the SPW-W2 Sparrow was origionaly designed as a fighter 
craft, however, when the Federated Suns offered a 
contract for a light frontline mech that could fight toe to toe 
with medium mechs.  Using a modefied chassis of their 
upcoming sparrow fighter, Hollis Inc. removed most of the 
fighter save the engine compartment and the cockpit, 
removing enough tonnage to add the arm pods and legs.

Capabilities:
The sparrow, while slow for a light mech, is a sturdy and 
rugged design,  Covering the now empty engine assembly 
with amor the sparrows only resemblance to its 
predecessor is the cockpit, which was designed to give 
the pilot an exellent view of the ground.  The Omni 175 
Fusion engine gives the Sparrow a maximum speed of 
86.4 kilometers per hour, at a mear cost of 408,334 C-bills 
less than the cost of the sparrow's Gyro.  Its dual arm 
mounted Magna mark III heavy lasers give the Sparrow a 
solid long range hitting power, allowing it to go toe to toe 
with heavier battlemechs, while its 7.5 tons of armor give it 
the protection to survive a sustained firefight with medium 
mechs.  While the design is prone to overheating, 
manufacturers agree that the gain in range and firepower  
exceed the price in heat.  It's stout form allow the pilot a 
great deal of stability and balance.  Its only real problem is 
in the electronics package, the systems are so diverse 
that they at times do not opperate smoothly, a flaw that the 
Hollis plans to correct soon.  From the beginning it's 
production has been plagued with problems, despite the 
aparent worth of the design.

Deployment:
First seen in battle in 3022 a lance of sparrows destroyed 
an advancing lance of davion cicadas, while the cicadas 
were far more maneuverable than the sparrows they were 
surprised to see the unknown light mechs move so slowly, 
 however the sparrows were directly in the cicada's path, 
with the range of the large lasers, the sparrows were able 
to engage the cicadas before they were able to bring their 
more efficient medium lasers to bear.  With his mech falling 
apart around him, and one already destroyed, the cicada 
lance leader knew he would be unable to compleat his 
mission.  Before he could order his troops to withdrawl, his 
mech was destroyed, the rest followed suit quickly after.  
While the Sparrows were damaged from the engagement 
they remained fully functional.  And as a single enforcer 
responded to the report of a lance of light mechs, he was 
ambushed and also destroyed.  While some say that the 
element of surprise was the only reason the Sparrows 
survived, others  commend its design.  With Hollis Inc as 
the producer, almost anyone has access to Sparrows, if 
they can cough up the meager price.