The MJG-4K Mechjager is an atypical 'Mech in many ways. Built to compete with the likes of the Griffin, Shadow Hawk, and Wolverine, the Mechjager fills its design purpose well.

Though most BattleMechs have at least a vaguely humanoid configuration, the Mechjager's shape is very nearly human, right down to the autocannon styled after a sub-machinegun it carries in its right hand. The only serious departure from human form is the large laser that replaces the left hand, literally. The laser juts out of the wrist, as though the hand were amputated and replaced with a laser barrel. This human shape makes the Jager, in its own way, almost as intimidating as the Atlas. To capitalize on this, the Jager comes with a series of preprogramed human gestures: nods, shakes of the head, hand gestures, and such, that can be executed on verbal command of the pilot.

The name is atypical as well. It is German, translating as "Mech Hunter", but the Mechjager is a Combine BattleMech. The name would be understandable coming from a Lyran or even Rasalhague BattleMech, but it does not. The gensis of the name is a mystery.   When it first fought, during the War of 3039, many Federated Commonwealth units were quite shocked by the appearance of the new BattleMech, and many MechWarriors, Combine and FedCom, noted that it was often easier to believe that the Jager was an armored giant than a BattleMech.

The Jager is tough, mounting the maximum possible amount of SearcyWorks Plate Medium armor, and it runs at 86.4 kilometers per hour, comparing well to the classic medium 'Mech trio. It does not jump, which is unlike the three 'Mechs it was designed to match up against. This was judged acceptable so the Mechjager could mount more weapons. It is well-armed for its weight, proving that decision correct.

The Mechjager's weapons provide it with good range and decent damage. The Imperator-A autocannon was already being produced under subcontract by SearcyWorks, so production was merely increased and the surplus mounted on the Mechjagers as they were assembled. There have been some problems with the feed system on the autocannon, but nothing that threatens the 'Mech. Reportedly, when ammunition gets as low as four rounds remaining, occasionally the autoloader will fail to load a new round after the AC is fired. A manual reload switch was added underneath the left armrest of the command chair, which forces the autoloader to load a new round. This can cause trouble if there is already a round loaded, but the switch's posistioning makes accidental activation highly unlikely.   The two lasers are both of SearcyWorks design and manufacture. The large laser provides ranged damage to back up the AC-5, while the small laser provides anti-infantry defense and a little extra firepower at short range.   Both lasers are widely considered to be of excellent quality, and are also incredibly cheap for the excellent craftmanship, spectral purity, and shock resistance they display.

Com Guard techs who have examined the lasers have pronounced both to be clearly of Star League manufacture and quality. SearcyWork's automated Star League facility is clearly fully functional. Whatever doubts remained after the Wildcat was deployed are now gone. It is recommended to the Primus that pressure be applied to shut down the facility before all its secrets are discovered.

The Mechjager served alongside such 'Mechs as the Kintaro and the Crab during the War of 3039, earning high marks for speed, armor, and weaponry. It regularly engaged the 'Mechs it was designed to oppose, and gave as good as it got, if not better.

One incident that particularly stands out came about during the assault on Dromini IV, when a mixed lance of two Mechjagers and two Phoniex Hawks ran into a lance of Shadow Hawks. The Phoenix Hawks engaged the Shadow Hawks, slowing them so that the Mechjagers could close enough to employ both large lasers and autocannons. The massed extra firepower of the large lasers proved to be the deciding factor. While the two Combine Phoenix Hawks were in poor shape after the smoke cleared, the lance of AFFC Shadow Hawks was completely destroyed.

The Mechjager is deployed primarily by the Dieron, Alshain, and Benjamin Regulars, with the Legions of Vega a close second. Several of the Sword of Light regiments have placed orders, but SearcyWorks has refused to fill them based on bad blood between the Sword of Light regiments and their security unit, the Pesht Armored Cavalry, that dates to the 4th Succession War.   The Pesht Armored Cavalry's own medium elements are predominately composed of Phoniex Hawks, Mechjagers, and Griffins.