Ultra Autocannon

Ultra Autocannon

The Ultra Autocannon is an advanced variation of the standard Autocannon with the ability to fire at twice the normal rate.

Overview

The Ultra Autocannon technology was originally developed in 2640 by Kawabata Weapons Inc, in response to Defiance Industries's request for a specialized autocannon/5 for their Sentinel BattleMech design. The result was a weapon that resembled the standard model only in the general damage that each round can inflict, as the KWI Ultra Autocannon 5 boasted a shorter smooth-bore barrel, modified breech mechanism, rapid-feed ammo reloader and specially designed ammunition.

While these enhancements gave the weapon an effective range exceeding that of LRMs and standard AC/5s, it most notably allowed the weapon to fire at twice rate of the standard model. Unfortunately, besides generating twice as much heat and burning through ammunition supplies twice as quickly, the extremely high rate of fire causes ultra autocannons to vibrate violently, leading to higher incidence of weapon jams. Though giving the weapon an equivalent volume of fire, because of these vibrations ultra autocannon fire is not as accurate as a pair of standard weapons.

Like many pieces of advanced Star League technology, Kawabata and their unique weapons disappeared during the maelstrom of the Succession Wars, though the Clans retained and refined the technology, eventually producing variants in all autocannon classes. Thanks to the Helm Memory Core, the Successor States regained the ability to produce the original Ultra AC/5 in 3035, and, using this weapon and Clan-tech salvage, were able to introduce Ultra versions of the AC/2 and AC/10 in 3057, finally the AC/20 in 3060.

For specifics about a particular type, click on one of the links below:

• Ultra AC/2
• Ultra AC/5
• Ultra AC/10
• Ultra AC/20

Availability

• Capellan Confederation
• Com Guards
• Draconis Combine
• Federated Suns
• Free Rasalhague Republic
• Free Worids League
• St. Ives Compact
• Word of Blake

Manufacturers

• Com Guards

ComStar manufacturing bases. Terra

• Federated Suns:

General Motors, Kathil;

Yeffters Weapons Factory. Gulkana

• Free Worlds League

Imperator Automatic Weaponry. Atreus

References

• Technical Readout: 2750, p. 7, 26
• Technical Readout: 3050, p. 215
• Field Manual: Free Worlds League, pp. 138-139

Bibliography

• Technical Readout: 2750
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Field Manual: Free Worlds League
• Tactical Handbook