Chancellor Celebrates Return of McCarron's Armored Cavalry

Sian, Sian Commonality, Capellan Confederation

Chancellor Maximilian Liao welcomed the return of McCarron's Armored Cavalry, a Capellan Mercenary unit which has recently returned to the Confederation after a two-year expedition deep into the Federated Suns. In a statewide-broadcasted ceremony, the Chancellor awarded Colonel Archie McCarron the Liao Sunburst of Gallantry, thanking the Colonel and the Cavalry for their heroic odyssey in the service of the Confederation.

PNT-9R Panther

Overview

Designed as a fire support vehicle for reconnaissance units, the prototype Panther was first built for the Star League during the closing years of the Cameron dynasty. After being commissioned in 2739 to produce the 'Mech, Alshain Weapons began immediate delivery of Panthers to League ground troops fighting renegade bandits along the Periphery.

The 'Mech's poor performance at the Battle of St. John in 2759 pointed out both a flaw and a strength in the design. The flaw was that the large laser carried in the 'Mech's right hand lacked effective range and power. The strength was the 'Mech's basic hardiness. To improve this battleworthy machine's firepower, Star League engineers replaced the large laser with a PPC.

The Draconis Combine is the only Successor State that today uses the Panther in any significant numbers. The current model, the 9R, is a compromise developed by Combine engineers. Though lacking the original Panther's sophistication, its systems are more adaptable to present-day factories.

Capabilities

The Panther's main function is as fire support for light and fast-moving 'Mech units. It has played this role for almost three hundred years, providing covering fire for more mobile 'Mechs in mid-maneuver, whether toward or away from the enemy.

Its PPC is unusual for a 'Mech of its size. An extraordinary weapon, the Lord's Light PPC combines the firepower of a standard PPC with the lightness and flexibility of an arm-carried weapon. For close-in work, the Panther carries four SRM tubes with enough ammunition for twenty-five shots. The reliable Telos system is placed in the 'Mech's chest area, which ensures good protection.

Pilots discovered early in the Panther's career that it was well-suited to the dirty tactics of city fighting. The nimble 'Mech easily moves through the restricted spaces of a city, while its PPC gives it the chance of disabling all but the heaviest 'Mechs with a few aimed shots. From rooftop ambushes to muggings on dark streets, the Panther has gained quite a reputation. For its city-fighting powess, Lyran Commonwealth MechWarriors have nicknamed it "the Alley Cat".

Even in a city, however, the Panther cannot stand up to a heavy 'Mech such as the Warhammer or Zeus in a head-on engagement. Finding himself in that situation, the Panther pilot must rely on good shooting and the 'Mech's superior mobility to leave the field in one piece.

Variants

The PNT-8Z, the last of the Star League Panther designs, differs from the 9R only in its more advanced communications equipment and smaller fire-control computer.

From Inner Sphere Military Vehicles, 3024.

Lindon's Company Destroys South Continent Outpost

Tarawa Outpost, South Continent
Altair, Al Na'ir Prefecture
Dieron Military District, Draconis Combine

A small DCMS research station on the South Continent of Altair was the latest target destroyed by elements of Lindon's Company, which landed on Altair three months ago. The research station was studying various cold related effects on military equipment.

This is the third facility destroyed by the Davion Mercenaries A storage depot and an administration center, both on the South Continent, have also been raided and destroyed.

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