Designed as a multi-role 'Mech, the original Shadow Hawk exceeded even the designers' wildest expectations. Serving all house militaries, including the Star League army, this medium BattleMech used its impressive array of firepower with devastating effect. The Shadow Hawk was as adept at serving in a heavy lance as it is in a recon lance. Given both its track record and popularity, the push to redesign this venerable BattleMech was only natural.

         During the summer of 3066, the Vicore group contacted most of the house militaries with their idea. Somewhat surprisingly, only the Free Worlds League, the Federated Suns and ComStar showed any interest in this new design.

         Kallon Industries, Earthwerks Incorporated and ComStar all worked with the designers in the evolution of this new Shadow Hawk, which they envisioned as a cavalry unit. The one hurdle, however, that ComStar and the Federated Suns had to overcome was the lack of facilities cleared to manufacture the 'Mech. Using a similar solution to the one reached with the Capellans, Vicore recommended that Odin Manufacturing on Orestes build the design, with Kallon using both the Nanking and Talon plants.

         The Shadow Hawk manufactured by Talon Industries makes extensive use of the latest technologies, including endo steel and Ferro-fibrous armor. The engine used is the standard CoreTek fusion plant that the 'Mech originally used; the designers felt that, while an XL engine might have allowed more weapons, it would have decreased the Shadow Hawk's survivability factor. The 'Mech's speed has not changed, though its maneuverability has vastly improved with the addition of new jump jets. The original Shadow Hawk had suffered a major handicap with its original armor capacity, but the inclusion of Kallon's Unity Weave erased the problem that the original Maximillian armor had created. Like many of these redesigns, the Shadow Hawk's head assembly incorporates a full-cockpit ejection system.

         ComStar's new variant incorporates the C3i Computer system, tied to an LRM 15 with Artemis supplemented, an Ultra AC/5 and two ER medium lasers. Earthwerks' Shadow Hawk is similar in design, though it uses their new light Gauss rifle for long-range sniping, supported by an LRM and lasers. Reports have indicated that the SHD-7CS has been seen in Blakist Militia units serving in the Chaos March. Unlike the other reports of Blakist operations, the use of this design has not yet been confirmed.
         Reports have been confirmed that House Liao has purchased the license for producing the SHD-7M, ostensibly to add to its own forces and to sell to Magistracy forces. House Liao has apparently also given their Taurian allies permission to construct that variant, though the Capellans will still need to provide access to many of the advanced technologies used to both of their Trinity allies.

         Many units in the Federated Suns military, such as the First FedSuns Armored Cavalry and the Deneb Light Cavalry, have received the new Shadow Hawks. Kallon has also sold a few to mercenary units (with the authorization of Duke Hasek) such as the Arcadians and even Wilson's Hussars, in gratitude for their support of the Capellan March during the Civil War.