Designed from the start as a inexpensive light mech to 
compliment the Urbanmech, the BGL-4H Beagle is 
adequate to fill that role, but it is not impressive.  The odd 
shape of the mechs chasis makes in field repairs a hassle, 
and its slow speed keeps it from being useful in any other 
role.  While inexpensive, the Beagle has not proven as 
popular as the designers at Akula Corporate Engineering 
had hoped.

Capabilities:

The Beagle's capabilities are limited to short range city 
fighting where its lack of speed and manueverablility are 
not as pronounced.  Its total reliance on short range 
weaponry means that the Beagle must close to a very 
close range to be effective.  This means that the Beagle's 
main targets will out-weigh and out armor it.

The Beagle's main weapons are its 2 RAMTech 800P 
Medium Pulse Lasers.  As a back up to the Medium Pulse 
Lasers, the Beagle carries a Holly SRM6 and a Mydron 
Minigun Machine Gun.  This weapons package, used in 
the confined areas of an urban area, and used in 
conjunction with other mech, vehicular, and infantry 
support can be effective.  However outside the restrictive 
and narrow passages of city streets, the Beagle becomes 
little more than a target.

The one redeeming character of the Beagle is the mechs 
basic hardiness.  Utilizing a standard Omni Fusion engine, 
and having no less than 6.5 tons of A.C.E. Type 1 armor, 
the Beagle is able to take as good as it gives.  Also, 5 
Chilton 360 jump jets give the Beagle pilot the ability to 
quickly move out of an enemies line of fire by jumping out 
of the way, or over buildings to block direct fire.

Overall, the Beagle is a capable, but tempramental city 
defender.  While the basic design is able to take a good 
deal of punishment, the mech's difficulty to repair in field 
due to odd equipment arrangements may be its downfall  
The Beagle should definately be supported by other 
dedicated city fighting units such as the Urbanmech or the 
Hunchback.

Battle History:

Used mostly by Periphery Kingdoms, the Beagle has been 
involved in repelling several pirate raids.  In most cases, 
the Beagle performed only at its expected level or even 
less than expected.  The one exception to this battle 
history occured in the Taurian Concordat where a pair of 
Beagles were able to sneak in behind a pirate Atlas and 
take it down recieving only minor damage in return.

Variants:

Presently, there are no variants to the basic Beagle 
design.  However it is rumored that the designers at Akula 
Corporate Engineering are using the base chassis of the 
Beagle to design a faster, less heavily armed mech that 
would be useful for scouting.  It remains to be seen if there 
is any truth to this rumor.

Deployment:

The Beagle has seen no deployments with the Great 
Houses of the Inner Sphere, but it has proven to be 
somewhat popular among the Periphery Kingdoms.  This is 
most likely due to the Beagles low cost, as these factions 
likely can afford no better for defence of their cities.  To 
date, 40 Beagles have been deployed with the Taurian 
Concordat, and another 60 with the Outworlds Alliance.