Built for the SLDF, the Cestus was designed as a medium fire support 'Mech. It went into production just before the start of the Amaris Civil War and continued to be produced until GM's Cestus production facilities on Kathil were destroyed at the start of the Second Succession War.
       The original design for the Cestus called for two PPCs and medium pulse lasers, but problems with overheating prompted the design team to use a gauss rifle as the centerpiece of the Cestus's weapons array. This version dropped the particle cannons and replaced the pulse lasers with standard medium lasers. Unfortunately, this version's main cannon soon proved itself a liability as the Succession Wars dragged on, and most Cestus that survived to the end of that conflict had removed them in favor of heavy autocannons.
         The rise of high technology and the Clan Invasion allowed Kathil to restart production, and Blue Shot Weapons of Solaris VII obtained a license to build them as well. At first they built the standard version with a gauss rifle, but once again that version fell victim to the predations of the Word of Blake Jihad. Forced to fight on the run, the Solaris Irregulars and their allies refitted all of their Cestus to the secondary varient. Even after the Jihad ended, Blue Shot Weapons never returned to heavy production of that model, preferring to maintain production of the design that worked.

       The excellent GM 260 XL engine gives the Cestus a top speed of 65 kph, as fast as most Star League era heavy 'Mechs, though many modern heavy 'Mechs can outrun it. Sixteen double heat sinks help dissipate the amount of heat generated by the 'Mech's weapons, and its heavy armor gives it impressive longevity on the battlefield.
       This 'Mech's weapons are hard hitting and deadly. A pair of powerful Parti-Kill Heavy Cannons, one in each arm, gives the Cestus splendid range and striking power. Backing up the particle cannons are a medium and large RAMTech laser in each arm. Although it has heavy weapons in the arms like the heavier Marauder, the Cestus retains its hand actuators for use in close combat, making it a favorite of crowds in the Solaris Circuit. Mercenaries also prize the ability to perform battlefield salvage with those hands.

         The CTS-6Z is one of the primary designs used by the Solaris Irregulars. It also sees much action on the Solaris Circuit, where its flashy particle cannons can often be use as a prelude to an amazing finishing move with it hands. Easy to keep resupplied on the field of battle, it has also become a favorite of mercenaries throughout the Allied Mercenary Command.