IIC

IIC ("two-C", for "Type Two, Clan origin") is an Inner Sphere designation for Clan BattleMechs and Aerospace Fighters that are evolutions of certain classic types, built with Clan technology. More often than not, IIC designs are of a different tonnage and bear little resemblance to the earlier types of the same name.

"IIC" BattleMechs should not be confused with "C" BattleMechs which are classic BattleMechs upgraded with Clan technology, but are not redesigned from the ground up like IIC designs: Whereas the IIC designs are regular new 'Mech models designed and (initially) produced in the Clan homeworlds, the C models were built at captured Inner Sphere factories where the Clans were unable or unwilling to retool the factories to produce an entirely new 'Mech type, and merely upgraded it with advanced versions of the same technologies.

IIC 'Mechs and fighters do not make use of Omni technology and were thus already considered obsolete by the time of the Clan Invasion. They were absent from frontline formations, but were used in second-line and garrison units.

The Clans themselves do not use the "IIC" designation, referring to IIC units by their traditional name (without the IIC appendix) instead. The ancient original designs sharing the same name are typically not used by the Clans anymore.