MWO BattleMech #18 - BlackJack

Today, Piranha announced the 18th BattleMech that will be present in MechWarrior OnLine, the BlackJack.
Link.

concept art

BlackJack is a medium class BattleMech, weighing 45tons. Build by General Motors, it's primary role is a close combat street fighter. Initially designed to carry flamers, the production model was fitted with 2 light autocannons. Entered service in year 2757.



Technical specifications

Mass: 45 tons
Chassis: GM BJ-I
Armor: Durallex Medium
Engine: GM 180
Communications System: Dalban Micronics
Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: Whitworth Jetlift
Armament:

• 2 x Autocannon/2s
• 4x  Medium Lasers

BV (1.0): 795
BV (2.0): 949

Note: BV stands for battle value



Variants

• BJ-1DB - The 1DB Blackjack is a variant intended to increase the 'Mech's lethality. The two autocannons have been replaced with two Large Lasers and several heat sinks have been added to the design to handle the extra heat load. BV (1.0) = 881, BV (2.0) = 1015
• BJ-1DC - The 1DC Blackjack sacrifices the 'Mech's jumping ability in order to add two Small Lasers and additional heat sinks to deal with the additional heat load. BV (1.0) = 718, BV (2.0) = 917
• BJ-2 - The BJ-2 upgrade of the Blackjack upgrades the 'Mech with two Diverse Optics Sunbeam ER Large Lasers and four Hovertec Streak SRM-2 launchers. This variant also upgrades the heat sinks to double strength versions. [note, the BJ-2 was errata'd to use double heat sinks by FASA Corporation after its release] BV (1.0) = 858, BV (2.0) = 1148
• BJ-3 - The St. Ives Compact upgraded their Blackjacks to this configuration when they were still a part of the Capellan Confederation, during the Fourth Succession War. The 'Mechs carry two Ceres Arms Smasher PPCs and four Medium Lasers and used double heat sinks to dissipate the extra heat. The majority of the BJ-3 models were turned over to the Federated Suns by the Compact after the Fourth Succession War. BV (1.0) = 1099, BV (2.0) = 1271
• BJ-4 - Many Blackjacks in the Federated Suns were upgraded to this model during the FedCom Civil War. A half-ton of armor is removed, though it is upgraded to Light Ferro-Fibrous, resulting in almost the same amount of armor protection. All the weapons of the BJ-2 were stripped out and a Light Fusion Engine was included to free up additional mass. Each arm mounts a Light Autocannon/5 and an ER Medium Laser. CASE-protected magazines provide enough ammo bins to allow the BJ-4 to make use of special munitions. A Targeting Computer makes all the weapons more accurate. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,063

Source for data: BattleTech Wiki