Clan Snow Raven had long been a clan renowned for their aerospace superiority, but equally detracted for their weakness on the ground.
Eager to eliminate this weakness, in 3067 the Snow Ravens embarked on a program to improve their ground forces.
Part of their efforts, other than procuring more omnimechs and elementals, consist of new omnimechs specifically for their needs, using their newly established asteroid mines in Lum constructed with technology gleaned from the mines the Ghost Bears had bequeathed to them.
The Burning Crane was based much on the Kingfisher, a cheap and durable omnimech that utilized only standard engines.

A standard Mark V engine provides enough power for the Burning Crane to reach almost a hundred kph. While restricting the amount of pod space of the base chassis, it also manages to keep the cost of the mech down to affordable levels for the Ravens. This is important because the rank and file Ravens were loathe to spend any more resources on ground units when they are far more disposed to getting more dropships and warships.
The primary configuration is a balanced unit, with a variety of weapons for long and short ranged combat.
The next most common configuration is geared for fire support. However, only one small laser is mounted for point blank defense.
The beta variant is somewhat of an odd duck, cramed with heavy lasers and ATMs. While it has incredible damage potential, one suspects the pilot will have plenty of problems after firing off his entire arsenal.
The last variant is an infighter with jumpjets, an advanced targeting computer, and pulse lasers.

Burning Cranes are deployed to many Snow Raven frontline units, where they have been well received by mechwarriors. While not as heavily armed as a Stormcrow or a Nova, the Burning Crane's use of a standard engine reduces waste, and makes repairs easier.
Clans Ghost Bear, Blood Spirit, and Jade Falcon have also obtained some Burning Cranes from the Ravens, in order to evaluate its effectiveness. Reportedly, the Blood Spirits were highly impressed with the unit.
The Ice Hellions also managed to intercept a shipment of Burning Cranes from Lum, and so it serves in their forces as a well armored combat mech.