The M39 cannon is an American revolver cannon developed for use in jet aircraft during the 1950s. Designed by General Motors, the M39 is based on the German Mauser MG 213C and features a revolver-style mechanism that allows for a high rate of fire, approximately 1,500 RPM. It is chambered for 20x102mm ammunition and known for its reliability and effective performance in aerial combat. The M39 cannon was primarily installed in aircraft such as the North American F-100 Super Sabre, McDonnell F-101 Voodoo, and other Century Series fighters. Due to its compact size, enormous firepower and relative lightness, it is a popular option to retrofit into older fighter aircraft.
M39 Cannon
Abilities
Common Attributes - Mechanical
Auto
This weapon is fully automatic, either inherently so or by the presence of a selective-fire mechanism.
EFFECT:
This weapon can fire more than one shot each time it is used, specifically, in bursts. A penalty is applied depending on the burst size, to simulate recoil. The number of shots in a burst is different for certain types of weapons.
- Light Automatic Weapons (Handgun ⚡, Submachinegun ⚡, Assault Rifle ⚡, Battle Rifle ⚡, Carbine ⚡, Shotgun ⚡, Energy Weapon 💡, Bow 🏹, magazine-fed Light Machinegun ⚡)
- Heavy Automatic Weapons (belt-fed Light Machinegun ⚡, Heavy Machinegun ⚡, Autocannon ⚡, Grenade Launcher 💣, Anti-Air Gun 💥, Anti-Tank Gun 💥, Mortar 💥, Naval Gun 💥)
| Light Automatic Weapons | Heavy Automatic Weapons | Penalty | Penalty (Stable firing platform) |
| 5-round burst | 20-round burst | NONE | |
| 10-round burst | 50-round burst | ||
| 20-round burst | 100-round burst |
Automatic weapons are considered stable when they're mounted on a vehicle, tripod or turret. This is different from the Stabilised SA.
Do note that penalties from firing at long-range apply as per the Basic Rules (TBD).
It is impossible to perform automatic fire at a target that is at Very Long Range (VLR) or Extreme Range (EXR) without a stable firing platform.
Belt-Fed
EFFECT:
This weapon is not fed from fixed capacity magazines, but from belts which can be made as long or short as needed.
Most machinegun belts contain 50, 100, 200 or 250 rounds. Some vehicle belts, however, can be way longer.
Unless specified otherwise, assume all small arms belts to be of 100 rounds.