View source for Thunderbird (Battle Armor)

{{Otheruses|the battle armor|the aerospace fighter|Thunderbird (Aerospace Fighter class)}}
{{InfoBoxBattleArmor
| image = Thunderbird (Battle Armor).PNG
| Name = Thunderbird Battle Armor
| Manufacturer = [[Barcella Battle Armor Facility]]
| production year=3086
| year reference=<ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/5235/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
| Use = Armored Infantry <br/> Infantry Fire Support
| Weight Class = Heavy
| Tech Base = [[Clan]]
| Cost = 
| Mass = 1,500
| Top Speed = 10
| Jump Range = 90
| Armament = <span></span>
* 1x [[Modular Weapon Mount]] 
* 1x [[Jump Booster]]
| Armor Type = [[standard armor|Standard]]
| BV (1.0) = 
| BV (2.0) = 50<ref name=TRO:3085Sp45>''Technical Readout: 3085 Supplemental'', p. 45</ref>
}}

==Description==
The '''Thunderbird''' was created by [[Clan Nova Cat]] as a replacement Heavy Battle Armor. Its development started in the mid-3080s as a needed replacement for [[Clan Nova Cat Touman|their ''touman<nowiki>'</nowiki>s]] dwindling supply of frontline [[Elemental Battle Armor]].  

The Nova Cats' supply of Elemental Suits had been rapidly been depleted due to its [[Clan_Nova_Cat#Abjuration|Abjuration]] in [[3060]] and the late conflicts of the [[Jihad]].  Development of the suit started when [[Khan]] [[Santin West]] firmly pressed his Technician and Scientist Castes to create a replacement suit in [[3084]]. The Thunderbird first saw combat in October [[3085]], where it was deployed in combat in a Battle Armor [[Trinary]] with the [[489th Assault (Clan Nova Cat)|489th Assault]] [[Cluster]].  A combined arms raiding force of [[Inner Sphere Standard|Inner Sphere Standard Battle Armor]] and 'Mechs raided Labrea where the 489th was stationed.  The Thunderbirds of the [[Trinary]] showed their mettle with other Nova Cat Battle Armor troops. The design remained exclusively the Nova Cats' property despite inquires by various allies.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3085 Supplemental'', p. 44: Thunderbird's background info.</ref>

The [[DCMS]] used information gathered from its evaluations of the Thunderbird for its own [[Kishi]] and [[Oni (Battle Armor)|Oni]] battle armor.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine'', pp. 4, 6</ref>

==Weapons and Equipment==
The Thunderbird's main weapons are interchangeable due to its Modular Weapon Mount in its right arm. The Module allows for two slots of equipment and weapons to be mounted. The armor's standard weapons layout is geared towards anti-infantry role, with a single [[Anti-Personnel Gauss Rifle (Battle Armor)|AP Gauss Rifle]] with 20 rounds of ammunition. A [[Vibro-Claw]] is found in its left hand allowing for the armor to latch onto friendly [[OmniMechs]] and other vehicles.

The armor's other qualities include a Jump Booster for added mobility and 250 kilograms of [[standard armor]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3085 Supplemental'', pp. 44–45: Thunderbird's weapons and stat information.</ref>

==Variants==
*;ER Small Laser : This version carries an [[Extended Range Small Laser (Battle Armor)|ER Small Laser]] and enough energy for 20 rounds of fire. - BV(2.0)=58<ref name=TRO:3085Sp45/>

*;Small Pulse Laser : This version carries a [[Small Pulse Laser (Battle Armor)|Small Pulse Laser]] and enough energy for only 14 rounds of fire. - BV(2.0)=52<ref name=TRO:3085Sp45/>

*;Upgrade (ER Small Laser) : In the [[Dark Age era]], the Thunderbird was equipped with [[Reflective Armor]]. This version carries an ER Small Laser. BV (2.0) = 71<ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades'', p. 26</ref>

*;Upgrade (Pulse Laser) : This version also uses Reflective Armor and is equipped with a Small Pulse Laser. BV (2.0) = 65<ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades'', p. 28</ref>

*;Upgrade (BA LB-X) : This version uses an [[LB-X (Battle_Armor)|LB-X]] autocannon and is protected by Reflective Armor. BV (2.0) = 62<ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades'', p. 27</ref>

*;Thunderbird II Battle Armor : Produced on [[Shitara]] for [[The Republic of the Sphere]], the Thunderbird II battle armor is an upgrade of the Thunderbird battle armor produced by [[Clan Nova Cat]] expats. The modular weapons mount of the original were replaced with a [[Detachable Weapon Pack]] in each arm. The left arm carries a single [[AP Gauss Rifle]] while the right arm carries an LB-X autocannon. Reflective armor protects the Thunderbird II. What makes it so deadly in the Republic Armed Forces is the integrated [[Battle Armor C3]] system. BV (2.0) = 66<ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 2'', p. 16</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:MWDA-VG018-Thunderbird Battle Armor.jpg|Thunderbird Battle Armor miniature from [[Miniatures - MechWarrior#MechWarrior: Vanguard|MechWarrior: Vanguard set]]
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 2]]''
* ''[[Master Unit List]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3085 Supplemental]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine]]''

[[Category:Clan Battle Armor]]
[[Category:Battle Armor|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Heavy Battle Armor|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Clan Nova Cat Battle Armor|{{PAGENAME}}]]