Falconer FLC-8R

         Despite the destruction of the Falcon Guards at the hands of Kai Allard-Liao on Twycross, Clan Jade Falcon has had a field day with Federated Commonwealth troops. During the initial thrust of the invasion, the Falcons easily swept aside all who opposed them. Frustrated F-C commanders searched in vain for something that would turn the tide of battle. One suggestion came from the Prince of the Federated Suns.
         Hanse Davion, shortly before his tragic death in 3052, wanted to beat the Falcons at their own game so he called for a design that would “tame the Jade Falcons.” It is not known if the name Falconer was originally a joke, but the name has stuck to the ‘Mech. Ironically, the Falconer title also applies to Jade Falcon training officers, a fact of which no one in the Inner Sphere was previously aware.

         When TharHes Industries accepted the contract to design the ‘Mech, they were aware of the difficulties of the task. The specifications called for a ‘Mech capable of taking on a Clan OmniMech in combat. Though unable to produce OmniMechs, the firm’s designers opted to copy a popular Clan design. The TharHes team chose the Thor, an OmniMech popular among Jade Falcon warriors, as the basis for the Falconer. The spacious Orion chassis, built using endo steel processes, was selected for the skeleton of the ‘Mech.
         The Falconer makes excellent use of rediscovered Star League technology. The GM 375 XL provides a top speed of 86.4 kph. Coupled with the ‘Mech’s jump capability, the Falconer is one of the most mobile heavy BattleMechs in the Inner Sphere. The Valiant Chainmail armor also provides solid protection for the machine.
         The Poland Main Model A Gauss cannon and the Defiance 1001 ER PPC provide accurate and deadly long-range firepower. For close-range combat, the Falconer boasts four reliable Defiance medium lasers. Ten double-strength heat sinks dispose of the heat produced by its weapons, but this number is not sufficient for continual barrage fire.

         The first run of Falconers has been assigned to the Davion Heavy Guards. This is hardly surprising, considering the unit’s well-known vendetta against the Jade Falcons. The Guards are expected to attack the planet of Black Earth in a desperate attempt to win it back from their adversaries.