Following the development of the new heavy lasers, Clan Star Adder warriors and scientists needed a test bed for the weapons. They chose to revive the Lupus, a second-line BattleMech long dismissed by most Clans, to serve in this capacity. The testing process of refitting the scores of Lupus 'Mechs, re-christened Hellfire, mothballed in the Clan’s Brian Caches. Though its weapons load was designed to test the new lasers, little has changed in the final production model. The array of heavy lasers, combined with the paired extended-range lasers, give the Hellfire withering firepower at medium and shorter ranges. The three long-range missile packs, not present in the prototype models, are intended to compensate for the short range and relative inaccuracy of the heavy lasers.
Originally meant to be a fast BattleMech, the Hellfire is powered by a standard 240-rating fusion engine. Galaxy Commander Jenica Turgidson, who supervised the design and testing process, insisted on keeping the smaller engine, arguing that a BattleMech designed for a predominately defensive role requires more firepower than speed. She eventually won the argument, though she did order the inclusion of a MASC system to give the Hellfire quick bursts of extra speed so that it could close with the enemy.
Recently, disheartening reports about this Mech have begun to filter in from the field. In addition to the interference caused by the heavy lasers’ poor shielding, several laser tubes have reportedly ruptured, with catastrophic results. Also, the rate of MASC failure in the Hellfire is 15 percent greater than the baseline- whether due to the new weapons or the age of the Mechs in question, no one has yet determined. Almost a hundred of these Mechs have been refitted and returned to service, where they operate in each of the Star Adders’ second-line Galaxies. Only Clan Star Adder deploys the new Hellfire in significant numbers. That will likely soon change, however; as other clans are coming to recognize the hitting power of the new lasers.