Autoguns
"Lasers win duels. Autoguns win wars."
— Union military proverb
Overview
Autoguns are among the most common ballistic weapons fielded throughout the Core.
Essentially oversized machine guns designed for mech combat, Autoguns fire a continuous stream of high-velocity projectiles capable of damaging vehicles, infantry, and enemy mechs alike. Their simple construction, low cost, and dependable performance have made them a mainstay of military forces for centuries.
Though often overshadowed by larger cannons and advanced energy weapons, Autoguns remain one of the most versatile and widely deployed weapons in known space.
Battlefield Role
Autoguns excel at delivering a continuous stream of fire against lightly armored targets.
Unlike most mech weapons, which rely on powerful individual shots, Autoguns achieve their effectiveness through volume of fire. Their rapid firing rates allow pilots to steadily wear down enemy armor while generating virtually no heat. As long as ammunition remains available, an Autogun-equipped mech can maintain pressure on a target almost indefinitely.
Autoguns are particularly effective against lighter mechs, vehicles, and infantry formations. Their high rate of fire also makes them dangerous once enemy armor has been breached. A steady stream of rounds striking exposed internal systems dramatically increases the likelihood of critical damage, making Autoguns a favorite weapon among pilots who specialize in finishing crippled opponents.
The weapon's primary weakness is its relatively modest damage per shot. Heavy armor can often withstand Autogun fire for extended periods, forcing pilots to rely on sustained engagements or coordinate with heavier weapon systems.
For this reason, Autoguns are frequently paired with larger weapons that strip armor away while the Autogun exploits any vulnerabilities that appear.
Common Variants
Common Autogun variants include:
- Autogun
- Heavy Autogun
See the Weapon Reference for detailed specifications.
History
Autoguns trace their lineage to some of humanity's earliest projectile weapons.
Although countless improvements have been made over the centuries, the underlying concept remains largely unchanged: launch a solid projectile at extremely high velocity and allow kinetic energy to do the rest.
The rise of fusion-powered mechs and advanced energy weapons led many military theorists to predict the eventual disappearance of ballistic weapons. Instead, Autoguns persisted. Their low cost, minimal maintenance requirements, and immunity to many forms of energy-system failure ensured they remained useful even as more advanced technologies emerged.
Following the Great Restoration, many governments reduced military spending and sought weapons that could be manufactured cheaply and deployed in large numbers. Autoguns proved perfectly suited to this environment and became particularly popular within the growing militaries of the Union and Protectorate.
Today, Autoguns are often viewed as unglamorous weapons. Yet few veterans underestimate them. History is filled with examples of expensive machines being destroyed by pilots carrying simple weapons that refused to stop firing.