Quickdraw

The Quickdraw was originally built in Introduction Year::2779 as a replacement for the Rifleman BattleMech, though very few had been assigned to any 'Mech regiments before the outbreak of the First Succession War in 2786. While it was unsuccessful in supplanting the Rifleman, throughout the course of the Succession Wars the Quickdraw proved itself to be a good generalist 'Mech. Packing excellent firepower, solid armor protection and above-average speed, it quickly earned the respect of many MechWarriors and status as a workhorse in every Successor State's military.

The Quickdraw also benefited from a couple of unique design features, one of which was that its arm actuators could bend backwards as well as forwards. This allowed the Quickdraw pilot to fire all four of its lasers to the rear, improving upon its already-formidable rear-arc firepower and creating a nasty surprise for anyone attempting to sneak up behind it. The second were its highly-articulated ankle actuators, which not only allowed the Quickdraw to keep its footing more easily on difficult terrain such as gravel, mud and ice, but also traverse gradients up to 12° steeper than other 'Mechs of its weight class. Its mobility was further enhanced with five jump jets.

Unfortunately this same mobility was also the Quickdraw's greatest weakness, as the distinctively circular rotor housing was notoriously fragile. Targeting the ankles with weapons fire, or with a good kick while engaged in close combat, could cripple or even immobilize the 'Mech. Equipped with only thirteen heat sinks the Quickdraw also suffered from a poor heat dissipation rate which limited use of its lasers in protracted firefights or in conjunction with frequent jumping. Its eight tons of armor was also less than that carried by most other heavy 'Mechs.

Technicron eventually managed to fix the heat issue with the improved QKD-5M models, though the ankles remained a structural weakness as the price to be paid for its mobility. The newer models steadily replaced the older 4Gs throughout the Inner Sphere during the 3050s, while the original remained common among the Periphery nations and second-rate mercenary commands, and more advanced variants would continue to be produced in the years following.

Weapons and Equipment
Geared towards medium and short-range combat, the only long-range weapon carried on-board the Quickdraw is a Delta Dart LRM-10 launcher, mounted in the left torso along with one ton of ammunition. The Quickdraw carries four Omicron 4000 Medium Lasers, two of which are rear-mounted in the right torso and the other two in either arm, giving it respectable close range firepower. Additionally, to capitalize on any weak points in an enemy's armor, the Quickdraw carries a Hovertec Quad SRM-4 launcher in the center torso, supplied by a single ton of ammo in the right torso.

Variants

 * QKD-C : The C is a modified version of the 5K Quickdraw first fielded in 3053. One of the rear-facing lasers is replaced with a C3 slave unit, allowing it to work as part of a C3 lance. BV (1.0) = 1,124, BV (2.0) = 1,225


 * QKD-4H : First introduced in 2847 and popular among pilots who prefer more firepower in the forward arc, the 4H variant essentially swaps the SRM-4 launcher with the two rear-firing medium lasers. While a time-consuming process, it is a straightforward procedure and can be done in the field by any competent tech support facility. Otherwise, the 4H is identical to the 4G model.   BV (1.0) = 1,006, BV (2.0) = 1,242


 * QKD-5A : The 5A seeks to give the Quickdraw more endurance during protracted missions where resupply is not guaranteed. Introduced in 3002, the LRM-10 launcher and its ammunition is replaced with two more forward-firing medium lasers and four additional heat sinks.  Despite the extra heat sinks however the addition of more energy weapons only aggravates the heat dissipation problems of the original model, requiring pilots to be even more careful in how they use their weapons.  BV (1.0) = 1,070, BV (2.0) = 1,196


 * QKD-5K : The 5K Quickdraw is an upgraded variant using Star League technology produced by Luthien Armor Works in 3049. Carrying the same weaponry as the 5A model, its use of seventeen double heat sinks solves the problem of excessive waste heat. It also uses Ferro-Fibrous armor, giving the 5K superior armor protection to the 5A model, with no added weight. BV (1.0) = 1,170, BV (2.0) = 1,265


 * QKD-5K2 : A simple modification of the 5K's weapons array introduced in 3057, the rear-firing medium lasers are remounted to fire forward. The SRM-4 is then mounted to be fire rearward.  BV (2.0) = 1,312


 * QKD-5M : Technicron's replacement for the original 4G model, the 5M was introduced in 3049 as an answer to the original's heat problems by replacing the thirteen normal heat sinks with double-strength versions. It also improved the design's defenses by swapping out the regular armor with Kallon FWL Special Ferro-Fibrous and installing CASE for the LRM's ammunition.  The space necessary for these upgrades was provided for by removing the SRM launcher for a one-shot Hovertec SRM-4 Launcher, a disposable missile launcher more commonly found on VTOLs, hovercraft and similar combat vehicles.  The loss in sheer short-range firepower is more than made up for by the other upgrades to the design. BV (1.0) = 1,142, BV (2.0) = 1,237


 * QKD-5Mr : A field refit of the 5M introduced during the Jihad, this version uses ER Medium Lasers in the arms, adds a Guardian ECM Suite, a Targeting Computer, and an Artemis IV FCS. To make room for this new equipment, engineers removed a heat sink and the one-shot missile launcher. BV (2.0) = 1,465


 * QKD-8K : The 8K variant of the Quickdraw brings it up to 3062 weapons standards. The 'Mech is built using an Endo Steel chassis and is armored with eight and a half tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor. The 'Mech's arsenal has also been stripped and upgraded, carrying four forward-mounted ER medium lasers and an MRM-30 launcher, a compromise between the LRMs and SRMs of past models, supplied by two tons of ammunition.  BV (1.0) = 1,375, BV (2.0) = 1,583


 * QKD-8P : The -8P is based on the experimental -8X. The major differences are the removal of the Stealth Armor and the Head Turret. This reduces production costs considerably, but leaves the head mounted PPC unable to cover the Quickdraw's retreat. The other advanced systems, including the Torso Mounted Cockpit, remain. The 8P also uses the same handheld weapons as the 8X. BV (2.0) = 1,598


 * QKD-9M : This variant is protected by Light Ferro-Fibrous armor. Each arm carries a single Large Laser which is tied into a Targeting Computer. The left torso also carries a single LRM-15 with three tons of ammunition in a CASE II protected bay. A TAG system allows it to call in artillery strikes. BV (2.0) = 1,690

Custom Variants

 * QKD-8X : An experimental version developed by Earthwerks Incorporated of Tikonov mounts stealth armor and is outfitted with Triple Strength Myomer. Retaining the original rear facing medium lasers, the cockpit has been moved down into the torso, and a turret-mounted PPC and TAG system have been installed in the head. Developed as a "Poor Man's OmniMech" during the Jihad, the QKD-8X was designed to use the boosted strength of the TSM to carry a variety of hand-held weapons, using a rear-mounted Lift Hoist to carry spare packages on its back. BV (2.0) = 1612
 * Hand-held weapon packages developed for QKD-8X are divided into heavy, twelve tons, and light, six tons, and include:
 * Heavy LRM Weapon - An LRM-20 and one ton of reloads clad in a single ton armor. BV (2.0) = 236
 * Heavy LB-X Weapon - An LB 10-X AC with a half ton of reloads protected by a half ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 174
 * Heavy Streak Weapon - A trio of Streak SRM-4's with a single shared ton of reloads clad in two tons of armor. BV (2.0) = 248
 * Heavy Rotary AC Weapon - A Rotary AC/5 with a ton and half of ammo protected by half a ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 310
 * Heavy Thunderbolt Weapon - A Thunderbolt 10 clad in two tons of armor and supplied with three tons of reloads. BV (2.0) = 239
 * Light Autocannon Weapon - A Light AC/5 with half a ton of reloads protected by half a ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 82
 * Light Anti-Infantry Weapon - Five Machine Guns and a Vehicle Flamer supplied with half a ton of machine gun ammo and one of flamer reloads clad in one ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 64
 * Light Laser Weapon - A single Medium Laser cooled by three Heat Sinks and covered in two tons of armor. BV (2.0) = 110

Apocryphal Variants
From MechWarrior Online:
 * QKD-IV4 : While there are no indications that "The Ladykiller" Ivy Upsalom piloted anything other than a standard model, in MechWarrior Online the IV-Four Hero 'Mech features LosTech not commonly available during the Third Succession War. Built around a 240-rated XL Engine with just two jump jets and clad in Ferro-Fibrous armor, while the IV-4 is less mobile it instead carries a decidedly un-Quickdraw like armament - an AC/5 in each arm supported by an SRM-6 in each torso and a pair of Medium Pulse Lasers in the center torso. Fitted with eleven double heat sinks, two tons of autocannon rounds and two of SRM reloads are carried.

Design Quirks
The QKD-8P Quickdraw variant is subject of the following Design Quirks:
 * Hyper-Extending Actuators