Recon & Strike LanceConsistent with the Predator's mentality, surprise, speed and pinpoint striking power are all necessities. When evaluating options to create this lance, Cpt. Piotrowski decide to think outside the box. A mixed unit, using all the possible tools available. First would be a lance of hovers, providing the speed and mobility to provide surgical striking. Two 'Mechs would support these hovers along side two squads of battlearmor. Since the use of battle armor was deemed a necessity, an APC or omni hover would be required. As the pieces started falling together the decision to create custom equipment was agreed upon.
Two Regulator Arrow IV hovercraft were order to provide the precision hitting power. In order to capitalize on the ability to bring Homing Arrow IV missiles, a heavy dose of TAG would be required. Bandit Hovercrafts seemed to be he most ideal hover tank of choice. Customizable already due to Omni technology and the ability to carry battle armor. However, since the 4 ton cargo bays would be of little use to the externally mounted battle armor, the bays were stripped out for more weapons grade hardware. Two squads of Cavalier suits using Light TAG systems would provide additional TAG support.
The 'Mech choices were difficult to make. Lighter, mobile 'Mechs were required. It was decided to have one 'Mech provide Semi-G LRM support to follow up on the strikes made by the Arrow IV. For this, the Hellspawn 7D obtained from salvage was selected. However, to drastically improve the survivability of the deathtrap, an MPL is removed to add CASE, add Stealth armor, and add more armor. The Hellspawn would carry one ton of Thunder-Augmented and one ton of Semi-G. The T-Aug could be used to slow down opponents and would not hinder the hovers from moving about the battlefield. Semi-G would help bring down TAG'ed 'Mechs.
The final choice was a Sha Yu, which was used for a few missions for it's TAG. However, it was replaced by a clan-tech Adder, which was salvaged from the AFFS. It was refitted to provide TAG and medium lasers support for opponent's who've been barriaged by homing Arrow IV.
Shortly, the Cavalier suits will be refit to remove the pod mounts and hardwire in both a Light TAG and flamer.
Bandit Refit:
http://www.solaris7.com/TRO/Vehicle/VehicleInfo.asp?ID=1892Hellspawn:
http://www.solaris7.com/TRO/HTMLBattleMech/BattlemechInfo.asp?ID=14146Puma:
http://www.solaris7.com/TRO/HTMLBattleMech/BattlemechInfo.asp?ID=14662