Mercinary Cruisers such as the Kin-Ho class are most often employed by local planetary governments, as well as paramilitary organizations, but are sometimes found within the Star Service as well.  The craft is well suited for light military functions and mercenary activities in regions where full military force cannot or should not be applied.  With a compliment of up to 30 troops and their gear (including vehicles), and an integrated Modular Cutter to ferry them, the Kin-Ho Class vessel is a highly capable system for enforcing policy in outlying areas.  Eight radial  hardpoints are usually configured as two batteries of 4 lasers and 4 missile banks respectively, providing a formidable attack capability while in space as well.  The Kin Ho class vessel is streamlined and can skim from gas giants, but lacks the structural integrity to land.  Crew and cargo transfer is accomplished using the cutter and up to 6 other small craft carried in onboard bays, totalling up to 100 tons displacement.  Cargo space for an additional 80 tons of equipment, weapons, and other gear is available.

The Kin-Ho class ship is used by the Republic Recon Office and Diplomatic Mission as diplomatic support and escort ships for operations outside the boundaries of the Republic's borders.  It is also employed by the Republic Security Force (RSF) for suppression and interdiction missions in areas of civil or interstellar conflict.  Other branches of the Star Service use the Merc Cruiser in limited number.  Lastly, a number of quasi-legal, illegal paramilitary organizations (guerillas, pirates, mercinary guilds, pirates, and the like) own and operate Merc Cruisers, usually as the flag ship of their fleets.

Variants of the Merc Cruiser usually involve refit of weapontry or the addition of sandcasters or screen defenses.  Drop tanks to increase range (2 x jump-3) are also common, as is conversion of crew space to cargo and vice versa.