Editing Apollo (BattleMech)

{{otheruses|the medium [[BattleMech]]|other uses|Apollo}}
{{InfoBoxBattleMech
|image=3055u Apollo.jpg
|name=''Apollo''
|manufacturer=[[Earthwerks Incorporated]]
|production year=3054
|year reference=<ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/54/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
|model=APL-1M
|class=Medium
|cost= 5,052,173 [[C-bill]]s
|Tech Base=Inner Sphere
|mech type=BattleMech
|feet=2
|mass=55
|chassis=[[Earthwerks APL I]]
|armor=[[Maximillian 44]]
|engine=[[DAV 220]]
|comsys=[[Neil 6000]]
|T&T=[[Garret A6]]
|heat sinks=10 [[double heat sink]]s
|speed=64.8
|armament=
* 2x [[LRM-15]]s with [[Artemis IV]]
* 2x [[Small pulse laser]]s
|BV (1.0)=1,044<ref name=CO129>''Combat Operations'', p. 129</ref>
|BV (2.0)=1,207<ref>''Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged'', p. 62</ref>
}}

==Description==
The '''''Apollo''''' is designed to be a long range fire support [[BattleMech]]. Armed with massive missile launchers which can rain destruction down on an enemy, the ''Apollo'' shouldn't have to worry about its less than average speed if it is employed correctly.

==Weapons and Equipment==
The ''Apollo'' uses a pair of [[LRM-15#Zeus|Zeus]] [[LRM-15]] launchers with [[Artemis IV]] fire control systems to give the 'Mech increased missile accuracy. These two launchers with their advanced fire control system can, on average, do almost as much damage as a pair of [[LRM-20]] launchers. These are backed up for close combat by a pair of [[Sunglow Prism-Optic]] [[small pulse laser]]s which almost feel as if they were added to the 'Mech as an afterthought.

Pilots should ensure they remain near bodyguards or on the edge of the battle, as the mounted 220-rated engine gives it a top speed of only 64.8 km/h. 11.5 tons of [[standard armor]] give it some survivability should the ''Apollo'' take return fire or be engaged by closer foes.

==Variants==
*; APL-1R : The 1R variant of the ''Apollo'' is a simple modification of the 'Mech that looks to give it a longer combat life at the cost of accuracy. The [[Artemis IV]] fire control systems have been removed in favor of an additional two tons of LRM ammunition, increasing the amount of time the ''Apollo'' can sustain an LRM barrage by 33%. BV (1.0) = 973<ref name=CO129/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3060'', p. 150</ref>, BV (2.0) = 1,148<ref>''Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged'', p. 63</ref>

*; APL-2S : The 2S was built to address the concerns about short range defense that [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]] who pilot the ''Apollo'' had. This modification removes the two [[small pulse laser]]s from the 'Mech and replaces them with two [[medium laser]]s, giving the ''Apollo'' a more powerful close range punch. BV (1.0) = 1,120<ref name=CO129/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3060'', p. 151</ref>, BV (2.0) = 1,283<ref>''Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged'', p. 64</ref>

*; APL-3T : The 3T variant of the ''Apollo'' is a major modification. The 'Mech downgrades its [[LRM-15]] launchers to a pair of [[LRM-10]] launchers with [[Artemis IV]] fire control systems, but upgrades its close range weaponry to two [[medium pulse laser]]s and two [[medium laser]]s. BV (1.0) = 1,011<ref name=CO129/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3060'', p. 152</ref>, BV (2.0) = 1,240<ref>''Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged'', p. 65</ref>

*; APL-4M : Using a [[Composite internal structure|Earthwerks APL composite internal structure]] and [[XL engine|XL engine DAV 220]] allowed engineers to install a pair of [[Extended lrm-15|Zeus Astrapios extended LRM-15]] launchers, and a single [[ER medium laser|Sunglow Enhanced Focus ER medium laser]] in the head rounds out the armament. To protect the ''Apollo'', 10 tons of [[ferro-fibrous|Durallex Special ferro-fibrous]] armor has been installed. The ammunition bays carry two tons of ammunition each and are protected by [[CASE II]] systems. BV (2.0) = 1,343<ref name=TRO:Proto>''Technical Readout: Prototypes'', p. 117</ref>

==Design Quirks==
The Apollo has the following [[Design Quirks]]:<ref>''BattleMech Manual'', p. 90 - Battlemech Quirk Table - BattleMaster Entry.</ref>
* [[Fast Reload]]
* [[Rugged|Rugged (1)]]

The APL-4M variant is subject of the following Design Quirks:<ref name=TRO:Proto/>
* [[Difficult to Maintain]]
* [[Fast Reload]]

==Related BattleMechs==
* ''[[Cobra (BattleMech)|Cobra]]'' - the ''Cobra'' fire-support BattleMech owes its existence to the ''Apollo''. When [[Earthwerks Incorporated]] of [[Keystone]] refused to sell the ''Apollo'' to the [[LAAF]], the Alliance commissioned [[Defiance Industries]] to produce the ''Cobra'' based on battlefield observations.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
3055 Colour Apollo.jpg|Original APL-1M ''Apollo'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 3055|TRO:3055]]''
3055u Apollo.jpg|''Apollo'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade|TRO:3055 Upgrade]]''
Apollo 4M TROPrototypes.jpg|APL-4M ''Apollo'' from ''[[Technical Readout: Prototypes|TRO:Prototypes]]''
CCG Mercenaries Apollo.jpg|APL-1M ''Apollo'' in combat from ''[[BattleTech Trading Card Game|CCG]]''
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
<div class="desktop-3-col">
* ''[[BattleMech Manual]]''
* ''[[Combat Operations]]''
* ''[[Master Unit List]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3055/3058]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrade]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3060]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3055]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: Prototypes]]''
</div>

[[Category:'Mechs]]
[[Category:Free Worlds League BattleMechs]]