Successful Endeavor on Marduk

[DeJaVu]

GRIFFIN

Type/Model: GRF-5K Griffin
Mass: 55 tons
Chassis: Earthwerks GRF
Power Plant: Defiance 275 Light Fusion
Walking Speed: 54 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86 km/h
Jump Jets: Rawlings 55
Jump Capacity: 240 meters
Armor Type: Starshield A with CASE
Armament: 1 Lord’s Light 4 Light Particle Beam Weapon
1 Diverse Optics ER Medium Laser
1 Shigunga LRM-10
Manufacturer: Victory Industries
Primary Factory: Marduk
Communications System: Neil 6000
Targeting & Tracking System: RCA Instatrac Marc X


The Kuritas just can’t get enough Griffins.
Victory Industries on Marduk has been making Griffins and Wolverines for centuries, but the single line devoted to the Griffin doesn’t seem to be enough for the Dragon. Late last year, the DCMS arranged a deal with certain anti-Atreus elements in the League to buy basic Griffin chassis at a good price and then refit them in a companion line on Marduk. Their new Griffin-5K is just beginning to reach provincial units in numbers, and those numbers look good. When paired with hard-hitting Panthers and Daimyos, this ’Mech should be a killer.
Designed as a support unit for scout companies, the new Griffin emphasizes speed over striking power. My granddad always told me speed equaled life, so I guess that’s a smart tack for the Kuritans to take with their ’Mechs. The -5K uses improved jump jets to build an incredible jump radius of 240 meters, far further than any other ’Mech of its weight class, even the famed Wraith. Light ferro-fibrous composite gives the ’Mech adequate protection and a light fusion engine insures survivability.
A tried-and-true Shigunga LRM-10 launcher is mated to the Griffin’s right torso, giving this new model much of the look of the venerable original chassis, despite the armor resculpt. Supporting this is Diverse Optics ER Medium Laser for close-in work and a new Lord’s Light 5 particle cannon for ranged fire. While the light PPC is more of a deterrent weapon than a really damaging gun, it does have respectable firepower that will, when combined with the Griffin’s mobility and stamina, protect it in good stead. The inclusion of CASE means a chance to survive and escape for many a MechWarrior.
From the figures I’ve seen for the suppliers of the light PPCs, the Victory technicians have been turning these ’Mechs out faster than the fully-constructed ’Mechs being built alongside them. The best estimate I can make is somewhere between twenty-eight and forty new -5K Griffins are en route to Dieron and Galedon Regular units, but those numbers may be inflated to protect a quota or sales bonus. That’s the danger of extrapolating from industrial data.
In Liao space, the Capellans have taken a number of chassis supplied originally by the Blakists and refit them to provide support fire for their Shadow Lances. A plasma rifle replaces the common PPC in the Confederation, but much of the rest of the ’Mech remains unchanged. I haven’t seen any data on this one yet beyond the specs. Marilu dropped out of sight after sending me these, so it may be that things are getting just a bit too exciting for her on Victoria. I hope she’s safe…