the 'Mech's speed to 97.2 kph. The 'Mech is similar, though, to the intended design philosophy of the original version, using Triple Strength Myomer to boost its top speed to 118.8 kph, and it carries a PPC as its primary weapon. This is supported by a large pulse laser, two medium pulse lasers, an ER Small Laser, and an ER medium laser. BV (1.0) = 1,196, BV (2.0) = 1,661


 * OTL-9R : Built in 3077 after Kong Interstellar's production lines were damaged, this Ostsol version has a top speed of only 54 km/h. Installing a standard Fusion Engine, Heavy Duty Gyro, and maximizing the armor protection the 9R carries allows it to function in roles normally assigned to Assault 'Mechs. The addition of Triple Strength Myomer (and just enough heat sinks to keep the TSM active) also allows the 9R to inflict damage during the physical combat frequently encountered on Jihad battlefields. To cover its approach, this Ostsol uses a Heavy PPC, large laser, and Snub-Nose PPC. For close-in fighting the MechWarrior can use an ER medium laser, ER small laser, or standard small laser. The head-mounted C3 Slave allows the Ostsol to use targeting data from friendly units. BV (2.0) = 1,654


 * OTL-9M : Based on the 8M version of the Ostsol this version from 3079 removes the Triple Strength Myomer and uses a battery of ER large and ER medium lasers to damage a foe at long range. For close combat it carries a Snub-Nose PPC and medium pulse laser. In addition to its heavy armor, it uses a Guardian ECM Suite to disrupt enemy electronics and a MASC system to engage and disengage at will. BV (2.0) = 1,871

Design Quirks
The Ostsol has the following Design Quirks:
 * Improved Sensors
 * Narrow/Low Profile

Related BattleMechs

 * Ostroc - The Ostsol was designed as an ammo-independent alternative to the popular Ostroc heavy BattleMech.
 * Ostwar - The Ostroc and Ostsol BattleMechs are successors to the early Ostwar BattleMech, the first of the "walking pods". The armament and structure of all three BattleMechs is so similar, it became common to see FrankenMechs of Ostmann Industries production.