Ninja-To NJT-3

         Independence Weaponry of Quentin, makers of the Naginata, Shugenja and Tai-sho, established themselves as the premiere experts of Combine heavy ‘Mech manufacturing for the Draconis Combine, particularly when it comes to the use of the increasingly popular C3 computer network. While their latest products sported the expensive and critical command computers, the equally useful C3 slave systems continued to appear mainly in OmniMech variants or retrofits on existing ‘Mech designs. The NJT-2 Ninja-To, designed to work with the likes of the Shugenja and the Tai-sho, addresses this lack.

         Weighing in at 65 tons, the Ninja-To-named for the chosen blade of the ninja in ancient Japan-features an extra-light Hermes 390-rated engine, allowing it to match or exceed the speed of many Clan ‘Mechs of comparable size. Endo-steel internal construction, though bulky, lightens the frame and increases the mass allowance for weaponry, ammunition, and armor. Twelve tons of standard Durallex heavy armor, complete with CASE, protects the Ninja-To from enemy fire and internal ammunition explosion, backed by a formidable arsenal of lasers and medium-range missiles meant to deliver serious damage even as the ‘Mech closes on enemy positions.
         Unfortunately, to mount this kind of firepower on the Ninja-To while still allowing for its remarkable speed, designers had to skimp on the heat exchange system. Only twelve double-strength heat sinks work to keep the Ninja-To cool enough to operate safely, sinks that can be easily overtaxed simply by the use of the ‘Mech’s primary weapons.

         A cooler running variant of the Ninja-To, the NJT-3 model, is currently undergoing trials on the Quentin testing grounds. This variant drops the missile rack and ammo, and instead uses standard PPCs in place of the arm-mounted ER large lasers. An additional half-ton of armor gained by this switch reinforces the legs and rear torso, granting this model more protection and a better heat curve, but at a loss of reach and close-in hitting power.

         Production on the Ninja-To began at a modest rate in 3062, with Independence Weaponry contracted to provide the first three runs exclusively to the DCMS. As it was intended to complement the C3 command units already produced by Independence Weaponry, the first shipments of the new Ninja-To have gone to the Genyosha regiments, where both the Tai-Sho and the Shugenja were first assigned.
         Executives at Independence Weaponry suggest, however, that once the deficit between the number of Ninja-Tos and these command units narrows, the company may then attempt to offer C3 command lance packages. These discount incentive packages would present models such as the Shugenja, Tai-sho, Naginata, and the Ninja-To as a matched set, boosting sales while giving the customer the most of the C3 computer network advantage.