V5.00LocustLCT-OD +=tBtB@@#ML 2 1 1 1 10 omni, ecm, tag, prb   [ Sutel Line[ Sutel LinesBurger ElectronicxBurger ElectroniczSutel Precision\Sperry[ xx[ ss\  zDThe LCT-O Locust is Burger's Battlemech's initial foray into the Light Omnimech market. Taking a well-known light recon mech and "omni"-ing it seemed an easy task, but was far from. Numerous small glitches, both in the targeting array and in the armor, took nearly 5 years to hammer out, and the project was almost scrapped on more than one occasion. The green light finally came when the NAIS made further breakthroughs into Coventry Metal Works's initial discovery of "laser reflective" armor.Such "laser reflective" armor was deemed important for giving a light reconnaissance mech the protection it needed versus likely opponents. Although the new armor mounted on the LCT-O cuts energy weapon damage in half, it is very brittle, multiplying damage caused by physical attacks and falls. Since a recon mech is unlikely to be actively pursuing close-in combat, the trade-off was deemed acceptable by the LCT-O design team. Four-and-a-quarter tons of laser-reflective armor provides almost maximum armor protection, in addition to the armor's benefits, which are essential considering the next change. That next change was in the engine. Since speed is important to a recon mech, the LCT-O design team eventually decided on a 200 XL engine, although it was acknowledged that this increased the vulnerability of the side torsos. Given the LCT-O's primary job, however, it was reasoned that if the side torso was breached, the mech was in serious trouble to begin with, and go ahead was given for the XL engine. Fortunately, the engine gives the LCT-O an impressive 162kph top speed, enabling it to outrun almost every mech in existence. With the other changes and improvements, 5.5 tons of pod space was available for weaponry, almost doubling the weapon space of the original LCT-1V. With the extra pod space, the primary configuration takes a slightly different approach to the traditional Locust, similar to that of Marik's LCT-3M, using energy weapons exclusively, even down to the experimental Laser Anti-Missile System. Configurations "A", "B", and "C" all carry a missile system as the primary weapon, while "D" and "E" both carry specialized recon equipment.    The LCT-O has so far shown up in AFFC and ComStar units, and the occasional mercenary unit. The Davion Light Guards are the unit most known to use the mech.  [ none ]Burger's Battlemechs Tancredi IVGM'Lexington Ltd. Special Laser-ReflectiveBergan VII Endo Burger ReCommCorean CalcMasterNone