Shrike

Description
The Shrike BattleMech, popular with commanders for its heavy and accurate weapons, is the Jade Falcon answer to Clan Wolf's heavy Tundra Wolf. Its distinctive wings, common among later Jade Falcon designs during the revitalization of the 3110s, allow the Shrike to dissipate heat almost as fast as it gains it. Nonetheless, this 'Mech, like the Gyrfalcon, quickly rises in temperature and needs to be piloted with careful attention to heat management, despite the dissipation capabilities of the wings.

The 'Mech's origins can be traced to the Onager. The Eagle Craft Group of Erewhon took the older design and styled it similarly to the earlier Eyrie and Gyrfalcon. Admired for its capacities, the Shrike became a highly sought-out design for Jade Falcon commanders after its performance during a raid on La Grave against Clan Wolf in 3115.

Weapons and Equipment
The Shrike is outfitted with a powerful Targeting Computer that allows it to bring accurate firepower to bear on the battlefield. It has a hard-hitting armament that gives the 'Mech a powerful sting in combat at most ranges. A "Long Bow" LRM-10-rack allows pilots to engage enemies at long range, and two Type 9 Ultra Autocannon/5s are effective against even other assault-class 'Mechs. Lastly, two Series 2b ER Large Lasers provide a fairly powerful punch should the other weapon systems deplete their ammunition.

The design owes its large weapon capacity to its Endo Steel construction and its large 380-rated Extra-Light Fusion Engine. Engineers enhanced the design by adding a Partial Wing, giving the Shrike extra jump capacity as well as additional cooling abilities under normal atmospheric conditions.

Variants

 * Shrike 2: Introduced in 3115, the second variant of the Shrike replaces the ER Large Lasers with ER Medium Lasers, which allows the autocannons to be upgraded to pair of Ultra Autocannon/10s. BV(2.0)=2,846


 * Shrike 3: This variant of the Shrike was introduced in 3116. The Shrike 3 is similar to the standard model, save the swapping out of the 'Mech's autocannons for pair of Extended Range Particle Projection Cannons. BV(2.0)=3,698

Notable Pilots

 * Malvina Hazen, Jade Falcon Star Colonel and later Khan was a legendary Shrike MechWarrior. She named her BattleMech the "Black Rose". The Black Rose was the first appearance of the Shrike in a novel. The Black Rose itself was created as a unique figure for the MWDA Collectable Miniature Game, with Malvina Hazen pilot information on a separate data card.

Design Quirks
The Shrike has the following Design Quirks:
 * Command BattleMech
 * Distracting
 * Exposed Weapon Linkage (Ultra AC/5)
 * Reinforced Legs
 * Rumble Seat