In the field, commanders wanted more intelligence due to the fact that the Inner Sphere was now all along their boarder.   Needing a mech that had the mobility and armor to survive the extended missions beyond supply lines and behind enemy lines.   In need a of fast, light and well protected machine, engineers set out to build the latest in reconnaissance battlemechs.  

They chose to use the Nova blueprint as a starting point for the new design.   They decided on 35 tons and proceeded used ferro-fibrous armor and endo steel technology to save on the weight and provide maximum protection.   With only 6 tons of pod space left after the installation of the jump jets, they decided to make the most of the weapons that would be configured by hard wiring a 1-ton targeting computer into the head, leaving only 5 tons of space left, allowing all configurations to use the same computer, reducing the time needed to make the proper adjustments.    

When the field-testing was being performed, the mech went up against several other designs both separately and in mass to push the machines limits. Its performance was impressive. There are 4 variants to it, which perform different tasks of artillery spotting (TAG equipped) to med range support. When deployed in mass IE Binary or Trinary, they can inflict massive damage at short range while providing cover fire (TAG units).

The name came from a Star Captain who was watching the test runs on Ashlain and made the off hand comment that the star of mechs moved like a whirlwind of destruction, the name stayed with the machine and was later christened the Whirlwind. So far, there has only been one Binary Supernova known deployed in the Ghost Bear TO&E.   Apparently this unit is conducting the operational testing before it goes into mass production.

The Whirlwind mech resembles its larger brother, the Black Hawk, so much units that it faces regularly mistake it for the larger OmniMech, until it closes with increased speed. It weights 15 Tons less than its larger counterpart. Its max speed reaches just over 120 kph and can jump 240 meters, allowing it to close quickly, strike then proceed to its main objective.

Classified

The Prime Configuration mounts 10 ER Small Lasers, five in each arm aided by an enhanced targeting computer.   Although it has a very limited range, its high maximum speed and jump jets allow it to close rapidly and engage.

The "A" Configuration mounts two Medium Pulse Lasers, one in each arm.   A Lite Active Probe and an ECM Suite round out the equipment.   This is mainly used in recon missions where stealth is preferred.

The "B" Configuration serves as the artillery spotter of the star.   It moves in, tags the unit for artillery fire and then jumps away to its next target.

The "C" Configuration is a mixture of pulse and extended range lasers for missions that require no specialization.

So far this information has been passed out of the Clan Ghost Bear occupation zone through agents of our blessed order.   Reports point out that there are only a binary deployed into active service in a new galaxy.     If the intelligence concerning this new light mech are true, then the Ghost Bear will find its prey and deliver the killing blow faster and with more accuracy than ever before.