Koshi (BattleMech)

Description
Inspired by the success of the Clan Hell's Horses’ Black Hawk design. Clan Diamond Shark developed what is in essence a simplified, non-Omni version of the older Mist Lynx OmniMech. Primarily for sale to Inner Sphere customers, the Hell's Horses marketing ploy was to adopt a familiar designation, with the 'Mech dubbed the Koshi (a decision that did not sit well with many of the more conservative members of the Clan). Political infighting delayed the deployment of the BattleMech until 3093; however, once it was introduced, the 'Mech proved to be a success. Purchased by all major powers of the Inner Sphere, as well as some minor ones, the Koshi is particularly popular with the Capellan Confederation and Republic of the Sphere militaries.

To reduce costs, the Diamond Sharks chose to use entirely off-the-shelf components, including Inner Sphere-produced electronics. However, these decisions did not hamper the 'Mech's performance. Like its progenitor, the Koshi is built on a lightweight Endo Steel chassis to save weight and is powered by a 175 XL engine that gives the 'Mech a top speed of 118.8 km/h. Similarly, the Koshi also has six Jump Jets that allow the 'Mech to jump up to one hundred and eighty meters.

Weapons and Equipment
The Koshi's armament is rather simple and straightforward, consisting of a quartet of arm-mounted SRM-4 launchers, supplied by three tons of ammunition. A head-mounted Active Probe, another legacy of its progenitor, allows the 'Mech to act as a scout and flush out hidden foes. Finally, a Light TAG allows it to act as a spotter for guided artillery and indirect fire.

Variants

 * Koshi 2 : Introduced in 3095, Removing all the missile launchers as well as the Active Probe, the Koshi 2 mounts a pair of Streak SRM-6 launchers, each fed by a ton of ammunition. The Light TAG is retained. BV (1.0) = 982, BV (2.0) = 948


 * Koshi 3 : Enter production at same time as its sibling variant, this version of the Koshi keeps the Light TAG and Active Probe and adds an ECM Suite and Targeting Computer. The Targeting Computer is paired with six Heavy Small Lasers, three carried in each arm. A MASC system allows the Koshi 3 to reach speeds near 140km/h in brief bursts. BV (2.0) = 777

Note
The Koshi was first created by Wizkids' MechWarrior Dark Age Collectible Miniatures game as a part of the game's original release of their Dark Age. It was used for both regular units and the game's unique figures. The standard weapons layout would first appear in then-Classic BattleTech's first adaptation of figures from Wizkid's figures in Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I, authored by Randall Bills. Due to Wizkid's game mechanics, it did not allow for Omni ability to swap weapons and equipment of the original Mist Lynx aka Koshi. This is why, though it shares the same name, the Koshi standard is not the same 'Mech. It was later adapted by Catalyst Game Labs and redefined in the tabletop game once the company advanced the franchise's timeline to 3145, with early Record Sheets first appearing in the PDF-only Turning Point Series book Dark Age Turning Points: Liao and later fully adapted into Technical Readout: 3145 Mercenaries with background information.

Related BattleMechs

 * Mist Lynx - OmniMech used by the Diamond Sharks as the basis of the design for the Koshi