Beams & Bullets: Light Autocannons

[DeJaVu]

The ballistic counterpart to the laser, the autocannon retained widespread popularity and use throughout the Succession Wars. But since the latest technological renaissance, the low-cost, low-heat weapon is now often overlooked with the mass production of advanced energy weapons coupled with double heat sinks and the more efficient class of Gauss weapons. Investment into newer types of autocannons has only slowed the trend, with costly LB-X, Ultra, and rotary versions installed on vehicles fulfilling specific roles rather than the “go-to” equipment they used to be.

Light autocannons (LACs) are the Federated Suns’ latest, and possibly last, foray into keeping their beloved weapon system relevant. Taking the research and investment placed in LB-X's that developed lighter materials, designers applied it only to the basic concept to rectify the greatest drawback of the class; its weight. A twenty percent reduction in size allows more weight for ammunition or other equipment, and its feed and bins allow the use of the newer specialized autocannon rounds such as precision or armor-piercing.
However, this has also taken away its advantage of throw weight, and range is reduced by an equivalent amount, leaving it coming up short against extended-range lasers, making the heavier bore cannons pointless.
What may keep this system viable is new production models, but rather the ease of refitting older chassis with it, allowing more tonnage to be freed for upgrades that could compensate for the loss in range. For those with obsolete or RetroTech BattleMechs with little tonnage to work with, this can be a pragmatic solution.
Next week we take a gander into the spreading use of drones, so join us then!
Beams & Bullets is a weekly column discussing recent advances, adaptations, and tactics for some of the newest and most dangerous weaponry to appear in the Inner Sphere and Clan Occupation Zones. Check back every week for new insights to the beams, bullets, and gunsights you need to survive.