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Heavy Quad-Launcher

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Heavy Quad Launcher[5]

Heavy Quad-Launchers, also known as Thudd Guns, are four-barrelled light field artillery pieces originally produced by the Squats.[1]

Overview

Invented by the Engineers Guilds on the Squat Homeworlds, the design was later shared with the Adeptus Mechanicus, who copied and produced their own version for use by the Imperial Guard. The weapon received its nickname from the distinctive and rhythmic "thud" sound produced as each barrel fires in rapid succession.[1] More commonly used by the Imperial Guard in the past, the heavy quad-launcher has been largely relegated to Siege Regiments and garrison forces.[2][3] The weapon was employed by Space Marines during the Horus Heresy in defence of the Imperial Palace and has seen recent use in the Badab War as well as the Tyrannic Wars.[4]

Essentially four Mortars mounted on a single weapons carriage, the Heavy Quad-Launcher boasts a high rate of fire that makes it an excellent suppression weapon and in a direct-fire role against enemy infantry.[2][3] One of its primary drawbacks however is the long reload time after all four barrels have been fired, requiring the loader to hand-crank the breech close in order to feed in a new round for each barrel. The launcher also lacks the range of heavier Imperial Guard artillery, limiting its viability in the counter-battery role.[2]

The original thudd guns were mounted on a special motorized tractor, which could be controlled by the gun crew with a radio control box.[1] However, later models used by the Imperial Guard, such as the Lucius Pattern, must be towed into place, either by a Trojan or Centaur vehicle.[2][3]


Vehicle Name: Quad Launcher[2] Main Armament: 4 x Mortars
Forge World of Origin: Lucius Secondary Armament: N/A
Known Patterns: II-IX Traverse:
Crew: 4 x Gunners Elevation: From +10° to +42°
Powerplant: N/A Main Ammunition: N/A
Weight: 3.8 tonnes Secondary Ammunition: N/A
Length: 4.6m
Width: 2.3m Armour
Height: 2.2m
Ground Clearance: 0.44m Superstructure: N/A
Fording Depth: Hull: N/A
Max Speed - on road N/A Gun Mantlet 30mm
Max Speed - off road: N/A Vehicle Designation: 2312-673-7609-HQL3
Transport Capacity: N/A Firing Ports: N/A
Access Points: N/A Turret: N/A


Known Patterns

Images

A Squat Thudd Gun mounted on a tractor unit[6]

Sources