Examine individual changes

[[File:LBX AC.jpg|right|200px|thumb|LB-X Autocannon]] The '''LB-X autocannon''' is an advanced variation of the standard [[autocannon]]. Its most notable feature was its ability to fire cluster munitions. It remains unclear what "LB-X" actually stood for. Several suggested explanations are: * "LB" supposedly stands for "[[Lubalin Ballistics]]", the original designer and manufacturer of the weapon<ref name=TRO2750-34>''Technical Readout: 2750'', p. 34, "CHP-1N ''Champion''</ref><ref>[http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,38199.0/topicseen.html Lead Developer confirms name meaning for "LB-X"]</ref> * "Light Barrel - Extended Range"<ref name=ER3062-104>''Era Report: 3062'', pp. 104-105, "Museum Technica - Production Directed - LB-X autocannons"</ref> * "Large Bore - Extended"<ref name=UdG>''Über dem Gesetz''</ref> ==Overview== Originally developed as part of the CROATOAN project in [[2595]] by [[Lubalin Ballistics]] for the [[Terran Hegemony]], the LB-X 10 autocannon was a derivative of the standard and relatively primitive [[autocannon/10]] design used for centuries by every military in the [[Inner Sphere]]. Taking advantage of advanced materials such as [[endo steel]], the company was able to reduce the weight of the weapon with only a slight increase in bulk and mated it with the advanced Mercury-IV targeting system, to boost its effective range. The most notable feature of the weapon was its ability to fire both standard HEAP rounds and a specialized anti-[['Mech]] cluster round.<ref name=TRO2750-8>''Technical Readout: 2750'', p. 8, "LB 10-X Autocannon"</ref><ref name=ER2750-98>''Era Report: 2750'', p. 98, "Museum Technica - Offensive Military Technologies - LB-X Autocannon"</ref> The cluster round fragments in flight, peppering the target with hundreds of explosive submunitions. The cannon is able to punch through an opponent's armor with standard rounds, and then fire cluster rounds to increase the chance of scoring a critical hit on a target's internal systems. The LB-X's flak-like "shotgun" effect also made it an effective and deadly weapon against [[aerospace fighter]]s, [[VTOL]]s, and [[infantry]].<ref name=TRO2750-8/><ref name=ER2750-98/><ref name=TM-207/> Rushed to the frontlines, the LB 10-X would first see service with the [[Star League Defense Force]] during the final battles against the [[Rim Worlds Republic]] and the [[Taurian Concordat]] during the [[Reunification War]].<ref name=HRU-180>''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 180, "LB 10-X (LB 10X-P)"</ref> By [[2680]], all the Star League member states were manufacturing the popular weapon for their own needs and even for export to [[Periphery]] buyers. Because it was so successful in its role, the Star League ultimately chose to allow development to stagnate with the LB 10-X model.<ref name=ER2750-98/> Like many pieces of advanced technology, the LB 10-X became [[LosTech]] in the [[Inner Sphere]] after [[2840]] during the maelstrom of the early [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]]. The [[Clans]], however, retained the knowledge to produce the advanced materials the LB-X used, and had adapted and expanded the technology to produce LB-X versions of all autocannon classes around [[2820]]. Long noted for their affection for autocannons, thanks to the [[Helm Memory Core]] the [[Federated Suns]] regained the ability to produce the original LB-X 10 in [[3035]], and using this weapon and Clan-tech salvage were able to introduce Inner Sphere versions of the other LB-X classes in [[3058]].<ref name=TM-207>''TechManual'', p. 207, "LB-X Autocannon"</ref><ref name=ER3052-100>''Era Report: 3052'', p. 100, "Museum Technica - Technological Renaissance - Ballistic Weapons"</ref><ref name=ER3052-102>''Era Report: 3052'', p. 102, "Museum Technica - The Clan Edge - Ballistic Weapons"</ref><ref name=ER3062-104/> LB-X autocannons could not use the special munitions developed by the [[AFFS]], and could not be combined with [[ultra autocannon|ultra]], [[rotary autocannon|rotary]], or [[light autocannon]] technology.<ref name=TM-207/> The following subtypes of LB-X autocannon existed: * [[LB-X_(Battle_Armor)|LB-X (Battle Armor)]] * [[LB 2-X AC]] * [[LB 5-X AC]] * [[LB 10-X AC]] * [[LB 20-X AC]] ==Availability== * [[Capellan Confederation]]<ref name=THp54>''Tactical Handbook'', p.54</ref> * [[Draconis Combine]]<ref name=THp54/> * [[Federated Suns]]<ref name=THp54/> * [[Lyran Alliance]]<ref name=THp54/> * [[Free Rasalhague Republic]]<ref name=THp54/> * [[Free Worlds League]]<ref name=THp54/> * [[St. Ives Compact]]<ref name=THp54/> * [[Word of Blake]]<ref name=THp54/> ==Manufacturers== * [[Bithinian Ballistics]] - [[Bithinia]]<ref name=THp54/> * [[Defiance Industries]] - [[Hesperus II]]<ref name=THp54/> * [[Alphard Trading Corporation]] - [[Kendall]]<ref name=THp54/> * [[Quikscell Company]] - [[Kalidasa]]<ref name=THp54/> == Notes == * This article refers to a common object and addresses the object as a common noun. The preferred term is "LB-X autocannon" (except on section titles & table headings, where "LB-X autocannon" is favored). When addressed by class, the preferred term is "LB 5-X AC" (''et al''), with "autocannon" abbreviated to "AC". * It was confirmed by Lead Developer [[Herbert A. Beas]] that the term "LB-X" stands for [[Lubalin Ballistics]]: {{Quote|That is a legacy of one of the very rare times where a weapon system was named by its brand, rather than as a generic. LB stands for Lubalin Ballistics, who made the LB-X weapons used in the Star League-era ''Champion'' BattleMechs.<br> Thanks,<br> Herbert A. Beas II|[http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,38199.0/topicseen.html Herbert A. Beas II, Lead Developer, 24 March 2014]}} ==References== <references /> ==Bibliography== * ''[[BattleTech Master Rules]]'' * ''[[Era Report: 2750]]'' * ''[[Era Report: 3052]]'' * ''[[Era Report: 3062]]'' * ''[[Historical: Reunification War]]'' * ''[[Technical Readout: 2750]]'' * ''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]'' * ''[[TechManual]]'' * ''[[Über dem Gesetz]]'' ([[apocryphal]]) [[Category:Technology]] [[Category:Standard Technology]] [[Category:Ballistic Weapons]] [[Category:Weapons|Autocannon]] [[Category:Burst-Fire Weapons]] [[Category:LB-X Autocannon]] [[Category:Autocannon (Heavy)]]