Hummingbird Aerospace Fighter

Overview
Amidst the boom of the Early Republic era, the engineers at Detroit Consolidated Aerospace sought to make a new line of fighters for the Rimward Periphery to utilize. Though plans were presented for fighters of nearly every weight, a 40 ton design was chosen as the first to produce - the Hummingbird. Designated the HB-77, the first test flight took place in 3094. The fighter performed well with its balance of speed, armor and firepower. It entered full production not long after and found numerous customers not just in the Periphery but in the Inner Sphere as well.

Capabilities
A 280 XL Engine with two tons of fuel allowed the Hummingbird to typically remain on the field just long enough to deplete its supply of ammunition before returning for a reload or withdrawing from combat entirely if needed. 10 tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor provided adequate protection for it to last in the field, as well. An MML 7 connected to an Artemis IV Fire Control System was mounted in each wing, with a ton each of long and short range ammunition stored in the body of the craft. Two ER Medium Lasers and a single Medium Pulse Laser were installed in the nose of the craft. The lasers, combined with the missile launchers and the varied ammo, the Hummingbird was able to engage targets at nearly any range and in any situation.

Deployment
The Magistracy of Canopus took possession of the first shipment of Hummingbird craft, adding them to the air force of the MAF. They entered service immediately after in engagements with the Marian Hegemony. The Fronc Reaches and Taurian Concordat purchased several of the craft as well, which led to increased demand from their neighbors in the Capellan Confederation and Federated Suns. By the eve of Gray Monday in 3132, the Hummingbird was in use by nearly every major faction in the Inner Sphere and Periphery, with some even being used and sold by Clan Sea Fox.