Warhawk (Masakari)

Description
Introduced by Clan Smoke Jaguar in 2999 in preparation for the anticipated return to the Inner Sphere, while the Dragoon Compromise stalled such plans, the Jaguars unleashed the powerful Warhawk on their Warden opponents to deadly effect. Deployed extensively in the Jaguar frontline forces, and often seen paired with the Dire Wolf, the design truly came to prominence as originally intended, on the battlefields of the Jaguars' Invasion Corridor and earned the code name of Masakari - a Japanese battle-axe used on medieval Terra - from warriors within the DCMS who faced it.

Though it appeared in the Toumans of a number of other Clans, such as the Ghost Bears and Jade Falcons, the Jaguars jealously guarded their production, and all examples of the highly prized 'Mech outside of the Jaguars were battlefield salvage until production lines and design specs finally spread to the Fire Mandrills, Diamond Sharks and Goliath Scorpions upon the Smoke Jaguars' Annihilation. Produced exclusively on the Clan Homeworlds, the design was one of many lost to the Inner Sphere Clans after contact with the Homeworlds ceased during the Jihad.

The Warhawk was powered by a massive 340 XL Engine that gave it a top speed of 64.8 km/h and mounted thirteen and a half tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor to protect itself from enemy fire. To dissipate the massive waste heat produced in its various configurations, it carried a staggering twenty double heat sinks. Additionally, though not truly fixed equipment on the chassis, the Warhawk managed to incorporate an advanced Targeting Computer into each of its configurations, making all of its direct fire weapons extremely accurate.

Weapons and Equipment
In its primary configuration, the Warhawk had an impressive arsenal of long range weapons which were centered around four ER PPCs that took advantage of the 'Mech’s Targeting Computer. While unable to fire all of the ER PPCs at once it could use a volley fire strategy to manage its heat. These were backed up by an LRM-10 launcher that allowed the Warhawk a secondary weapon that can be utilized for long range combat.

Alternate Configurations

 * Alt. Config. A : Configured for a more all around combat role, the Warhawk A had two ER Large Lasers for long range combat. These were supported by an LB 10-X Autocannon that could fire both solid and cluster ammunition and an LRM-15 launcher capable of providing long range missile fire support. For close combat, the 'Mech mounted a highly accurate Streak SRM-6 launcher. BV (1.0) = 2,167, BV (2.0) = 2,399
 * Alt. Config. B : The B configuration of the Warhawk was a generalist rather than focused variant. For long range combat, the 'Mech carried a Gauss Rifle which could do a great deal of damage at long range. For close combat, the 'Mech had three ER Medium Lasers and a single ER Small Laser as well as two SRM-6 launchers. Finally, the 'Mech also carried a Narc Missile Beacon launcher which was capable of tagging a 'Mech with a beacon that can be used by friendly units for more accurate missile fire on the designated target. BV (1.0) = 2,063, BV (2.0) = 2,320


 * Alt. Config. C : The C configuration was a sort of compromise on the Primary configuration of the Warhawk. The 'Mech carried two ER PPCs for deadly accurate long range fire, supported at close range by a pair of powerful and already highly accurate Large Pulse Lasers, the lethality of all four weapons only increased by the Targeting Computer. The 'Mech carried a Flamer as well for use against infantry and mounted three additional double heat sinks to handle the 'Mech's heat load. BV (1.0) = 2,522, BV (2.0) = 2,998


 * Alt. Config. D : A 'Mech that could handle itself well at long range, the Warhawk D carried as its primary long range weapons a pair of ER Large Lasers which were supported by an Ultra Autocannon/10 that could fire at twice the rate as a standard autocannon. For short range the 'Mech had a single ER Small Laser and, as a sort of wild card, carried an ATM-9 launcher which could fire ammunition for long, medium, and short ranges which carry larger warhead payloads as the 'Mech closed on its target. BV (1.0) = 2,238, BV (2.0) = 2,474


 * Alt. Config. E : A sort of fusion between the B and C variants, the Warhawk E mounted an ER PPC, a Large Pulse Laser, and an SRM-6. The new addition to the design was three Plasma Cannons. The Targeting Computer made the energy weapons more accurate. BV (2.0) = 2,895


 * Alt. Config. F : Apparently designed to reduce heat, this configuration of the Warhawk carries a single ER PPC in each arm backed up by an LRM-20 and LRM-10. A torso-mounted Ultra AC/2 rounds out the weapons. Like most Warhawk variants, this version carries an advanced Targeting Computer. BV (2.0) = 2,775


 * Alt. Config. H : A close combat configuration of the Warhawk, the H configuration carried as its only true long range weapon an LRM-10 launcher. This was backed up by a pair of Large Pulse Lasers and also a pair of Heavy Large Lasers which gave the 'Mech incredible close range damage potential. To handle the heavy heat load, the Warhawk H carried an additional five double heat sinks. BV (1.0) = 2,185, BV (2.0) = 2,601

Custom Configuration

 * Warhawk Tara : Piloted by Major Tara Lucas of Zeta Battalion, this Warhawk variant replaced the LRMs of the primary configuration with more heat sinks.

Apocryphal Configurations
These variants were introduced in various apocryphal sources, and thus far have not appeared in any canonical media.

From MechWarrior Online:
 * WHK-NQ "Nanuq" : A customized variant of the Warhawk, reportedly piloted by Hunter Tseng. The Nanuq uses a trio of ER Medium Lasers in its left arm. The center torso carries a Active Probe. In it's right torso carries a LRM-15 with two tons of ammo and one ton of ultra autocannon ammo. The right arm carries a pair of Ultra Autocannon/10s with two tons of ammo.

Notable Pilots

 * Diana Pryde’s chosen 'Mech throughout the early stages of her career was a Warhawk. She later switched to a Nova.
 * Jeremiah Rose piloted a Masakari salvaged from the Black Thorns’ defense of Borghese..
 * Ranna Kerensky of the Clan Wolf-in-Exile has been documented to pilot a Warhawk.
 * Theodore Kurita was known to pilot a Masakari as of the Battle of Luthien. This machine was likely taken from the Smoke Jaguars on Wolcott.
 * Vlad Ward piloted a Warhawk to defeat Vandervahn Chistu into releasing Clan Wolf from the Falcons.
 * Reinhardt Steiner of the 10th Lyran Guards piloted a Masakari in the 3060s.