Viking

Description
The Viking began production shortly after the Beowulf in a joint effort by the Free Rasalhague Republic and ComStar. The 'Mech is intended to take over in the role that has been traditionally filled by the Bombardier. The Viking is built on a GC Type 1 Endo Steel chassis and powered by a GM 270 fusion engine, giving the 'Mech a top speed of 54.0 km/h. The Viking is protected by fifteen and a half tons of GC Slab armor with CASE, providing the 'Mech with good armor protection as well as protection against ammunition explosions. To dissipate heat from the Viking's impressive arsenal, the 'Mech has ten double heat sinks. The Viking has proven itself a powerful assault and fire support 'Mech capable of putting out almost twice as much firepower as the 'Mech it replaces.

Weapons and Equipment
The Viking has a singular mission of long-range missile fire support. To do this, the Viking carries two Shigunga LRM-15 launchers and two Shigunga LRM-20 launchers, all of which are linked to an Artemis IV fire control system for increased missile accuracy. For close combat, the Viking has two torso mounted ChisComp 32 Small Lasers and four Sperry Browning Machine Guns for anti-infantry combat.

Variants

 * VKG-2G : Intended to act as a front line assault 'Mech, the 2G variant of the Viking has all of the weapons stripped out and two more double heat sinks have been added in addition to two more tons of armor. The 2G carries as its primary weapons an LB-X Autocannon/10 which is capable of firing both standard and cluster rounds as well as a Gauss Rifle, giving the 2G a powerful long range punch. For medium to close range combat, the 2G has a Large Pulse Laser and three Medium Pulse Lasers. To protect itself from advanced enemy electronic warfare systems, the 2G has a Guardian ECM Suite. BV (1.0) = 1,878, BV (2.0) = 2,152


 * VKG-3A : This is an artillery version of the Viking produced during the Jihad. This variant has an Advance Tech Arrow IV Launcher mounted in its right arm and torso. The Viking's left side LRM launchers are replaced by a pair of 7-Tubed Multi-Missile Launchers guided by Artemis IV Fire Control.  The launchers are supplied by 3 tons of ammunition while the larger Arrow launcher has 4 tons.  CASE is used to protect damage to both ammunition bins from destroying the 'Mech. As far as secondary weaponry goes, the 'Mech has a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers in each side torso and a single Small Pulse Laser in the center. The fusion engine is replaced with a Compact Fusion Engine to help protect the 'Mech from stray shots to its center torso and armor is increased to seventeen and one half tons. The 'Mech is equipped with 11 double heat sinks. BV (2.0) = 1,876


 * VKG-3W : The 3W is a Word of Blake variant that was reconfigured at the refitted factories on Hall. It strips the weapons and replaces them with four Krupp MML-9s that allow the Viking access to both SRM and LRM munitions and with seven tons of ammunition, it is almost guaranteed to have both. The close-support weapons were replaced with a pair of Skobel "Little 20" Light AC/2s and a pair of Hovertec Streak SRM-2s that seem ancient by comparison. This variant is protected by seventeen and a half tons of armor, but does not add any heat sinks. Of course, all the weapons are aided by the inclusion of a C3i Computer. BV (2.0) = 1,778

Design Quirks
The Viking has the following Design Quirks:
 * Easy to Maintain
 * Multi-Trac
 * No/Minimal Arms

Sightings

 * A Word of Blake Viking fought against a Clan Nova Cat Nova Cat on 21 August 3072, in the Nagasaki community zone of the Crane district on Luthien.