The JVN-10N Javelin is one of the newer recon vehicles used by the armies of the Successor States.   First produced in 2751, the light 'Mech still had not been entirely integrated into many 'Mech regiments by the beginning of the First Succession War in 2786.   Because of this, many combatants were caught off guard when it appeared on the battlefield.   House Davion took a particular interest in the Javelin's development, introducing them into many recon lances.   Today, after centuries of Succession Wars, the Javelin has come to be known as a reliable scout 'Mech.
       The Javelin's main function is reconnaissance, though it is also used extensively in ambushes.   In that regard, the term "sneaky as a Javelin" has become widespread among Mechwarriors throughout the Inner Sphere.

       The Javelin is fast and maneuverable, its Rawlings 95 jump jets providing it with enough thrust to leap as high as 180 meters at one time.   With these movement capabilities, the Javelin can avoid having to engage heavier 'Mechs.
       The Javelin has several disadvantages common to the design of a recon 'Mech.   For example, as its armament is designed only for short and medium ranges, a Javelin pilot cannot reply to long-ranged fire, and so must try to avoid being caught by it.   The 'Mech's two racks of Arrowlite SRMs are devastating at short range, however.   Having come unexpectedly under concentrated missile fire from a lance of Javelins, many light and medium enemy 'Mechs have paid a heavy price for poor scouting.
       With its ample missile ammunition supply, the Javelin does not run out of ammo as quickly as other 'Mechs, making it useful in rear-guard or holding actions.   Once its missiles are spent, however, commanders usually try to pull a Javelin out of action because its light armor makes it a poor hand-to-hand fighter.
       The Javelin design has one other, less-known problem.   With its torso-mounted missile racks and ammunition supply, the 'Mech's center of gravity is too far forward when it is at full-load displacement.   This tends to make the machine somewhat top-heavy and prone to falls while moving at high speeds in difficult terrain.   (Treat this a +1 die roll modifier for falling whenever a Javelin is running through woods, rough terrain, or rubble).

       During the bloody Battle of Kentares IV in March of 2796, Bunk's Recon Lance of Rejold's Battalion, Davion's Second Crucis Lancers, awaited the arrival of Kurita forces, with orders to send immediate warning of their approach.   As the enemy advanced, the three Javelins and one Wasp of Bunk's Lance signaled to the Davion headquarters, then waited in covered positions.
       After the enemy had passed by, Bunk's Lance rose up and bombarded the rear units of the Kurita 'Mechs, destroying one Phoenix Hawk and heavily damaging two others.   Bunk's Lance then jumped out of position, pursued by more than a company of the enemy.   Using leapfrogging tactics, the Javelin's kept up an harassing missile fire until they were in support range of heavier friendly units.
       Javelins also played a major role in the famous battle of Waterhole Number Nine during the Second Battle of Cylene II in December, 3002.   In that battle, the recon lances of House Davion's Fourth Deneb Light Cavalry were hidden in a moderately sized recreational lake known as Waterhole Number Nine.   Composed mostly of Javelins, these recon lances were put in standby mode while they waited under 30 meters of water for the rest of the Davion forces to pull back from the advancing Kurita army.   With their heat signatures hidden by the deep water, the Davion recon lances went undetected until the heavy 'Mechs of Kurita's assault regiments entered the lake to begin attacking the Davion defense line, some 400 meters away.   Suddenly, Kurita 'Mechs started collapsing into the water amid huge explosions as the Javelins' missiles hit them at point-blank range.   At the same moment, the Davion land forces counter attacked, routing the enemy, who took many losses.   Shortly after this encounter, Kurita forces evacuated Cylene II.

       One Javelin has gained some acceptance in the Successor States. Known as the Fire Javelin, it mounts two Diverse Optics Type 20 medium lasers in place of the SRM racks.   The extra tonnage saved by dropping the heavy missile launchers enables the Fire Javelin to mount the armor of a medium 'Mech on its light-Mech chassis (usually upgraded to Duralyte 446 for this variant).   This 'Mech's only disadvantage is the heat buildup that occurs if the pilot attempts to use the Javelin's jump jets at the same time he is firing the medium lasers.

Lieutenant "Wildman" Bill Wilkes
       Commander of Wilkes' Recon Lance of Macintyre's Battalion, Fourth Deneb Light Cavalry, "Wildman" Bill (as he insists on being called) has cheated death hundreds of times during the famous ambushes he leads in his Javelin named the Hi, There! Although grudgingly admired because of his successful battle tactics, most MechWarriors also dislike Wilkes for being a swaggering egotist.   Davion MechWarriors nevertheless compete to join his recon lance, because they know that if there is any action around, "Wildman" Bill will find it.

MechWarrior Sir Androch Meister of New Sharon
       Meister is an unusual MechWarrior to be sitting in the control chair of a Javelin.   Born into the House Steiner hierarchy, he forced himself into the Second Battalion of Winfield's Brigade, choosing recon work as his specialty.   Since his acceptance, he has proven himself an excellent 'Mech pilot and scout, with three kills already to his credit.   There is talk that he will soon be promoted to the head of his own recon lance in Winfield's Brigade.