Autocannon

From Warhammer 40k

The Autocannon is a solid-slug-firing weapon used by the Imperium of Mankind. It is an ancient weapon, but has nevertheless remained an extremely widely-used weapon throughout the Imperium's history.

The weapon is very large and heavy. This, combined with the serious recoil it creates, often restricts it to a vehicle mounting or dedicated heavy weapons teams. It fires large caliber shells at a reasonable rate of fire. The shells themselves have a small explosive in their tip, meaning they can penetrate light vehicle armor and shred infantry with ease.

Contents 1 Tactical Implications 2 Construction 3 Uses within Imperial Armies 3.1 Imperial Guard 3.2 Imperial Navy 3.3 Adeptus Astartes

[edit] Tactical Implications

Although the Autocannon is quite common, its popularity is rather inconsistent. Many Imperial commanders shun use of the Autocannon, stating that it serves no role fully. It lacks the firing rate of a Heavy Bolter or Multi-Laser, meaning that its anti-infantry power is hampered. It also lacks the sheer armour-piercing hitting power of a Krak missile or Lascannon, and thus cannot be deployed to destroy enemy armor. It is, as a result, chided by many commanders.

However, although many disapprove of the Autocannon, there are just as many who hail it as a tactically vital weapon. Its supporters argue that its versatility is it's best attribute; that it can in fact support either role satisfactorily. Although it cannot tear through ranks of infantry like an Assault Cannon can, or bring down enemy armor to the extent of a Lascannon, it can still support an army in any eventuality. However, it is against the Tyranids that the autocannon finds its true calling. The ability to deliver larger volumes of high strength firepower is vital to combating the larger Tyranids such as Hive Tyrants and Carnifex, which lack the armor to require the penetrating power of a Lascannon, but are too tough to be very threatened by a heavy bolter.

[edit] Construction

The Autocannon is a relatively simple weapon; it is constructed en masse in the Manufactorums of Imperial planets.

It is a very large weapon, and is far too cumbersome to be man-portable. Rather, the weapon is mostly just mounted on vehicles. In the Imperial Guard, they are often carried by teams of two men. This is a lot more manageable; one man carries the gun itself while the other lugs around the ammunition. This model of Autocannon will mostly be equipped with a small blast shield to add some protection to the crew from incoming fire.

[edit] Uses within Imperial Armies

[edit] Imperial Guard

The Imperial Guard generally make quite heavy use of the Autocannon. This does of course vary depending on a given Regiment's tactical preferences, but it does see quite active use in the Imperial Anvil.

It is frequently used on:

• Leman Russ Exterminator, a variant of the Leman Russ.
• Two-man Support Teams
• Sentinels

[edit] Imperial Navy

The Imperial Navy frequently equips its light fighter aircraft with Autocannons. The light-armor-piercing yet slightly rapid fire nature of the weapon perfectly suit the snub fighters in dogfighting situations. In particular, the Lightning fighter craft employs this weapon to great effect. Frequent uses:

• The aforementioned Lightning snub fighters
• Marauder fighter-bombers
• The Valkyrie
• The Vulture gunship

[edit] Adeptus Astartes

The Autocannon is not used as widely in the Adeptus Astartes as it is in other branches of the Imperial armies. Being such an elite and fast-moving army, the Autocannon has fallen out of favor with them in exchange for weapons such as the Lascannon or Heavy Bolter. However, due to its versatility, most Chapters still retain a few Autocannons in their Chapter Armory.

Frequent uses:

• Predator tanks