Type/Model:	Mangonel Mag1a
Tech:	Clan / 3060
Config:	Hovercraft
Rules:	Level 2, Standard design
Mass:	50 tons
Power Plant:	265 XL Fusion
Cruise Speed:	108.0 km/h
Maximum Speed:	162.0 km/h
Armor Type:	Ferro-Fibrous

The Mangonel support tank was known to the Star League, in technical schematics and prototype only, before the exodus. Built to be incredibly fast and having the ability to support multiple hot spots the hover tank was deemed to expensive for Star League officials that saw little to be gained from such a light and fast support unit. The Star League's short sightedness was the Clans gain as both prototypes and technical schematics went with General Kerensky into exile.

Though the tank was not put into production by any clan until two decades before the invasion into the Inner Sphere the Mangonel quickly spread to most of the clans. During the invasion the Mangonel was seldom seen much less used in battle by the clans. With the battle of Tuakayyid the terrible losses many clans began using artillery assets to help hold back the Com Guard onslaught. In the end the clans where turned back and defeated leaving many examples of their technology for Comstar technicians and scientists to pick through. Though many shattered Mangonels where recovered none was intact enough for a complete evaluation, until three came to the Inner sphere with Phelan Kell and the now Wolves-in-Exile.

The Magonel was designed for swift artillery support. Powered by a extra-light engine to save space and weight the Magonel can move at a respectable 162 km/h at flank speed. The speed of the Magonel allows the tank to even provide fire support to scout units being able to keep pace with them. The tanks main, and only, armament is the light Thumper cannon. The lightest of all artillery pieces the Thumper must be used in volume to achieve significant damage. However, despite being the lightest artillery cannon available the clans did experience multiple problems and chassis failures due to the cannons recoil on a hover tanks chassis.

One holovide of the closing days of the Battle of Tuakayyid shows a Magonel literally blowing the Thumper cannon out the tanks rear causing a catastrophic explosion. When shown the footage the clan technicians noted that the recoil absorbers and, or the arm shock absorbers failed. The technicians further noted the cannon exploding out of the back of the hover tank is a typical example of what happens to a Mangonel whose crew does not pay attention to maintenance. Upon closer inspection of the holo-vid the clan technicians pointed out that the Mangonel shown was the Mag1 model.

The Mag1a is a field upgrade and a change in manufacturing. Supporting structure reinforcement and advanced ferro-fibrous armor, the Mag1a can fire the Thumper should the recoil absorption system fail with a much smaller chance of blowing the cannon out of the rear of the Mangonel. However, the technicians stressed that firing the Thumper without the recoil system would only be done in extreme emergencies. A further improvement was the Mag1a mounting an ECM suite in order to hide from enemy electronics. With only eight tons of ferro-fibrous armor the Mangonel must use its speed to run for cover should an enemy unit see them.

The Clan focus on one -on-one combat doctrine artillery is seldom used. In fact it was only recently that any artillery assets have been seen under clan control. Thanks to the clans ethos of battle no great battles have been won or lost by the Mangonel to place here.

According to Clan Wolf in Exile technicians that were kind enough to be interviewed three versions of the Mangonel exist. The Mag1 does not mount ferro-fibrous armor or the ECM Suite. The Mag1 does carry an additional ton of ammunition and some additional armor. The Mag1 also does not have the structural reinforcement needed to fire the Thumper cannon without properly functioning recoil absorption system.

The newest version of the Mangonel is currently in very limited production by Clan Hell's Horses. The Mag2 swaps out the dangerous Thumper for a harder hitting Arrow Five missile system supported by five tons of ammunition. The Mag2 also carries an additional ton of armor. The recoil absorption system is removed and the down time for maintenance of the Mag2 shows marked improvement due to the change in weapons. The Mag2 changes will make it the soon to be dominate version of the Mangonel in service with the clans.

Not one tank or crew fits the Notable section however, we must include one unit. A ad-hoc support unit of Clan Jade Falcon whose gallant stand and subsequent destruction held the Com Guards up enough to prevent the complete over running of the drop zones in the final battle of Tukkariaddddddddd. The unit upon hearing the breakthrough of the Comguards a unknown Star Captain assembled a unit composed of everything he could grab. Without orders two stars worth of Mangonels set out to blunt the breakthrough. The adhok unit screamed up to the front with supporting elementals holding onto the Mangonels for dear life supported by a couple of light hovercraft. The Magonels caught up with the spearhead of the breakthrough at hill 523b and deployed. Immediately the tanks opened fire as the elementals dug in to provide close in support.

The initial volleys of artillery caught the Comguards spearhead full on wreaking havoc among the already damaged units causing a slight withdrawal and regroup. The second charge brought light hover craft into range of the still firing Manognels but by they were driven off by the supporting hover craft and elementals. Finally the Comguard field commander ordered the area saturated with counter artillery and air strikes as the third charge overwhelmed the ad-hoc unit. Not a Mangonel or crew survived the slaughter of the third charge. The one piece of holo-vid footage engrained into the Comstar mind was a defiant Mangonel crew continuing to fire their Thumper at the slow assault mechs as four mechs were kicking and beating the tank into scrap.  

A year after the battle Precenter Martial Focht gave the order for a small monument to be placed on Hill 523b. Inside the remains of the crews reside with the simple words "In honor of a gallant enemy" carved into the simple cement used to create the monument.

All clans have one model or another with the majority being Mag1a's. The majority of the Mangonels reside in Clan Hell's Horses space where their philosophy of mobile warfare allows the Mangonel to fit in. It is also reported that Clan Hell's Horses produce in limited numbers the Mangonel to this day.