Model number: BC-06CFG
Code name: Customs Guardian Ground Type
Nickname: Guardian
Classification: mass production ground use combat frame
Manufacturer: Browning Engineering Corporation
Operator: Systems Overterrestrial Coalition Customs Bureau
First deployment: CY 29
Crew: 1 pilot in cockpit in chest
Height: 16.5 meters
Weight: dry weight 70.8 metric tons, full weight 79.2 metric tons
Armor type: ceramic/titanium alloy composite
Powerplant: cold fusion reactor, max output 1308 KW
Propulsion: rocket thrusters: 4x 9,900 kg, 2x 19,800 kg, 180° turn time 1.45 seconds; legs: top ground speed 190 kph
Sensors: radar, thermal, optical array; main binocular cameras mounted behind visor in head
Fixed armaments: x2 30mm Vulcan cannon, fire-linked, mounted on shoulders
As the Coalition consolidated its hold over the earth and stepped down from a war footing, the task of maintaining order increasingly fell to government police agencies. A peacekeeping combat frame better suited for the new era was called for. The Browning Engineering Corporation answered with the BC-06CF Guardian line.
The basic model Guardian was designed for much the same patrol and pacification role as the venerable CF-05 Grenzmark C. Since SOC agencies were policing, not conquering, the grounder population, efforts were made to make the Guardian less intimidating. The standard version carried no visible weapons. Its only armament was a pair of fire-linked autocannons recessed within the unit’s shoulders. It was also shorter and featured a visored face instead of gladiator style helmet.
Intended for ground patrol, the standard Guardian came equipped with purposefully under-powered rocket thrusters making it capable only of rocket-assisted jumps. Sustained flight capability was reserved for the space-type variant. The unit did boast respectable ground speed equivalent to a Grenzmark II.
The Coalition put a premium on rolling out their new Guardian combat frames worldwide as quickly as possible. Working under tight deadlines, BEC lightly armored the new units with ceramic-titanium composite material capable of resisting most hand and vehicle-mounted arms fire. Complaints did arise of faulty knee joints requiring frequent maintenance, but since opposition from military-grade CFs wasn’t an issue, the Guardian proved more than adequate for its assigned task.
Not wishing to be left behind, the Coalition Defense Force soon commissioned their own Guardian variant.
Interesting. I think this is the first SOC-aligned non-Seed mech we've seen. Aside from the Zeklov-modded Jagannath.
Is it wrong that I'm getting a 'Wernher von Braun' vibe from Tesla Browning?
The Heavy Armor Dolphs are made by Zeklov-Astraea, but they're built from a Seed Corp design, so you're correct.
You are indeed picking up the vibe Browning's laying down 🙂
A bit OT, but Von Braun was one of the few men in history to make a deal with the Devil and get the better end of the deal.
Kind of. The US gov't actually cut his funding compared to his work with the Wehrmacht, so it was technically a demotion. Then he got a job shilling for Disney.
That was still better than eating a bullet in the bunker while the Russians blew apart the city above.
Good point.