In the first years of the Kerensky Protectorate, the lackluster performance of the aging SHD-1R Shadow Hawk against newer designs made apparent the need to replace it. In a major contest, the Luthien Armor Works submitted its Dragon design and promptly lost the contract to the upgraded Shadow Hawk, the 2H.
         Amazed and angered, the owners of Luthien Armor Works went ahead with production of the Dragon and it soon became one of the primary heavy BattleMechs of the Draconis Combine. In time the Grand Dragon, a variant using a particle cannon in place of the old autocannon, became popular as well. It in fact began to outshine its older cousin, especially when recovered technology began to be applied to it. The Grand Dragon became a proud symbol of Combine power, but when the Jihad came they began to fall. Many died in battle, but more failed due to the lack of complicated spare parts that the recovered technologies required. Coordinator Ricol ordered that a new Grand Dragon be built, one using easily-maintained technologies, that would see the 'Mech through the fires of that war.

         With its high speed and deadly Dragon's Wrath Heavy PPC, the DRG-8R is intended as a close assault vehicle. Two Argra 3L medium lasers and four Shigunga rocket launchers augment the cannon in close combat, but are rarely used as MechWarriors usually keep the range open. In stagnant battles with little or no movement, Kurita commanders often hold the Grand Dragon in reserve until they discover a weakness in the enemy line. They then further soften this weakness with bombardment, troops, or tanks until a crack in the enemy line appears. At this point, the Grand Dragons are turned loose to rush through the gap and exploit the advantage.
         The Grand Dragon's design serves this purpose well. The 'Mech's overall squat shape makes it both a small target for weapons and a difficult opponent to knock to the ground in a brawl. The 'Mech's Star Blazers Reactive Armor also gives the Grand Dragon the ability to take punishment when surrounded by the enemy, a common occurrence. Even the particle cannon is placed within a thick protective sleeve that absorbs some of the shock when the BattleMech closes to physical range and engages in a punching match.
         The efficiency of the design has one drawback, however. Some Grand Dragon pilots become so overconfident of their 'Mech that they often risk themselves and their machines unnecessarily by confronting heavier opponents such as a Zeus or a Warhammer. Some extra discipline usually cures surviving warriors of this bad habit.
         The Grand Dragon also proves itself useful defensively. With its heavy particle cannon it can lay down a good pattern of fire and hold a prepared position against approaching 'Mechs, but few MechWarriors or commanders wish to use such a swift BattleMech for such a mission.

         The original version of the DRG-8R, now generally called the 8RL, used four medium lasers for close combat. It was an effective design, but the Shigunga corporation quickly began to lobby the Coordinator to replace two of them with an array of unguided missiles. They claimed that a Grand Dragon without missiles wasn't a Grand Dragon, and Coordinator Ricol agreed. He ordered LAW to include Shigunga's product on the design and the modern 8R was born. Interestingly, LAW did not remove the power runs and extra targeting gear for the lasers that were removed from the chest, making it very easy to add them back in should a MechWarrior prefer.

         The Grand Dragon saw extensive use during the Jihad and the Second Combine-Dominion War, and were once deployed throughout the entire Combine. The DRG-8R was deployed only to those units loyal to Coordinator Ricol though, and very few have been captured by other forces. As such, the modern Draconis Combine is the only major user of this design.