MercTech: Charger

History:
A textbook example of terrible battlemech design decisions, the 80 ton Charger was intended as an assault-class scout mech that can outlast any other scout mech in a battle, what the SLDF received was a mech that performed poorly in any role, and became known as one of the worst mechs ever designed. The chief issue with the Charger is its engine, in an effort to allow the mech to reach a top speed of over 80 kilometers an hour, a 400-rated standard fusion engine, the largest and heaviest fusion in production at the time, was fitted to the mech, significantly reducing the available tonnage for armor and equipment. What was left was a mech with a paltry 10 tons of armor and a measly 5 small-class lasers, which measures poorly against the firepower of even the lightest mech, which quickly led to the SLDF getting rid of their stockpile.

Chargers were spread out across the Great Houses when the Star League was disbanded, with the Draconis Combine possessing the lion's share of existing models. A number of variants introduced during the Succession Wars attempted to rectify the original model's popgun firepower, with some swapping the lasers for more powerful models, and another completely overhauling the engine and loadout to allow the Charger to match other 80 ton designs. The most significant modification at the time, however, was a complete redesign made by the Combine, rechristened the Hatamoto-Chi, which turned the mech into a powerful sniper and brawler. The Charger would get its second chance with the rediscovery of LosTech thanks to the Helm Memory Core, which allowed the mech to maintain its incredible speed while still possessing effective protection and weaponry.

CGR-1A1:
Structure: Standard

Armor: Standard 10 tons

Engine: Standard 400

Top Speed: 81 kph

Gyro: Standard

Heat Sinks: 10 Single Heat Sinks

Cockpit: Standard

Equipment: 5x Small Lasers

CGR-1A5:
Structure: Standard

Armor: Standard 15 tons

Engine: Standard 300

Top Speed: 65 kph

Gyro: Standard

Heat Sinks: 13 Single Heat Sinks

Cockpit: Standard

Equipment: 1x AC-20 w/ 2t ammo, 2x SRM-6s w/ 1t ammo, 1x Medium Laser, 1x Small Laser

CGR-3K:
Structure: Standard

Armor: Ferro-Fibrous 10 tons

Engine: Extra-Light 400

Top Speed: 81 kph

Gyro: Standard

Heat Sinks: 10 Single Heat Sinks

Cockpit: Standard

Equipment: 1x LRM-20 w/ Artemis-IV w/ 2t ammo, 4x Medium Pulse Lasers, 5x Jump Jets, 1x CASE