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MSJ-06II/PI Tieren Counter-Insurgency Type
Model number: MSJ-06II/PI
Although one of the most widely utilized mobile suits outside of the Earth Union, Tierens of all types are limited in several ways due to the extreme simplicity of their designs, and in spite of the general rebound of electronic technology in the Earth sphere, most Tierens used by legitimate security companies, state militias, and irregular rebel forces alike were still essentially unchanged from their original (read: primitive) Human Reform League standards. Numerous attempts, often of questionable quality and done in the field, were made to modernized Tierens' systems and combat ability. In the early UC 240s South Africa-based Kentron Dynamics began commercially selling the first comprehensive upgrade package for Tieren-type mobile suits, intended for security duty with armed forces that require more versatility than standard-specification Tierens can offer. While the PI (Product Improved) model is billed as a "Tieren Counter-Insurgency Type", even an untrained eye can spot a number of modifications that make it obviously more capable against mobile suits. While it can be equipped with most standard Tieren handheld weapons, the Counter-Insurgency Type is primarily intended to use a special magnetically-accelerated linear rifle boasting significantly greater penetrative power, range, and accuracy than the Tieren's original machine cannon. While only capable of semi-automatic fire, the linear rifle provides far better combat ability in most other areas, including defeating heavily-armored mobile suits protected by conventional materials. The Tieren's standard shoulder shields are moved forward into a more usable posture and topped with a pair of missile launchers to provide bombardment and indirect fire capability, while a second 30mm machine gun is installed in a turret between the mobile suit's legs. While the position has been ridiculed for its appearance, it is ideally placed to attack infantry and armored vehicles - perhaps one of the few modifications that is actually designed for use in the Counter-Insurgency Type's stated mission profile, rather than just intended. Along with new weapons, many of the Tieren's systems were updated as well, and other "small but important" modifications were installed. The use of infrared spotlights and a solid state radar positioned on the torso improve the Tieren's mediocre target scanning and acquisition capability, while a targeting computer allows for cueing of multiple sensor signatures at once, something virtually every other mass-production mobile suit has enjoyed to the Tieren's detriment. Smoke dischargers were added to allow the mobile suit to screen itself from visual targeting, especially by man-portable anti-armor weapons. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, the Tieren's nuclear reactor was replaced with a battery pack. While this does require periodic recharging, the lack of radioactive exhaust and the propensity for the mobile suit to catastrophically explode when its backpack is hit by a beam weapon were seen as a welcome trade-off, and in some respects even further increases the Tieren's legendary ability to absorb punishment.
12.7mm machine gun 200mm machine cannon 30mm machine gun 550mm bazooka Carbon blade Cockpit detail Cockpit hatch Gel pack launcher Hand detail Heavy shield and grenade rack Linear rifle Missile launchers Rear view Turret machine gun |
