Lightning (Combat Vehicle)

The Lightning was designed for the Star League by Curtiss Industries as a hovercraft combat vehicle designed to take down slow BattleMechs and vehicles. Some commanders would combine several Lightnings into a temporary compact unit to crush the hostile line, using their maneuverability to break up formations. A interesting feature of the Lightning is a low wing mounted on the rear of the vehicle that increases the vehicle's stability at high speed.

Weapons and Equipment
The Lightning is armed for short-range combat. Two Raker-IV Medium Pulse Lasers are in the front, allowing the crew to target enemies as they close with them. One Maxima One Shot SRM 4 pack on each side is designed to allow the vehicle to fire off the missiles as it passes an enemy, then repeat the maneuver on the return trip.

Variants

 * ERML : One of a series of variants created by the Word of Blake during the Jihad, the ERML replaces the lasers with two ER Medium Lasers. In addition, the SRMs are replaced by seven Rocket Launcher 15s mounted in the front. BV (2.0) = 956


 * ERSL : This variant of the ERML replaces one of its ER Medium Lasers with two ER Small Lasers. BV (2.0) = 884


 * RL : This variant was created by Blakist Precentor Robert Havasy to counter Capellan Confederation Shadow Lances. In order to take advantage of the vulnerability of 'Mechs equipped with Stealth Armor at close range, the RL carries seven Rocket Launcher 15s. The modern update of the one-shot launchers, the Lightning's mission profile is perfectly suited to the use of Rocket Launcher technology. It also carries two Anti-Missile Systems in the front to protect from missiles. BV (2.0) = 709


 * Royal : The upgraded model used by the SLDF Royal units, both one-shot SRM-4s were replaced with a pair of Streak SRM-2s. The more advanced launchers inflicted, on average, the same amount of damage while withholding fire for shots that would have missed, and maximizing the single ton of reloads carried, as well as saving enough weight to also add a TAG unit. BV (2.0) = 633


 * Lightning CX-3 : This ComStar-built variant puts three Rocket Launcher 15s in Sponson Turrets. It's protected by Vehicular Stealth Armor and a Guardian ECM Suite. All that remains of the original armament is a single Medium Pulse Laser.

Design Quirks
The Lightning CX-3 variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:
 * Easy to Pilot
 * Low Profile
 * Prototype