AutoCannon 10

Description
The Autocannon is a direct-fire ballistic weapon, firing HEAP (High-Explosive Armor-Piercing) rounds at targets either singly or in bursts.

Different manufacturers and models of autocannons have different calibers (25mm-203mm) and rates of fire. Due to this, autocannons are grouped into generic "classes" of autocannons with common damage ratings, with Autocannon/10s causing more damage than lower-caliber autocannons while retaining a moderate range.

While not quite as deadly as an AC/20 when it comes down to raw damage, the AC/10 is potentially extremely dangerous to face when fighting against a pilot with good aim. The AC/10 is capable of stripping all the armor off the head of a 'Mech in a single shot, assuming the armor is standard armor. The AC/10 is also the first Autocannon without a minimum range bracket, making it very useful for Brawler and Juggernaut 'Mechs.

An example of the rating system: the Crusher Super Heavy Cannon is a 150mm weapon firing ten shells per "shot", while the Chemjet Gun is a 185mm weapon firing much slower, but causing higher damage. Despite their differences, both are classified as Autocannon/20s due to their damage output.

History
The Terran Hegemony introduced a prototype AC/10 in 2445. It cost five times as much as a standard Autocannon/10, would jam like an Ultra Autocannon, and only carry 8 reloads per ton of ammunition.

An Autocannon/10 can use special munitions to increase its effectiveness.

Models
The Autocannon/10 is manufactured on the following planets:

Federated Autocannon
An excellent large-caliber model firing in bursts of ten rounds and whose cooling jacket doubles as a protective sleeve for engaging in hand-to-hand combat. While one ton of ammunition only allows for ten bursts total, the rounds are stored in an equivalent number of big clips which are easy to eject and reload.

Ceres Arms Model T
The Model T is noted as a venerable weapon with an excellent combat record.

Imperator-B
Fires a 10-shot burst.

Luxor D-Series
The Luxor is known for having ammunition feed issues.

Fires 80mm shells

Mydron Model B
The Model B has a caliber of eighty-millimeters.

SarLon MaxiCannon
The auto-loader of the SarLon MaxiCannon is also very similar to that of the much larger ChemJet Gun 185mm.

Western Heavy
Long praised by Taurian Concordat armor crews for its accuracy and potency, by the Reunification War the Western Heavy was considered a proven and dependable weapon.