B A T T L E T E C H TECHNICAL READOUT 3025 ---------------------- WSP-1A WASP Overview: The WSP-1A Wasp was the first recon 'Mech to be mass-produced for the Terran military. Since its initial production in 2471, the 'Mech has spread to all parts of Human-occupied space. Old Star Leauge records show that thousands of Wasps were constructed in the four centuries preceding the Succession Wars. Though many of these have worn out or been detroyed, estimates show that more than half this total is still in operation. Further, some Wasp designs are still being constructed in some areas of the Successor States. The large num- ber of Wasps available for use should ensure that it remains among the main light recon 'Mechs of the Successor States for centuries to come. The Wasp design has always been used for general scouting and reconnaissance duty. Far too lightly armed and armoured for battle, its speed and maneuverab- ility can generally keep it out of major confrontations. Capabilities: The WSP-1A Wasp is well-fitted out for its scouting role. With a maximum speed of over 95 kph on open terrain, the 'Mech can usually flee from most harm. With its sophisticated Rawlings 52 jump jets, it can also bypass natural or un- natural obstacles with ease. Unless the jump jets are used extenively, heat buildup is rarely a problem for the Wasp. It can, it fact, fire its entire weapons complement continuously with little or no heat problems. The Wasp's armor is average for light 'Mechs, which means it cannot stand up to much punishment. Usually two hits in the same area are enough damage to cause the 'Mech major problems. The Wasp is armed with a Diverse Optics type 2 medium laser placed in its right arm. A Bical SRM twin-rack is also mounted for close-in fighting. A major design flaw of the 'Mech was discovered during the reunification war (2575-2597). During the Battle of Imbros III in March 2580, the tactic of jump- kicking gained popularity. With this maneuver, jump-capable light and medium 'Mechs could jump and smash their leg components into the head and upper torso of opposing units, hoping to cause more damage than they inflicted upon them- selves. This tactic was very popular among Wasp warriors as it improved their offensive potential somewhat. Practitioners of the tactic soon learned that most Wasps were only able to use the jump-kick once, even if leg damage was repaired before another close combat. After performing the first or second jump-kick, the lower leg assemblies would actually rip off the body at the in- stant of impact, leaving the 'Mech totally immobile in the field. The problem was finally traced to the stress bars along the actuator paths in the lower leg components. The designers had never dreamed that a tactic such as jump-kicking would be developed for lighter 'Mechs, and so had not given them the mono- molecular stress-resistant material used onm newer and heaver 'Mech types. By 2610, nearly all Wasps and other light 'Mechs were rebuilt with MMSR actuator bars, alleviating the amputation problem. Battle History: During the Civil War brought on by Stefan the Usurper, loyal Star League forces launched an assault at the planet Cylene IV in March 2772. Massed recon lances composed mostly of Wasps and other light 'Mechs screened the assault. Not waiting for the major forces of the Loyalists to drop onto the planet, the rebel defenders launched a counter-offensive against the scout units. Many of the light 'Mechs simply fell back in good order and awaited reinforcements. Some, however, were caught in front of impassible terrain, allowing the rebels' medium and heavy 'Mechs to decimate the units before any support could arrive. By sacrificing these Wasps and other light 'Mechs, the main Loyalist assault force was able to drop on-planet unopposed, for the usurper forces were scat- tered from their many skirmishes with the first wave of Loyalist scout 'Mechs. The Loyalists made short work of the rebels, and the planet fell to them within four days. In April 2796, the infamous Kentares Massacre occured after Minoru Kurita's assassination. Oshita's Recon Lance of the First Sword of Light Regiment gained the ignominious honor of exacting the most civilian casualties on the population in that month-long spree. The Wasps of Oshita's lancd are part- icularly infamous for their systematic butchery in well-inhabited, hard-to- evacuate areas such as hospitals and high-rise apartment buildings. When word on the atrocities reached House Davion, its leaders placed a high price on the heads of the MechWarriors in Oshita's recon lance. By 2801, all four Mech- Warriors, along with their Techs and support personnel, had been killed in com- bat or by bounty hunters. Variants: There have been five major variations on the basic Wasp design. The Davion variant simply replaces the SRM twin-rack with two small lasers and a flamer. This increases heat output somewhat, but not to serious levels. The House Kurita version increases the Wasp's armor at the expense of some close-range hitting power. House Liao has dropped all the standard weaponry, and added one SRM quad-rack to its Wasp variant. Finally, many Wasps of the mercenary reg- iment Wolf's Dragoons are equipped with six small lasers for heavy-hitting close in fire, at the expense of any medium or long-range capability. Notable 'Mechs and MechWarriors: Mechwarrior Ross Malone Part of Cushing's Scout Lance of McGee's Cutthroats currently in the service of House Kurita, Ross Malone is noted as one of the best trackers in the Succes- or States. His mission is usually that of shadowing enemy 'Mech forces before battle, trying to ascertain their strength and intentions. An expert in 'Mech camouflage, Malone personally repaints his Wasp, the Nighshroud, after every campaign. As a member of the Cutthroats, he has masterminded a number of eff- ective ambushes. Not interested in promotion, Malone intends to comtinue his career as one the the Succession Wars' best scouts. MechWarrior Jody Okigama A member of Smithson's Chinese Bandits, Jody Okigama is well-known for her tactic of "backwalking". at which she has become quite adept. During combat, Okigama walks or runs her Wasp, the Dobber ]I[, backward while continuing to fire her weapons as pursuing targets. This dexterous use of her 'Mech has pulled her out of a number of tight situations, and helped her to tally up a score of eleven kills. That is quite an acheivement for the pilot of a light 'Mech. Mass: 20 tons Chassis: 1A Type 3 Power Plant: GM 120 Crusing Speed: 66.5 kph Maximum Speed: 95.1 kph Jump Jets: Rawlings 52 Jump Capacity: 180 m Armor: Durallex Light Armament: 1 Diverse Optocs Type 2 Medium Laser 1 Bical SRM Twin-Rack Manufacturer: General Mechanics, Incorporated Communications System: Duoteck 65 Targeting and Tracking System: Tadcom TXX Type WSP-1A Wasp Tons Tonnage: 20 Tons 20 Internal Structure: 2 Engine 120 GM 4 Walking MPs 6 Running MPs 9 Jumping MPs 6 Heat Sinks: 10 0 Gyro: 2 Cockpit: 3 Armor Factor: 48 3 Internal Armor Structure Value Head: 3 4 Center Torso: 6 6/4 Rt./Lt. Torso: 5 6/2 Rt./Lt. Arm: 3 4 Rt./Lt. Leg: 4 5 Weapons and Ammo: Type Loc. Critical Medium Laser RA 1 1 SRM 2 LL 1 1 Ammo (SRM) 50 LT 1 1 Jump Jets RL 3 1.5 Jump Jets LL 3 1.5