Icarus

The Icarus II was the first homegrown BattleMech design to be mass produced by the Free Worlds League, though it was actually the third League 'Mech, after the prototype Icarus and the Hector. In 2518, once Corean Enterprises was comfortable with the technology, they went back to the Icarus and upgraded it with jump jets, and felt that it was a substantial enough change that it required adding "II" to the moniker. The last factory producing the Icarus II was destroyed during the First Succession War, but despite that a handful survived the Succession Wars.

Weapons and Equipment
The Icarus II was originally designed as a speedy striker to complement the Mackie and combat vehicles with a similar speed profile. Though 64 km/h may not sound fast, in the 25th century it was, especially with jump jets that allowed it to leap up to 120 meters. Seven and a half tons of armor was deemed adequate for the job.

The primary armament of the Icarus II is an Imperator-B AC/10. Though heavy for a medium 'Mech, the autocannon has a good range profile and deals significant damage. It is backed up by a pair of Diverse Optics Type 2 medium lasers and a single Diverse Optics Type 10 small laser.

Variants

 * ICR-1X : The original prototype Icarus was developed at the Happen Military Reservation on Xanthe III in 2466, and was first deployed on Alula Australis in 2469 . Its premiere date in official documents is listed as Introduction Year::2470 . The prototype used primitive equipment and lacked jump jets, and was armed with a large laser to complement the small laser, and was backed up by SRM-2s and twin machine guns which could prove devastating to conventional troops. Only six of these were ever produced and they are all long gone. The primitive engine drove it to a maximum of 64 km/h, while 10.5 tons of primitive armor provided basic protection. BV (2.0) = 700


 * ICR-2S : The 2S is an upgraded design produced in very limited quantities by Gilmour Militech. The small manufacturing concern resurrected the design in Reintroduction Year::3073. It is built on an endo steel chassis and uses and XL engine to reach a top speed of 86 km/h, and an extra jump jet allows it to reach 150 meters per leap. The AC/10 is upgraded to an LB-X AC/10, and the two medium lasers have been upgraded to a medium pulse laser. An extra single heat sink keeps heat in check and extra armor keeps the fragile engine safe. Gilmour Militech produces a mere three of these 'Mechs per year. BV (2.0) = 986


 * ICR-2R : This version is used by The Republic of the Sphere. It replaces the AC/10, medium lasers, and small laser of the original for two TSEMP Cannons mounted in arms that have been updated to include an actuator enhancement system. It also carries a TAG system, but lacks strong backup weaponry.

Design Quirks
The ICR-1S Icarus variant is subject to the following Design Quirk:
 * Improved Targeting (Short)

The ICR-1X Icarus variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:
 * Difficult to Maintain
 * Extended Torso Twist
 * Obsolete/2470
 * Prototype
 * Poor Performance