Ever since the development of the first rocket centuries ago, military units have used mobile missile systems to provide cheap and effective fire support.
         The Long-Range Missile Carrier and the Short-Range Missile Carrier are two typical examples of missile support units. Manufactured by almost every major military supplier, these vehicles are found in every army of the Inner Sphere. The main attraction is their ease of manufacture, quick troop-training times, and relative cheapness. The drawbacks, however, are that most carriers are slow and very thin-skinned. Once engaged in direct combat, the carrier's life expectancy is measured in seconds.

         The chassis for missile carriers vary in basic design, but they are all essentially military transport lorries adapted to carry the huge missile launchers and loading equipment. Those adaptations generally consist of reinforcing the suspension systems and armoring the crew and critical components areas. The armor is not to protect the vehicle from enemy fire, but rather to protect the crew and critical components from the missile's back blast.
         A barrage fired from a missile carrier is a fearsome sight. One vehicle can launch 60 missiles every ten seconds, and most carry enough ammunition to keep up that rate of fire up for over a minute.
         The number and size of the missiles that a lorry can mount depend on its own size. The actual missiles used vary according to which House owns the vehicle. For example, Davion troops may use DeltaDart LRMs and HoverTech SRMs, while Kurita forces may use Shigunga LRMs and NCK SRMs.
         Missile carriers are fire support units, and so do not usually have turrets. As support units, they almost never see front-line combat. However, many transport lorries mount missiles on a rotating platform that can be turned from outside the vehicle.
         The missile carrier's rate of fire is both an asset and a liability. On one hand, a well-timed barrage can determine the outcome of a battle quickly. Conversely, the unit expends ammunition at a prodigious rate, which requires a functioning supply system to keep one in battle for any extended period.

         House Liao is a heavy user both of long- and short-range missile support units. During a Davion raid, on the Liao planet of St. Ives, Davion troops were traveling through a narrow pass in order to reach their objective. According to their intelligence, no Liao 'Mechs were around, but there would be some defending troops. What the Davion invaders did not know was that there were ten short-range missile carriers and four platoons of infantry guarding the pass. The infantry retreated up the pass to draw the Davion troops in, and then the short-range missile carriers immediately opened fire. Of the original 100 Davion tanks that entered the pass, 50 were disabled or destroyed in the first salvo of missiles. The second and third salvoes took out the other half.
         In another instance, a large unit of House Liao LRM 5 carriers, five ammo trucks, and several light 'Mechs were attacking the Marik world of Harsefeld. Their mission was to capture an important storehouse being guarded by infantry and tanks. When the Liao forces arrived, the Marik troops were expecting them, and opened fire from emplacements set up long before the battle.
         Seeing that their 'Mechs would not be able to get close to the small town and storehouse, the Liao commander ordered the LRM units to set up behind a tall ridge line, where they could use indirect fire to weaken the town Within a minute and a half, they had fired 2400 missiles at their targets. Ten minutes later, the carriers were reloaded and then rained another 2400 missiles on the town. After the smoke cleared, the Marik commander surrendered without ever firing a shot.

         The only variation on a weapon system as simple as a missile carrier is the name of the manufacturer that happened to produce it. Though other types of support units do exist, including AC/2 and laser carriers, they are far from being as effective as missile carriers.

John Hunt
         John Hunt is the Liao commander of a mixed battalion of long- and short-range missile units. Although not a particularly hot-headed person, he has been known to bring his full complement of units to bear on an enemy units at the slightest provocation.

"Good Times" Orlonzo
         Commander Orlonzo leads a small unit of missile carriers in the service of Kenski's Raiders. He is called "Good Times" because he is constantly promising his men better times once the current contract is fulfilled.