Fusion engine
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Description
The fusion engine is what powers BattleMechs, aerospace fighters and other vehicles (at least one tank, the Von Luckner, is said to have a fusion engine). It functions by harnessing the power of a fusion reaction, as occurs in the core of the Sun. A BattleMech's fusion engine can usually last for decades on a few kilograms of hydrogen. Unlike the research reactors of the real world, a Battlemech's fusion engine runs on "light" hydrogen, protium, rather than hydrogen's heavier isotopes deuterium and/or tritium. [1]
A great deal of heat is released by the engine, which can negatively affect the vehicle's pilot or even the vehicle itself. Simply moving the vehicle creates heat, though this is often a small amount. The greatest source of heat comes from firing the vehicles weapons, especially energy weapons.
In a BattleMech, the fusion engine rests in the center torso. It cannot be relocated elsewhere in the BattleMech, though certain types of engine may intrude into the side torso bays as well. The weight of the engine is proportionate to the mass of the vehicle and its desired maximum speed. Hence a light Mech can use the same engine as an assault Mech, but move much faster.
Fusion engines usually will only shut down if damaged, and they are absolutely no risk of being a fusion bomb. [2] There have been a number of cases of fusion engines being "over revved" and exploding with devestating force, but this is more akin to a boiler explosion than a true nuclear explosion. More often a destroyed engine will be punctured by weapons fire. Because the plasma is held in a vacuum chamber (to isolate the superheated plasma from the cold walls of the reactor; contact with the walls would super-chill the plasma below fusion temperatures), a punctured reactor can suck in air where the air is superheated. Normal thermal expansion of the air causes the air to burst out in a brilliant lightshow often mistaken for a "nuclear explosion" that is only a risk for unarmored infantry close to the destroyed 'Mech.
Such dramatic failures are rare, though. It is difficult to sustain the fusion reaction and very easy to shutdown. Safety systems or damage to containment coils will almost always shut down the engine before such an explosion occurs. The massive shielding of the engine (in the case of standard fusion engines, this is a tungsten carbide shell that accounts for over 2/3 of the weight of the engine) usually buys the safety systems the milliseconds needed to shutdown the engine when severe damaged is inflicted.
History
Fusion technology was achieved by the Western Alliance in 2021.[3] Almost a century later, fusion technology had progressed to the point of using protium, the most abundant isotope of hydrogen.[1]
Research into fusion engine technology has yielded improvements over the many centuries of BattleMech use. Extralight Fusion Engines, Light Fusion Engines, and Compact Fusion Engines are now available in addition to the Standard Military Fusion Engine.
Brands
Fusion Engines are produced under the following brand names:
Manufacturing
Fusion Engine is manufactured on the following planets:
Model | Used by |
---|---|
MaxLift 215 Fusion [4] | DRILLSON HEAVY HOVER TANK IS (Vehicle) |
Type 10 320 Fusion [5] | WARHAMMER IIC 4 IS (Mech) |
Fusion 180 [6] | Zephyros infantry support vehicle clan (Vehicle) |
10 [7] | HARPY 4 Clan (Protomech) |
145 Leenex Fusion [8] | J. EDGAR LIGHT HOVER TANK IS (Vehicle) |
160 Hermes Fusion [9] | Wasp WSP-7MAF IS (Mech) |
160 Standard [10] | SNOW FOX Clan (Mech) |
165 Standard Fusion [11] | Clan sM1 tank destroyer (vehicle) |
200 Standard [12] | URSUS Clan (Mech) |
205 Shipil [13] | GLAIVE MEDIUM TANK IS (Vehicle) |
210 GTEM Fusion [14] | GALLEON LIGHT TANK IS (Vehicle) |
220 DAV [15] | FORTUNE WHEELED ASSAULT VEHICLE IS (Vehicle) |
220 DAV Fusion [16] | PEREGRINE ATTACK VTOL IS (Vehicle) |
225 Fusion [17] | СHAERONEA Clan (Fighter) |
240 Fusion [18] | ISSUS Clan (Fighter) |
240 Standard [19] | HELLFIRE Clan (Mech) |
250 Fusion [20] | LX-2 LANCE IS (Fighter) |
255 Standard [21] | BLOOD KITЕ Clan (Mech) |
260 Standard [22] | AMMON Clan (Fighter) |
275 CoreTek Fusion [23] | SHADOW HAWK SHD-SD IS (Mech) |
275 Standard [24] | STOOPING HAWK Clan (Mech) |
275 Standard [25] | STOOPING HAWK (F & G) Clan (Mech) |
280 RFUM Fusion [26] | GRIZZLY Clan (Mech) |
285 Standard [27] | HA1-O HAUPTMANN IS (Mech) |
285 Standard [28] | HAUPTMANN (D & E) IS (Mech)
[29]||VQR-2A VANQUISHER IS (Mech |
36 [30] | HYDRA 4 Clan (Protomech) |
36 Fusion [31] | Clan orc (proto mech) |
45 [32] | Clan basilisk (proto mech) |
45 [33] | SATYR 4 Clan (Protomech) |
45 [34] | SIREN 4&5 Clan (Protomech) |
45 [35] | CENTAUR 4 Clan (Protomech) |
45 [36] | MINOTAUR 4 Clan (Protomech) |
45 Fusion [37] | Clan procyon (proto mech) |
45 Type CX Fusion [38] | Clan cecerops (proto mech) |
50 [39] | GORGON 4 Clan (Protomech) |
50 [40] | Clan triton (proto mech) |
60 [41] | ROC 4 Clan (Protomech) |
95 Nissan Fusion [42] | MINION ADVANCED TACTICAL VEHICLE IS (Vehicle) |
AA Eterna 300 [43] | IS crs-6b crossbow (mech) |
AeroFord 340 [44] | rpr-100 Rapier (Fighter) IS |
Allied 250 [45] | PHX-HK1 PHoeniX Hawk LAM MK I IS (Mech) |
Bairn 75 [46] | Clan delphyne (proto mech) |
Bangkock 140 [47] | Zro-114 Zero (Fighter) IS |
Breen 190 Fusion [48] | TYPHOON URBAN ASSAULT VEHICLE IS (Vehicle) |
Clan Model XT4 Standard [49] | URBANMECH IIC Clan (Mech) |
Clan Model XT4 Standard [50] | Urbanmech IIC Clan (Mech) |
Clan Standard 280 series [51] | GUILLOTINE IIC Clan (Mech) |
Clan Standard 280 Series [52] | GUILLOTINE IIC 2 Clan (Mech) |
Coventry Motors 360 [53] | IS bwp-2b ymir (mech) |
Doorman 120 Fusion [54] | PACKRAT LONG RANGE PATROL VEHICLE IS (Vehicle) |
Doorman 140 [55] | HUNTER LIGHT SUPPORT TANK IS (Vehicle) |
edasich Compact 255 [56] | BLR-10s Battlemaster IS (Mech) |
Edasich Compact 255 [57] | BattleMaster BLR-10S IS (Mech) |
edasich Motors 225 light [58] | Hct-7s Hatchetman IS (Mech) |
Edasich Omni 25 Fusion [59] | SAVANNAH MASTER HOVERCRAFT IS (Vehicle) |
Fireball 12 [60] | Clan erinyes (proto mech) |
Firebox 200 [61] | Griffin iic 6 Clan (Mech) |
Fireheart 180 Fusion [62] | GOBLIN INFANTRY TANK IS (Vehicle) |
Fusion 100 [63] | ANHUR TRANSPORT Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 100 [64] | ANHUR TRANSPORT Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 110 [65] | ISHTAR HEAVY FIRE SUPPORT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 110 [66] | ISHTAR HEAVY FIRE SUPPORT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 110 [67] | HEPHAESTUS SCOUT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 140 [68] | ODIN SCOUT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 140 [69] | ODIN SCOUT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 150 [70] | MITHRAS LIGHT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 150 [71] | MITHRAS LIGHT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 150 Standard [72] | COMMANDO IIC Clan (Mech) |
Fusion 155 [73] | INDRA INFANTRY TRANSPORT Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 155 [74] | INDRA INFANTRY TRANSPORT Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 160 Standard [75] | CORVIS Clan (Mech) |
Fusion 160 Standard [76] | CORVIS 2 Clan (Mech) |
Fusion 175 [77] | SVANTOVIT INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 175 [78] | SVANTOVIT INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 180 [79] | KU WHEELED ASSAULT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 180 [80] | KU WHEELED ASSAULT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 195 Mk. VI, Mod. 3 [81] | Rifleman IIC 5 IS (Mech) |
Fusion 195 Mk. VI, Mod. 3 [82] | RIFLEMAN IIC 3 IS (Mech) |
Fusion 200 [83] | MARS ASSAULT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 200 [84] | HACHIMAN FIRE SUPPORT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 200 [85] | ARES MEDIUM TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 200 [86] | ARES MEDIUM TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 200 [87] | HACHIMAN FIRE SUPPORT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 200 [88] | MARS ASSAULT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 200 Standard [89] | Locust iic 7 Clan (Mech) |
Fusion 200 Standard [90] | LOCUST IIC 4 IS (Mech) |
Fusion 215 [91] | EPONA PURSUIT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 215 [92] | EPONA PURSUIT TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 225 [93] | ATHENA COMBAT VEHICLE Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 225 [94] | ATHENA COMBAT VEHICLE Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 225 Standard [95] | PINION Clan (Mech) |
Fusion 240 [96] | MORRIGU FIRE SUPPORT VEHICLE Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 240 [97] | ORO HEAVY TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 240 [98] | ORO HEAVY TANK Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 240 Mk. V [99] | GALAHAD 6 Clan (Mech) |
Fusion 255 [100] | THUNDER STALLION 3 Clan (Mech) |
Fusion 255 Standard [101] | THUNDER STALLION Clan (Mech) |
Fusion 260 [102] | SHODEN Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 260 Standard [103] | FIRE SCORPION Clan (Mech) |
Fusion 260 Standard [104] | FIRE SCORPION 3 Clan (Mech) |
Fusion 270 Standard [105] | HIGHLANDER IIC Clan (Mech) |
Fusion 270 Standard [106] | HIGHLANDER IIC 2 Clan (Mech) |
Fusion 340 Standard [107] | XERXES Clan (Fighter) |
Fusion 50 [108] | DONAR ASSAULT HELICOPTER Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 50 [109] | DONAR ASSAULT HELICOPTER Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 60 [110] | SHAMASH RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLE Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 95 [111] | ASSHUR ARTILLERY SPOTTER Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion 95 Cruising Speed: 97 kph [112] | ASSHUR ARTILLERY SPOTTER Clan (Vehicle) |
Fusion Standard 180 [113] | Clan (Mech) |
Fusion Standard 180 [114] | WYVERN IIC 2 IS (Mech) |
Fusion Standard 250 Mk. IX [115] | STALKING SPIDER Clan (Mech) |
Fusion Type 170 [116] | Clan bellona hoVer tank (vehicle) |
Galas 70 Micro-Fusion [117] | MANTIS LIGHT ATTACK VTOL IS (Vehicle) |
GoreTex 240 Fusion [118] | SCHREK PPC CARRIER IS (Vehicle) |
goretex 255 Fusion [119] | Trajan assault Infantry Fighting Vehicle IS (Vehicle) |
Heavy Force 300 (Standard) [120] | ORION IIC Clan (Mech) |
Immortus 300 Compact Fusion [121] | IS c-ang-o archangel (mech) |
Imstar-C 150 Turbine [122] | DEFENDER MEDIUM STRIKE FIGHTER IS (Vehicle) |
JES 15 Fusion [123] | IS jes i tactical Missile carrier (vehicle) |
Leenex 140 [124] | PNT-9R PANTHER IS (Mech) |
Leenex 60 [125] | JVN-10N JAVELIN IS (Mech) |
Leenex 60 [126] | uM-r63 Urbanmech (Mech) IS |
Light Force (Standard) 210 [127] | PACK HUNTER Clan (Mech) |
LightForce 210 [128] | Clan (Mech) |
Lockheed 70 Micro-Fusion [129] | WARRIOR H8 ATTACK HELICOPTER IS (Vehicle) |
ltV 150 [130] | WsP-100 Wasp LAM MK I IS (Mech) |
LTV 160 [131] | WTH-1 WHITWORTH IS (Mech) |
LTV 160 [132] | LCT-1V LOCUST IS (Mech) |
LTV 160 [133] | INI-02 INITIATE IS (Mech) |
LTV 160 [134] | Wht-2 WhitWorth (Mech) IS |
LTV 160 [135] | McY-99 Mercury (Mech) IS |
LTV 160 [136] | Rotunda (Vehicle) IS |
LTV 160 Light [137] | INI-04 INITIATE IS (Mech) |
LTV 385 EL [138] | TR1 WRAITH IS (Mech) |
LTV 400 [139] | CGR-1A1 CHARGER IS (Mech) |
Mk XI 250 Standard [140] | STALKING SPIDER 3 Clan (Mech) |
Model SF-3 (Standard) [141] | HA OTOKO Clan (Mech) |
New Kent Type 240 [142] | BATTLE COBRA Clan (Mech) |
New Kent Type 325 [143] | CROSSBOW Clan (Mech) |
New Kent Type 91 Fusion 240 [144] | MATADOR Clan (Mech) |
New Kent Type 91 Fusion 240 [145] | MATADOR 2 Clan (Mech) |
Olympus 240 [146] | IS Vlc-5n Vulcan (aero) |
PlasmaStar 270 [147] | CHP-W5 CHIPPEWA IS (Fighter) |
Plasmastar 270 [148] | PXH-5l PHoenix Hawk IS (Mech) |
PlasmaStar 270 [149] | IS tfn-2a typhoon (aero) |
PlasmaStar 270 [150] | ahb-443 Ahab (Fighter) IS |
PowerTech 165 Highlift [151] | MAXIM HOVERTANK IS (Vehicle) |
Powertech 165 Highlift Fusion [152] | Maxim MK II Transport IS (Vehicle) |
Railings 300 Fusion [153] | OSR-4L OSTROC IS (Mech) |
RFUM 225 Standard [154] | GREAT WYRM Clan (Mech) |
RFUM 225 Standard [155] | GREAT WYRM 2 Clan (Mech) |
Robinson 160 Fuse-Pak Fusion [156] | PINTO ATTACK VTOL IS (Vehicle) |
RT 190 Fusion [157] | CHEVALIER LIGHT TANK IS (Vehicle) |
Scarborough 105 Fusion [158] | PEGASUS SCOUT HOVERTANK IS (Vehicle) |
Shinobi 240 [159] | S-3 SAI |
Shinobi 250 Turbine [160] | ’MECHBUSTER IS (Vehicle) |
Shinobi 260 [161] | SL-17 SHILONE IS (Fighter) |
Shinobi 280 [162] | SL-21 SHOLAGAR IS (Fighter) |
Shinobi 320 Fusion [163] | SL-15 SLAYER IS (Fighter) |
Shinobl 275 Fusion [164] | ON-1 ONI IS (Fighter) |
Shipil 180 [165] | SYD-21 SEYDLITZ IS (Fighter) |
Standard 165 Fusion [166] | TYRE Clan (Fighter) |
Star League Standard 360 [167] | KINGFISHER Clan (Mech) |
Stark 55 [168] | Clan chrysaor (proto mech) |
Type 10 320 Fusion [169] | Warhammer IIC 5 IS (Mech) |
Type 170 Fusion [170] | TYR Infantry Support Tank Clan (Vehicle) |
Type 275 Standard Fusion [171] | RABID COYOTE Clan (Mech) |
Warner 240J [172] | SPR-H5 SPARROWHAWK IS (Fighter) |
Warner 270M Fusion [173] | PXH-5L Phoenix Hawk IS (Mech) |
Warner 270M Fusion [174] | PXH-4L PHOENIX HAWK IS (Mech) |
WAS 195 [175] | LCF-R15 LUCIFER IS (Fighter) |
WAS 280 [176] | Mr-1s Morgenstern IS (Fighter) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 TechManual, p. 35, "Fusion and Fusion Fuels"
- ↑ TechManual, pp. 36-37, "Fusion Engine Explosions: The Great Myth"
- ↑ Tech Manual, pp. 214-215, "Military-Standard Fusion Engines" & "Industrial Fission/Fusion Engines"
- ↑ 3039 p. 62
- ↑ TRO Phoenix p. 70
- ↑ 3085 p. 134
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ 3039 p. 30
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 134
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 130
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 160
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 14
- ↑ TRO 3058U p. 68
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 22
- ↑ TRO 3058U p. 72
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 160
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 162
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 120
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 142
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 128
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 166
- ↑ TRO Phoenix p. 30
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 162
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3058U p. 184
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 128
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 102
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 154
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 160
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 156
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 152
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 162
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 8
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 278
- ↑ TRO 3050U p. 244
- ↑ 3085 p. 300
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 164
- ↑ TRO 3050U p. 230
- ↑ TRO 3058U p. 106
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 144
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 172
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 280
- ↑ 3039 p. 22
- ↑ TRO 3058U p. 76
- ↑ 3085 p. 264
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ 3085 p. 76
- ↑ 3039 p. 10
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 150
- ↑ 3085 p. 274
- ↑ TRO 3058U p. 84
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 44
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 44
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 62
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 62
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 30
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 38
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 38
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 42
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 42
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 136
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 46
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 46
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 152
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 48
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 48
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 58
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 58
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO Phoenix p. 66
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 68
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 56
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 52
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 52
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 56
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 68
- ↑ 3085 p. 272
- ↑ TRO Phoenix p. 60
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 54
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 54
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 64
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 64
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 114
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 38
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 60
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 60
- ↑ TRO 3055U p. 116
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 180
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 36
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 168
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 184
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 168
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 40
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 40
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 34
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 36
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 36
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 156
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 158
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 128
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 10
- ↑ 3039 p. 90
- ↑ 3085 p. 46
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 176
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 92
- ↑ 3039 p. 180
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 56
- ↑ 3039 p. 114
- ↑ 3039 p. 108
- ↑ TRO 3050U p. 22
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 142
- ↑ TRO 3055U p. 110
- ↑ TRO 3058U p. 58
- ↑ 3085 p. 296
- ↑ 3039 p. 126
- ↑ 3039 p. 281
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 84
- ↑ TRO 3050U p. 44
- ↑ TRO 3050U p. 184
- ↑ TRO 3050U p. 154
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3055U p. 46
- ↑ 3039 p. 156
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 170
- ↑ TRO 3058U p. 166
- ↑ TRO 3058U p. 182
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 164
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 302
- ↑ 3039 p. 212
- ↑ 3085 p. 236
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 284
- ↑ TRO 3050U p. 246
- ↑ TRO 3058U p. 92
- ↑ 3085 p. 28
- ↑ TRO Phoenix p. 34
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 154
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 16
- ↑ TRO 3060 p. 18
- ↑ TRO 3058U p. 78
- ↑ 3039 p. 236
- ↑ 3039 p. 184
- ↑ 3039 p. 210
- ↑ 3039 p. 198
- ↑ 3039 p. 214
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 146
- ↑ 3039 p. 190
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 164
- ↑ TRO 3058U p. 188
- ↑ TRO 3075 p. 158
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 32
- ↑ TRO 3067 p. 118
- ↑ 3039 p. 196
- ↑ Milspecs
- ↑ TRO Phoenix p. 24
- ↑ 3039 p. 208
- ↑ 3085 p. 116