Strider SR1-DPHR

       The Strider is House Kurita’s medium-class OmniMech. Based on the Cicada manufactured by the Hartford Company, the Strider represents a solid, if uninspired, design. Like most medium ’Mechs, the Strider is too heavy to run away from trouble and too light to stand up to sustained combat. The Cicada’s major advantage was its speed, an advantage that the Strider sacrifices for dubious gains in armor protection and firepower. The Strider’s twelve tons of weapon space is a significant increase over the firepower available in the basic Cicada design, but not a major advantage when compared to the capabilities of other 40- to 50-ton ’Mechs. The Strider is as well-armored as some heavy ’Mechs, which makes it tougher but also slows it down and subjects it to more danger.

       The DCMS seems content with the trade-offs made in the Strider’s design. The primary configuration has two short-range missile racks capable of unleashing a barrage of twelve 110 mm rockets. They are tied to two independent Artemis IV fire-control systems, giving the SRMs devastating accuracy. With its heavy armor protection, a Strider in this configuration is well equipped to extract its comrades from a major fire-fight. The Strider’s other configurations also allow it to deliver heavy and accurate firepower via weapons systems customized for terrain, mission, and likely enemies. The Strider’s degree of specialization makes it an excellent complement to the DCMS’s other, capable medium OmniMech, the Blackhawk-KU.
       The alpha configuration’s Narc beacon, C3 and TAG systems enable the Strider to serve as a heavy reconnaissance ’Mech. Unlike the other configurations, this Strider is heavily dependent on other units to provide support if it runs across enemy forces.

         The Strider’s integral CASE made the design a natural for installation of the new Streak SRM-6 racks. DCMS MechWarriors have already begun to debate the comparative effectiveness of the SR1-OE variant and the primary Strider configuration.

       Strider ‘Mechs appear primarily in DCMS forces, either as lance command vehicles or partnered with Owens OmniMechs. They also form the recon elements of heavy or assault battalions. While some Striders have entered service with the Federated Commonwealth and the Lyran Alliance, the Combine has given priority to their own internal needs.