Fusion Engine - Light
From BattleTechWiki
Designed to mimic the compact but light-weight of Clan-tech XL Engines, the Light Fusion Engine weighs only 75% of a standard engine Fusion Engine. While not as dramatic as the 50% weight saving of an XL Engine, the real benefit of the Light Fusion Engine is that while it intrudes into the side torsos of a BattleMech, it takes up the same amount of space a Clan extra-light engine, allowing a Light Fusion Engine equipped 'Mech to survive the destruction of a side-torso that would cripple an IS XL engine equipped 'Mech.
[edit] History
While introduced by the Lyran Alliance in 3062, the technology actually stems from the Wolf's Dragoons and Blackwell Corporation. With dwindling supplies of materials to construct Clan-Tech XL Engines, after the initial Clan Invasion the Dragoons charged Blackwell with developing a new form of lighter than standard engine yet with the same bulk as the Clan extralight.
Using the Lostech protective energy damping grid of the Steiner Stadium on Solaris VII as a base, Blackwell were able to reduce the level of physical shielding with the energy field assisting in keeping the engines fusion reaction in check. As rumors of this technology began to leak out in 3053, Archon-Prince Victor Steiner-Davion of the Federated Commonwealth entered into protracted and ultimately fruitless negotiations with Blackwell, becoming apparent either the rumors were false or Blackwell would not sell the technology to anybody outside of the Dragoons.
In 3058, after the formation of the Lyran Alliance, the Lyran Intelligence Corps discovered that while a long way from full mass-production, Blackwell had succeeded in developing a prototype. Recognizing the awesome potential of the technology and viewing the possibly alienation of the Dragoons as worth the cost secure it for the Alliance, Archon Katherine Steiner-Davion authorized Loki to steal the prototype. It took Defiance Industries four years and unlimited funding and resources, but the LAAF were duly impressed with the resulting light fusion engine. [1]
The Dragoons however were not, filing charges against Alliance in the Star League Court and in a slap to the face of the Archon, sold the light fusion technology via Blackwell to the Lyrans age-old enemies, the Free Worlds League and Draconis Combine, as revenge.[2] The technology spread yet further when the Word of Blake's ROM used the distraction of the approaching FedCom Civil War to secure it for themselves too. [3]
[edit] Bibliography
- TechManual - pg, 214
[edit] References
- ↑ Field Manual: Lyran Alliance - pg, 147-148
- ↑ Technical Readout: Project Phoenix - pg, 26
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3067 - pg, 84
