Forming the backbone of the Coalition's fast-response mecha units, the Hydra has given sterling service for more than fifty years. Copies and captured examples of the class may be found throughout known space, thanks to the peculiar nature of Hood foreign policy, though no regular military has anywhere near the numbers that may be found in the CPSF.

The design is based on a shared basic framework; distinct familial similarities may be seen in the Sagittarius and Chimera, also primarily Coalition designs. The frame was purpose designed to carry an enormous powerplant and large amounts of armour, fitting the emphasis CPSF doctrine has on fast moving and well coordinated units.

While the design's weapon payload is relatively light for its weight class, it remains very functional. The Lyuda VF-III quickfiring automatic cannon is a notoriously reliable weapon, capable of functioning in any extreme of heat or cold and, during limited engagements, hard vacuum. It can load a wide array of special-purpose munitions- denoted by the 'Variable-Feed' in its name -including standard anti-armour rounds and the ever-popular 'canister shot', seen in crowd control work for decades. The autocannon is supported at close range by a pair of Type VII lasers, weapons as effective and reliable as a brick to the forehead.

While these armaments may seem light, they can often prove decisive when combined with the Hydra's speed advantage and thick armour by a pilot who knows his business.
Of course, if the pilot doesn't know his business, the three tonnes of ammunition in the machine's breast can provide a spectacular fireworks display.
BuMekDes engineers have been attempting to design a blast-diverting system that could save the mecha from complete destruction in the event of a munitions cookoff, but thus far have had little luck.

Despite occasional difficulties with spontaneous self-disassembly under fire, the Hydra is widely considered to be a splendid example of how mixing broader categories of mecha and developing a machine from a seemingly insane basic concept can sometimes work spectacularly. Focusing on armour and speed, rather than the armour and firepower of the 'trooper' class or speed and firepower of the 'cruiser' type, it isn't a very strong contender as a duelist when going up against foes of similar mass but works marvelously in a team or when performing screening duties against heavy scout mechae.