Item: Mortar, Ultra-Light
Equipment Rating: B/A-B-B/D
Armor Piercing/Base Damage: (C)
Range: 20/60/180/360 meters
Shots: 1
Cost/Reload: 1000/*
Affiliation: -
Mass/Reload: 6kg/800g*
Notes: Indirect Fire, Direct Fire; Minimum Range: 20
The Ultra-Light Mortar is a niche but somewhat common infantry indirect and direct fire weapon pre-dating space-flight. The term 'mortar' is something of a misnomer, as the weapon fires a single projectile closer to a grenade. As such, sometimes these weapons are referred to as Grenade Dischargers or Indirect Grenade Launchers. They are also capable of direct fire, and function like a larger Grenade Launcher when utilized in that manner. These weapons have a minimum range as the larger projectile is dangerous to the shooter if launched too closely.
Most Ultra-Light Mortars use a specialized closed combustion chamber that captures most the gasses from the firing of the weapon. This results in a quiet, stealthy launcher that is difficult to detect and makes the Ultra-Light Mortar capable of sustained fire with minimal heating, resulting in an overall lighter weight. Typical calibers range from 50mm up to 60mm, limiting damage potential and range. This weapon is intended to be carried and operated by a single soldier.
The Ultra-Light Mortar is capable of firing a variety of munitions such as, but not limited to: anti-personnel, flare, flash, gas, high-explosive, inferno, smoke and stun rounds.
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I don't know if something like this exists yet in the game, but it's meant to basically be the equivalent of the WWII Japanese Type 89 Grenade Discharger aka 'Knee Mortar' and the Lance-Grenade Individuel Mle F1, both capable of being operated by a single soldier. The F1 is a French modern day light support weapon firing a grenade, designed to be used like a light mortar, and has a maximum range of 675 metres. Both weapons are noted for being quiet, and the F1 produces less than 60 decibels of noise.
Which would be a bit overpowered, so the range is reduced so it doesn't make Light Mortars or Light Recoilless Rifles obsolete. Longer range than a grenade launcher, but has a minimum range and more powerful grenade. All stats are pretty much just a draft, not sure if a weapon can have both direct fire and indirect fire, with a minimum range.
EDIT:
Item: C8, Satchel Grenade
Equipment Rating: D/B-D-C/E
Armor Piercing/Base Damage: 8x12A-8x13A-8x14A
Range: STR x 1/1.5/2/2.5 meters
Shots: 1
Cost: 500
Affiliation: -
Mass/Reload: 4.5-5.5-6.5kg
Notes: -2AP/-2BD per meter; Range applies when Thrown as Grenade
The Satchel Grenade is typically a thin metal box containing between four to six of C8 blocks and a simple timer. The amount of explosives can be modified before battle by simply removing the desired amount of explosive filler and the fuse can be swapped for a longer one, up to fifteen seconds. The box is fitted with a long stick like handle forming a lever, which aids in throwing the weapon. A pull cord in the handle primes the fuse, typically five seconds. The larger charge sizes can be dangerous to the user, so caution is warranted. Uses include anti-tank, demolitions and attacks against battlemechs. Ominously, the full charges of these types of weapons are known as 'Satchel of Conspicious Stupidity' in the Capellan Confederation, 'Grave-Digger' in the Federated Suns, 'Box of Heroes' in the Free Worlds League and in the Lyran Commonwealth as 'Mckennsy Express'.
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Based on the WWII Finnish Anti-Tank Satchel Charge aka Kasapanos, which was a sheet metal box with configurable amount of explosive filler. The largest size was 6kg, and the stick handle from a German potato masher helped throwing it and served as the fuse which was yes, five seconds.
Again, just eyeballing the statline for it. Haven't got the faintest how balanced it is, but felt like adding this for fun.
EDIT 2: *Changed from 1kg to make bit better ammo wise than the Light Recoilless Rifle at lower weights. LRR still has better range and is more efficient past eighteen+ kilos for combined launcher and ammo allocation.
