Pike (combat vehicle)

Description
The Pike was created at the direction of Magestrix Kyalla Centrella of the Magistracy of Canopus during the later part of the Third Succession War. Her plan was to produce an inexpensive combat vehicle so the Great Houses would wear down their BattleMech armies through attrition, and the Pike would be the tool she envisioned for the task. However, sending vehicles to market in the Inner Sphere was to be more costly than anticipated. With the Great Houses' shrinking numbers of ships in their JumpShip fleets, the vehicle did not make the impact she had hoped it would.

It became a favorite of ComStar's growing garrison forces for their HPG complexes.

Weapons and Equipment
The vehicle's primary weaponry is its long-range Class 2 Autocannon. The ZeusBolt ACs have been given 5 tons of ammunition to snipe targets at distance. For close-in defense, the vehicle was given a pair of SRM 2 launchers with a ton of ammunition.

The vehicle was given 9 tons of StarSlab/9 Armor to protect its hull from damage. Its engine is capable of accelerating the Pike to 54 Kilometers per hour.

Variants

 * AC/5 : This 3004 version replaces the three Autocannon/2s with two Autocannon/5s and seven tons of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 715


 * Missile : This 2993 version replaces the three Autocannon/2s with two LRM-20s and three tons of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 943


 * Rotary Autocannon Upgrade/"Assault Pike" : Debuting in 3062 this variant of the Pike carries three Rotary Autocannon/2s in the turret with four tons of ammunition. A Small Laser mounted on the front discourages infantry attacks. BV (1.0) = 557 BV (2.0) = 961


 * Clan : The Clans have also built a version of the Pike. It carries slightly more armor and a single ER Small Laser in a front mount. The ZeusBolt AC's have been replaced by five Ultra AC/2s. Four tons of ammunition are carried in a CASE-protected bay. BV (2.0) = 892