Lacking a top selling battlemech in the heavy class, the 
DSC Armory staff began discussions to create a solid 
hveay battlemech to give to boost sales figures.  Design 
work began on a 'mech labeled the DSC-X34 in late 3054 
and would incorporate new technology in order to place it 
in competition with popular designs such as the 
Warhammer and Marauder.  By 3056 the testing stage 
was completed and the first of the prototype CRN-N34 
Charon battlemechs walked out of the Kathil weapons 
research division.  Full production would begin later that 
year on Keystone.

Capabilities:
Aiming for a very soldily designed heavy line 'mech that 
could serve alongside the Marauders and Orions that were 
common in the Inner Sphere armies, designers wanted to 
focus not only on the weapons package, but also keeping 
to cost a bit more reasonable than many other battlemechs 
in the class.  The first step in curtailing the cost was 
deciding upon the Pitban 300 fusion plant over a VOX 
extra-light engine.  While the weight savings of the VOX 
engine could've gone directly towards more impressive 
armament, the added cost was projected to be detrimental 
towards sales.  Instead, the DSC engineers chose to use 
advanced construction materials to save the additional 
weight for intended weaponry.

While the Charon sports eleven and a half tons of armor, 
just as much as the old MAD-3R, the protection is more in 
line with the Thunderbolt or Grasshopper thanks to Kallon 
Unity Weave Ferro-Fibrous plate.  Not only is the Charon 
well armored, but it is well armed as well.  The primary 
armament is the reliable Imperator Code Red LBX 
autocannon in the left arm.  Providing both versatility and 
a reliable damage potential, the Code Red is suited for 
most combat situations and is adequately supplied with 
two full tons of ammunition.  Secondary to the autocannon 
are a pair of older Magna Hellstar particle cannons 
mounted on the shoulders.  While lacking the range of the 
newer Magna Firestar cannons, the Hellstars are reliable, 
cheap, and readily available.  The Hellstar also has a 
thoroughly documented history, as it served quite well on 
the older MAD-3R Marauder.  Using the paired PPCs and 
the autocannon, the Charon's primary damage potential 
lies at medium engagement ranges.  When the battle 
moves closer, the CRN can fall back on a single Diverse 
Optics medium laser in the right arm and a pair of hip 
mounted Hovertec Quad short range missile packs.  While 
a bit unorthodox, the hip mounting was chosen in light of 
the stability of the Crusader's Harpoon SRM-6 packs, 
which are also mounted on the hips.  Carrying only a ton of 
SRM missiles, the Hovertecs will find their ammo bin empty 
in short order, but they were intended more as backup 
armament than a primary source of damage.  It should be 
noted that all ammunition on the Charon is protected in the 
left torso by Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment.  
Should any shots penetrate the armor, both pilot and 
battlemech will be spared.

Deployment:
After a harsh reception by battlemech pilots, many have 
grown to love the Charon.  It has made a small step to 
replace damaged Warhammers, Marauders, and Orions in 
several units, but it doesn't appear that it will eclipse any of 
the classic heavy battlemechs anytime soon.  Still, sales 
have been higher than expected and have brought a 
great deal of profit to the DSC Armory allowing them to 
pursue other ventures.