View source for Detachable Weapon Mount

==Description==
The '''Detachable Weapon Mount''', also known as the '''Detachable Weapon Pack''', was developed by [[Clan Hell's Horses]] for use on their "Rock" variant of the [[Golem]] [[battle armor]].<ref>''Tactical Operations'', p. 287</ref> Derived from the standard detachable missile launchers long used on Clan [[Elemental (Battle Armor)|Elemental]] armor, the [[Technology Rating|advanced]] Detachable Weapon Mount is designed to let battle armor carry one nonmissile weapon system into a fight. By dedicating a certain set amount of weight to the Detachable Weapon Mount, the battle armor trooper gains additional flexibility in his weapon loadout. The DWP allows the trooper to carry more weapons than would otherwise be possible, or tailor the combat load for the mission. By [[3073]], the [[Inner Sphere]] would gain access to the DWP and use them with their Battle Armor as well.<ref>''Technical Readout: Prototypes'', p. 208: Jihad Technology Advancement Table / Battle Armor Tech - Detachable Weapon Pack listed for both Inner Sphere and Clans, with 3073 / 3072 the year of their systems being prototyped</ref>

When installed the Detachable Weapon Mount allows battle armor to carry a weapon on a hardpoint. This effectively reduces the weight of any weapon and ammunition installed on the Detachable Weapon Mount by 25%.<ref>''Tactical Operations'', p. 286: "While mounted in a DWP, the weapon and ammunition are calculated at only 75% of their original weight (rounded up to nearest 5 kilograms)."</ref>

Though the Detachable Weapon Mount offers significant flexibility, the system does have some drawbacks. Chief among these is the incredible penalty to movement due to the externally mounted systems. These external components impair the motion of a battlesuit trooper.<ref>''Tactical Operations'', p. 286: "The DWP cannot be mounted if the suit's movement would fall below 0. Suits reduced to a Ground MP of exactly 0 for mounting a DWP receive a maximum Ground MP of 1 while carrying any DWP. Multiple DWPs have no effect on a unit's ground MPs."</ref><ref>''Tactical Operations'', p. 287: "The DWP renders the armor incapable of using Jump MP while the armor carries even a single occupied DWP. Medium suits suffer a -3 Ground MP movement penalty while heavy and assault suits suffer a -2 Ground MP penalty. These penalties can be slightly offset by the use of [[Battle Armor Mechanical Jump Booster]]."</ref> Another drawback is the fact that they can only be used on suits that are medium-weight or heavier.<ref>''Tactical Operations'', p. 287</ref> An additional drawback is the cost of the unit, it adds 18,000 C-bills to the cost of the weapon it carries.<ref>''Tactical Operations'', p. 413</ref> Finally, the DWP cannot be used to carry missiles of any sort, only battle armor scaled nonmissile weapons.

Like the missile launcher used on the [[Elemental]] armor, the Detachable Weapon Mount can be ejected from the carrying unit. The Mount remains in place, but the weapon system carried by the mount is lost. This obviously reduces the firepower of the battle armor, but all the movement penalties the suit suffered are gone once every DWP is empty.<ref>''Tactical Operations'', p. 287</ref>

The Detachable Weapons Pack/Mount would be mass produced by [[3080]] and become regular technology.<ref>''Technical Readout: Prototypes'', p. 208: Jihad Technology Advancement Table / Battle Armor Tech - Detachable Weapon Pack is noted being available for Tournament Legal rules and considered mass produced</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Tactical Operations]]''


[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Battle Armor Equipment]]