Yeah, for me Scorpions are the defensive AC/5 tank, Condors are the offensive AC/5 tank, and the Vedette is the middle ground that takes all the other jobs. As mentioned, it's pretty decent at accompanying mechs to provide them with a bit of extra firepower and some target-choice armor*. In bigger campaigns, I could see Vedettes also being used as middle-shell patrol units. You keep them moving around the most likely approaches hostile units will use to get to something useful, and they've got the firepower to put some notable holes in a group of scouts or raiders, while the combination of good range and speed means they can stretch an engagement with fast units trying to break past them by a vital turn or two longer than a 4/6 unit could - and every turn where they can keep putting AC shells into a target or calling down artillery on them is another turn closer to rendering them unable to finish their mission, whatever it may be.
*As in, every shot that is aimed at a Vedette is one that won't hit a mech.
Just as I was about to post, another thought occurred to me: Up until the 31st-century tech renaissance made faster wheeled and tracked vees more common, the Vedette was one of only a few combat vehicles whose speed profile paired well with the classic Mobile HQ and had a weapons load suitable to protecting such an asset. Going solely from memory, only the Striker also springs to mind. The Hunter comes close, but is hampered by the lack of turret.