compiled overview of the 35
ton Raven 'Mech, from various
BattleTech novels and game sourcebooks:
Two decades ago, the
Raven was
House Liao's experimental attempt to produce a
'Mech that could provide a
battalion or
regiment with sophisticated
electronic-warfare capabilities. The equipment was not a complete success, being too heavy and insufficiently sophisticated to turn the tide of battle. Recovered
Star League technology, however, has made the
Raven a viable
BattleMech. Produced exclusively by
Hellespont Industries on
Sian, the RVN-3L
Raven is
striding off the assembly line
bristling with the most advanced electronics ever seen in the
Inner Sphere.
The key to the
'Mech's success are the lighter materials and equipment now available. The
Hermes 210 XL
engine saved enough mass to equip the
Raven with even more electronic gear than its original designers planned in 3025. The
Guardian ECM suite helps shield the
Raven and the rest of its accompanying unit from enemy sensors. The
Beagle active probe, which meshes especially well with the
Apple Churchill 2000 targeting system, locates even hidden enemy units. Once it locates the enemy, the
Raven can bombard him to rubble. The
target acquisition gear, hooked directly to the
Beagle active probe, spots the enemy accurately for friendly fire from the
Arrow IV artillery system. The
Churchill Narc Beacon also provides a magnet for direct-fire missiles from the
Raven and the rest of the
'Mechs in its unit.
The economy of weight allows
Hellespont Industries to give the
Raven better armor protection as well. An additional half-ton of armor protects the front torso and arms, and
Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment shields the missile reloads against an internal explosion.
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