compiled overview of the 30
ton UrbanMech 'Mech, from various
BattleTech novels and game sourcebooks:
Called upon to produce an effective light
'Mech for city fighting,
Orguss Industries replied with the
UrbanMech. Cheap to produce but potent in its assigned duties, the
'Mech was manufactured in large quantities. Many have survived into the present era. Now common in city
garrisons and defense units, the
UrbanMech continues as an effective battle weapon.
The
Imperator-B autocannon is the
UrbanMech's primary weapon. With its low heat buildup and reliable design, the weapon suited the
UrbanMech's
hit and run fighting style. The light
laser that supports the Imperator is only marginally effective, but is useful in persuading hostile
infantry to keep their heads down.
The
UrbanMech was used by the
Star League to suppress urban guerrillas and hostile light
'Mechs in heavily populated areas. With its comparatively heavy armor, the
'Mech could withstand combat with others of similar or higher tonnage. Though not intended to engage in
slugging matches with
Marauders or
Crusaders, the
UrbanMech often found itself facing off against such vastly superior opponents in the thick of city fighting.
Standard tactics consisted of an
UrbanMech lance splitting up into individual units that used buildings as cover for sniping at enemies. Then the units would fall back to regroup along the next line of defense.
Though the
UrbanMech's low speed
handicapped it, the confining spaces of
Star League cities also reduced the mobility of other, heavier
'Mechs. The
UrbanMech's
Durallex medium armor provides considerable protection, and its low,
stocky profile help protect it from enemy fire.
In the present era,
House Liao maintains a relatively large number of
UrbanMechs, deploying them in the fortified cities along its frontiers, where they have encountered both
Davion and
Marik forces.
During a recent border clash, several
regiments of the Marik's
Regulan Hussars were sent on a parts raid against
Liao storehouses on
Carver V, where the city of
Fort Lyons held a sizeable stock of
'Mech components that were defended by the urban defense regiments of the
Chesterton Reserves, including several
UrbanMechs. Commanding Fort Lyons' defense, Regimental Colonel
Teresa Keed deployed her
UrbanMechs as the city's first line of defense. The
UrbanMech's confronted a
Marik Marauder company as it moved into the city.
Supported by smaller armored vehicles and
infantry, the Liao
UrbanMechs used classic tactics, engaging the
Marauders with pop-up fire, then vanishing among the buildings. The Marik
Marauders wound up with a major fight on their hands, and the assault bogged down as they stopped to engage the Liao
defenders. The Marik attackers eventually pushed the Liao forces back, but sustained losses that greatly lessened their effectiveness. When Liao reserves finally arrived, the Marik
Marauders were forced to withdraw with only a fraction of the
booty they had anticipated.
Another recent example illustrates the
UrbanMech's weaknesses. When a Bandit raid on
Angell II caught
Marik defenders by surprise,
garrison commander Major
Alan Roberts was forced to deploy the Marik Militia's
UrbanMechs in open country to stave off the Bandits' attacks. Though the
Marik pilots fought bravely, the Bandit
'Mechs blasted them to pieces with concentrated long range
missile fire. Roberts took a severe
reprimand for this misuse of his
UrbanMechs, but he did not have many other options as commander of an urban defense unit lacking heavy
'Mech support. The defense may have been doomed to failure, but Major Roberts was able to buy enough time so that civilians and key
Marik officials were able to escape before the Bandits could take them.
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