Autocannon/20

< Autocannon
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Autocannon.jpg
AC/20
Production information
Type Ballistic (Direct Fire)
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Year Availability 2500 (LC)[1]
Technical specifications
Heat 7[1]
Damage 20[1]
Minimum Range N/A
Short Range 1-3[1]
Medium Range 4-6[1]
Long Range 7-9[1]
Tons 14[1]
Critical Slots 10
Ammo Per Ton 5[1]
Cost (unloaded) 300,000
Ammo Cost (per ton) 10,000
BV (1.0) 178
BV (2.0) 178[2]
22 (Ammo)[2]



Description

The Autocannon is a direct-fire ballistic weapon, firing HEAP (High-Explosive Armor-Piercing) rounds at targets either singly or in bursts.

Different manufacturers and models of autocannons have different calibers (25mm-203mm) and rates of fire. Due to this, autocannons are grouped into generic "classes" of autocannons with common damage ratings, with Autocannon/20s doing massive damage while having very short range.[1]

This Autocannon can decapitate any 'Mech with one good hit to the head, regardless of the weight class. The head of any 'Mech cannot mount more than a little more than a tons worth of standard armor. The AC/20 is capable of ripping nearly a ton and a quarter of armor off a 'Mech in any given volley (or shot, based on the model). This is enough damage to take down even the heaviest of 'Mechs if aimed well. Only Hardened Armor or Ballistic-Reinforced Armor can save a MechWarrior from a hit from this class of cannon to the head, if the full value of armor is mounted on the head of the 'Mech.

An example of the rating system: the Crusher Super Heavy Cannon is a 150mm weapon firing ten shells per "round" while the Chemjet Gun is a 185mm weapon firing much slower, and causing higher damage per shell. Despite their differences, both are classified as Autocannon/20s due to their damage output.

Ammunition

A standard AC/20 can fire multiple types of ammunition, most of which were developed by the Federated Commonwealth in order to make their large supply of standard autocannon more useful in the age of Ultra and LB-X autocannon.[3]

Models

The Autocannon/20 is manufactured on the following planets:

Brand Planet Company Used by References
Crusher SH Cannon Kalidasa
Indicass
Quikscell Company
Ceres Metals Industries
??? [citation needed]
Defiance 'Mech Hunter Hesperus II Defiance Industries ??? [citation needed]
Imperator Zeta-A Atreus Imperator Automatic Weaponry ??? [citation needed]
Kali Yama Big Bore Kalidasa Kali Yama Weapons Industries Incorporated ??? [citation needed]
Mydron A Bithinia
Gulkana
Bithinian Ballistics
Yeffters Weapons Factory
??? [citation needed]
Scarborough Original 20 Al Na'ir
Scarborough
Scarborough Manufacturers
Scarborough Limited
??? [citation needed]

Armstrong Requiem

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Ramora United Outworlders Corporation

ChemJet Gun 185mm

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Betelgeuse Aldis Industries
New Samarkand New Samarkand Metals
Terra Aldis Industries

Luxor Devastator-20

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
New Syrtis Johnston Industries Axman

Pontiac 100

The Pontiac 100 is famously known for massive firepower but occasional ammunition feed problems when mounted to the Victor BattleMech.

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Sterope Sterope Defense Industries Victor [4]

Zeus-36, Mark III

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Cyclops [5]

See Also

  • Caseless Autocannon/20: A smaller and lighter version of the Autocannon/20 specifically designed to use caseless ammunition, giving it three times the ammunition capacity per given mass, along with a size and weight profile just slightly larger than the Autocannon/10. However, it has one critical design flaw that led to it being phased out in favor of a more modern variant of Caseless munitions; though these newer munitions are not as lightweight as their counterparts, they can be used with a simple modification to existing Autocannons and are far less prone to explosions in the event of a weapon jam.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 TechManual, pp. 207-208, "Autocannons"
  2. 2.0 2.1 TechManual, p. 317, "Inner Sphere Weapons and Equipment BV Table"
  3. TechManual, p. 208, "Autocannon Munitions"
  4. Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 154
  5. Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 168

Bibliography