Compiled overview of the 85 ton
Longbow 'Mech, from various
BattleTech novels and game sourcebooks:
The
Longbow is a popular design used by all the houses of the
Inner Sphere. The exact number of those produced is unknown, but they are found in the
regiments of nearly all armies. Limited production of the two models shown here continues to this day in most of the
Successor States.
The
Longbow was designed to act as a
fire support unit for assault groups. With its two
Holly LRM-20 Missile Racks and two
Delta Dart LRM-5 Missile Racks
it is capable of standing off at long range and launching a devastating preparatory attack against enemy positions and cities.
The
LGB-OW Longbow is half of a very effective 'hunter-killer’ team, with specially equipped
Fleas or
Locusts as the
hunters and the
Longbow as the
killer. In tactical usage the light
'Mech searches out enemy units and pinpoints their location with its laser-directed targeting system. The
Longbow then strikes, its long-range missiles guided to the target by the unseen laser beam.
The true value of this tactic is being able to engage an enemy unit without exposing ’Mechs. In most cases, the 'hunter-killer’ teams are able to surprise their foes and set the balance of power in their favor. It is in this role that the
Longbow is most commonly used, and
MechWarriors who seek to avoid being
hammered by them are advised to
be on the lookout for hidden light 'Mechs.
The
Longbow is also found in regular army units
operating in a fashion much like that performed by the Archer.
The
Longbow does not usually suffer from heat build-up due to its battlefield mission. When used in a support role where
movement is not required, it can fire consecutive barrages of missiles while accumulating very little heat.
Even though the LGB-OW model has no short-range armament, its weight makes a punch or kick a potent defense.
Introduced in 2610, the
LGB-7Q Longbow was designed to cure some of the problems in the original LGB-0W
Longbow, such as
the lack of sufficient heat sinks,
the lack of short-range weapons,
and insufficient armor protection. The 7Q is still produced along with a few 0W models at
StarCorps Industries' three remaining
BattleMech factories in the
Free Worlds League.
The 7Q
Longbow's 255
fusion engine is a vast improvement over the original
Longbow's huge VOX 340 engine. Lighter and more efficient. The new fusion engine gives the 7Q
Longbow a slightly lower top speed but enables the
'Mech to carry three tons of additional armor, twenty-two heat sinks, and two medium lasers to give the 7Q
Longbow short range fighting ability. As the
'Mech was never intended for front-line duty, the designers felt that these short-range weapons were sufficient.
The 7Q shares with its 0W model predecessor an antiaircraft targeting and tracking system widely considered to be one of the best in the
Inner Sphere.
StarCorps Industries' factories in
Marik territory are currently running at full speed to fill all the orders for 7Q
Longbows for the
Free Worlds League military. The
Federated Commonwealth has sent several
lances of its
Longbows to its Periphery border, and the
Lyran Alliance has deployed several lances to its borders with the
Jade Falcon occupied zone and
Marik space.
StarCorps Industries' factories in the
Federated Commonwealth are reportedly selling the
Longbow to
mercenary units employed by the
Federated Commonwealth government, and the single StarCorps facility in the
Lyran Alliance has announced its intention to sell
Longbows to mercenary units stationed within Alliance borders.
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