Hunter Light Support Tank

         In 3053, with ‘Mech production increasing rapidly, Defiance Industries redesigned their popular Hunter light support tank. The design team made use of modern technology to increase the vehicle’s firepower at the original Hunter’s reasonable price.

         In the new Hunter, the original’s large missile rack has been replaced with a pair of smaller Star Fire launchers mounted one above the other. Both of these launchers are equipped with the Artemis fire-control system, and they can deliver larger numbers of missiles into the target zone with devastating accuracy. To make room for the Artemis units, the vehicle’s designers removed some armor and the defensive flamer. The armor, though lower in overall tonnage, is ferro-fibrous rather than standard, and so the degree of protection remains substantially the same.

         Full production of the new Hunter has only recently begun-the first new Hunters arrived in Federated Commonwealth units in early 3055. Most of the tanks delivered went to Lyran units, and with the recent split in the Federated Commonwealth these Hunters now belong to the Lyran Alliance. Some analysts have suggested a hidden agenda at work in some ranks of the AFFC’s procurement division, but no evidence exists to support these allegations.
         Testing of the new Hunter highlighted a flaw in the design that has affected deployment of the vehicles. During a mock battle, a group of Hunters bombarding an enemy position received warning that a fast scout lance was moving their way. The Hunters fired several volleys at the approaching ‘Mechs, causing slight damage, and then began to withdraw. However, the tanks’ reduced speed allowed the pursuing ‘Mechs to close on the tanks and inflict severe damage on the vehicles. As a result, field deployments of Hunters usually pair them with guard units that excel at medium- and close- range combat.