Jackal

Description
Developed by the Solaris VII based Vining Engineering and Salvage Team, the Jackal was designed to give as equal of a performance as possible to a Clan 'Mech of equal weight. While intended for the battlefield rather than the arenas, the prototype's stellar run on Solaris attracted the attention of number of 'Mech manufacturers, most notably Earthwerks Incorporated of Keystone. While Earthwerks ultimately secured the main production rights to the design, VEST was allowed to maintain limited garage level production as well. One of the many victims of the massive upheavals of the Word of Blake Jihad, all Jackal production ceased in Production Ceased::3079.

To meet its goal of matching the Clan 'Mechs it was intended to face, the Jackal was built on a Hollis Mark VI - Alpha Endo Steel chassis which weighs half as much as a normal structure and was powered by a Hermes 210 XL engine which saved more weight at the cost of durability. The Jackal also carried impressive armor for its weight with six tons of armor protecting the 'Mech. The only cause for complaint was the design's lack of CASE and that it only mounted eleven standard-strength heat sinks.

Weapons and Equipment
The Jackal was armed with a simple but effective arsenal. The primary weapon carried by the 'Mech is an Aberdovey Mk XXX ER PPC which allowed the Jackal to damage a target at just under 700 meters. For close combat, the Jackal had a Holly Streak SRM-2 missile launcher and to defend against missile attacks a Burow Anti-Missile System was mounted on the 'Mechs head, carrying a ton of ammunition for each.

Variants

 * JA-KL-55 : The 55 variant of the Jackal is a modification that is built to enhance its long range accuracy. This is done by removing the Anti-Missile System and in its place an advanced Targeting Computer which allows the Jackal to attack an enemy with even greater long range accuracy making it an excellent sniper 'Mech. The long requested switch from standard to double heat sinks enhances the design yet further, dropping one heat sink to boost armor. BV (1.0) = 902, BV (2.0) = 1,034


 * JA-KL-1578 : A slightly less advanced field refit kit based on the 1579, the 1578 merely replaces the rare Angel for the much more common Guardian ECM Suite while adding an ER Small Laser. BV (2.0) = ????


 * JA-KL-1579 : An experimental field refit kit for the 1532 Jackal developed by Earthwerks, the 1579 retained the ER PPC and Anti-Missile System, switching to double-strength heat sinks to free up weight to add a few appliqué armor panels. The main difference was the replacement of the unloved Streak launcher and its attendant ammo with a PPC Capacitor to boost the effectiveness of its sole offensive weapon, and an advanced Angel ECM Suite to protect the design from enemy electronics. BV (2.0) = 1,273