Tight-Stream-Electro-Magnetic-Pulse Cannon
TSEMP Cannon | |
Production information | |
Type | Energy (Direct Fire) |
Tech Base | Inner Sphere Advanced[1] |
Year Availability | 3109 RoS |
Year Introduced | 3109 RoS |
Technology Rating | E |
Availability Rating | X |
Availability Ratings | X/X/X |
Legality Rating | E |
Technical specifications | |
Heat | 10[2] |
Damage | 0 |
Minimum Range | 0 |
Short Range | 0-5 |
Medium Range | 6-9 |
Long Range | 10-15 |
Tons | 6[3] |
Critical Slots | 5 |
Cost (unloaded) | 800,000[3] |
BV (2.0) | 488[2] |
Contents
Description
The TSEMP Cannon 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 multi-shot 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 PDS 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.[4]