StarDate 3/6
Movement Type: Tracked
Power Plant: Nissan 200 ICE
Crusining Speed: 54 kph
Flank Speed: 86 kph
Armor: 2/Star Slab
Armament:
1 Telos SDC LRM 15 Launcher
1 Dragon's Breath Flamer
Manufacturer: Buda Imperial Vehicles Communications System: Sipher CommSys 2
Targeting and Tracking System: Rat's Eye
Record Sheets: Shillelagh MG & Flamer
Shillelagh SL & Armor
As the Second Succession War continued to rage on and certain BattleMech components became increasingly scarce, House Kurita was forced to consider a less expensive and more easily constructed alternative. Unfortunately, Kurita engineers had no new designs ready to fill the gap, until a raid against House Steiner led to the unexpected discovery and capture of blueprints for a substantially altered version of their own Hunter tank. Though the raid proved of little tactical importance during the war, the successful theft was to have lasting consequences. The design created from these prints would be known as the Shillelagh, and it entered into production just as the Second Succession War drew to a close.
Though production rates have gradually decreased during the last few decades, Shillelaghs are still being manufactured within the Draconis Combine. They continue to serve in second-and thirdline armored units throughout House Kurita, and captured Shillelaghs have been detected a few times among House Davion and Steiner units. Older Shillelaghs are occasionally made available to mercenaries in House Kurita's employ.
Capabililties:
The Shillelagh is a tracked missile tank of average appearance and with the high profile so characteristic of turreted missile tanks. A crew of four is seated in tandem pairs, and the Shillelagh is equipped with three crew escape ports, two on the top (in front of and behind the turret) and one underneath (centered between the treads). This third access point is unusual for a vehicle of the Shillelagh's tonnage, but was deemed anecessity because this tank proved somewhat top-heavy and does occasionally flip over while travelling on steep inclines (or when hit or rammed).
The Shillelagh has several strong points: the Nissan engine's overall reliability and low maintenance requirements; the vehicle's good speed and endurance; and the respectable Star Slab armor are probably its best features. The Sipher CommSys communications unit has also worked remarkably well on this vehicle, continuing to function under the worst of battlefield conditions.
However, there are also weaknesses, and the Shillelagh certainly has more than it share. The high-quality Telos SesquiDecaCluster (SDC) LRM launcher mounted in the turret is a very good system with excellent accuracy; unfortunately, it is also somewhat delicate and is often knocked out of alignment by explosive near-misses, effectively rendering it inoperative.
The front-mounted Dragon's Breath flamer operates well enough. but the fuel cannister containing its liquid propellant is located dangerously close to the fuel supply. When the Nissan overheats excessively, the residual heat can ignite the cannister's volatile contents. Since few tactical situations involving a missile tank permit extensive use of the close-range flamer, the cannister (more often than not) is full at the time. More than one unlucky Shillelagh crew has suffered the devastating effects of an internal flamer cannister detonation, and even the vehicle's strongest proponents admit it is an unsatisfactory second weapon.
The sole remaining weakness is the Rat's Eye Targeting and Tracking System. Possessing an enviable track record, the same manufacturer produced such effective systems as the Eagle Eye SY10-10 (used on the Dragon) and the Cat's Eyes 5 (used on the Panther). Unfortunately, this particular model has failed badly compared to its more famous cousins. One complaint describes what happens when the tracking computer overloads, an infrequent but often catastrophic event. When it does occur, the main bus bar on the Shillelagh's entire electrical system shorts out, leaving the hapless vehicle without lights, the ability to rotate the turret or fire weaponry, or air-conditioning for the crew compartment. This flaw has led many crews to make disparaging remarks about the computer's designers, in terms of a less complimentary portion of the "rat's" anatomy.
Battle History:
The Shillelagh has been most often used in a long-range siege and stand-off bombardment role, something it remains well-suited for. A lance of Shillelaghs are not to be taken lightly, particularly when facing light BattleMechs. With the variety of equipment problems it has had, however, the vehicle has developed some reputation for being 'jinxed,' and not entirely without merit. Shillelagh crews do share a very strong love-hate relationship with their vehicle, appreciating its speed, protection, and firepower (when everything is working), while cursing the computer and continually worrying about excess heat buildup. They realize their vehicle is often the butt of many jokes, yet they generally get the job done-and done well-despite any technical problems.
Variants:
Several slightly different versions of the Shillelagh have been manufactured, though none have ever seen widespread use. Modifications usually involve removing the LRM -15 and replacing it with a lighter missile launcher, more armor, and a more effective (and less hazardous) secondary weapon. Mercenaries, in particular, often remove the Dragon's Breath flamer and its fuel cannister completely, substituting a small laser or machine gun.
Few efforts have been made to replace the Rat's Eye tracking computer, because it requires re-wiring the vehicle's entire electrical system.
Such a task is a low priority among factory technicians and often too ambitious a project for a field overhaul with limited resources available.
Notable Vehicles and Pilots:
There are very few noteworthy vehicles or pilots using the Shillelagh. Most crews would just as soon remain anonymous.
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