BattleMech Technical Readout
Name/Model: Aždahāg (Big Dragon) AZD-1A
Designer: shadow01
Source(s): Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology: Inner Sphere
Technology Rating: D
Tonnage: 75
Role: Sniper
Configuration: Biped BattleMech
Era/Year: Succession Wars / 2890
Rules (Current): Standard
Rules (Era): Standard
Rules (Year): Standard
Total Cost: 6,487,250 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,411
Chassis: GM Heavy CVA
Power Plant: Magna 300 300
Walking Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Kemplar X9000
Armament:
1 Magna Hellstar PPC PPC
2 Holly 10-Rack LRM 10s
2 Magna Mark II Medium Lasers Medium Lasers
1 Arenthir Electronics Remote Sensor Dispenser
Manufacturer: Heptad Heavy Machinery, Tetski
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications: Fujika Multiband
Targeting & Tracking: Wasat Aggressor Type 5
================================================================================================
Overview:
Heptad Heavy Machinery's first foray into the heavy BattleMech industry was the 75-ton
AZD-1A Aždahāg. Considered a heavyweight compared to the Warhammers, Marauders, and
Archers already in circulation, the Aždahāg was designed as a missile support an sniper
unit with a distinctive punch at long range thanks to its PPC. Initially, the engineers
struggled to make their prototype Aždahāg live up to expectations, but as Battlemech
production techniques became more refined, the Aždahāg received an upgrade that was worthy
of its original concept.
Capabilities:
The most distinctive feature of the AZD-1A Aždahāg, which succeeded the original
prototypes, was the arm assemblies. Designed with a minimum of complex actuators, these
assemblies functioned as self-contained barrels and could theoretically be replaced easily
if severed in combat. This feature—combined with the Aždahāg's primary role as a missile
boat—supported its function as a sniper.
The “upgunned” version, the Aždahāg, integrated its LRM-10 launchers for greater
combat efficiency, backing them with medium lasers for short-range engagements. An
arm-mounted PPC provided additional heavy firepower, though the limited 16 heat sinks
supplied by Heptad Heavy Machinery’s engineers severely restricted the mech’s ability to
operate at full potential as a missile platform. The Aždahāg can only bring its full
long-range arsenal to bear by overloading its heat exchangers.
Powered by a massive 300-rated fusion engine, the Aždahāg could bring its firepower to
bear more quickly than many early BattleMechs. While the 1A compensated for the
X-prototype’s lack of protection with improved armor, the engineers also added a remote
sensor dispenser as an afterthought. This allows the 1X to either secure a drop zone with a
sensor net or provide long-range reconnaissance data to headquarters.
Deployment:
A few years after the first AZD-X prototypes walked onto the field in 2896, the1A series
Aždahāg entered production, earmarked exclusively for the 3rd Canopian Chasseurs a Cheval.
Though initially successful, a host of problems with the Mangna-300 reactors and the
integration of the Holly-10 LRM-racks ultimately reduced the company's output to a mere
trickle of machines. Constantly behind schedule, Heptad Heavy Machinery was forced to cancel
the AZD-1A line by 2911 after a mere 93 AZD-1A were built. Though efforts to restart the
line would come later, they would change the production line tor produce a new variant, the
Aždahāg AZD-1B.
Variants:
Heptad Heavy Machinery released a "brawler" version of the Aždahāg, the AZD-1B, several
years after debuting the 1A. This model traded both LRM launchers and the left-arm medium
lasers for a single LRM 15-rack with 16 loadouts. It retained the PPC in the right arm and
supplemented the armament with a Large Laser in the left arm and a SRM 4-turret in the right
torso. To make space for these upgrades, the Remote Sensor Dispenser and some of the armor
were omitted. The mech still runs very hot when all long-range weapons are used, but
alternating between the PPC and the Laser allows for sustained fire over long periods. The
armor provides enough protection to withstand hits from some of the heaviest weapons
available, making it capable of holding up in a slugging match.
Notable MechWarriors:
Farhad Shirazi assisted in the development of the prototypes of the Aždahāg. As the pilot
of Mech No. 001X, he encountered a lance of pirates during a test run who immediately
attacked the advanced new unit. Shirazi used his LRMs to delay the approaching mechs and
wear down their armor. He repeatedly brought his Particle Projector Cannon (PPC) into
action. With it, he managed to damage a Clint so severely that the pilot fled with a
destroyed torso and a missing right arm.
He struck a 20-ton Stinger with a headshot, destroying the cockpit in the process. However,
a Phoenix Hawk and a Javelin continued to press him and bombarded Shirazi with lasers and
short-range missiles. Shirazi overrode the field inhibitor of his PPC to keep firing at
close range and also brought his medium lasers into play.
Ignoring the rapidly rising heat levels in his reactor, he destroyed the Javelin and
ultimately managed to ignite the ammunition of the Phoenix Hawk with a well-placed torso
shot—causing the final enemy mech to vanish in a blinding explosion.
However, Shirazi’s Aždahāg had pushed its reactor far beyond safe limits, and after
taking two critical hits, it triggered an emergency shutdown. When a rescue team reached the
mech to extract Shirazi and recover the machine, they discovered that the pilot had suffered
severe burns due to a faulty seal—caused by the heat buildup—and multiple cable fires
resulting from the override of the field inhibitor. He lost both legs.
After a lengthy treatment at a trauma clinic on the planet Luxen, specializing in burn
injuries, he was fitted with prosthetics to replace his legs. However, he was no longer able
to pilot mechs. Shirazi returned to his home planet and accepted a teaching position at the
Zurchaneh (House of Strength) in Tokhai, where he served as a Morsched, instructing students
in tactics and combined arms warfare.
================================================================================================
Equipment Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 7.50
Engine: 300 Fusion 19.00
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks (Single): 16 6.00
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Armor Factor: 208 13.00
Type: Standard
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 23 31
Center Torso (rear): 8
R/L Torso: 16 26
R/L Torso (rear): 6
R/L Arm: 12 22
R/L Leg: 16 26
================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remote Sensor Dispenser CT 1 0.50
LRM 10 RT 2 5.00
LRM 10 (Ammo 24) RT 2 2.00
LRM 10 LT 2 5.00
LRM 10 (Ammo 24) LT 2 2.00
PPC RA 3 7.00
2 Medium Lasers LA 2 2.00
================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Value (PV): 40
TP: BM, SZ: 3, TMM: 1, MV: 8"
Damage: (S) 2 / (M) 3 / (L) 3, OV: 1
Armor (A): 7, Structure (S): 6
Specials: IF1, RCN, RSD1
|
