Yeah you were mostly correct the RPG was made to supplement the tabletop mini game. BattleTech AKA MechWarrior was all about the minis fighting which was showcased by Hairbrained schemes via the new BattleTech Video game which is on Steam and is amazing especially if you are a fan of the tabletop

the weakness of the game was as you said something later editions fixed which was a lack of direction for the GM in what to do, Funny enough the BattleTech video game the recent one would expand upon this via letting you run your own merc company which was essentially what BT/MW is all about.

all said though I highly recommend both the RPG and the BattleTech game on Steam not to be confused with MechWarrior the videogame which is more of a Mech Pilot Sim.

Nice to know later editions fixed it, because it has a wonderful setting, just a very high level one, with no clues as to what everyday life is like.