Tight-Stream-Electro-Magnetic-Pulse Cannon

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TSEMP Cannon
Production information
Type Energy (Direct Fire)
Tech Base Inner Sphere Advanced[1]
Year Availability 3109 RoS[1]
Year Introduced 3109 RoS[1]
Prototyped Approximately ~3085[2]
Advanced Technology Year 3109[2][2]
Technology Rating E[1]
Availability Rating X[1]
Availability Ratings X[1]/X[1]/X[1]
Legality Rating E[1]
Technical specifications
Heat 10[3]
Damage 0
Minimum Range 0
Short Range 0-5
Medium Range 6-9
Long Range 10-15
Tons 6[4]
Critical Slots 5[4]
Cost (unloaded) 800,000[4]
BV (2.0) 488[3]



Description[edit]

The Tight-Stream-Electro-Magnetic-Pulse Cannon (TSEMP) is a directed energy weapon that was created by the Republic of the Sphere. It's based on the Word of Blake's BattleMech Taser system, but doesn't require the cabling and capacitors used by the Blakist system. The TSEMP Cannon is a multishot version of the TSEMP One-shot weapon. When fired at a powered combat unit of less than 200 tons, the TSEMP can force the unit to shut down completely or interfere with targeting systems, sensors, and other electronics equipment. Special armors and defenses like the Blue Shield PFD have no effect on this effect.[1]

The ability to shut down an opponent is useful, but there are several drawbacks. The TSEMP Cannon uses capacitors to charge and if these are hit by hostile weapons fire they will explode in the same way as a Gauss rifle. The unit mounting the TSEMP Cannon suffers from sensor and electronic system interference every time it fires the TSEMP. The capacitors used to charge the Cannon also require time to recharge between shots, so an operator will have to wait ten seconds between shots. Furthermore, the TSEMP Cannon's power requirements mean it can only be used by combat units with a fission or fusion engine.[1]

Though the Republic developed the technology, they sold it to the other powers of the Inner Sphere.[5]

Models[edit]

TSEMP Cannon is manufactured on the following planets:

Stunner[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Matabushi PXH-11K Phoenix Hawk L [6]

Hypnos[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Betelgeuse Firmir Weaponry RVN-5X Raven II [7][8]
Betelgeuse Firmir Weaponry CPLT-L7 Catapult II [9][10]

Wildfire[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Irian Irian Technologies, Ltd. Inquisitor II [11]

Variants[edit]

  • RISC Repeating TSEMP
    An experimental version of the TSEMP that could fire once in every turn, the TSEMP never left the prototype phase before the Black Out hit, and hence it hasn't seen a lot of use. Aside from its faster firing, the Repeating TSEMP has identical gameplay and construction rules to the TSEMP Cannon.[12]

References[edit]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Field Manual: 3145, p. 245, "Tight-Stream Electro-Magnetic Pulse (TSEMP) Weapons"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Technical Readout: 3145, p. 217, Dark Age Technology Advancement Table
  3. 3.0 3.1 Field Manual: 3145, p. 256, "Dark Age Weapons And Equipment Combat Data"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Field Manual: 3145, p. 257, "Dark Age Weapons And Equipment Combat Data"
  5. Era Report: 3145, p. 121
  6. Technical Readout: 3150, p. 132
  7. Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation, p. 34
  8. Technical Readout: 3150, p. 138
  9. Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation, p. 40
  10. Technical Readout: 3150, p. 166
  11. Technical Readout: 3150, p. 192
  12. Interstellar Operations, page 94

Bibliography[edit]