Technology Base: Inner Sphere
Tonnage: 75
Battle Value: 1,969
Cost: 7,764,750 C-Bills
Introduction: 3072
New Dawn ND-RR1
Mass: 75 Tons
Structure: Endo Steel
Armor: Standard
Power Plant: 300 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Jump Jets: 4
Jump Capacity: 120 Meters
Armament: 3 ER Medium Laser, 1 Rotary AC/5, 1 Heavy PPC
Manufacturer: Firefly Foundry
Overview
Debuting along with the Ranger as one of the first ‘Mechs to be
built by the newly-opened Firefly Foundry, the New Dawn was made for exclusive use by Riley’s Rangers. Three variants were revealed when it first came about, each one specializing at a different range but fully capable of engaging targets on nearly any terrain.
Capabilities
Meant for mid-to-long range combat, the ND-RR1 featured a
hard-hitting weapons loadout. A Rotary AC/5 could fire continuously for quite a while, fed by two tons of CASE-protected ammunition. The Heavy PPC meanwhile delivered a devastating punch but generated enormous amounts of heat. A trio of ER Medium Lasers provided a fairly standard choice for MechWarriors to call upon. 16 Double Heat Sinks could keep the heat in check for the most part unless the Jump Jets or PCC were overutilized.
Deployment
The New Dawn was used exclusively by the Riley’s Rangers
Mercenary Company, with the exception of the New Dawn ND-RRDS, which was also used by Clan Sea Fox.
Variants
The ND-RR2 was built to handle longer-range engagements. It
featured a Gauss Rifle and Plasma Rifle as primary weapons, with two ER Medium Lasers remaining from the original design. The Heat Sinks were reduced to twelve thanks to the lighter weapons load, allowing the ND-RR2 to be protected by a full twelve tons of armor. The final of the three original models, the ND-RR3 specialized in close-range combat. A Sword and Snub-Nose PPC provided the primary damage output for this variant, though an ER Large Laser and two Medium Pulse Lasers were also nothing to balk at. Finally, four Machine Guns added anti-infantry capabilities and even had enough output to give some ‘Mechs pause.
First built in 3086, the ND-RR4 was designed around the
inclusion of a devastating Ultra AC/20. This main gun was backed up by two ER Medium Lasers and two Medium Pulse Lasers. Four tons of ammunition were protected by CASE, and the entire set of weapons was made more deadly by the inclusion of a Targeting Computer. Three years later, the ND-RR5 was released, meant to provide a missile-forward option to pilots. It featured a powerful MRM 40 with an Apollo FCS as well as a Streak SRM 6, ER Large Laser and ER Medium Laser. This model also carried an Anti-Missile System to protect itself from missile counter-attacks.
The final version and a special (and extremely expensive) case
built in 3012 to cement the partnership between Riley’s Rangers and Clan Sea Fox, the ND-RRDS contained a mixture of highly advanced technology from both the Inner Sphere and Clans, beginning with a clan-made XXL Engine. A HAG/40 provided the primary firepower though it was backed up by a solid selection of weapons; a Streak LRM 10, Large X-Pulse Laser and two Medium X-Pulse Lasers. All the ammunition was protected by CASE II.