Just noticed the way the game gives you access to core bonuses is not as written in the official rules. Access to core bonuses from different manufacturers considers every individual level acquired, not the total level. For example, a level 3 license in a mech counts the level 1, 2, and 3 separately, for a total of 6 licenses and access to 2 core bonuses, not one. This lets you get a core bonus with 2 levels in a single frame rather than 3.
 

In Lancer Tactics, you need 3 license levels to get a core bonus. To be fair, this is only explained in the example from the wording of rank 1 AND rank 2 for a single mech, and isn't all that clear. It does however make core bonuses way more accessible, so it seems intentional. Game so far is great btw.