I'm a bit irritated now that the Hydra didn't pick up Interceptor with the 7e update. Since Skyfire/Interceptor doesn't confer any competence at ground targets...
Some of the arrangement of the Hydra's weapons are a partial holdover from previous editions. Also, while you're down to snapfiring if you move, unless there's flyers/skimmers to be waxin' it doesn't matter anyway. And unlike the LR Exterminator, splitting it into 2 guns gives you some safety from weapon destroyed rolls.