Vulpes VLP-1DX "Beast"

The VLP-1DX "Beast" reworks the Vulpes into a 60-ton brawler that fights close in, a shift from the VLP-1D's skirmisher role at longer reach. Where the VLP-1D carries twin ER large lasers and a Rotary AC/5, the Beast fields a single ER large laser in the right arm and pairs an ER medium pulse laser with an ER flamer in the left arm, dropping the rotary autocannon entirely. Talons are fitted to both legs, and a RISC Advanced Point Defense System sits in the left torso. A 240 Clan XL fusion engine replaces the 300 Clan XXL unit, and cruising speed falls from 54 to 43 km/h with top speed down from 86 to 65 km/h. Inner Sphere endo steel structure and anti-penetrative ablation armor replace the VLP-1D's standard structure and stealth armor, and the heat-sink count drops from 14 to 11 Clan double sinks. Achernar Battlemechs builds the type at its New Avalon plant.