IIC

IIC ("two-C", in the sense of "second generation, and of Clan origin") is an Inner Sphere designation for items built with superior Clan technology that have evolved out of certain classic designs or items from which they derive their names. Originally coined for certain BattleMech designs, IIC was later also used for superior (Clan-level) technology rebuilds of aerospace fighters, vehicles, and other equipment that evolved out of an earlier namesake, and is now used for a broad range of advanced items.

Many IIC designs have altered the parent design's mass and some actually bear little resemblance to the earlier design or item of the same name.

The IIC designation originated with the Inner Sphere, and is not a Clan term, even though it describes Clan technology from an Inner Sphere viewpoint. As such, the Clans themselves did not use the IIC description initially, referring to IIC units and items by their traditional Star League-era name (without the "IIC" appendix) instead. Later on, around the Jihad era past the year 3067, the Clans seem to have adopted IIC as a designation to differentiate IIC designs from their classic ancestors which are sometimes still in use in the Inner Sphere.


 * Among the BattleTech fan base, "IIC" is also (often jokingly) used very broadly for the concepts of superiority or improvement; it is unclear if the designation is in similarly casual use within the BattleTech universe.

Although superior to standard Inner Sphere technology, IIC 'Mechs and fighters do not make use of Omni technology and were thus already considered obsolete by the Clans around the time of the Clan Invasion. With the notable exception of the Hunchback IIC, IIC BattleMechs were largely absent from frontline formations, and were initially primarily used in second-line and garrison units. Still, the concept carries on, and new IIC designs were still devised by 3095.

No IIC Spaceships
Even though similar redesigns exist among spacecraft, spaceships of all kinds seem to be a notable exception from the IIC naming scheme (whereas IIC aerospace fighters do exist):

There is no IIC WarShip class, despite many vessels in the Clan fleets having undergone some form of upgrade or refit (sometimes radically). Evolutions that were based off older designs were given entirely new names.

The Clans do operate upgraded versions of common JumpShip types with (it is implied) improved on-board electronics and other advanced technologies such as HarJel hull sealant safety systems, but the overall differences seem to be minor and they are not named differently.

There are no IIC DropShips either. Despite effectively being IIC-style redesigns, the Union-C and Overlord-C are named thus, even by the Clans themselves, while the IIC-style evolution of the Leopard and Intruder were named the Broadsword and Sassanid class, respectively. Despite the differences, initial Inner Sphere reports during the early Clan Invasion often inaccurately reported Union-C and Overlord-C class DropShips as Union and Overlord-class vessels, and Broadsword class DropShips as Leopards.

Similarly, upgraded Clan versions of various types of Small Craft simply append "C" to their designation either directly, or separated by a space or a dash, i.e. K-1C, KR-61 C, Mark VII-C. It should be noted though that Clan upgrades to Small Craft designs are typically minor, usually limited to an upgrade of their weapons suite to more advanced versions of the same weapons, and/or armor changes. In this fashion, they are actually much closer to "C" variants (see below) than IIC redesigns.

Difference betwen "IIC" and "C" designs
IIC BattleMechs, which are essentially new 'Mech models designed to make use of Clan technology, should not be confused with "C" BattleMechs which are typically identified by appending "(C)" to their alphanumerical designation:

Somewhat similar to the IIC concept, "C"-type BattleMechs are standard 'Mech designs that have been built or upgraded with advanced Clan equipment and components, but are essentially only a variant of their parent design built with better components and not an altogether new design (as opposed to a IIC 'Mech that has been redesigned from the ground up). Frequently, the change is limited to exchanging weapon systems for advanced Clan counterparts, without changing the chassis or other components such as the fusion engine or heat sinks.

They are typically built by the Clans at captured Inner Sphere factories as a stopgap measure to achieve the best possible production result without having to retool the factory for an entirely different 'Mech model.

BattleMechs

 * Beowulf IIC
 * Clint IIC
 * Commando IIC
 * Conjurer (Hellhound), confirmed to be the Wolverine IIC in all but name, as the Clans would not name a BattleMech like the Not-named Clan; five tons lighter than the original Wolverine.
 * Dervish IIC (apocryphal)
 * Griffin IIC, fifteen tons lighter than the original Griffin.
 * Guillotine IIC
 * Highlander IIC
 * Hunchback IIC, the preferred last-chance BattleMech for Warriors destined for solahma units.
 * Jenner IIC
 * Locust IIC, five tons heavier than the original Locust.
 * Marauder IIC, ten tons heavier than the original Marauder and thus classed as an assault 'Mech, not a heavy 'Mech.
 * Orion IIC
 * Ostscout IIC (prototypes only; project cancelled before entering production).
 * Phoenix Hawk IIC, thirty-five tons heavier than the original Phoenix Hawk and thus classed as an assault 'Mech, not a medium 'Mech.
 * Rifleman IIC, five tons heavier than the original Rifleman.
 * Shadow Hawk IIC, ten tons lighter than the original Shadow Hawk.
 * Stinger IIC
 * Thunderbolt IIC
 * UrbanMech IIC
 * Viking IIC
 * Warhammer IIC, ten tons heavier than the original Warhammer and thus classed as an assault 'Mech, not a heavy 'Mech.
 * Wolfhound IIC, a rebuild of Phelan Kell's personal 'Mech and presumably a unique one-off design.
 * Wyvern IIC

Aerospace fighters

 * Chippewa IIC

Vehicles

 * Axel IIC tank

Other

 * Baleena IIC submarine
 * Mauser IIC assault rifle
 * Kobold IIC battle armor; a Clan upgrade version of an Inner Sphere battle armor that was designed after the Inner Sphere had reverse-engineered battle armor technology from the Clans