As heavy battlemechs go, the Quickdraw has never been
very popular with the armies of the Inner Sphere.
Possessing uncommon maneuverability for its size, the
Quickdraw is forced to trade any significant punch in its
payload.  While suited to heavy recon duties, the
capabilities of the Quickdraw were overmatched by many
high-end medium battlemechs, such as the Wolverine and
Griffin.  Seeing the possibilites for a success, DSC Armory
officials began a project to develop a new version of the
Quickdraw that would allow it to stand out from the lighter
battlemechs that had been eclipsing it.

Capabilities:
Engineers decided that speed would be the factor that
would dictate how the new model Quickdraw would be
designed.  As it was a relatively quick heavy 'mech,
designers chose to accentuate that aspect of the
Quickdraw by installing large VOX 360 extra-light engine.
This would push the Quickdraw to higher speeds yet it
was light enough to allow sixteen tons of weaponry to be
carried.

With the new Quickdraw operating at high speeds with
jump capability, designers decided to focus of moderately
ranged combat with the weapon package for the
QKD.  In its primary configuration, the Quickdraw carries
an assortment of medium lasers and medium pulse lasers
in the arms and in the torso.  None are mounted to the
rear, which was standard practice on older models, since
designers felt the added speed would allow the Quickdraw
to adequately maneuver itself away from trouble.
Supporting the lasers is a fifteen rack of long range
missiles, expanded from the standard LRM-10 rack.  With
only eight reloads, the long range firepower of the
Quickdraw is short-lived, but the emphasis would be on
closer engagements as the Quickdraw can use its new
speed boost to close with targets.

The Alpha configuration stresses short range
engagements even further.  Four medium pulse lasers
replace the assortment of the Primary, while a pair of short
range missile 6-packs are mounted in place of the LRMs.
This configuration appears best suited to close quarters
environments where the prohibitive range of the weapons
isn't as liability.

Configuration Bravo is a completely new package for the
Quickdraw.  Paired arm-mounted medium lasers will be
familiar to pilots, as will the old LRM-10 rack.  The surprise
sits in the right torso in the form of a modified DSC Blue
Bolt PPC.  The addition of a particle cannon, allows for the
Quickdraw to fire at more distant targets, which places the
QKD Bravo in a role opposite of the Alpha.  It should be
noted that the Bravo does not seem to be outfitted for
ranged combat, but rather to provide mobile fire support for
lighter units.

Armory spokesmen have described the Charlie
configuration as the "line-mech of the series."  In order to
serve as a more standard attack battlemech, the
Quickdraw Charlie carries paired large lasers, the models
we were shown were Diplan HD Heavy Lasers which are
standard on the older GHR-5H Grasshopper, that allow
the Charlie to effectively lay down fire to 450 meters.
Supporting the large lasers are a pair of medium lasers in
the right torso mounting and a short range missile rack
nestled in the left torso.  This configuration is expected to
receive the most attention, as it provides a dramatic
increase in the capabilities of the Quickdraw.

The final configuration that was shown, the Delta, was a
demonstration of C3 technology and the new Quickdraw.
Outfitted as a command mech for the C3 network, the
Delta fills the right torso with a large C3 master computer.
With such a device it can direct other units under its
command to maximize fire on potential targets.  As this
configuration is a command mech, and the C3 equipment
is bulky, the weapons array was reduced to paired medium
lasers in each arm and an Artemis assisted LRM-10 rack in
the left torso.  It would be advised that such a command
remain out of direct combat, as the weapons package is
much more limited than other configurations.

Deployment:
The QKD6-O is just beginning to emerge from the
assembly lines on Keystone.  Currently the Keystone plant
is overtaxed with designs to produce, so the line is fairly
small, probably able to turn out just a half dozen per year.
The Draconis Combine has expressed interest in the
Quickdraw, however, and Luthien Armor Works may end
up manufacturing the design under license for the DCMS.
Other factions have not shown a great deal of interest in
the design and many mercenary outfits have shunned it for
the high cost.  Still, there have been some buyers who
wish to test its capabilities as a large reconnaisance mech.
Currently it can be found serving with 3rd Proserpina
Hussars along side Grand Dragons and Black Hawk-KU
battlemechs, which make excellent companions to the
QKD6-O.