The development of the SD-1R-O Sidewinder began in 
3055 at the height of the Clan Invasion.  Faced with 
superior foes and superior technology, Inner Sphere troops 
found themselves at a severe disadvantage when taking 
on the clans.  What was need was a heavy Omnimech 
that would keep pace with a Mad Cat and still carry 
enough firepower to devastate its opponents.  Thus the 
development of the SideWinder began at the Pheonix 
Armaments Limited Proving Grounds on Sirrius.  

The Sidewinder developers found that most variants of the 
planned design would carry ammo in the torso bins, so to 
ensure pilot and mech safety, dual CASE systems were 
installed on the Right and Left Torsos.  The designers also 
decided on an Endo Steel frame to make the mech lighter 
and carry heavier weapons at the expense of pod space.  
Since the Sidewinder had to have a degree of battle field 
longevity, 12.5 tons of standard armor is spread evenly 
around the mech.

Variants:
Primary Configuration:  This variant of the Sidewinder 
mounts the over-under mounting of the large lasers along 
with the devastating fire power of the UAC-20 in the right 
arm.  Two medium lasers round out the short range ability.

Configuration Alpha:  This variant mounts an Artemis IV 
equipped LRM-15 system mounted in the left arm.  
Mounted on the right arm is the over-under mount of large 
lasers found in the left arm of the primary variant.  It is this 
feature that one can distinguish the two variants from one 
another.  A C3 Master Computer is mounted in the left 
torso.  5 medium lasers automaticaly override the LRM-15 
at ranges under 210 meters.

Configuration Bravo:  The bravo variant is equipped for all 
range brawling.  Mounting an ER PPC in its right arm, an 
Ultra AC 10 in the left arm, this variant can deliver severe 
punishment up to 690 meters.  For closer in engagements, 
4 medium lasers and 1 SRM-6 are mounted in the torsos.  
The pilot doesn't need to worry about Autocannon ammo 
expenditure because this variant is equipped with 3 tons 
of ammo.  

Configuration Charlie:  Variant Charlie mounts an ER Large 
 Laser and a LRM-20 w/ Artemis FCS for long range 
firepower.  Closer in it is equipped with 6 medium pulse 
lasers.  One additional DHS is mounted in the left torso.  

Configuration Delta:  This variant carries one ER PPC for 
long range firepower.  Closer ranges is where this variant 
really shines.  Mounting 2 Streak SRM 6's in the left arm 
and 4 medium pulse lasers in the left torso, the Sidewinder 
C is meant for infighting.  Also equipped are 5 jump jets for 
extra mobility on the battlefield.

Deployment:
While the Magna 350XL fusion engine is particularly 
vulnerable owed to its enormous size, it allow the 
SideWinder to carry more weapons.  As such many SLDF 
line regiments use this mech to supplement and often 
replace the venerable MTR-5K Maelstrom due to it's 
superior firepower and protection.  Dual CASE systems in 
the torso's saves pilots in case of ammo explosion which 
makes it a popular among Regiments throughout the Inner 
Sphere.  This mech is often feared by it's clan opponents 
by the fierceness of the pilots who pilot SideWinders.  Like 
the long extinct terran snake as it was named for, The 
SideWinder is a very deadly predator not to be taken 
lightly.