Mesozoic
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" Financially, we won the Cold War, but we lost it technologically... The Russians had mecha in 1984 and we were still using mobile tread armor. This is a problem that MUST be remedied by as soon as possible!" -General Thomas Rekson US Army Chief of Staff 1995, June 8
Contents |
The Reason
In 1991, the United States Military emerged from the Gulf War victorious. However, tank crews and attack helicopters engaged weapons seen only at Japanese weapons shows: Mecha.
The Iraqis had been given Russian made 'Mobile Gear' units, humanoid machines cabable of outpreforming anything the US Military had in it's inventory.Despite this, American M-1 tanks and AH-64 gunships came out on top from encounters with the new weapons, primarily due to the intel the Americans had access to the Iraqis didn't. Despite this, the death knell of the tank had sounded, calling for a new type of AFW(Armored Fighting Weapon).
Concept
Several weapons designers of the Strategic Defense Initiative's Research and Development Corps were quickly put to work on concieving a humanoid weapon that could outpreform both Japanes Patrol Labors and Russian Mobile Gears. Some designs had weapons integrated in the arms, others used a hardpoint system and modular design. What was finalized was a design based closely off of a biomechanical suit found sixty years prior outside a small town in New Mexico...
Superior Alien Technology
After recieving a budget, staff, and two major defense contractors to make separate test units, the researchers recieved their requirements from the US Army and Marine Corps. Both branches wanted a weapon capable of holding territory with minimum crew, weight requirements, and maintenance, that was flight capable(the Marines wanted a subsonic weapon to provide support for their Harriers while the Army desired a weapon capable of supersonic flight), and could act on it's own under a variety of battlefield conditions. Trial and error went into every concept that had been accepted. There was one slight problem: the weapons lacked certain elements that would allow them to operate up to specifications.
That's where the SDI's Roswell Facility came into play. After much cajoling of various military brass and politicians, the technology borrowed from the 1947 Roswell Crash, reverse engineered and studied extensively, was given to General Dynamics Land Systems and Lockheed Martin for the weapons project. The weapons, now called 'Lancers', shaped up nicely, but the standalone operation aspect was still a problem for both companies' in house operatives. A third company was brought in to provide an experimental learning computer for this project. Texas Instruments provided a few of their CABAL to give the weapons sentient thought.
Cybernetically Augmented Biologically Assisted Lifeform
The CABAL, experimental AI capable of learning from external stimuli were incorporated into the project, orginially called Project: Mechanization. Test pilots assessed the CABAL's initial reactions and evaluations during multiple tests over a nine month period. During that time it was found that the AI not only emulated the pilot's fighting style, but also their personalities as well. During a shop floor inspection at the General Dynamics Lima Plant, in Ohio, an Army General was surprised and awed when both the pilot and the Lancer saluted him. The requirement for a self aware weapon had been met.
It should be noted that an experiment is being conducted with Man/Machine interface in mind. The SDI's R&D Corps attempted to sync a soldier, a previous test pilot, with the CABAL belonging to the YLM-27 Dilophosaurus in order to give the pilot, when linked, the same situational awareness of the machine. The pilot sees, hears, and experiences what the machine does. Unfortunately the pilot began showing signs of depression as well as subtle hints at homocide and potentially suicide. At this time the pilot, mecha, and research team is being moved to the pilot's original posting, Fort Hood. The intent is to see if placing him in a familiar environment will cause the negative mental side effects to subside.
Live Fire Exercises
Placed through a variety of terrains, including desert, woodlands, and urban, the Lancers proved themselves time and time again to be superior to most other conventional weapons, making efficient use of the Lockheed Martin Ground Assault Rifle Sixty-five(GAR-65), Ground Combat Shotgun Seventy-five(GCS-75), and the Ground Magnum Forty-two(GM-42) pistol against a wide variety of targets. The flexibility of the Lancer assured it's role in future engagements as a frontline, walking weapons platform.
Project:Mesozoic
"What we have created is a weapon that can think for itself. A weapon capable of reasoning and sensless violence. Gentlemen, The Lancer is the future of ground combat... As a species, we are also racing to our inevitable destruction..." -Dr. Robert Burke SDI R&D Corps, Los Alamos 2001, May 27
Projec: Mesozoic, with the A1 models all recieving names of prehistoric monsters.
-LM-19 Ridgeback: LM-19A1 Acrocanthosaurus
-LM-223 Tyrant: LM-223A1 Tyrannosaurus Rex
-LM-33 Stone Crab: LM-33A1 Stegosaurus
-LM-66 Burner: LM-66A1 Spinosaurus
The names would be what people remembered the most. Some researchers still think it was stupid idea to name the weapons after dinosaurs.
With mass production came a need for pilots... Lots of pilots...
Infantryman to Mecha Pilot
"A pure Lancer pilot has the impure blood of the infantryman in him..." -Sergeant First Class Hayden Earle 'Killing Machine' Arcturus Iron Raptors, First Cavalry, III Armored Corps 2004, July 4
As Lancers were built and pilots commissioned, the manpower behind this grand scheme had to brought up to speed. Instead of developing a stand alone school, the Armed Forces elected to modify infantry tactics for the new war machines. Given the mecha were basically oversized grunts with alternating brains (ie, the pilot and the CABAL), implementing the basics turned out to be easier than was expected. It was high speed maneuvering and flight basics that took it's toll on the new pilots. Today, the infantry/pilots are becoming a dying breed as mecha pilots no longer have to have been infantrymen. The option to crossrate is still open for all members of the Armed Forces.
Full Implementation
"From now on, Ah want our First Cav's Lancers to work hand in hand with the Third Cav's tanks..." -Lieutenant General Marcus Schweizen Commander III Armored Corps 2004, October 3
Only recently has Project: Mesozoic reached an end of sorts. All branches of the US Armed forces have Lancers of their own, some being modified units and others having been built from the ground up. From the Army's Allosaurus Next Gen Lancers to the Navy's Pleisiosaurus subsurface weapons platforms, Lancers can now be found with just about every conventional weapon in the US arsenal.
-US Army
LM-19A2 Acrocanthosaurus(Lockheed Martin): Stock model with an improved flight package and sensor systems. The workhorse of the Army, it'll be another twenty years before they are phased out. All models are flight capable and can reach supersonic speeds up to Mach 2.
LM-223A1 Tyrannosaurus Rex(General Dynamics): Heavier model intended for sustained firefights. A2 Models in planning stages with new booster, sensor, and armor packages in mind. This model is often used as either a sniper type or heavy weapons platform. Sniper types have a third control stick in the cockpit for manual aiming.
LM-21A1 Allosaurus(Boeing, Northrup Grumman): Mass production Next Generation type. Although considerably weaker than the Next Gen prototype, the Allosaurus preforms well beyond standards. These are normally issued to high ranking officers and elite pilots. This machine uses a mix of both chobham and SMArT Armor for defense. The Override Boost function of this machine allows it to reach Mach 3, although it is unable to sustain those speeds for long.
YLM-27 Dilophosaurus(General Dynamics): The prototype for the Allosaurus, the Dilophosaurus was almost not to be as it had killed two test pilots and put a third into a coma. The problem was isolated to the mecha's dummy CABAL. As of this moment there have been two Dilophosaurus type Lancers. The original 'killed' the second model during a tragic event in which seventy eight soldiers of the III Armored Corps and operatives of the Strategic Test Forces were killed during the Lancer's rampage. The XLM-27B, Requiem, was totaled, the AI in a state best described as a coma. At the moment, the YLM-27, also known as Archetype, is in the hands of 1ST Lieutenant Eikeichi 'Arsenal' Ramirez-Kisaragi. The Dilophosaurus is also unique in that it doesn't rely upon chobham but rather a material called SMArT Armor. SMArT Armor is extremely durable, able to regain it's shape no matter what is thrown at it. It will even push sabot spikes out. The armor is heat reactive, feeding off of both heat from explosions as well as the output from the Lancers own generator. An unexpected side effect, however, is that the CABAL becomes intolerant to cold temperatures. Apparently it also acts in a manner similar to skin. Archetype has often reported an anomaly with his system, however he hasn't quite been familiarized with the concept of the sense of touch just yet. The YLM-27 is able to sustain Mach 3 for much longer than it's Mass Produced version.
ELM-13A1 Seismosaurus(General Dynamics): Engineer variant of the LM-223 Tyrant, the Siesmosaurus has had most of it's weapons systems removed in exchange for a multipurpose construction/demolitions kit that includes a diamond tipped chainsaw, welding torch, and heavy duty pave breaker.
-Marine Corps
MLM-33A1 Stegosaurus(Northrup Grumman): Stock model of the Corps, the Stegosaurus is subsonic flight capable and is also able to be launched from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship. It can also be launched from the well deck of an Amphibious Assault Ship or Dock Landing Ship. The Stegosaurus can stay submerged for a week before it has to replenish it's pilot's oxygen supply. A2 Models will be fitted with a GAL-17 in the forearms for anti-personnel use. A1 Models will more than likely be upgraded to this status. All Stegosaurus Lancers are equipped with jamming packages for both confusing enemy missiles and radar.
MLM-66A1 Spinosaurus(General Dynamics): The Corps' version of the T-Rex, the Spinosaurus is similar to the T-Rex save for it's ability to go supersonic. Much like the Army's T-Rex, the Spinosaurus is used as a sniper or heavy weapons type. Like the Stegosaurus, the A2 Spinosaurs will be given GAL-17 miniguns in lieu of laser blades in the forearms for anti-personnel use. Sniper types of this model also possess a third control stick.
MLM-72A2 Spinosaurus(General Dynamics, Northrup Grumman): A joint venture by Northrup Grummand and General Dynamics, this is essentially a command type variant of the stock Spinosaurus. It uses new amulatory systems, an enhanced sensor package, additional jamming suite, CBR detection suite, and a new booster system from Boeing.
ALM-8A1 Quetzalcoatlus(United Defense): The Marine Corps carrier and runway based air combat Lancer, the Quetzalcoatlus is an impressive machine. It's variable geometry allows it to reconfigure from humanoid form to fighter jet and back. It is able to carry the same ordnance on it's hardpoints as both the Archeopteryx and the F/A-18F Super Hornet. It's best attribute is its ability to take the fight to the ground, using the same handheld weapons as the Stegosaurus and the Spinosaurus.
-US Air Force
ALM-4A1 Pteranodon(United Defense): A lancer with variable geometry features, it can preform the roles of air superiority fighter and ground combatant with ease. It is able to carry almost anything in the Air Force's inventory, short of a nuclear bomb.
-US Navy
SLM-88A1 Pleisiosaurus(Lockheed Martin): A subsurface combatant, the Pleisiosaurus lacks flight capability, sacrifing that aspect for the ability to conduct deep water and extended submergence operations. Capable of up to 50 knots in the water, the Pleisiosaurus is an adept machine that can preform the roles of subhunter, ground combatant, and recon easily. It's onboard weapons consist of a folding blade on the left forearm, as laser blades do not function as well in water, and a folding M-197 cannon. The three barreled thirty millimeter cannon is normally used on other mecha, low flying aircraft, and surface ships. The Pleisiosaurus also uses burst missiles launched from backpack missile launchers against shore based and surface targets. It has to exit the water to fire these. The missile launchers can be traded out for a triple tube torpedo launcher which can be used while submerged.
SLM-92A1 Mososaurus(Northrup Grumman, United Defense): Another subsurface combatant, the Mososaurus is mostly a deep water, anti-shipping model. It is able to carry both the Mk 48 AdCap torpedo as well as the UGM-84 Harpoon anti-shipping missile. Although it lacks the M-197 cannon, it still lugs around a modified GAR-249A1 Chain SAW for self defense against surface and air contacts.
ALM-2A1 Archeopteryx(United Defense): A carrier based variation of the Air Force' Pteranodon, the Archeopteryx uses the same variable geometry princibles to give it dual combat roles. It can carry the same air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance as conventional carrier jets and the Marine Corps' Quetzalcoatlus Lancers.
Modifications
"I don't know... With all these mods I think we've made an entirely new Lancer..." -Supply Sergeant assigned to the Iron Raptors in regards to the Lancer Georgi. 2002, May 5
In the same manner that soldiers can customize their weapons with the right paperwork, so too can pilots customize their mecha. Two models stand out as near redesigns: Georgi and Sturm.
-Georgi Heavily modified LM-223A1 T-Rex Redesignated LM-223T Bull T-Rex Pilot: First Sergeant Vlagimir Khukov Height: 40.3 Ft Weight: 18.5 tons (21 tons fully loaded)
Modifications:
Heavily uparmored. Multiple facets on the third(outermost) layer of chobham prevents most forms of anti-material munitions from getting proper penetration It either deflects or detonates. Sabots have been proven to either bounce off the armor or stick in it without penetrating deeper than the first layer.
Upgunned: Shoulders house a Phalanx CIWS turret, sans the radar. Guns operate on Lancer's own systems, as well as it's miniaturized SPY radar. The chest cavity can also be fitted with either an M-61A2 vulcan cannon, an M-197 cannon, or an M-68 105mm gun howitzer, depending on the role desired.
Minature Aegis/SPY: Taking a cue from Navy Destroyers, Georgi has a miniaturized version of the Aegis system and the SPY radar. This gives him unmatched tracking capabilities. His only problem is having enough ammo to engage all those targets.
Improved Boost System: Given he weighs around twenty-one tons with a full load, Georgi has been given an experimental boost package that meets the output requirements to make those twenty one tons reach speeds of Mach 2+. Most people can't believe a weapons platform that heavy can go that fast. It's a wonder he doesn't have overtemp problems.
Soviet Paint Job: Given his country of birth, First Sergeant Vlagimir Khukov has elected to give Georgi a Soviet style paint job, red stars included. Hell, he even has the Hammer and Sickle on the sides of his head. Ironic considering Lancers were designed to fight Soviet made mecha... Asshole...
-Sturm
Heavily Modified LM-223A2 T-Rex
Redesignated LM-223S Thrasher T-Rex
Pilot: Sergeant First Class Hayden Earle 'Killing Machine' Arcturus
Height: 30.4 Ft
Weight: 11 tons(13 tons fully loaded)
Modifications:
Downgraded Armor and upgraded Boosters: The pilot has elected to sacrifice armor for speed, citing the weight restrictions for the Texas Instruments LB-762D Booster package. As a result, Sturm's armor is mostly just composite and RAM( radar absorbing material). The end result is a machine capable of breaking the sound barrier without engaging the Override Boost, or OVERBOOST.
Invisible to Radar: The multiple facets of Sturm's armor are not designed to deflect munitions but rather to increase it's stealth capabilities. This is really unnecessary as Sturm carries more than enough ECM to give him a radar cross section smaller than that of a pigeon. He can also disrupt the fire control systems of other mecha.
Lazarus Device: A nifty piece of hardware designed by Texas Instruments, the Lazarus Device turns Sturm into a thirty foot tall Predator. Sturm uses it when sniping or stalking prey for a close in kill.
Night Hawk paint job: The only paint job that fit this machine was a jet black paint job. The only hint of color are Sturm's green optics and the grim reaper decal on the right shoulder plate.
Handheld Weapons
"This is my rifle, though there are many like it but this one is mine... My rifle is my best friend... It is my life... I must master my rifle as I must master my life... Without me my rifle is useless... Without my rifle I am useless..." -Full Metal Jacket
Just about every Lancer weapon is best described as an upsized version of an infantry weapon. A little something Lancer weapons have that most mecha weapons lack is a USB port in the grip. This interface prevents an enemy mecha from using discarded American ordnance on the battlefield.
Pistols
-GM-42A1: Standard side arm for the Army. Single shot and three point burst with a thirty round magazine. Blowback operation. Uses the 25mm Armor Piercing High Explosive Incendiary Tracer.
-GM-50: Marine Corps special. Single shot gas operated. Twenty round capacity. Uses 40mm APHEI-T rounds.
Rifles
-GAR-65A3: Stock chain rifle. Chain driven rifle with single, three point burst, and full auto. One hundred rounds in a hopper. Uses the 25mm APHEI-T round.
-GSR-40A2: Sniper rifle. Recoil operated. Uses 30mm Armor Piercing Disposable Sabot rounds. Fifteen to thirty round capacity. Scope can either be aimed automatically or manually via a high hat stick on a sniper stick in sniper models. Non-sniper types have to make due with the regular control sticks.
-GAR-70A1: Heavier version of the GAR-65. Chain driven with same modes of fire. Barrel and breech chambered for the 30mm APHEI-T.
Machine Guns:
-GAR-249A4 ChainSAW: Chain driven Squad Automatic Weapon. Essentially it is a chain rifle with a faster chain driver and accepting larger hoppers. The bipod is really just for show.
-M-61A2 Vulcan: Multi-barreled 20mm cannon, the Vulcan sprays lead at a high rate, making it superb for clearing the skies of low flying aircraft and for intercepting missiles. Fires 20mm Armor Piercing Sabot rounds. Uses hoppers or backpacks, depending.
-GAU-8/A Avenger Cannon: The infamous A-10 cannon. Seven thirty milimeter barrels in a package best described as an oversized minigun. What it lacks in finesse it makes up for in shock factor, emaciating enemy armor like a scythe through wheat. Uses 1000 round hoppers, however those tend to go very quickly. Backpack hoppers are more useful with this weapon.
Optical Weapons:
-GLR-16A2: Standard laser rifle, it draws power from the Lancer's Compact Fusion reactor via the USB port(think in a manner similar to how an i-Pod charges.) If disconnected to the palm port, the rifle deactivates, usually keeping a six hour charge for a friendly Lancer to pick the weapon up and utilize it. Fires in either single shot, burst, or beam.
-GLR-14A1: Sniper laser rifle. Draws power in the same manner as the '16A2. It's only drawback is that the beam gives away the sniper's position.
Electromagnetic Weapons:
-BFG-3000 Linear Cannon: Perhaps the most powerful Lancer carried weapon. Built by Texas Instruments, the BFG-3000 is used for both the cliched 'Shock and Awe' tactic but also to intercept inbound ballistic missiles in and out of orbit. The solid linear rounds are capable of reaching orbit. The shockwave rounds detonate in an area the size of Soldier Field in Chicago. A tactic used for missile intercept is to group several Lancers equipped with this weapon and have them fire shockwave rounds at a predesignated point. The intent is that the multiple shockwaves will knock out the missiles. When used against aircraft, a single Lancer will be enough.
-BFG-950: Smaller, faster firing version of the BFG-3000, the 950 uses the same munitions and provides the same results with less power drawn.
Canisters:
Lancers have a pair of canister launchers between their shoulders and powerpacks. These are loaded with chaff, smoke, and also a few offensive and defensive weapons. Some of the weapons are actually banned by the Geneva Convention... The canisters are shaped like most beer cans and are fitted in a rotary magazine for dispensing.
White Smoke: Perhaps the more common canister, the smoke round is used to obscure unit movements for both attack and escape and evasion. Also used for signaling. Sometimes pilots will use these for pranks, dumping them off inside infantry barracks or office buildings.
Fragmentation: Much like the handheld M-67 fragmentation grenade, this weapon is used to clear out trenches or open topped personnel carriers. It's best described as an oversized frag.
Concussion: Intended to shake soldiers in fortified positions, the concussion round can be used around friendly soldiers without fear of a blue on blue situation. The Seismosaurus Engineer Lancer has a special canister launcher in its arms that allows it to shove a concussion round into a hole for demolition.
CS Rounds: Non-lethal ordnance, this round dumps off a burning mixture and CS pellets in the air as a riot control agent. Pilots have been known to angle their Lancers in a way so as to deploy these canisters in buildings. They're also employed like White Smoke rounds for pranks against barracks' and office buildings.
Incendiary: Flammable ordnance used to destroy equipment and electronics. Like with CS rounds, they can be employed against fortified buildings.
'Hornet's Nest': An oversized version of the riot control grenade of the same name, this round bursts in the air, showering a large area with rubber balls. Very effective and also used for practical jokes, especially on congregations in the mess hall and movie theater.
AP Canister: The most infamous canister round, the AP canister, when deployed, hangs in the air for a few seconds before dumping off thousands of super heated ball bearing sized submunitions. The AP canister is devastating against large groups of infantry and is effective against light armor and vehicles.
Self Forging Fragmentation Canister: Basically a miniaturized version of the SFFM Cluster bomb, the cluster canister, often called the Hydra, is used against tanks and low flying helicopters. It works in a similar manner to an AP canister although it doesn't have the wide area of effect.
