Mass: 65 tons

Chassis: Endo Steel

Power Plant: 195

Cruising Speed: 32.4 km/h

Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h

Jump Jets: 3

Jump Capacity: 90 meters

Armor: Ferro-Fibrous

Armament:

4 Large Pulse Lasers

Manufacturer(s):

Unknown (Clans)

Communications System: Unknown

Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown

Overview:

TR3055 (original)

Overview:
The Rifleman's design history is one of the least inspiring in the annals of BattleMech development. It took nearly two centuries of trial and error to arrive at what was then the best compromise of weapons and armor, epitomized in the classic RFL-3N Rifleman.

This model had the now familiar over-and-under arm mounted autocannon and laser combination, which became the standard configuration. It gave pilots the option of alternating weapons attacks, allowing the 'Mech to cool down while maintaining an offensive posture.

The refitted Rifleman failed to move forward from the basic design concepts and used the same tired answer to the heat problem. The Clans looked at the problem from a new point of view, however, and largely resolved the major problems of overheating and lack of armor inherent in the design.

Capabilities:
Visually, this Clan Rifleman looks nothing like the traditional outline we would recognize on the battlefield. Like its smaller brother, it mounts a large rotating radar array over its head, but the IIC variant's is mounted much higher, with twin box-like appendages fitted on either side of the central support pylon.

Close analysis of battlefield scans of this 'Mech in action revealed that this unusual configuration was some sort of phased radar array acting in tandem with the main array. We cannot determine the benefit of this arrangement, but it deserves further study.

Deployment:
The Rifleman is a common sight to all MechWarriors, as it forms the first line of defense against air attack for many garrison units. MechWarriors that have gone up against the Rifleman report that it is impossible to close quickly enough with this 'Mech, as it will often strip an opponent's armor off before that opponent can reach close-combat range. The Clan Rifleman was first observed as part of the Nova Cat forces, but has since been seen in all the Clans with which we have come in contact.

From the FASA errata sheet text:
"The Rifleman IIC weighs 64.25 tons. The Clans made it that way".

[Editor's Notes: This is the TR3055 Revised fluff-text, but all other stats are from the unrevised version; there should be no major changes. In the revised version's stats, the Rifleman IIC drops a heat sink and adds a Beagle Probe and an ER Small Laser, leaving 0 tons and 0 crits free. ES and FF placement may also differ.]

Type: Rifleman IIC

Technology Base: Clan Custom

Tonnage: 65

ACTUATORS:
HEAT SINKS: 4LT 2LA 2RA 3RT 1RL 1LL
ENDO STEEL: 1H 2RT 1LT 1RA 1LA 1CT
FERRO FIBROUS: 3RT 2LT 1RA 1LA