Luthien Armor Works was heavily damaged during the Clan invasion. A priority for survival of the Draconis Combine was the repair of the facilities. While the buildings were under reconstruction, 'Mech designs were developed using new technologies and the experienced gained from the horrific fighting that the Kurita forces had just endured. The Daimyo was the the first new 'Mech design to be produced at the rebuilt Luthien Armor Works, named because it was to lead the Combine into a new age of combat against the Clans.
         It did so, when they drove the Smoke Jaguars from their territory, and some Daimyos even travelled to the Clan Homeworlds when the Star League fought the trial to end the Clan invasion once and for all. That proud service earned the Daimyo a permanent space on the Combine's role of honor, and even during the darkest days of the Jihad, LAW never stopped producing the Daimyo. They did have to modify the design as Word bombardments destroyed one advanced factory after another, and for a time LAW had to assemble them by hand in nearby caves because of Word troops, but the Daimyo has never ceased production.

       The Daimyo's current weaponry is a good mix that encompasses all firing ranges. This wide band encourages different fighting styles among its pilots, though older MechWarriors who prefer more traditional tactics consider this a flaw.
       The Daimyo has twin Dragon's Fury light particle projection cannons in its left arm and two Argra 3L medium lasers in the right. Twin Shigunga three-tube multi-missile launchers are imbedded within the right torso with two tons of ammunition that allow it to maintain a solid fire pattern of missiles for a full minute without reloadings. A CASE surrounds the ammunition, allowing the Daimyo to survive even should the missiles cook off inside the BattleMech, though it would lose its short range laser armament.
       Luthien Armor Works has installed an extra heat sink, but MechWarriors who pilot the Daimyo must still be wary of heat buildup in the cockpit because firing all of the 'Mech's weapons at once could be very dangerous.
       The Daimyo's speed is equal to or better than many other traditional 40-ton BattleMechs in the Inner Sphere, but at the expense of the jump capability. The Star Blazers reactive armor allows the 'Mech to absorb tremendous amounts of firepower for its size.

       Deployed only to units loyal to Coordinator Ricol, the DMO-5R remains a Draconis Combine BattleMech and only a handful have ever been seen outside their control.