Difference between revisions of "Infantry"
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| − | + | As old was war itself, '''Infantry''' are the foot soldiers of any military force. Underestimated and under-appreciated in the eyes of their so-called betters, many a campaign is often won or lost due to the actions of the "poor bloody infantry" while [[BattleMech]] and [[AeroSpace Fighter]] pilots win the glory. Their training, equipment, battlefield role and organization can vary wildly, allowing them to fulfill a number of disparate goals. The ability of even the poorest [[Periphery]] state or pirate band to field large formations of infantry ensures their use throughout known space, from the [[Inner Sphere]] to the [[Kerensky Cluster]].<ref name=TW23>''Total Warfare'', p. 24</ref><ref name=TM145>''TechManual'', p. 145</ref><ref name=TM275>''TechManual'', p. 275</ref> | |
| − | + | The advent of [[Battle Armor]] has also seen a renewed interest in the use of infantry. Though superior in many ways to their unarmored brethren, their sheer expense and unsuitability for a number of roles sees the continued use of "conventional" infantry.<ref name=TM275/> | |
| − | |||
| + | ==Types== | ||
| + | The sheer versatility of infantry means their categorization is broken down into two broad categories: their motive type and their armament.<ref name=TM275/><ref name=BT>''BattleTroops'', p. 34-35</ref> | ||
| + | ===Foot Infantry=== | ||
| + | The cheapest and easiest to maintain, foot infantry are able to cross a wide variety of terrain features, although the lack of any transportation beyond their own legs limits their speed and range of movement. Their most common assignments include static defense, population control, garrison duty and counter-insurgency operations. In addition to their small arms, foot infantry also carry support weapons, though they are limited in how many and what type they may carry.<ref name=TW23/><ref name=TM145/><ref name=TM275/> | ||
| − | == | + | ===Motorized Infantry=== |
| − | + | Motorized infantry ride into battle on light vehicles such as motorcycles and jeeps, making them faster than foot infantry although more restricted in the types of terrain they can traverse. In addition to the jobs normally given to foot infantry, motorized infantry also act as scouts and forward observers for their parent force. While some will dismount prior to battle, other motorized forces fight from their vehicles, the high speeds and tight formations they typically fight at giving them a reputation for recklessness. Because of their means of transportation, motorized squads are allowed to tow heavier squad support weapons such as [[Field Gun]]s.<ref name=TO311>''Tactical Operations'', p. 311</ref> They may also be transported to the battlefield in modified heavy APCs.<ref name=TW23/><ref name=TM275 /><ref name=BT/> | |
| − | + | ===Mechanized Infantry=== | |
| − | + | Mechanized infantry are carried into battle in armored personnel carriers or infantry fighting vehicles.<ref name=TM145/> Offering more protection compared to motorized infantry, these vehicles are also larger and heavier, capable of providing fire support themselves if sufficiently armed. Because of their means of transportation, mechanized infantry using wheeled or tracked vehicles are allowed to tow heavier support weapons such as [[Field Artillery]].<ref name=TW23/><ref name=TM275/><ref name=TO311 /> | |
| − | + | ===Jump Infantry=== | |
| − | + | One of the most expensive types of infantry, jump infantry are trained in the use of jump packs, bounding across the battlefield in "hops" of up to 100 meters.<ref name=TM275 /> This allows them to clear terrain more quickly, and gives them superior mobility to other infantry when operating in an urban environment.<ref name=TW23/> One of their primary roles is to hunt down enemy 'Mechs, for which they receive extra training and equipment to accomplish this mission. Jump infantry may also be carried to the battle on transports, favoring in particular VTOL craft.<ref name=TM145/> However, without any transportation, jump infantry are limited in the number and types of support weapons they can carry.<ref name=BT/> | |
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==Also See== | ==Also See== | ||
*[[Battle Armor]] | *[[Battle Armor]] | ||
| − | *[[Inner Sphere Infantry | + | *[[Inner Sphere Infantry Organization|Infantry Organization]] |
*[[Infantry Weapons List|Infantry Weapons]] | *[[Infantry Weapons List|Infantry Weapons]] | ||
==Categories== | ==Categories== | ||
| Line 33: | Line 29: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Bibliography== | ||
| + | *''[[BattleTroops]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Tactical Operations]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[TechManual]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Total Warfare]]'' | ||
[[Category: Technology]] | [[Category: Technology]] | ||
Revision as of 17:29, 22 October 2011
As old was war itself, Infantry are the foot soldiers of any military force. Underestimated and under-appreciated in the eyes of their so-called betters, many a campaign is often won or lost due to the actions of the "poor bloody infantry" while BattleMech and AeroSpace Fighter pilots win the glory. Their training, equipment, battlefield role and organization can vary wildly, allowing them to fulfill a number of disparate goals. The ability of even the poorest Periphery state or pirate band to field large formations of infantry ensures their use throughout known space, from the Inner Sphere to the Kerensky Cluster.[1][2][3]
The advent of Battle Armor has also seen a renewed interest in the use of infantry. Though superior in many ways to their unarmored brethren, their sheer expense and unsuitability for a number of roles sees the continued use of "conventional" infantry.[3]
Contents
Types
The sheer versatility of infantry means their categorization is broken down into two broad categories: their motive type and their armament.[3][4]
Foot Infantry
The cheapest and easiest to maintain, foot infantry are able to cross a wide variety of terrain features, although the lack of any transportation beyond their own legs limits their speed and range of movement. Their most common assignments include static defense, population control, garrison duty and counter-insurgency operations. In addition to their small arms, foot infantry also carry support weapons, though they are limited in how many and what type they may carry.[1][2][3]
Motorized Infantry
Motorized infantry ride into battle on light vehicles such as motorcycles and jeeps, making them faster than foot infantry although more restricted in the types of terrain they can traverse. In addition to the jobs normally given to foot infantry, motorized infantry also act as scouts and forward observers for their parent force. While some will dismount prior to battle, other motorized forces fight from their vehicles, the high speeds and tight formations they typically fight at giving them a reputation for recklessness. Because of their means of transportation, motorized squads are allowed to tow heavier squad support weapons such as Field Guns.[5] They may also be transported to the battlefield in modified heavy APCs.[1][3][4]
Mechanized Infantry
Mechanized infantry are carried into battle in armored personnel carriers or infantry fighting vehicles.[2] Offering more protection compared to motorized infantry, these vehicles are also larger and heavier, capable of providing fire support themselves if sufficiently armed. Because of their means of transportation, mechanized infantry using wheeled or tracked vehicles are allowed to tow heavier support weapons such as Field Artillery.[1][3][5]
Jump Infantry
One of the most expensive types of infantry, jump infantry are trained in the use of jump packs, bounding across the battlefield in "hops" of up to 100 meters.[3] This allows them to clear terrain more quickly, and gives them superior mobility to other infantry when operating in an urban environment.[1] One of their primary roles is to hunt down enemy 'Mechs, for which they receive extra training and equipment to accomplish this mission. Jump infantry may also be carried to the battle on transports, favoring in particular VTOL craft.[2] However, without any transportation, jump infantry are limited in the number and types of support weapons they can carry.[4]