Wasp LAM

Description
Designed right after the Stinger LAM proved the Land-Air 'Mech concept, the aerodynamic Wasp chassis also seemed to promise a successful conversion. However, weapon accuracy was severely hampered on initial prototypes and only after the Harvard Company hired Katherine Piscalla was a successful Wasp LAM actually produced.

The Wasp LAM is able to convert from BattleMech to aerospace fighter faster than any other Land-Air 'Mech, and also mounts no lostech, save the conversion equipment. The ease of use and ability to drop bombs from bomb bays made the Wasp LAM especially successful in air-to-ground strikes, no matter where that ground may be. During its first operation, Wasp LAMs were tasked with destroying a nuclear weapons facility orbiting in the Terran Oort Cloud in 2690. Generations of SLDF ground soldiers loved the Wasp LAM so much, they bestowed upon it the moniker "angels on our shoulders".

The Capellan Confederation has several Wasp LAM variants that are original prototypes, built before the first successful prototype designed by Dr. Piscalla. All variants not only have difficulty converting, but are also prone to glitches with their targeting and tracking systems.

The Wasp LAM was a highly sought-after prize, and a jealously guarded commodity when most of the Wasp LAM production facilities were destroyed shortly after the start of the First Succession War. By the thirty-first century, the Wasp LAM was an exceedingly rare sight within the Inner Sphere.

Weapons and Equipment
The Wasp LAM is similar to the Stinger LAM, maintaining the same ground and air speed. he only real difference is in the armament - the Wasp LAM is armed with a Martell medium laser and a Holly SRM-2.

Variants

 * WSP-100 Wasp LAM Mk I : This variant, used by the SLDF, has an LTV 150 engine, slightly lower maximum ground speed at 84 km/h, a 120 meter jump capability, and replaces the SRM-2 with a rear-facing One-Shot version. In exchange the WSP-100 was equipped with a five ton bomb bay, which allowed the WSP-100 to carry Arrow IV missiles and conventional bombs without losing any speed. BV (2.0) = 489


 * WSP-100b : This variant was designed for the SLDF's "Blackhearts" teams. Based on the standard WSP-100, it replaced the medium laser and bomb bay with an extra jump jet, medium pulse laser, Streak SRM-2, and Guardian ECM suite. The armor protection was also increased slightly. BV (2.0) = ????


 * WSP-100A : This version of the Wasp LAM replaces the bomb bay with an LRM-10 launcher and an extra jump jet. This variant was later used as the inspiration for the Valkyrie. BV (2.0) = ????


 * WSP-105M : This variant of the "standard" WSP-105 replaced the SRM-2 and one single heat sink with a single LRM-5. BV (2.0) = ????


 * WSP-110 : This Jihad-era variant appears to be a testbed used by the Word of Blake. Its performance is identical to the WSP-100 and it retains the bomb bay, but it is built on a composite internal structure. It's also equipped with double heat sinks and a medium variable speed pulse laser. The One-Shot SRM-2 missile launcher has been removed. BV (2.0) = ????

Related BattleMechs

 * Wasp - The Wasp LAM modified the chassis of the very successful Wasp light BattleMech.

Notable Pilots

 * See Category:Notable Wasp LAM Pilots