Wolfhound

Description
A light, rugged, and dependable design, the Wolfhound made its first appearance in Introduction Year::3028. Following the success of the Hatchetman designed in partnership with the Federated Suns, Archon Katrina Steiner ordered TharHes Industries to produce a BattleMech to address a persistent problem of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces: hunting down and destroying the Panther and Jenner, swift light-weight 'Mechs of the Draconis Combine which had embarrassed the LCAF one too many times. The final design was a light 'Mech with an all-energy weapons payload effective at a variety of combat ranges, the maximum amount of armor for a 'Mech of its weight class, and the use of mostly standard components to keep costs down.

Due to their fierce loyalty to House Steiner, the Kell Hounds were the first unit chosen to field test the Wolfhound in combat, followed shortly thereafter by Wolf's Dragoons. The design received its baptism of fire during the Fourth Succession War where it exceeded all expectations and performed brilliantly. This was especially true when the Wolfhound faced its intended targets, hitting the Jenner beyond its ability to return fire while closing the distance on the Panther to get within the minimum range of its primary weapon. With the successful end of the war the Federated Commonwealth ordered larger numbers of Wolfhounds to outfit its military and the design was used again during the War of 3039. Wolfhounds suffered far fewer casualties than other 'Mechs during that conflict and a mere handful fell into the hands of the Combine. While impressed with the 'Mech the Kuritans were too prideful to copy it themselves, instead using captured examples to help develop the Wolf Trap to specifically counter the 'Mech.

Eventually Arc-Royal MechWorks was brought in to produce Wolfhounds under license from TharHes, and the recovery of Lostech thanks to the Helm Memory Core allowed for a more advanced variant to be produced to combat the Clan Invasion. Unfortunately the necessary retooling of TharHes' factories to produce the WLF-2 model, introduced in 3052, took too long before ComStar brought an end to the invasion with the Battle of Tukayyid. These newer Wolfhounds continued to be produced for both FedCom member states, although following the formal creation of the Lyran Alliance the TharHes factories began producing the newer WLF-3S model. This new variant was shipped only to units loyal to the Lyran state, and thus fought on the side of Katherine Steiner-Davion during the FedCom Civil War. During the Jihad the Word of Blake launched a devastating assault on Tharkad, effectively shutting down TharHes' Wolfhound factory line; in response Arc-Royal increased production and introduced the WLF-4 model to replace the losses suffered by allied forces fighting the Blakists.

Weapons and Equipment
As a "laser boat" the Wolfhound's very basic weapons array frees it from supply lines and allows for superior endurance during extended campaigns. The primary long-range weapon is a Cyclops XII ER Large Laser mounted in the right arm, which allows the Wolfhound to strike at ranges of nearly 600 meters. As secondary weapons for close combat, the Wolfhound is armed with four Defiance B3M Medium Lasers. Three of these are split between the right, center, and left torso, while the fourth is mounted in the center-rear in case any 'Mech tries to exploit this traditional blind spot.

Ten double heat sinks allow for superior heat management, while seven and a half tons of armor provide excellent protection. While the majority of the components used in the Wolfhound are Lyran in origin, the use of a Full-Head Ejection System required the help of the Federated Suns. Countless MechWarrior lives have been saved thanks to this system's ability to operate in traditionally hostile environments.

Variants

 * WLF-1 : The original Wolfhound model, produced from 3028 until the introduction of the WLF-2 variant. The pre-Helm Memory Core WLF-1's primary weapon is a standard Setanta Large Laser, making its striking distance shorter than that of the later model, while its ten standard heat sinks did not dissipate as much waste heat as the newer double heat sinks used on the WLF-2. BV (1.0) = 736, BV (2.0) = 949


 * WLF-1A : A common field refit employed by some MechWarriors, this model simply removes the rear mounted medium laser and adds an extra heat sink. BV (2.0) = 967


 * WLF-1B : Another common field refit, this model repositions the rear-firing medium laser to face forward. BV (2.0) = 967


 * WLF-2H : This is a production model of the WLF-2X described below, introduced in 3082. To ease production, the Actuator Enhancement System has been removed and replaced by an extra heat sink. The Reflective Armor has been replaced by the standard armor available anywhere in the Inner Sphere. The Heavy PPC retains the PPC Capacitor, and the XL Engine retains the Supercharger that allows for impressive speed boosts. A pair of ER Medium Lasers and an ER Small Laser round out the weapons. BV (2.0) = 1,511


 * WLF-2X : Developed by Arc-Royal MechWorks in the midst of the Jihad, the extensively modified WLF-2X variant utilizes experimental technology. Using an Endo Steel chassis and an extra-light engine to save weight, the 2X's main weapon is a right-arm mounted Heavy PPC enhanced by both a PPC Capacitor and an Actuator Enhancement System. The torso mounted weapons remain lasers - specifically, two ER Medium Lasers and a single ER Small Laser - while ten double heat sinks allow it to keep their increased thermal output in check. Enhanced defensive protection comes in the form of supercharger-enhanced speed and cosmetically styled Laser Reflective Armor. BV (2.0) = 2,017


 * WLF-3M : A post-Jihad field refit of the WLF-3S in use among the states of the former Free Worlds League, the 3M removes two double heat sinks and one half ton of armor to replace the ER PPC and ER Lasers with a right-arm mounted Light Gauss Rifle with a single ton of reloads . BV (2.0) = 786


 * WLF-3S : The 3S variant, introduced in 3064, sacrifices some of the 'Mech's durability for an increase in firepower. The 'Mech is powered by a Light Fusion Engine which frees up space on the chassis for new equipment. The ER large laser has been removed and replaced with an ER PPC, extending its range even further. The medium lasers have been replaced with three forward facing ER medium lasers and a rear facing ER small laser. Finally, the chassis is now built using Endo Steel and the 'Mech has two additional double heat sinks to help handle the much heavier heat burden. BV (1.0)= 944, BV (2.0)= 1,179


 * WLF-4W : The 4W is based on the WLF-2 model and is intended as a mid-range harasser. Introduced by Arc-Royal MechWorks in 3069 the 4W has an Endo Steel chassis and carries three Light PPCs mounted in the torsos, as well as an ER medium laser and an ER small laser in the right arm.


 * WLF-4WA : An electronic warfare variant of the WLF-4W model introduced in 3071, the 4WA retains the trio of torso mounted Fusigon Longtooth Light PPCs, but exchanges the arm-mounted lasers for a Guardian ECM Suite. BV (2.0) = 1,050


 * WLF-5 : A post-Jihad variant produced on Arc-Royal alongside the WLF-4W in 3079, the WLF-5 is built on an Endo Steel frame and is powered by the larger 245 rated XL Engine to increase its ground speed by 20 km/h, capable of almost 150 km/h in short bursts due to the inclusion of MASC. Replacing the armament of lasers with an array of PPCs; a right-arm mounted Hound's-tooth Snub-Nose PPC is supported by a pair of torso-mounted Defiance 1002 Light PPCs. BV (2.0) = 1,290


 * Wolfhound IIC : Phelan Kell and his Wolfhound, nicknamed "Grinner", were captured by the forces of Clan Wolf during Operation Revival.  When Phelan was inducted into the Wolf Clan as a Warrior, Khan Ulric Kerensky ordered his 'Mech be upgraded using Clan technology. BV (1.0) = 1,473, BV (2.0) = 1,579

Custom Variants

 * WLF-1 Allard : Personal 'Mech of Daniel Allard, commander of the Kell Hounds mercenary unit. With close ties to Clan Wolf-in-Exile, this Wolfhound was built in 3062 using Clan technology.  It includes a Clan extralight engine, twelve double heat sinks and Clan weaponry: an ER PPC in the right arm and three ER medium lasers split between the torso, while the rear-center torso mounts an ER small laser.  All of these weapons are tied to a Targeting Computer for superior accuracy.  BV (2.0) = 1,941

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

From MechWarrior Online:
 * WLF-GR Grinner : Rather than a mixtech or purely Clantech design, MechWarrior Online's version of Phelan Ward's Grinner is an entirely Inner Sphere technology replication of the main features of the Wolfhound IIC - an IS grade ER Large Laser in the right arm is supported by four forward facing standard Medium Lasers - two in the center torso and one in each side torso. Carrying a IS standard Endo Steel frame and just ten IS double heat sinks free up weight to also mount a Guardian ECM Suite.

Related Battlemechs

 * Wolf Trap - The Draconis Combine designed the medium Wolftrap specifically to counter the Wolfhound. It shares the Wolfhound's movement profile, but is far more reliant on ammunition-consuming weapons.

Notable Pilots
Famous individuals in the BattleTech universe who piloted Wolfhounds include:
 * Daniel Allard, who received one of the prototypes in 3028 after the destruction of his Valkyrie in 3027. Originally a stock WLF-1 model, it was later upgraded to WLF-2 standard and finally with Clan-tech weapons salvaged from the Battle of Luthien. Allard continued to pilot his Wolfhound even after rising to overall command of the Kell Hounds up until his death on Graceland in 3069 during combat against Clan Jade Falcon.


 * Phelan Kell, son of Morgan Kell, also piloted a Wolfhound, which he named "Grinner", after his dog, while serving with the Hounds until it was destroyed before his capture by Clan Wolf in 3049. After being dissected and studied by Clan scientists, when Phelan was granted full warrior status Khan Ulric Kerensky authorized the reconstruction of his Wolfhound to become the aforementioned Wolfhound IIC variant.


 * Kommandant Tamara Duke, officer of the Stormhammers piloted a Wolfhound during his battles against Clan Jade Falcon until his death in battle in Skye, in 3134..

Design Quirks
The Wolfhound has the following Design Quirks:
 * Easy to Maintain
 * Good Reputation (1)

The WLF-2H Wolfhound variant is subject of the following Design Quirks:
 * Cooling System Flaws
 * Easy to Maintain
 * Rumble Seat