The Saracen is the first in a line of medium hover tanks produced by Scarborough, Ltd. Built in the latter part of the Third Succession War, the Saracen does not have the fusion reactor power plant prevelant in older vehicles. Scarborough, Ltd. hoped that the simplicity of an internal combustion engine and the availability of parts and supplies would interest prospective buyers. This marketing tactic apparently worked. Within three years, Scarborough had released two other similar hover tanks: the Scimitar and the Saladin.
         The Saracen is found throughout the Inner Sphere, though the Free Worlds League uses most of the vehicles currently in service. Marik issues the Saracen to units that have support or screening missions, such as cavalry and recon lances. Its speed, armor, and armament allow it to perform equally well in both functions.

         The Saracen has a variety of weapons systems. The Coventry StarLight LRM is one of the most effective long-range combat systems available, second only to the more popular StarLight LRM 15. Although an autocannon was originally intended for the Saracen, the designers   decided that the Coventry missle system would make the tank more versatile in combat. The LRM system gives the Saracen the ability to indirectly engage targets without exposing itself to return fire.
         The three Guided Technologies SRM 2 racks were installed for three reasons. The first reason was the cost- the SRM 2 racks were among the cheapest available. Additionally, Guided Technologies weapons systems are known for reliability and availability of spare parts. Finally, a triple SRM 2 system increased the survivability of the Saracen's short-range weapon systems. A single hit could knock out an SRM 6, but it would require multiple hits to totally eliminate all of the SRM 2s.
         The Saracen's speed allows it to move quickly from one firing position to another. In a delaying action, this ability allows the tank to easily break off an engagement, fall back to a new position, and then engage the advancing enemy afresh, with both direct and indirect fire.

         Though fairly new, the Saracen has already proved itself in combat and become a favorite with the troops. While fighting on Holt, a lance of Saracens was cut off from its support units, and ended up facing and enemy 'Mech unit. The 'Mechs were too close for the Saracens to use their long-range firepower, and so the lance switched to the smaller, but more effective, short-range missiles. Before the enemy troops knew what hit them, the Saracen missile barrage had disabled two light 'Mechs and damaged a medium 'Mech. Taking advantage of their amazing speed, the Saracens disengaged from combat while friendly 'Mechs renewed their attack on the enemy 'Mechs.
         As the Saracen lance reached its headquarters, it discovered enemy 'Mechs attacking the base. This time, however, they could use their long-range missiles. The artillery support knocked out several surprised 'Mechs and caused enough chaos to allow the base defenders to drive off the invaders.
         In the action on Pella II, a Marik raiding force was withdrawing back to its DropShip under heavy pressure from recently arrived Liao 'Mechs. The Marik commander deployed his two   Saracen lances as a covering force, while the remnants of his command made its way back to the DropShip, 100 kilometers away.
         The Saracens employed classic delaying tactics. From behind cover, the Saracens would fire a barrage of long-range missiles at the pursuing Liao 'Mechs. When the Liao forces deployed to assault the Saracens, the tanks would speed away to their next position, to repeat the tactic once again. For over the next 36 hours, the Saracens gave up space for time. Eventually reduced to three operating vehicles, the Saracens sped up the loading ramp of the waiting Overlord and lifted off, leaving a very frustrated Liao commander behind.

         There are no registered variants of the Saracen. However, Scarborough, Ltd. produced two more medium hover tanks built from the same chassis: the Scimitar and the Saladin.
         Many crews dislike Saracen duty, believing that the tank is too light to be effective in a fight. As there is an extra quarter-ton of weight available,   many tank crews attempt to make the   Saracen look stronger by adding extra tubes to the LRM and SRM racks.

Aaron Jones, Tenoko Smith, and Anthony Caruthers
         These three were crewmen with the Saracen named "the Loch Ness Monster" as part of the delaying force during the action on Pella. They are credited with one Singer kill. After they made it back to the DropShip, their vehicle had exactly   two SRM missiles left.