Commando

In Introduction Year::2463 Coventry Metal Works (then known as Coventry Defense Conglomerate) introduced their second BattleMech, the COM-1A Commando. Created for the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces and one of the first 'Mechs ever designed for reconnaissance, the Commando was much lighter and faster than its precursors, though it still utilized primitive BattleMech technology. The Commando was able to destroy much heavier Kuritan Gladiators during the first large-scale battle between BattleMechs in 2475 on Nox.

The installed Large Laser caused several problems and other 'Mechs were soon introduced (like the Wasp in 2464 and the Stinger in 2479) that were better equipped for scouting and even mounted jump jets. The Commando's profile was radically changed with the introduction of the sophisticated COM-2D variant in 2486, which exchanged the laser weaponry with short range missiles and turned the machine into a striker.

With only four tons of armor to protect itself, the Commando is not meant to participate in a stand-up fight against heavier enemies, but it excels at hit-and-run tactics and as a scout hunter.

The Commando became popular among LCAF forces and, nearly 600 years later, is still mainly in use by Lyrans. The Commonwealth went to great pains to keep the 'Mech solely in Lyran hands, especially during the years of the Star League. It took an alliance with the Federated Suns and the creation of the Federated Commonwealth to break the stranglehold. The Commando was chosen as the standard light BattleMech for the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth next to the Valkyrie, and after the upgrade to the COM-5S model in 3050, Vandenberg Mechanized Industries was allowed to produce the old COM-2D for the Taurian Defense Force. Furthermore, the Marian Hegemony deploys the Rocket Launcher-packed COM-4H, and the Word of Blake produced its own variant (the COM-7B) during its occupation of Coventry from 3068 to 3074.

Weapons and Equipment
The standard COM-2D Commando carries two different SRM launchers, a Coventry 4-tube and a Shannon Six Shooter, each with one ton of ammo. The secondary weapon is a Defiance B3M Medium Laser. This weapons load can cause a lot of damage for a light 'Mech and makes the Commando an effective striker, especially when used in groups. An often-used tactic for those is to rush upon a single target, concentrate their fire and retreat before the enemy can offer effective resistance. The COM-2D's communication gear, Crystal Flower RG-2, as well as the Star Shark targeting system were produced by TharHes on Tharkad.

Variants

 * COM-1A : The original Commando used prototype equipment that was similarly primitive to those found in the first BattleMech, the Mackie. This version was completely replaced by its successor. First constructed in 2463, the 'Mech was equipped with only an Odin Large Laser mounted in its right arm. It was fitted with five tons of armor and the engine could move the 'Mech up to a maximum speed around 80 km/h. These were the early Commandos that took part in the Battle of Nox in 2475 against Draconis Combine forces. BV (2.0) = 475.


 * COM-1AK : Created by Wechsel Royal Industrial Repair and Heavy Machining on Kaumberg, this RetroTech Commando variant replaces the Large Laser of the COM-1A with a Medium Laser in each arm supported by a head-mounted Small Laser. The remaining tonnage is devoted to additional armor, for a total of seven and a half tons. BV (2.0) = 533


 * COM-1B : Because the idea of a Commando that was armed, like its ancestor, with a longer-ranged Large Laser appealed to many MechWarriors, Lyran engineers developed the COM-1B in 3015. This variant wielded a Large Laser and an SRM-2 in addition to the Medium Laser. To make space for these changes, the engineers had to remove the SRM-6 launcher. However, this variant was short-lived. BV (2.0) = 616


 * COM-1C : This version removed all the missile racks and replaced them with an Autocannon/2 with a ton of ammunition. It appears to have been an experiment in providing direct fire support. BV (2.0) = 458


 * COM-1D : The 1D variant that appeared in 2480 was the transition from the COM-1A to the -2D and has maintained a regular but low-profile existence throughout the Commando's history. It fields a Large Laser and an SRM-6 rack, but only three tons of armor. BV (2.0) = 558


 * COM-2Dr : This Jihad-era update of the old COM-2D drops all of the existing weaponry and replaces it with a CASE-protected MML-7 and a single ER Medium Laser. BV (2.0) = 563


 * COM-3A : The COM-3A carries two SRM-6 launchers, a Medium Laser and a Flamer. This was accomplished by removing the SRM-4 launcher and lowering the amount of armor on the 'Mech by one ton. This variant appeared in 3025 and became quite popular because of its hitting-power. BV (1.0) = 392, BV (2.0) = 540


 * COM-4H : The Marian Hegemony 4H variant of the Commando is used in the Periphery and removes all of the SRM launchers and replaces them with six Rocket Launcher 15s as well as a second Medium Laser. BV (1.0) = 628, BV (2.0) = 691


 * COM-5S : The COM-5S was introduced in 3050 and was the first Commando to feature Star League technology. Its new Cyclops MultiTasker 10 Targeting System links an Artemis IV Fire Control System to the Coventry 90mm SRM-6, which replaces the Shannon Six-Shooter, and exchanges the SRM-4 with a Coventry T4H Streak-2 launcher launcher. Additionally, the chassis has been upgraded with Endo Steel, the armor has been upgraded to Ferro-Fibrous, and CASE has been added to protect the ammunition. The variant is also equipped with a new communications system called Cyclops 14. BV (1.0) = 504, BV (2.0) = 557


 * COM-7S : This update of the COM-5S introduced in 3059 is also built on an Endo Steel chassis but uses a new Light Fusion engine. The 'Mech carries two Streak SRM-2 launchers, an SRM-4 with an Artemis IV Fire Control System, and an ER Medium Laser in each arm. BV (1.0) = 549, BV (2.0) = 658


 * COM-7B : Following the conquest of Coventry by the Word of Blake, the Jihadists modified the 7S to meet their specifications. The 7B keeps one ER Medium Laser in the left arm, but adds two Flamers to it, making the 7B a lethal threat to unarmored infantry. A small cockpit makes room for two SRM-4s, which are still fed by a CASE-protected ammunition bin. The weight savings enabled engineers to add enough jump jets to rocket the Commando up to one hundred-twenty meters at a time. They also added an additional ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 602


 * COM-7X : A -7X variant of the Commando canonically exists, by virtue of being listed in the Master Unit List. However, no source or record sheet is stated. With the MUL the only source, the canonical configuration remains unknown besides it being a 25-ton BattleMech. (It is likely but ultimately unconfirmed that this is identical to the otherwise apocryphal variant from the MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries computer game; see below.)


 * COM-8S : This version of the Commando uses an Endo Steel chassis and XL Engine that propels it to a maximum of 110 km/h. It carries a pair of Streak SRM-2 launchers in the right arm and a pair of ER Medium Lasers in the left arm. The Streak ammunition is stored in a CASE II protected bay. A Boosted C3 Slave allows the Commando to share targeting data with friendly forces, and a Supercharger allows it to reach speeds of 140km/h in short bursts. BV (2.0) = 775


 * COM-9S : Based off the chassis of the 8S, the 9S changes the normally short-ranged Commando into a long-range harasser, removing the Boosted C3 Slave and existing weaponry for a pair of torso mounted MML-3 racks to emulate the standard SRM-6 of earlier models whilst providing LRM fire, generally carrying a ton of each missile type. The usual Medium Laser of the Commando is replaced with a longer-ranged Light PPC with a pair of Improved One Shot SRM-2s being the sole exclusively short-range weapons. BV (2.0) = 719

Custom Variants

 * COM-7S2 Commando Freyr : The personal 'Mech of ex-Arcturan Guards member-turned-treacherous Hunter's Paradise guide Zvi Freyr, his Commando has been extensively modified with both Clan and experimental technologies. Retaining only the Endo Steel chassis and CASE of his formerly stock COM-5S model, Freyr has replaced the standard weapons with lighter Clan-tech systems, including two Streak SRM-4 launchers in its right arm with a single ton of reloads and a pair of ER Medium Lasers mounted in the left arm. The use of a Small Cockpit and a salvaged Clan extra-light engine save enough weight to switch to double strength heat sinks, as well as carry six jump jets and seven tons of Hardened Armor. BV (2.0) = 1,155

Apocryphal Variants
These variants were introduced in various apocryphal sources, and thus far have not appeared in any canonical media.

From BattleTech: The Crescent Hawks' Inception:
 * "Blazing Inferno" : As of 3028, the techs on Chara III used this designation for a field modification of the COM-2D that exchanges both missile launchers for three additional medium lasers built into the right arm, right torso, and head, respectively, plus six small lasers mounted in pairs on each leg and the center torso, and an additional ton of armor (+3 points to each leg, +2 points to the head, center torso and both torso sides, and +1 point to each arm). It was implied that this was a standard field refit as opposed to a unique one-off modification.

From MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries:
 * COM-7X : The starting chassis for the player, the 7X variant exchanges the SRM-4 for an additional medium laser in each arm (for a total of three). It retains the SRM-6 and the ammunition bin for the SRM-4 is repurposed to provide a second ton of ammunition to the SRM-6. Team Venom fielded at least one such 'Mech in a raid against the Draconis Combine in 3044. (Note that a variant designated COM-7X canonically exists, but its configuration is unknown; see above.) BV = 623

From MechCommander:
 * COM-A : This variant of the Commando is armed with one Laser and four SRM Packs. It carries six tons of armor protection.


 * COM-W : This variant has a mere three tons of armor, while boasting a larger armament. It is armed with two Lasers, one Streak SRM Pack, and two SRM Packs.


 * COM-J : The COM-J has the same armament as the COM-A and three tons of armor. It has jump jets equipped that allow it to jump up to one hundred meters.

From MechWarrior Online:
 * COM-TDK "Death's Knell" : Named after the silver-colored Commando 'Mech of the same name piloted by Captain Bono Duganmare of the 22nd Skye Rangers, this apocryphal variant of the Commando is available within the MechWarrior Online game. Whilst Captain Duganmare and his 'Mech are canonical, the 'Mech's exact configuration was not mentioned in the original source, suggesting it would be an unmodified standard model. The variant presented by MechWarrior Online removes the weapon loadout of the COM-2D and replaces it with four Medium Lasers, two mounted in each arm. The additional four tons freed up with the removal of the COM-2D's original weapon suite are devoted to an upgraded 175 Series Fusion Engine, double heat sinks, and a half-ton of additional armor; it should be noted that within the time period described by the original source, Technical Readout: 3025, double heat sinks were not available.

Design Quirks
The Commando has the following Design Quirks:
 * Narrow/Low Profile
 * Exposed Actuators

Related BattleMechs

 * Commando IIC : The remnants of the Star League Defense Force did take a few Commandos with them on their exodus. Clan Goliath Scorpion later upgraded these 'Mechs with Clan technology, creating the Commando IIC. BV (1.0) = 816, BV (2.0) = 978