Gallowglas WD

         The Gallowglas is a new BattleMech design recently offered by Blackwell Heavy Industries. The manufacturer calls it a successful marriage of proven technologies and modern innovation. Indeed, it may prove to be so. The Gallowglas’s array of energy weaponry makes it a formidable foe at long range, and its effectiveness only increases at shorter ranges, a vital necessity against the Clan threat.
         It is believed that the model offered for sale by Blackwell is a variation on the Gallowglas ‘Mech known to be operating in limited numbers with Wolf’s Dragoons. Most likely, Blackwell is supplying the Dragoons with their Gallowglas ‘Mechs, and any difference in the machines is almost certainly due to the use of proprietary technologies that the Dragoons are unwilling to share with the Inner Sphere. Despite that, even a stripped down Gallowglas is a welcome addition to the armories of the Inner Sphere.

         The Gallowglas is built on a chassis incorporating endo steel structural members armored with a multilayered defense of Valiant ceramet plate. Though of typical speed for its weight class, its Geotec 300 jump jets allow it a mobility often lacking in a heavy ‘Mech.
         The primary armament is an extended range PPC, the recently reintroduced Tiegart Magnum, backed up by an impressive laser array.
         Comparison of electronic emission records and external features such as antennae arrays indicate that Blackwell has not stinted in supplying first-rate electronics. The communications array is from Dalban Micronics, an excellent and proven system easily adaptable to C3 computer interlocks.

         From all reports the Gallowglas in service with Wolf’s Dragoons differs from the commercial model. Most likely it carries three less heat sinks and has a pair of extended range medium lasers and a pair of small pulse lasers of Clan-Level technology. It is also faster; a cruising speed of 54 kph is reported.
         Blackwell sales agents are soliciting orders for a GAL-2GLS. This Mark 2 version would replace the main armament with a Blackwell Fury Gauss rifle and would carry two tons of ammunition in a CASE-protected bay. The elimination of the PPC, one of the medium pulse lasers, and the small laser reduces the machine’s heat debt dramatically; all extra heat sinks are dropped. The Mark 2 is clearly a BattleMech dedicated to a purely anti-‘Mech role.

         Early orders placed by House Kurita and the Lyran Commonwealth show that those who face the Clans appreciate this design. Revised production schedules indicate that the new BattleMech is in so much demand, the Blackwell may not be able to keep up.