The Hunchback has always been the medium weight
close combat machine of choice, however, the refit in the
3050 era met with less success in the field and received
poor reviews from pilots.  In an effort to bring back support
for the Hunchback, and to capitalize on the success of a
proven battlemech, the DSC Armory began the process of
redesigning the Hunchback in 3061.

After careful study of feedback on the older model
Hunchbacks, the Hunchback team set out to create a
more versatile and effective Hunchback.  The resulting
model Hunchback had gained five tons and become the
first of the DSC Armory's full-production omnimechs.

Capabilities:

A major complain regarding the older model Hunchbacks
was lack of speed to close with your target.  Hunchbacks
would take a good deal of damage simply trying to close
range to bring the mammoth autocannon to bear.  While
speed was not always required, as many Hunchbacks
operated in urban environments, Armory engineers felt the
complaints were enough to justify the larger Core Tek 275
extra-light engine, which provides for an approximate
twenty-two kilometer per hour gain over the original
Hunchbacks.  Addionally, the new model Huncback has
gained five tons in its conversion to omnimech technology.
 The chassis has been strengthened and reinforced with
Endo Steel structure.  This weight gain, in addition to the
lighter structural materials allow the new omni Hunchback
to carry a more impressive weapons package.  Protection
was not sacrificed in this redesign either, as the HBK6-O
carries an additional hlaf-ton of Starshield armor plate and
the ammo bins are protected by Cellular Ammunition
Storage Equipment.

The Primary configuration of the Hunchback is intended to
be only slightly different from the original models so pilots
may more easily adapt to their new machine.  The
trademark large bore autocannon is still in the right torso,
though Armory enginners have procured the Defiance
Disintegrator LB-20X autocannon for the primary
configuration.  To the delight of most Hunchback pilots,
designers even addressed the problem of ammunition
shortages by providing for three full tons of ammunition for
this massive gun.  This allows the HBK6-O to remain in
combat for longer periods and operate farther from suplply
lines.  Medium lasers are generally found mounted on the
wrists of the Hunchback to support the main armament,
but with the five tons of added weight to the frame, the
HBK6-O sports a pair of Exostar large lasers to provide
longer range fire while avoiding heat problems associated
with newer extended-range models.

The Alpha configuration is much like the Primary, except it
trades the Defiance Disintegrator for a Defiance Thunder
ultra model autocannon.  To compensate for the higher
rate of fire, Armory engineers include an extra ton of ammo
in this configuration.  Additionally, the Exostar large lasers
are replaced by paired Defiance P5M medium pulse lasers
to support the autocannon at short ranges.

The Bravo configuration is a take-off of the Swayback
concept.  Lacking the large autocannon, the Bravo
mounts triple Holly SRM-6 packs slaved to the Artemis IV
Fire Control System to provide an accurate short range
punch.  With three tons of ammo, each launcher has an
adequate number of missiles for standard operations.  The
Exostar large lasers are present once again in this
configuration, though they are augmented by a pair of
Diverse Optics extended-range medium lasers to provide a
stronger moderate range damage profile.

Another Swayback, the Charlie trades the three missile
packs of the Bravo for a single Shigunga MRM-40 rack.
This configuration stresses medium range combat and can
serve in the role of close support on the battlefield.
Supporting the large MRM rack are the same Exostar and
Diverse Optics lasers found on the Bravo.  With this
assortment of weapons, the Charlie can deliver a massive
amount of firepower out to 450 meters.

The final configuration is theoretical at best for the Armory.
It is a proposed layout for a HBK6-O command
battlemech to be integrated into a C3 network using the
advanced C3 technology developed by the Draconis
Combine.  This configuration is also a Swayback, but
unlike, the previous two, it stresses long range combat.
The C3 command Delta mounts a Shingunga LRM-15
system supported by Artemis IV guidance.  Augmenting
the long range missiles are the familiar pair of Exostar large
lasers and Diverse Optics extended-range medium lasers.
It is expected that the Delta will be able to stay away from
the thick of combat with its speed, while tacking
advantage of the C3 network and providing fire support.

Deployment:
The HBK6-O is just entering the final testing phase and is
expected to enter full production within a year.  There are
many speculations as to future deployment of the new
Hunchback omni, but the general consensus is that the
intial run will be headed to the SLDF.  It is also rumored
that Luthien Armor Works has expressed interest in
licensing the design to produce Hunchback omnis solely
for the DCMS.