The Griffin was first put into production in 2492. Initially designed as an assault 'Mech, the Griffin was superseded by heavier and better-armored vehicles within a century. The design was popular, however, and so the Griffin was kept in production but downgraded to medium status. For this reason, the Griffin was given a new specialty, that of long-range fire support in medium lances, that it performed through the centuries in times of high technology and in the long fall of the Succession Wars. Its ancient low-tech design features actually made it one of the most common machines used during the Succession Wars.
         The recovery of Star League technology allowed manufacturers across the Human Sphere to upgrade this very common design, and Brigadier Corporation of Oliver was one corporation that jumped into those upgrades with both proverbial feet. The world, and its industries, were held by the Mariks for centuries before being captured by the Federated Commonwealth in the Fourth Succession War. It was reconquered by the Free Worlds League in the Marik-Liao Invasion of the Federated Commonwealth but the Sirian Concordance annexed it during the chaos of the Jihad. Because of this varied ownership, Griffins manufactured on Oliver can be seen on almost any world in the Human Sphere.

         The Griffin's armament is limited yet powerful. Brigadier Corporation upgraded the older hand-held cannon with a Dragon's Wrath Heavy PPC acquired from the Draconis Combine. This, combined with the drum-mounted Sirian Multi-Shot nine-tube Multi-Missile Launcher, allows the Griffin to hit hard at long or medium ranges. Older Griffins were not equipped for close combat and were therefore vulnerable to melee 'Mechs. Brigadier worked hard to fix that weakness though, and the three Intek lasers, supported by the short-range missiles the Sirian Multi-Shots can use, are the result of that design decision. In Tikonov territories though, the central main laser is often replaced with a C3 slave system that allows the design to become part of an advanced C3 group. It is equipped with two massive battle fists in case hand-to-hand combat is necessary as well, making the design very dangerous in close combat.
         One of the Griffin's special advantages is its high maneuverability relative to its tonnage. With a maximum speed of more than 80 kph and the use of its Leviathan Lifter jump jets, the Griffin can outdistance any heavier 'Mechs that might do it harm. It is the Hermes fusion engine that allows the 'Mech to achieve such speeds. More massive and efficient than many heavier 'Mech engines, the Hermes is the real reason for the Griffin's long and successful career.
         By medium 'Mech standards, the Griffin's defensive armor is substantial. However, it must often confront heavier 'Mechs (in support of other medium units). Because of this, two armor baffles are added to the shoulder assemblies of each arm. These baffles give additional, yet limited, protection to the long-range missile drum and the head/cockpit area. Two other small armor baffles are located on the legs, protecting the knee joint actuator assembly areas.

         This deadly design is deployed in small numbers throughout the Free Worlds League, either survivors of the Jihad or purchased from the Sirians. The Sirians use it as their primary command BattleMech, where its roomy cockpit is prized by field commanders. They also sell it to the Tikonov Republican Guards and any interested mercenaries.