Light Rifle

Light Rifle
Production information
Type Ballistic
Tech Base Inner Sphere Experimental
Year Availability Pre-spaceflight[1]
Year Extinction IS = ~2825[1][2]
Technical specifications
Heat 1
Damage 3
Short Range 1-4
Medium Range 5-8
Long Range 9-12
Tons 3
Critical Slots 1
Ammo Per Ton 18
Cost (unloaded) 37,750
Ammo Cost (per ton) 800
BV (2.0) 21 (Rifle)/ 3 (ammo)[3]



Description[edit]

The Light Rifle is the smallest of the "Rifle" family. The precursor to the modern Autocannon, the Rifle was based on the main guns used by tanks on pre-spaceflight Terra. The Light Rifle used heavier rounds and larger propellant loads to fire its shells. It was phased out of service with most major powers because it lacked stopping power against most battlefield units.[4] Unlike the Medium Rifle and Heavy Rifle, the lack of armor penetration means that units equipped with a Light Rifle are effectively at the mercy of BattleMechs. In addition, the Light Rifle cannot use the special munitions available to autocannons.

There were reports of some Periphery powers introducing units equipped with Rifles, but these reports were unconfirmed until the introduction of the Arbiter.

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Tactical Operations, p. 411
  2. Second Succession War, p. 102, "Weapons and Equipment Extinction Table"
  3. Tactical Operations, p. 382
  4. Tactical Operations, p. 337. "All rifles subtract 3 from their damage points when attacking any battlefield unit except conventional infantry, battle armor, 'Mechs with commercial armor, and support vehicles with a BAR less than 8. This can mean that the rifle inflicts no damage."

Bibliography[edit]