Kodiak

       The Kodiak is a large, fast moving assault ‘Mech that carries impressive medium range firepower. Clan Ghost Bear technicians most likely designed it as the second line equivalent to the popular Gladiator OmniMech, once again demonstrating the Ghost Bears’ tendency to stick with the familiar. Trading the MASC and jump jets of the Gladiator for more armor and weaponry, the Kodiak has gained a fearsome reputation in the short time it has been in service.

       A complete Kodiak has yet to be salvaged from a battlefield, and so a comprehensive study cannot be done. However, certain assumptions about the Kodiak’s capabilities can be made based solely on its known weapon load. A devastating Ultra 20 autocannon occupies the entire right side of its torso. Opposite the autocannon is a pair of Streak SRM 6 launchers. Combined, these weapons provide ample close-in firepower but lack the ammunition to fight an extended battle. Because the ‘Mech is intended for garrison use close to supply lines, its designers probably regarded this drawback as negligible. The diminutive ammunition load also reflects the Clan mode of war, in which the campaign is decided in a quick, decisive clash on a field of honor rather than in a slugging match dragged out over the course of weeks or months.
       Above each hand is a clawlike array of four extended range medium lasers, which give the Kodiak impressive hitting power even if it runs out of ammunition. Supplementing these weapons is a single ER large laser mounted in the torso directly beneath the engine. Likely added as an afterthought, this weapon gives the ‘Mech a single long range weapon with which to harass a closing enemy, but it generates too much heat to be used in conjunction with the other weapons once the target is within 250 meters.

       The Kodiak is believed to be unique to Clan Ghost Bear, though one odd report cites a Kodiak operating with a Smoke Jaguar Binary. It is a relatively new design–Inner Sphere troops have thus far seen very few and encountered even fewer. Kodiaks spotted among provisional garrison Clusters always serve as the command vehicle of assault Trinaries and Clusters.