With the exhaustive war with the Race, the Republic of Minnesota Armed Forces(ROMAF) needed to simplify their logistics and supply network in order to maintain their offensive operations into Sewshan territory.
In 2920, ROMAF received a technological update from the Shadow Tigers concerning the omnimechs that had appeared in the clans, along with a few salvaged chassis, in exchange for some of their own industrial base.
It did not take long for ROMAF planners to realize the godsend the information presented. With omnimech technology, they could produce a few base chassis, send them onto their units, who would then equip them as they saw fit.
In order to test out the concept, ROMAF first commisioned the Scissorback.

The Scissorback was meant to fill the light mech role of scouting and mobile support. As such, it weighs 35 tons, and has a top speed of 118 kph.
Utilizing endo steel sturcture and ferro fibrous armor, the Scissorback lacks an XL engine as ROMAF felt it would be too expensive, and too large a drain on their still fragile economy.
The primary configuration of the mech uses an array of lasers, backed by a TAG for use against heavy Sewshan defenses. The all energy weapon loadout also allows it to operate behind enemy lines for extended periods.
The alpha variant is intended for light fire support, much like the Valkyrie mech of the Federated Suns, to the point that it imitates almost exactly the configuration.
The next variant is the electronics scout, packed with ECM and active probes to flush out enemies and disrupt communications.
The last variant is an infighter, with a medium pulse laser, a machine gun, and a 4 pack SRM launcher.

Scissorbacks have performed admirably in many battles since their inception, turning the tide in more than one battle with the Sewshan.
In 2996, a ROMAF battalion was dropped into the final Sewshan-held world of Sewshawar, their homeworld and capital on a recon mission.
Anticipating heavy vehicle and infantry opposition, the commander first armed his Scissorbacks with machine guns and flamers. After disposing of the defending units, the Scissorbacks were reconfigured with active probes for their mapping mission. The battalion lifted off with only two lances lost.

Brigadier Hakoli
One of those Sewshan on Untelm that had grown up with Minnesota ideals, Hakoli was the fourth generation of Sewshan to receive an education in the cultural mores of the human Minnesotans.
Even though Sewshan were not obligated to serve in the draft, Hakoli nevertheless volunteered for military service. Found to have high aptitude for mech combat, he was assigned to the Saunders Combat School for mech training. Graduating in the top 5% of his class alongside his human peers, Hakoli soon proved his loyalties and courage in the final battles for the Sewshan homeworld, his even handed methods and unique position as a Sewshan combat officer in the ROMAF prompting many Sewshan to cease their resistance.
Eventually, Hakoli became a Brigadier, the first Sewshan ever to reach such exalted rank. He serves as an inspiring example to many other Sewshan of the virtues of the Minnesota system.
He swears by his Scissorback, which was also his very first mech. Named "Ulacai Siss", or "Forked Tongue", it was the last sight of many an unwary Sewshan combat unit.

Scissorbacks compose nearly 90% of all ROMAF light mechs, with the remainder being specialized designs like the Mongoose, Talon, and Hussar mechs.
Clan Wolverine, the elite and exclusive fighting arm of ROMAF, also utilizes the Scissorback extensively, though Troopers and Garnets are far more common in the clan touman.