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Line 4: An '''autocannon''' is a type of rapid-firing, autoloading direct-fire [[Dictionary#b|ballistic weapon]], firing high-explosive, armor-defeating rounds at targets in bursts. They are, basically, giant "machine guns" that fire predominantly cased-explosive shells, though models firing saboted, high-velocity kinetic, energy penetrators and [[caseless]] ordnance do exist. Among the earliest modern [[combat vehicle|tank]]/[[BattleMech]]-scale weaponry produced, autocannons generate far less heat than [[Dictionary#E|energy weapons]], but are considerably bulkier and dependent upon limited stores of ammunition. An '''autocannon''' is a type of rapid-firing, autoloading direct-fire [[Dictionary#b|ballistic weapon]], firing high-explosive, armor-defeating rounds at targets in bursts. They are, basically, giant "machine guns" that fire predominantly cased-explosive shells, though models firing saboted, high-velocity kinetic, energy penetrators and [[caseless]] ordnance do exist. Among the earliest modern [[combat vehicle|tank]]/[[BattleMech]]-scale weaponry produced, autocannons generate far less heat than [[Dictionary#E|energy weapons]], but are considerably bulkier and dependent upon limited stores of ammunition. − Autocannons range in caliber from 30 mm up to 203 mm and are grouped according to their damage against modern armor. With these loose guidelines in mind, autocannons are divided into the following classes:<ref name="TMp207">''TechManual'', p. 207, "Autocannon"</ref> + Autocannons range in caliber from 30 mm up to 203 mm and are loosely grouped according to their damage against modern armor. The exact same caliber of shell fired in a 100-shot burst has a shorter effective range than when fired in a 10 shot burst, due to recoil and other factors. Autocannon are grouped into the following loose-damage classes:<ref name="TMp207">''TechManual'', p. 207, "Autocannon"</ref> * [[autocannon/2]] * [[autocannon/2]] * [[autocannon/5]] * [[autocannon/5]] Line 10:
Line 10: * [[autocannon/20]] * [[autocannon/20]] − Beyond the "standard" models, variants include the shotgun-like [[LB-X autocannon|LB-X]], quick-firing [[ultra autocannon|Ultra]], the gatling-type [[rotary autocannon|Rotary]], and the [[ProtoMech Autocannon]]s. [[light autocannon|Light-weight variants]] and [[warShip|capital ship]]-scale models also exist. The experimental [[hyper-velocity autocannon]] also entered limited production. <ref name="TOp285">''Tactical Operations'', p. 285, "Autocannons"</ref><ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Mercs'', p. 8, "Warrior HX-9"</ref> Another interesting variant was the so-called Improved Autocannon of the early Clans. Being slightly lighter and slightly more compact than equivalent standard autocannons, Improved Autocannons served as a stepping stone toward the development of Clantech LBX and Ultra ACs. By the time of the Clan Invasion Improved Autocannons were obsolete. <ref name="IOp90">''Interstellar Operations'', p. 90, "Improved Autocannon"</ref> + Beyond the "standard" models, variants include the shotgun-like [[LB-X autocannon|LB-X]], quick-firing [[ultra autocannon|ultra]], and the gatling-type [[rotary autocannon|rotary]]. [[light autocannon|Light-weight variants]] and [[warShip|capital ship]]-scale models also exist. The experimental [[hyper-velocity autocannon]] also entered limited production.<ref name="TOp285">''Tactical Operations'', p. 285, "Autocannons"</ref><ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Mercs'', p. 8, "Warrior HX-9"</ref> − Early "Prototype Autocannons" were made as a progression forward from the [[medium rifle|rifle]] found on early tanks of [[Terra]]. The first AC/5 system was prototyped in [[2240]]; the AC/2 came along later, with the first prototype debuting in [[2290]]. The AC/10 system was prototyped over two hundred years later, in [[2443]]. The AC/20 was first developed in [[2490]].<ref name="IOp118t">''Interstellar Operations'', p. 118, "Prototype Dates For Basic Weapons Table"</ref> These prototypes were largely similar to modern autocannons, but they had rare tendencies to jam, locking up the weapon for the duration of the rest of the battle.<ref name="IOp118">''Interstellar Operations'', p. 118, "Primitive Prototype Equipment Rules"</ref> They could only carry three-quarters of the ammunition per ton, compared to modern autocannons.<ref name="IOp118"/> + Early prototype autocannons were made as a progression forward from the [[medium rifle|rifle]] found on early tanks of [[Terra]]. The first AC/5 system was prototyped in [[2240]]; the AC/2 came along later, with the first prototype debuting in [[2290]]. The AC/10 system was prototyped over two hundred years later, in [[2443]]. The AC/20 was first developed in [[2490]].<ref name="IOp118t">''Interstellar Operations'', p. 118, "Prototype Dates For Basic Weapons Table"</ref> These prototypes were largely similar to modern autocannons, but they had rare tendencies to jam, locking up the weapon for the duration of the rest of the battle.<ref name="IOp118">''Interstellar Operations'', p. 118, "Primitive Prototype Equipment Rules"</ref> They could only carry three-quarters of the ammunition per ton, compared to modern autocannons.<ref name="IOp118"/> − Standard autocannons can be tweaked by a technician to double their rate of fire, similar to an ultra autocannon; however, this carries significant risk. Forcing an autocannon to fire at double its normal firing rate can jam the weapon. In the worst case, this causes detonation of the ammo in the cannon itself, destroying the weapon, as well as likely damaging the internal structure of the mount location.<ref>''Tactical Operations'' p. 100 "Autocannons"</ref> + Standard autocannons can be tweaked by a technician to double their rate of fire, similar to an [[ultra autocannon]]; however, this carries significant risk. Forcing an autocannon to fire at double its normal firing rate can jam the weapon. In the worst case, this causes detonation of the ammo in the cannon itself, destroying the weapon, as well as likely damaging the internal structure of the mount location.<ref>''Tactical Operations'' p. 100 "Autocannons"</ref> − ==Discussion of caliber, barrel arrangement, and shells fired== + == Caliber == − Generally speaking, autocannons are not standardized by the actual caliber of the individual weapon, the number of shells fired, or even by the number of barrels they use. These descriptions can vary widely according to source material even when comparing weapons of the exact same type. However, TRO portraits and descriptions occasionally provide some insight into each weapon's configuration. Most autocannon are described as using a rotary arrangement to fire a burst, and larger weapons almost always have a correspondingly larger caliber. However, there are exceptions. For example, Ultra Autocannons are often, but not always, described as rapidly firing single shells from one barrel. Likewise, LBX autocannons using standard shells are usually described as firing single shots. On the other hand, standard autocannons and light autocannons are usually described as using a multi-barrel arrangement, but not always. All rotary autocannons are explicitly multi-barrel arrangements, however.<ref name="TMp207"/> + Classes of autocannons are not standardized by the caliber of the individual weapon systems' barrels. Autocannon in a class varied by manufacturer and model. With the number of shells and caliber being specified, no autocannon has been described as firing one shell fired for each "round" or burst of fire. One possible exception, the 203mm ultra [[autocannon/20]], was sometimes found on the ''[[Gargoyle]]'' C and ''[[Cauldron Born]]'' A [[OmniMech]]s. Other possible exceptions include the Defiance Killer AC/10, as mounted in the ''[[Hatchetman]]'', and possibly Federated autocannon/10 on the ''[[Enforcer]]''.{{cn}} + + == Barrel Arrangement == + All [[rotary autocannon]]s are multiple-barrel arrangements.<ref name="TMp207"/> Some standard, [[light autocannon|light]], and [[ultra autocannon|ultra]] autocannons also use a multiple-barrel arrangement, though not as frequently. ==Notes== ==Notes==
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An '''autocannon''' is a type of rapid-firing, autoloading direct-fire [[Dictionary#b|ballistic weapon]], firing high-explosive, armor-defeating rounds at targets in bursts. They are, basically, giant "machine guns" that fire predominantly cased-explosive shells, though models firing saboted, high-velocity kinetic, energy penetrators and [[caseless]] ordnance do exist. Among the earliest modern [[combat vehicle|tank]]/[[BattleMech]]-scale weaponry produced, autocannons generate far less heat than [[Dictionary#E|energy weapons]], but are considerably bulkier and dependent upon limited stores of ammunition. | An '''autocannon''' is a type of rapid-firing, autoloading direct-fire [[Dictionary#b|ballistic weapon]], firing high-explosive, armor-defeating rounds at targets in bursts. They are, basically, giant "machine guns" that fire predominantly cased-explosive shells, though models firing saboted, high-velocity kinetic, energy penetrators and [[caseless]] ordnance do exist. Among the earliest modern [[combat vehicle|tank]]/[[BattleMech]]-scale weaponry produced, autocannons generate far less heat than [[Dictionary#E|energy weapons]], but are considerably bulkier and dependent upon limited stores of ammunition. | ||
| − | Autocannons range in caliber from 30 mm up to 203 mm and are grouped according to their damage against modern armor. | + | Autocannons range in caliber from 30 mm up to 203 mm and are loosely grouped according to their damage against modern armor. The exact same caliber of shell fired in a 100-shot burst has a shorter effective range than when fired in a 10 shot burst, due to recoil and other factors. Autocannon are grouped into the following loose-damage classes:<ref name="TMp207">''TechManual'', p. 207, "Autocannon"</ref> |
* [[autocannon/2]] | * [[autocannon/2]] | ||
* [[autocannon/5]] | * [[autocannon/5]] | ||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
* [[autocannon/20]] | * [[autocannon/20]] | ||
| − | Beyond the "standard" models, variants include the shotgun-like [[LB-X autocannon|LB-X]], quick-firing [[ultra autocannon| | + | Beyond the "standard" models, variants include the shotgun-like [[LB-X autocannon|LB-X]], quick-firing [[ultra autocannon|ultra]], and the gatling-type [[rotary autocannon|rotary]]. [[light autocannon|Light-weight variants]] and [[warShip|capital ship]]-scale models also exist. The experimental [[hyper-velocity autocannon]] also entered limited production.<ref name="TOp285">''Tactical Operations'', p. 285, "Autocannons"</ref><ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Mercs'', p. 8, "Warrior HX-9"</ref> |
| − | Early | + | Early prototype autocannons were made as a progression forward from the [[medium rifle|rifle]] found on early tanks of [[Terra]]. The first AC/5 system was prototyped in [[2240]]; the AC/2 came along later, with the first prototype debuting in [[2290]]. The AC/10 system was prototyped over two hundred years later, in [[2443]]. The AC/20 was first developed in [[2490]].<ref name="IOp118t">''Interstellar Operations'', p. 118, "Prototype Dates For Basic Weapons Table"</ref> These prototypes were largely similar to modern autocannons, but they had rare tendencies to jam, locking up the weapon for the duration of the rest of the battle.<ref name="IOp118">''Interstellar Operations'', p. 118, "Primitive Prototype Equipment Rules"</ref> They could only carry three-quarters of the ammunition per ton, compared to modern autocannons.<ref name="IOp118"/> |
| − | Standard autocannons can be tweaked by a technician to double their rate of fire, similar to an ultra autocannon; however, this carries significant risk. Forcing an autocannon to fire at double its normal firing rate can jam the weapon. In the worst case, this causes detonation of the ammo in the cannon itself, destroying the weapon, as well as likely damaging the internal structure of the mount location.<ref>''Tactical Operations'' p. 100 "Autocannons"</ref> | + | Standard autocannons can be tweaked by a technician to double their rate of fire, similar to an [[ultra autocannon]]; however, this carries significant risk. Forcing an autocannon to fire at double its normal firing rate can jam the weapon. In the worst case, this causes detonation of the ammo in the cannon itself, destroying the weapon, as well as likely damaging the internal structure of the mount location.<ref>''Tactical Operations'' p. 100 "Autocannons"</ref> |
| − | == | + | == Caliber == |
| − | + | Classes of autocannons are not standardized by the caliber of the individual weapon systems' barrels. Autocannon in a class varied by manufacturer and model. With the number of shells and caliber being specified, no autocannon has been described as firing one shell fired for each "round" or burst of fire. One possible exception, the 203mm ultra [[autocannon/20]], was sometimes found on the ''[[Gargoyle]]'' C and ''[[Cauldron Born]]'' A [[OmniMech]]s. Other possible exceptions include the Defiance Killer AC/10, as mounted in the ''[[Hatchetman]]'', and possibly Federated autocannon/10 on the ''[[Enforcer]]''.{{cn}} | |
| + | |||
| + | == Barrel Arrangement == | ||
| + | All [[rotary autocannon]]s are multiple-barrel arrangements.<ref name="TMp207"/> Some standard, [[light autocannon|light]], and [[ultra autocannon|ultra]] autocannons also use a multiple-barrel arrangement, though not as frequently. | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||