Little is known about the origins of the Vanguard.  Its 
status as a star league era mech was lost when the 
designs were destroyed along with the development 
center it was designed in.  By the second sucession war 
nobody even knew what its origional loadout or purpose 
was. Those few lucky enough to even have the 
battlemech were not in the least concerned with what they 
couldnt equip it with anyway.

Capabilities:
The Vanguards current loadout was brought to regularity 
when a cache of mothballed vanguards was discovered in 
davion space.  The economics of the second succession 
war were so harsh at the time that energy weapons were 
not available save the smallest or most inefficient lasers.  
The final configuration stuck when it received good 
reviews from a front line lance leader.  He was so pleased 
by its flexability that other mechwarriors changed their 
designs to match.  with its Imperitor A class 5 autocannon 
in the torso and the holly LRM 15 missile rack in the left 
arm, the Vanguard has an acceptable long range punch, 
while the SRM-6 coupled with its combat grade fists 
delivers a decent close range blow as well. While some 
might consider it slow for its purpose, the Pratt and 
Whitney 440 jump jets add greatly to its maneuverability.

Deployment:
The Vanguard's lack of numbers hasnt hindered its roles in 
noteworthy combat, if anything its rarity has left it reserved 
for times when it is most useful.  It wasnt until the year 
3028 that any "new" Vanguard chassis were constructed 
however, many of the new models lack the 
sophisticated Pratt and Whitney 440 jump jets that made 
the star league era Vanguard so maneuverable.  Instead 
trading them out for a more commonly available set.