In late 3062, the designers at Akula Corporate Engineering 
were given the task of designing a new omni-mech that 
would operate in the armies of both House Kurita and 
House Davion.  The mech was to be capable of acting as 
a scout leader or line mech depending on the weapons 
configuration and electronics package.  The designers 
settled upon the FLR-7O Flanker, and after successful 
testing, the mech went into immediate full scale 
production.

Production of the Flanker takes place in two locations.  
The Flankers produced for the Federated Suns are 
produced at the Akula Corporate Engineering main factory 
on Outreach, whilst the Flankers in service of the Draconis 
Combine are produced under license by Luthien Armor 
Works on Luthien.

Capabilities:

The Flanker, being an omni-mech is capable of fullfilling 
any role a combat commander could have for it.  Its base 
package allows the chassis to easily conform to the needs 
of the moment.  The Flanker utilizes a Pitban 240 rated XL 
fusion reactor to propel itself to speeds in excess of 95 
kph.  Endo Steel internals were utilized to save weight, 
and its 7 tons of A.C.E. Type 3 Medium armor give it 
enough protection to complete its assignment.

The primary configuration of the Flanker can be utilized as 
a heavy scout leader with its hard wired Guardian ECM 
and Beagle Active Probe.  This configuration mounts an 
LRM10 with an Artemis IV fire control system that allows 
the primary configuration to act as a light fire support 
platform when needed.  The primary Flanker also carries 3 
Medium Pulse Lasers as well as an ER Medium Laser and 
an ER Small Laser which gives it ample short range 
firepower.

Alternate configuration A was designed as an anti-infantry 
mech.  Mounting 4 Machine Guns, 2 Flamers, 2 Medium 
Pulse Lasers, 2 Streak SRM2s, and 4 ER Small Lasers 
this configuration is deadly efficient at eliminating enemy 
infantry, battle armors, light vehicles, or even elementals.

Alternate configuration B is another general purpose 
design that works well against vehicles and light mechs.  
Mounting an LB 5-X Autocannon, a Streak SRM2, ER 
Medium Laser, and a Medium Pulse Laser, this variant is 
very efficient at dealing with enemy scouts.

Alternate configuration C is a dedicated fire support 
platform.  Carrying an LRM15 with Narc homing missles 
and an ER Large Laser this variant is very adept at the fire 
support role.  As a back-up to the long range weapons, 
this variant also caries an ER Medium Laser and an ER 
Small Laser.

Alternate configuration D is a solid brawler.  Carrying 2 
Large Lasers and a Streak SRM6 it is effective no matter 
the terrain.  This variant is used exclusively by House 
Kurita.

Alternate configuration E is a dedicated heavy scout.  
Carrying additional advanced electronics such as a C3 
Slave and Target Acquistion Gear,  as well as a Narc 
Beacon, the E variant is capable of calling in fire support, 
giving up to the minute battlefield information, and artillery 
spotting.  For its own defence, it carries an ER PPC, ER 
Medium Laser, and an ER Small Laser.

The final variant, Alternate configuration F is a dedicated 
hunter/killer.  trading its missle pods for additional double 
heat sinks and a pair of ER PPCs, this variant is often 
used to hunt larger prey.  Working in packs, Flanker F's 
are highly reliable and efficient in the hunter/killer role.

Deployment:

The Flanker is deployed to both the Draconis Combine 
and Federated Suns in moderate numbers.  Both Great 
Houses take full advantage of the Flankers Omni 
capabilities to fullfill the needs of the moment.  House 
Kurita currently deploys 36 Flankers while House Davion 
deploys 44.

Recently it has been reported that a handfull of Flankers 
were seen on manuevers with elements of the Wolf's 
Dragoons, though this has yet to be substantiated.