Magnetic Accelerator Cannon: Difference between revisions

{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}

[[File:HW MAC Strike.png|thumb|right|150px|A MAC round fired from space as part of [[orbital bombardment]].]]

The '''magnetic accelerator cannon'''{{Ref/Reuse|WFG}}, also referred to as a '''mass accelerator cannon'''{{Ref/Reuse|CH7}} or '''MAC''', is a type of heavy weapon system employed by [[human]]ity, primarily the spacecraft of the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Within the UNSC, MACs are defined as a heavy weapon that fires a sizeable ferric-tungsten round at supersonic velocities from the bow of a capital ship, [[orbital defense platform]] or mounted driver emplacement.{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG114|EVG|Page=114}} MACs are coilguns employing Asynchronous Linear Induction Motor (ALIM) technology{{Ref/Reuse|EVG114}} and are typically used in military applications, though similar technology can be used in civilian [[mass driver]]s for industrial use.

MACs are fitted as a standard armament on most [[UNSC Navy]] vessels, ranging from small {{Class|Gladius|corvette}}s to {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}}s and even [[UNSC carrier|carriers]] or refit civilian ships such as the {{Class|Phoenix|colony ship}}. With a handful of exceptions, MACs are typically spinally-mounted, meaning that the entire ship is built around the gun, with the cannon running a significant portion of the length of the ship's stern. However, the technology is not exclusively used in spinally-mounted MAC guns, with [[naval autocannon]]s (themselves sometimes referred to as "MiniMACs"){{Ref/Book|Id=WFG|HWF|Section=Glossary|Page=90-92}} and even ground-based weapons such as the [[M68 Gauss cannon]] and [[M99 Stanchion]] operating on the same principle.{{Ref/Novel|Id=CH7|CH|Chapter=7}}

[[File:Coilgun animation.gif|thumb|right|250px|An animation of a coilgun's operating principle.]]

MACs operate on the basis of a [[:Wikipedia:Coilgun|coilgun]]. When firing, a series of stacked asynchronous linear induction motors are sequentially activated, propelling a projectile with vast amounts of kinetic energy.{{Ref/Reuse|WFG}} The construction of the weapon takes the form of a series of coiled conducting wires (or solenoids). When a solenoid is activated, the projectile is attracted to the coil. As the projectile reaches the coil, a second coil is activated, attracting the projectile further down the barrel of the gun. This process is repeated as the projectile travels the length of the gun, with each successive solenoid accelerating the projectile to higher and higher velocities. As such, the longer a MAC's length is, the faster the muzzle velocity of the fired projectile.

This process differs from that of a [[railgun]] - a similar weapon system which feeds electrical current through a projectile to accelerate it along two conducting rails. Nonetheless, railgun weapon systems are occasionally referred to as MACs - as in the case of the Mini-MAC armamanent of the [[M510 Mammoth]].{{Ref/Reuse|H4IGMammoth}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG115}}

To fire a MAC, UNSC ships must draw power from the [[fusion reactor]] into a series of capacitors, storing the generated energy for firing. As such, charging the MAC draws power away from other sub-systems such as engines. As such, a MAC can be pre-charged and fired when ready, though at the cost of power to the aforementioned systems. Without the charge being maintained, the charge level does deteriorate. However, MACs can be fired at lower charge levels than 100%{{Ref/Novel|Id=FOR17|FOR|Chapter=17}} though likely to lesser maximum velocity. Likewise, firing the weapon at lower charge rates would also allow the weapon to fire more often, if needed.

MACs are capable of firing a wide array of munitions, depending on bore and model. Some MAC rounds are extremely dense and constructed of ferric tungsten{{Ref/Reuse|EVG114}}, noted by Captain [[Wallace]] of the frigate {{UNSCShip|Commonwealth}} as a "heavy round".{{Ref/Novel|Id=FOR12|FOR|Chapter=12}} In the case of the MACs fitted onto the refit-colony ship {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}, the rounds fired from its MACs are "ultra-light" or consist of depleted uranium slugs.{{Ref/Book|Id=HWManual|Halo Wars Manual|Page=24}} The MAC of the ''Spirit of Fire'' was later modified in a special project conducted by [[Ellen Anders]], resulting in a specialised MAC capable of firing rounds that emit an [[Electromagnetic pulse|EMP]] upon impact.{{Ref/Level|HW2|The Cartographer}} Other munitions that can be fired from MACs include semi-autonomous drone missiles{{Ref/Book|Id=WF32|HWF|Section=Destroyers|Page=32-33}} and for the larger 27 metre guns of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, even include cargo pods and small spacecraft.{{Ref/Book|Id=WF42|HWF|Section=Infinity|Page=42-43}} A special kind of MAC round fired by the refit-{{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} was composed of a ferrous core and an outer layer of tungsten carbide, which allows the round to splinter on impact with an enemy vessel similarly to the [[shredder round]]s fired by an [[assault rifle]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=FOR29|FOR|Chapter=29}}  

Due to this variation, the masses, velocities and sizes of MAC projectiles can very, ranging from 10 metre-long, 160 ton models fired by frigates and cruisers{{Ref/Reuse|CH7}}, to 600 ton{{Ref/Reuse|EVG114}} depleted uranium models fired by {{Class|Paris|heavy frigate}}s{{Ref/Novel|Id=FS29|FS|Chapter=29}} up to 3,000 ton{{Ref/Reuse|EVG114}} projectiles accelerated to "point four-tenths" of the speed of light by the [[orbital defense platform]]s above [[Reach]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=FOR31|FOR|Chapter=31}} The MACs of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} are additionally capable of firing various "sub-caliber" munitions for its massive twenty-seven metre bore, alongside some of the special types mentioned prior.{{Ref/Book|Id=HM132|HM|Section=Earth's Fleet|Page=132-133}}

[[File:Outcome of Second Battle of Harvest.png|thumb|250px|[[Battle Group X-Ray]] firing their MACs at a [[Covenant super-destroyer]].]]

As some of the largest and most destructive weapons available to humanity, their use is primarily constricted to [[space warfare]]. Most UNSC spacecraft are equipped with some form of spinal MAC gun, requiring the vessel to manually turn and face the target it wishes to fire on. MAC rounds are often fired in concentrated volleys by fleets of coordinated warships, and used as a long-ranged weapon for "sniping" enemy ships out of the sky. During the [[Human-Covenant War|war]] against the Covenant, human MAC volleys were often fired in concentration, aiming to overload a target ship's [[energy shielding]].

In select circumstances, MACs can be employed in-atmospheres or for the purposes of [[orbital bombardment]]. Such orbital bombardment can be deployed against large targets such as enemy warships or [[Covenant citadel|bases]], or against targets as (relatively) small as a [[Type-47A Scarab|Scarab]].{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/new-mombasa|SiteName=Halo Waypoint|PageName=New Mombasa}} During the [[Battle for Arcadia]], the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} made liberal use of up to forty MAC strikes in rapid succession to destroy a Covenant staging area near the [[Arcadia ONI facility]].{{Ref/Level|HW|Dome of Light}}{{Ref/Note|In-game, this section of the level involves using up to forty MAC blasts to orbital strike the Covenant base; it is possible that this strike is merely an example of gameplay not aligning with canon or an example of the ''Spirit'' employing its ancilliary naval coilgun batteries.}}

==Types of MAC==

Some of the largest MAC types, such as those found on select orbital defense platforms and large warships, are referred to as "Super MACs".{{Ref/Reuse|FOR31}}{{Ref/Site|URL=http://community.spartangames.co.uk/index.php?/topic/16805-halo-waypoint-update-with-spartan-new-ships/page-7|SiteName=Spartan Games|PageName=Halo Waypoint Update with Spartan - NEW SHIPS!|Detail=(defunct)|Quote='Super MAC' is more a category than a specific weapon. Many defense platforms do not have 'super MACs' as used by Reach installations, for example.}}

 

 

File:HW CR-03B MAC.png|Four CR-03B MAC's on the Infinity.

Even on the smallest end of UNSC spacecraft designs, the MAC is a staple feature - forming the bulk of the spinal mount on the {{Convert|243|m|ft}}-long {{Class|Gladius|corvette}}. The ''Gladius'' mounts a single 20DA1C2 MAC, and is currently the smallest known vessel to mount a full-scale ship MAC.{{Ref/Book|HWF|Section=Defenses|Page=19}}

On the ''Paris'', ''Stalwart'' and ''Charon''-classes of ship, the barrel of the gun itself is located in the lower boon at the fore of the ship, with the upper boon containing fire-control systems and pulsed power storage.{{Ref/Reuse|WF36}} The post-war {{Class|Anlace|frigate}} is a unique exception to the typical rule of spinally-mounted MACs, instead employing a single MAC gun on a rotating turret on the ship's aft, allowing the gun to fire at targets around the ship.{{Ref/Generic|Id=Loftus1|[[Stephen Loftus]] on the Anlace-class frigate [[Talk:Anlace-class frigate|talk page]]}} The heavy MAC employed by the ''Strident'' frigate employs twelve capacitor cells, allowing it to achieve firepower levels similar to those of destroyers or light cruisers - limited only by the stock of ammunition carried aboard ship.{{Ref/Reuse|WF38}}

The [[UNSC heavy destroyer|heavy destroyer]] {{UNSCShip|Gorgon}} was the ship of its class to mount a MAC, sporting one gun and carrying only three slugs.{{Ref/Anthology|Id=Cole|HEvo|Story=The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole}} The later ''Halberd''-class was fitted with a 14B11R2 MAC battery consisting of dual twin-linked 1170mm/647mm MACs, with the smaller gun only used for launching kinetic kill rounds and the larger gun compatible with all standard mission packages.{{Ref/Reuse|WF32}}{{Ref/Reuse|Mythos82}} The ''Halberd'' is able to fire its MACs on lower-than 100% charge levels for more rapid-firing{{Ref/Reuse|FOR17}}, and can be equipped with MAC capacitor cells to easily recharge; these cells are easily replacable when damaged.{{Ref/Reuse|WF32}}

Contrary to the aforementioned examples, the ''Halcyon''-class light cruiser does not employ a heavy MAC, but rather a light one - likely the cause of the ship being infamous for being undergunned within the UNSC fleet. When refit for [[Operation: RED FLAG]], the ''Pillar of Autumn'' was fitted with a specialised modification to a Mark II light coil 56A2D4 MAC - the same as that found on the ''Stalwart''-class light frigate.{{Ref/Reuse|WF24}} This gun ran two-thirds the length of the ''Autumn''{{'}}s length{{Ref/Reuse|WF24}}, and employed special magnetic field recyclers that - when combined with booster capacitors - allowed the gun to fire three times in rapid succession.{{Ref/Reuse|FOR29}}

[[UNSC carrier]]s employ a range of MAC types. On the smaller end, the ''Epoch''-class employs the Mark II 52A6F9 light coil MAC, a rapid-fire upgrade of that seen on the ''Stalwart''-class cruiser and intended for defensive purposes. In larger fleets, the ''Epoch'' may lend this MAC's fire to coordinated volleys. The {{Class|Orion|assault carrier}} employs a larger heavy MAC{{Ref/Game|Halo: Fleet Battles|Orion-class cruiser expansion}}, while the extremely large {{Class|Punic|supercarrier}} employs two "Super-MACs", running the length of its enormous spaceframe. In addition to this, the ''Punic'' sports a number of smaller "Mini-MAC" turrets allowing it to fire on all angles.{{Ref/Site|Id=SpartanPunic|URL=http://www.spartangames.co.uk/meet-the-big-hitters|SiteName=Spartan Games|PageName=Meet The Big Hitters|D=01|M=6|Y=2016}}

The fortress-world [[Reach]] sported its own orbital defense guns, equipped with some of the most powerful MACs ever built. These rapid-firing MACs were connected to [[Orbital defense generator|ground-based generators]] which allowed them to rapidly recharge and fire.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-looking-glassed|SiteName=Halo Waypoint|PageName=Canon Fodder - Looking Glassed|D=11|M=3|Y=2021}}

The so-called "Mini"-MAC is a nickname given to the primary weapon system employed by the ground-based [[M510 Mammoth]] siegework platform. The Mammoth sports a Mark 2457/35cm HRG{{Ref/Note|Presumably, HRG stands for Heavy Railgun}}, a large [[railgun]] intended target and eliminate hostile vessels, vehicles and fortifications in terrestrial or suborbital positions.{{Ref/Book|Id=H4EVG115|H4EVG|Page=115}}{{Ref/Generic|Id=H4IGMammoth|[[Halo 4 Interactive Guide]]|Mammoth}} These weapons can be linked to a target locator, and are powerful enough to take out even [[Forerunner]] [[Z-8060 particle cannon]]s.{{Ref/Level|Id=H4Reclaimer|H4|Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer}}  

[[File:Onager.jpg|thumb|200px|right|An Onager MAC on [[Reach]] in the [[Asźod ship breaking yards]].]]

The Mark 2488 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon, informally known as the Onager, is a relatively small Magnetic Accelerator Cannon used for static defense. A manned version was used to defend the ''Pillar of Autumn'' on Reach.{{Ref/Level|HR|The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn}} The Mark 2488 fires a 15cm round with up to 1.1 gigajoules (0.25 tons) of kinetic energy. It is 32.6 meters long,{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=75}}

[[File:HW MACBlast HUD.jpg|thumb|right|The MAC Blast in use.]]

In ''[[Halo Wars]]'', the '''MAC Blast''' ability allows the player to use the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}'s [[11A2R1 naval coilgun battery|point-defense MACs]] for pinpoint [[orbital bombardment]]. It is mainly used as a support weapon to help the UNSC penetrate heavy Covenant defenses and Covenant bases, and is a potent weapon against [[Type-47B Scarab|Scarabs]].

File:H4-Infinity-Firing.jpg|The {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} fires her forward MAC cannons at the ''[[Mantle's Approach]]''.

File:Corvette destroyed.png|The effect of a MAC round fired from an orbital defense platform on an {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}}.

File:MAC - Bombardment.jpg|A MAC round impacting the surface of [[Harvest]].

File:H5G Anlace-class Frigate.jpg|An ''Anlace''-class frigate, lacking the traditional spiral mount, instead sports a downsized variant of the MAC cannon atop its hull.  

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