Albatross ALB-3U

         The Clans lightning invasion of the Inner Sphere has, if nothing else, given pause to many military experts from all the Great Houses. Many people had believed that humanity had already reached the zenith of its destructive capabilities, but the Clans have proven the belief wrong both technologically and militarily.
         House Marik has been blessed with the unique opportunity of sitting back and watching its enemies be destroyed by the Clan invaders, while making a profit from that very conflict by providing the embattled Houses with the necessary equipment to fight the Clans.
         League strategists believed that when the Clans were finished with the Federated Commonwealth they would come after House Marik. With this in mind, the League’s high command commissioned Project Omega in late 3052. The project’s goal was to create an assault ‘Mech able to face and defeat Clan OmniMechs. After only five months of designing and testing, the Omega team delivered the first Albatross.

         Irian BattleMechs Unlimited received the go-ahead to produce the design while they were busy producing refits for the Federated Commonwealth’s troops. Using their clients’ catalogued preferences and a scattering of reports about Clan fighting style, the Omega team set out to accomplish this task.
         At 95 tons, the Albatross is one of the heaviest ‘Mechs ever produced by House Marik. Thanks to its Hermes 380 XL engine, it can reach speeds up to 64 kph. Free Worlds designers believed it was better not to burden the Albatross with an endo steel chassis or ferro-fibrous armor so that the ‘Mech would have ample space for its weapons complement.
         The ‘Mech’s impressive weaponry is designed to be used at all ranges. The LRM rack and the Diverse Optics Sunbeam ER large laser give the ‘Mech tremendous long-range firepower. The Oriente Model O LB 10-X autocannon, the Tronel large pulse laser, and the Irian medium lasers keep enemies busy. If an opponent decides to close with the Albatross, the Irian six-rack of SRMs can be brought to bear.
         Thirteen tons of armor ensure that the Albatross has a long lifespan on the battlefield. The BattleMech’s main problem may lie in excessive heat buildup. With only 14 double-strength heat sinks, the machine is prone to overheating.

         The first Albatross rolled off the production line in 3053, just ten months after it was commissioned, but so far, none seem to have been assigned to regular units. It may be that Marik is stockpiling new designs for sale to the highest bidder, but rumors also suggest that the Albatross is one of several new designs that Marik intends for an elite unit he is creating.