Inferno

Description

Infernos are special missile munitions that are a development of the incendiary weapons of the mid-20th century. They combine flammable chemicals with an adhesive compound to shower their targets with a burning gel. This gel is designed to increase a 'Mech's heat levels to the point where the DI computer shuts down the 'Mech's Fusion Engine. Inferno rounds are also effective at turning combat vehicles and battle armor into flaming coffins for their crews, and are devastating against conventional infantry platoons.

The Inferno round is popular with conventional infantry that are intended for facing off against 'Mechs and other combat units because of their great effectiveness. They can also be used by 'Mechs and vehicles but, due to their highly flammable nature, any 'Mech carrying them faces a greater chance of ammunition explosions. Such an explosion is significantly threatening because in addition to the standard damage, exploding Inferno rounds will ignite, overwhelming the heat dissipation system. MechWarriors rarely carry them because exploding ammunition will engulf the 'Mech in flames, shut down their reactor, and probably roast them in the cockpit.

The Inferno technology was introduced as an SRM ammunition type[1], but has been used in LRMs[2], bombs[3], and Arrow IV missiles[4]. In addition, vehicle flamers, fluid guns, and sprayers can also use an "Inferno fuel" that replaces the ammo with tanks of incendiary chemicals.[5]

The fire resistant armor used on the Salamander and Golem power armor makes them completely immune to the effects of Inferno rounds.

References

  1. TechManual, p. 230
  2. TechManual, p. 231 Incendiary LRMs
  3. Tactical Operations, p. 359 Inferno Bomb
  4. Tactical Operations, p. 356 Inferno IV
  5. Tactical Operations, p. 361 Inferno Fuel

Bibliography