Machine Gun

(Redirected from Machine guns)
Machine Gun
Production information
Type Ballistic (Anti-Infantry)
Tech Base Clan / Inner Sphere (IS)
Year Introduced Clan = 2825 CDS

IS = Pre-Spaceflight[1]

Technology Rating B
Availability Ratings A[2]/A[2]/B[2]
Technical specifications
Heat 0 [3]
Damage 2 + 2D6 vs. Infantry[3][4] OR 8B/6B[5]
Minimum Range 0[3]
Short Range 1[3]
Medium Range 2[3]
Long Range 3[3]
Tons Clan = 0.25[6]

IS = 0.5[3]

Critical Slots 1[3]
Ammo Per Ton 200[3]
Cost (unloaded) 5,000[2]
Ammo Cost (per ton) 1,000[7]
BV (2.0) Clan = 5[8]
1 (Ammo)[8]

IS = 5[9]
1 (Ammo)[9]

Description[edit]

The Machine Gun is the quintessential anti-infantry weapon, issuing a stream of bullets at a high rate of fire to cut down opposing soldiers, while still being effective at damaging BattleMechs. Vehicular-scale machine guns mounted on BattleMechs can lay low entire platoons in just a few passes thanks to their high rate of fire, though they are more commonly found on Combat Vehicles and ProtoMechs.[1] These weapons are much heavier than those typically carried by infantry, but can be used by them when placed on a static mount, where they are called Support Machine Guns.[10][11] Battle armor can also carry machine guns, typically upgraded versions of infantry-support weapons, which can rival their larger vehicular-scale cousins.[12]

Beyond the "standard" models Clan Smoke Jaguar was the first to create Light Machine Guns and Heavy Machine Guns, which the other Clans and the Inner Sphere eventually fielded as well. The Federated Suns were also the first to mount multiple machine guns on the same linked platform creating the Machine Gun Array.[1]

Additionally, to their feature of being brutally effective against infantry units, Machine Guns can be reconfigured to spray a significantly higher amount of bullets at the cost of heat. This by default consumes triple the amount of ammo measured against the actual damage applied (regardless of if this hits or not). This in turn enables them to do a notable amount of damage to armor as a result of simply throwing more bullets at the problem. This unfortunately doesn't make these types of weapons any more damaging against infantry however.[13]

Ammo Handling[edit]

BattleMechs and vehicles (massing more than 5 tons) allot Machine Gun ammunition in half-ton (100 "round") as well as full ton (200 "round") lots. Powered armor (of all types, including battle armor) and vehicles massing less than 5 tons are allotted ammo in 5 kg lots that are consumed in a single "round" or turn of fire. This sheer amount of stored ammunition is exceptionally dangerous to have loaded into a 'Mech or Vehicle, and many MechWarriors will opt to forgo the use of Machine Guns on their 'Mech especially if the 'Mech doesn't have CASE.

Models[edit]

The Machine Gun is manufactured on the following planets:

20mm Gatling Gun[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Various Quikscell Company Scorpion Light Tank [14]

Armstrong Minigun[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Ramora United Outworlders Corporation Protector (Conventional Fighter) [15]

Blackwell B75[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Outreach Blackwell Corporation Kestrel (Combat Vehicle) [16]

Borman-A5C[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Torrence Veridian Dynamics T-12 Tiger Medium Tank [17]

Bulldog Minigun[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Al Na'ir Scarborough Manufacturing Maxim [18]
Proserpina Bulldog Enterprises Bulldog [19]
Nashira Duratron Enterprises Burrower MOD, Ground Pounder MOD [20]

Coventry Light Autogun[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Coventry Coventry Metal Works Razorback [21]

Double-Gun[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
New Avalon Achernar BattleMechs Osiris [22]

General A70 Model[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Arcturus Arcturan Arms Marsden I [23]

General Motors MiniGun[edit]

Usually called the GM MiniGun.

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
El Dorado General Motors GM-4P Pompier PoliceMech [24]

Grizzly-3 Minigun[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Torrence Veridian Dynamics T-12 Tiger Medium Tank [17]

Heavy[edit]

Used on the Maxim Hover Transport, the brand name leads to confusion with the advanced Heavy Machine Gun

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
unknown unknown Maxim Hover Transport [25]

Johnston MiniGun[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
New Syrtis Johnston Industries Goblin [26]

Kicker[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Skye Cyclops Incorporated Drillson [27]

LFN Lindblad[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Grand Base Earthwerks Incorporated Stinger [28]
Illiushin Vandenberg Mechanized Industries Stinger [29]
New Avalon Corean Enterprises Fireball [30]
Wallis Ronin Incorporated Warhammer [31]

M100 Heavy[edit]

The M100 Heavy Machine Gun is a 12.5mm[32] weapon typically used to deter infantry attacks against Phoenix Hawk, Crusader and Exterminator BattleMechs.[33]

The M100s is powerful enough to punch right through any body armor, though Elemental armor could withstand multiple hits with no problem.[34]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Oliver Brigadier Corporation Phoenix Hawk
Crusader
Exterminator
[33]

MainFire MiniGun[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Belladonna Cal-Boeing of Dorwinion Ferret [35]
Van Zandt Jake's Discount Equipment Warehouse CON-9M-J Carbine MOD [36]

Maxi Mini[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Menke Ceres Metals Industries Po Heavy Tank [37]
Capella Ceres Metals Industries Guard SecurityMech [38]

Mydron Mini-Gun[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
New Avalon Achernar BattleMechs Argus [39]
Robinson Robinson Standard BattleWorks Argus [39]

PC-50[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Arcturus Arcturan Arms Estevez Main Battle Tank [40]

Scatter Gun Light[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
New Earth New Earth Trading Company Vedette [41]
Quentin Independence Weaponry Chimera [42]

Sperry Browning[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Canopus IV Majesty Metals and Manufacturing Locust [43]
Hun Ho LexaTech Industries Cerberus [44]
Tematagi Nimakachi Fusion Products Ltd Vulcan [45]
Alpheratz Mountain Wolf BattleMechs Merlin [46]
Pandora Red Devil Industries Battlemaster [47]
Keystone Earthwerks Incorporated Battlemaster [47]
Crofton StarCorps Industries Warhammer [48]

SureFire MiniGun[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Pandora Red Devil Industries Condor (Combat Vehicle) [49]

Voelkers 200[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Pinard Vandenberg Mechanized Industries Thunderbolt [50]
Stewart Earthwerks Incorporated Thunderbolt [51]

Notes[edit]

Some weapons are occasionally described as .50 Cals but this is likely to be more a generic terminology for machine guns. One instance of this is the M100, described in different sources as being a .50cal[34] (12.7mm[52]) and a 12.5mm,[32] the figure expressed in mm would be considered the canon as BattleTech Universe officially uses the metric system. Vehicular machine guns in BattleTech can be anywhere from caliber 12.5mm, up to 20mm, (30mm enters into the range of Autocannon territory in BattleTech) depending on the model. Infantry scale models are usually smaller, but there are support weapon variant guns firing larger caliber shells above 20mm as well.

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 TechManual, p. 228: "Machine Gun"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 TechManual, p. 290: "Heavy Weapons And Equipment - Table"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 TechManual, p. 341: "Inner Sphere Heavy Weapons And Equipment Table"
  4. Total Warfare p. 217: "Burst Fire Weapons Versus Infantry Table
  5. A Time of War, p. 211: Anti-Infantry Weapons Table
  6. TechManual, p. 343: "Clan Heavy Weapons And Equipment Table"
  7. TechManual, p. 294: "Heavy Weapon Ammunition - Table"
  8. 8.0 8.1 TechManual, p. 318: "Clan Weapons and Equipment BV Table"
  9. 9.0 9.1 TechManual, p. 317: "Inner Sphere Weapons and Equipment BV Table"
  10. MechWarrior: Third Edition, p. 137: "Machine Guns"
  11. MechWarrior: Third Edition, p. 143: "Battle Armor Primary Weapons"
  12. TechManual, p. 258: "Machine Gun"
  13. Tactical Operations p. 102: "Rapid Fire Machine Guns"
  14. Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 26
  15. Handbook: Major Periphery States, pp. 200–201
  16. Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 64
  17. 17.0 17.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 211: "T-12 Tiger Medium Tank"
  18. Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 92
  19. Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 62
  20. Technical Readout: Irregulars, p. 48: "Burrower/Ground Pounder MODs"
  21. Technical Readout: 3067, p. 52: "RZK-9S Razorback"
  22. Technical Readout: 3067, p. 50: "OSR-3D Osiris"
  23. Era Digest: Age of War, p. 23
  24. Technical Readout: Irregulars, p. 20: "Pompier PoliceMech"
  25. Technical Readout: 3039, pp. 64–65: "Maxim Hover Transport"
  26. Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 48
  27. Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 54
  28. Technical Readout: 3025, p. 13
  29. Objectives: Periphery, p. 5
  30. Technical Readout: 3055 Revised, p. 10
  31. Technical Readout: 3050, p. 173
  32. 32.0 32.1 Ghost of Christmas Present, p. 3
  33. 33.0 33.1 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 294: "Produced Crusader 3R Components"
  34. 34.0 34.1 Lethal Heritage, ch. 16
  35. Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 8
  36. Technical Readout: Irregulars, p. 26: "Carbine ConstructionMech MODs"
  37. Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 100
  38. Technical Readout: Irregulars, p. 18: "Guard SecurityMech"
  39. 39.0 39.1 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, p. 138
  40. Era Digest: Age of War, p. 24: "Estevez"
  41. Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 60
  42. Technical Readout: 3067, p. 58: "CMA-1S Chimera"
  43. Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 8
  44. Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, p. 76
  45. Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 64
  46. Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 112
  47. 47.0 47.1 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 158
  48. Technical Readout: 3025, p. 97
  49. Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 52
  50. Objective Raids, p. 162
  51. Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 124
  52. https://www.convertunits.com/from/mm/to/caliber

Bibliography[edit]