The Skirmisher battlemech was meant for close range 
fighting favored by many inner sphere warriors.  It 
was designed to replace the venerable Exterminator in the 
 Command Mech Extermination roles.  Although 20 tons 
heavier and slower than the older Exterminator, the 
Skirmisher is well equipped for the job.

While studying the Exterminator blue-prints, Pheonix 
Armaments Limited found that while effective, the 
Exterminator lacked a knock out punch.  To remedy this 
the Skirmisher was designed around a Hatchet mounted in 
the right arm.  To match the ranges of clan weapons 2 ER 
Large Lasers were mounted in the opposing left arm.  
Closer ranges required more firepower than the 2 ER 
Large Lasers could provide, so 8 Defiance D3M Medium 
Lasers were mounted in the Right and Left Torsos.  1 
Chiscomp 2000 Extended Range Small Laser was added 
for heat management.  

One look at the weapons of the Skirmisher raises the issue 
of heat, a mechwarriors enemy.  To take advantage of the 
 higher heat levels that this mech produced, Triple 
Strength Mynomers were added to enhance damage and 
speed.  When heated the TSMs bring the Skirmisher to a 
speed of 96kph so it can up close and personal to the 
enemy.  To add to the mobility of the SKR-1A, 5 jump jets 
were added.
Battle History:
To date the Skirmisher has served in many IS on Clan 
engagements and was instrumental in an Inner Sphere 
victory.  Pilots often use their lasers armaments to heat the 
mech to TSM temperatures just to gain an additional  
11kph.  
VARIANTS:
To date the only variant made is the SKR-1B.  While 
mounting the same armament, it is equipped with a 
Guardian ECM Suite and a Beagle Active Probe in place 
of the Jump Jets to enable the Skirmisher to mask its 
signature and enable it to become a worthy scout mech.  
A medium pulse laser was added to the Center Torso 
location.