In the early Succession Wars aerospace fighters were the second most feared unit, next to Warships. It was not because of their nimbleness or because of their heavy armament. The answer was much more simple...aerospace fighters could carry deadly nuclear bombs. As city after city in the Inner Sphere fell to the nuclear, biological and chemical attacks, the Successor states became desperate for a cheap new Anti-Aircraft 'Mech.
           In 2823 Ford Military introduced a new anti-aircraft 'Mech, using simple technology to lower the price. (This is the subject of speculation. Many believe that because of the devastation of the First Succession War, Ford was unable to procure more advanced components.) The Bobcat is slow, but heavily armored and well equipped for anti-air missions with its deadly autocannon.

               Designed as an anti-air 'Mech with strong support abilities, the Bobcat is armed with a huge Armstrong Buster class autocannon that takes up nearly all of the right arm. The Armstrong Buster is larger and heavier than other autocannons but has a reputation for reliable service. The autocannon was prone to overheating in the original Bobcats and prolonged firing overheated the ammo, causing an explosion. So the Ford engineers upgraded the heat jacket and placed a heatsink next to the ammunition to help alleviate the problem. Now the Bobcat can fire continuously for over three minutes, sweeping fighters from the sky.
                 The two Sunglow Type 1 lasers were added for close in support and to make the Bobcat more effective against BattleMechs and vehicles. They are mounted in the center torso for maximum armor protection.
                   Mechwarriors enjoy being assigned a Bobcat, its heavy armor, armament and low heat profile enable it to make itself felt, even against larger opponents. The Bobcat also carries ample ammunition, making it ideal for rear-guard duties.

                 The Bobcat served well in the Second and Third Succession Wars, but by the Fourth Succesion War almost all of the Bobcats had been destroyed, having become the favorite target of Aerojocks.

         The BB-6X used by the New Belt Pirates upgrades to a Nissan 200 XL engine and uses Endo-Steel reinforcement. It replaces all the weaponry with a M-9 Gauss rifle in the right arm with one ton of ammo in the left torso and two tons in the right. 2 Magna Mk. IV extended range small lasers reside in the center torso and one more in the right arm by the gauss. The targeting and tracking system has been upgraded to AntiAir Flak Systems-1, as well. This version of the of the Bobcat retains its anti-air role, but also can provide strong support from a distance..

           Rumors persist of Bobcats operating in the Periphery. Recent battle-rom footage has proven these rumors true. The New Belt Pirates having been seen using the old Bobcat as well as a refitted version to deal with Clan Omnifighters.