[FLSH-3B Flashpoint] Mass: 35 tons Chassis: Endo Steel Power Plant: GM 210 XL Cruising Speed: 67.3 kph Maximum Speed: 95.9 kph Jump Jets: None Jump Capacity: None Armor: Titan Strike-X Plating Armament: 2 Warlord Lockpoint Streak SRM-6 Racks 2 Warlord Lockpoint Streak SRM-2 Racks Manufacturer: Elisist Industries Inc. Primary Factory: Terra Communications System: Elisist/Warlord C3 Network Targeting and Tracking System: Warlord Killer Crosshair System OVERVIEW The first released "slave" unit for Elisist's C3 Network, the Flashpoint seems to have been originally designed for a recon lance, but had its design precepts altered halfway through. When it was realized that more versatile 'Mechs should be included from what had been originally slated for release, the Flaspoint's original armament was dropped and replaced, but the rest of the 'Mech remained unchanged for the most part. The exact reason for the lack of alteration is unknown, but is generally assumed to be corporate red tape pushing the version through, one group not realizing the speed of the 'Mech and the other not realizing the change in armaments. When the end 'Mech rolled off the assembly line, it came as something of a surprise, but was still an able 'Mech, and was allowed to be released. CAPABILITIES Originally, the Flashpoint was fitted with a longer-range weapons load, suiting it to light recon and locnger-range fire support. However, this was dropped and replaced with the assortment of Streak SRM launchers in favor of accuracy over range. This loss of range hampers the Flashpoint from its intended tasks. It moves swiftly, but not quite swiftly enough to act as a fully effective scout, and it lacks the armor that would allow it to easily get within range of a target. This forces it to rely upon the C3 network for effective targeting, and while such does allow the Flashpoint to place a great deal of firepower on a target if successful, it also puts a disturbing number of "if"s into the formula. Furthermore, the Flaspoint lacks the armor to get close enough to attack with impunity. The end result makes the Flashpoint ill-suited for a head- on confrontation, but extremely well-suited for urban or confined confrontations. In such a battle, shorter ranges are the norm, and as such the SRMs do not hinder the Flashpoint's effectiveness. Uneven terrain and wooded areas work to the Flaspoint's advantage, and therefore the 'Mech is a fearsome fighter in such situations. DEPLOYMENT The Flashpoint has yet to see extensive dpoloyment, has begun to be seen working in recon lances under the SIL-5V Sillhouette. Some commanders have found that pairing Flashpoints with the OVR-2B Overseer allows the two largely short-range 'Mechs to take advantage of terrain with greater effeciency, but this has yet to be widely accepted. Type: Flashpoint Technology Base: Inner Sphere Tonnage: 35 EQUIPMENT MASS Internal Structure: Endo Steel 1.75 Engine: 210 XL 4.50 Walking MP: 6 Running MP: 9 Jumping MP: 0 Heat Sinks: 10 (20) 0.0 Gyro: 3.0 Cockpit: 3.0 Armor Factor: 88 5.50 Head: 3 6 Center Torso: 11 14 Center Torso (R): 2 R/L Torso: 8 9 R/L Torso (R): 2 R/L Arm: 6 10 R/L Leg: 8 12 WEAPONS/AMMO AREA CRIT TONS Streak SRM-6 LA 2 4.5 Streak SRM-6 RA 2 1.5 Streak SRM-2 LA 1 1.5 Streak SRM-2 RA 1 1 C3 Slave Unit HD 1 1 Streak SRM-2 Ammo (50) LT 1 1 Streak SRM-2 Ammo (50) RT 1 1 Streak SRM-6 Ammo (15) LT 1 1 Streak SRM-6 Ammo (15) RT 1 1