compiled overview of the 20
ton Locust 'Mech, from various
BattleTech novels and game sourcebooks:
The
Locust was one of the most produced and common
BattleMechs of the fallen
Star League.
Bergan Industries began production of the
'Mech at eight of their facilities in 2499, and was still in peak production
when the Star League fell several years later. The
Locust was originally designed as a light and fast
recon vehicle, a role it has fulfilled well for both the old
Star League and the later
Successor States for over 560 years.
Nine official variants of the
'Mech have been produced over the years along with countless custom refits. All modifications involve changes to the
Locust's weapon load. Though most every
Locust variant packs a great deal of
firepower, many
Locusts do not have enough
heat sinks to be able to use all their weapons effectively.
It is the rare
MechWarrior who enjoys piloting a
Locust for any length of time. It is currently the smallest of all
'Mechs used and thus is
outclassed by just about every other
'Mech on the field. Lacking the
jump jets and manipulative arms of other
'Mechs, the
Locust is limited in close-quarter firefights and in
hand-to-hand combat.
As
speed is one of its major assets, the
Locust is often placed where the front is fluid, as it is quick enough to respond to a possible enemy
breakthrough. A
direct hit by almost any weapon on the battlefield can destroy or quickly
cripple a
Locust so they are usually deployed in groups of three or more. Used this way, they have the ability to encircle opposing slower
'Mechs. Many large
'Mechs that wander off in battle have fallen to such an attack, but more often, the
Locust must fight a holding action until larger, better armored
'Mechs can arrive.
A notable engagement involving
Locusts was an attack by
Helmar Valasek against a small
Kurita garrison on
Porthos in 3024. In that engagement, a bandit
Union Class DropShip slid past the fighter cover and disembarked several fast combat
lances consisting of
Locusts,
Wasps, and
Stingers. In a lightning attack on an arsenal, the
bandits seized the supplies they had come for and escaped off-world. Though the
Kurita garrison was well-defended, its
'Mechs were too slow to pursue the attacking
Locusts.
In 3020,
House Steiner engaged
House Marik on the world
Callison. Elements of
Marik Militia's 10th Regiment were supporting several
recon lances composed of
Locusts and their variants. In the city-fighting at
Rolso on
Callison, these units more than proved their worth by their ability to navigate narrow streets and play
havoc with the
infantry in the nearby buildings.
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