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Line 1: + {{cleanup}} [[File:Color-mech-components-4.png|A fusion engine of a [[BattleMech]]|thumb|right|200px]] [[File:Color-mech-components-4.png|A fusion engine of a [[BattleMech]]|thumb|right|200px]] − '''Fusion engines''' are the most common type of [[BattleMech]] and [[aerospace]] power plant in the BattleTech Universe. Fusion engines can supply great quantities of power, enough for massive vehicles and all of their weapon systems, including the [[:Category:Energy Weapons|directed energy weapons]] common on modern battlefields. When no thrust is generated, fusion engines are extremely efficient, practically never needing refueling. If properly ventilated, controlled fusion reactions generate little heat. There are several sub-types of fusion engines available as well, each trading bulk for mass of the components. + '''Fusion Engines''' are the most common type of [[BattleMech]] and [[aerospace]] power plant in the BattleTech Universe. Fusion engines can supply great quantities of power, enough to power massive vehicles and all of their weapon systems, including [[Direct Energy|directed energy weapons]] common on the modern battlefield. Yet when no thrust is generated, fusion engines are so efficient, they practically never need refueling. If properly ventilated, controlled fusion reactions generate little heat. There are several sub-types of fusion engines available as well, each trading bulk for mass of the components. == Description == == Description == + The fusion engine is capable of powering 'Mechs, Aerospace Fighters, and other vehicles. Fusion engines function by harnessing the power of a fusion reaction, as occurs in the core of the Sun. A BattleMech's fusion engine can usually last for decades on a few kilograms of hydrogen. Unlike the research reactors of the real world, a BattleMech's fusion engine runs on "light" hydrogen, protium, rather than hydrogen's heavier isotopes deuterium and tritium. <ref name=FaFF>''TechManual'', p. 35, "Fusion and Fusion Fuels"</ref> The fusion engine is capable of powering 'Mechs, Aerospace Fighters, and other vehicles. Fusion engines function by harnessing the power of a fusion reaction, as occurs in the core of the Sun. A BattleMech's fusion engine can usually last for decades on a few kilograms of hydrogen. Unlike the research reactors of the real world, a BattleMech's fusion engine runs on "light" hydrogen, protium, rather than hydrogen's heavier isotopes deuterium and tritium. <ref name=FaFF>''TechManual'', p. 35, "Fusion and Fusion Fuels"</ref> Line 9:
Line 11: In a BattleMech, the fusion engine resides in the center torso. It cannot be relocated elsewhere in the BattleMech, though certain types of engines may intrude into adjacent spaces within the structure. In a BattleMech, the fusion engine resides in the center torso. It cannot be relocated elsewhere in the BattleMech, though certain types of engines may intrude into adjacent spaces within the structure. − Fusion engines, like other engines, are defined by their "engine rating". For 'Mechs, the engine rating is the mathematical product of the mass of the vehicle and its desired maximum walking or cruising velocity. Stated another way, a 'Mech's maximum walking momentum is directly proportional to engine rating. For instance, a 30-ton ''[[Spider]]'' BattleMech with a 240 [[Pitban]] fusion engine is able to generate the same maximum momentum as a 60-ton ''[[Merlin (BattleMech)|Merlin]]'' with the same engine, but because the ''Merlin's'' mass is twice that of the ''Spider'', the ''Spider'''s maximum velocity is twice that of the ''Merlin''.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', pp. 106-107</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3058'', pp. 142-143</ref><br> + Fusion engines, like other engines, are defined by their "engine rating". For 'Mechs, the engine rating is the mathematical product of the mass of the vehicle and its desired maximum walking or cruising velocity. Stated another way, a 'Mech's maximum walking momentum is directly proportional to engine rating. For instance,<br> + A 30-ton ''[[Spider]]'' BattleMech with a 240 [[Pitban]] Fusion Engine is able to generate the same maximum momentum of a 60-ton ''[[Merlin (BattleMech)|Merlin]]'' with the same engine, but because the ''Merlin'' masses twice the ''Spider'', the ''Spider'''s maximum velocity is twice that of the ''Merlin''.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', pp. 106-107</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3058'', pp. 142-143</ref><br><br> − Combat Vehicles adjust engine rating calculation slightly based on motive suspension system. Additionally, engine rating is ''not'' proportional to engine mass; engine mass increases ''exponentially'' depending upon rating<ref>Based on Microsoft(R) Excel(R) "trendline" analysis</ref>. This results in light, low-to-moderately rated engines massing a disproportionately small fraction of larger engines. As a 'Mech's mass increases, a much larger proportion of the mass must be devoted to engine mass, or speed must be sacrificed. For instance, all of the following BattleMechs have the same maximum cruising (walking) velocity (43.2 km/h), but their varying mass means each 'Mech mounts a different engine. BattleMech mass, engine rating, engine mass, and (engine mass)/(BattleMech mass) are listed for each example, and increase together: PNT-9R ''[[Panther]]'' (35, 140, 5, 14%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 115</ref>, WTH-1 ''[[Whitworth]]'' (40, 160, 6, 15%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 127</ref>, BJ-1 ''[[Blackjack (BattleMech)|Blackjack]]'' (45, 180, 7, 16%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 129</ref>, CN9-A ''[[Centurion (BattleMech)|Centurion]]'' (50, 200, 8.5, 17%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 133</ref>, MLN-1A ''[[Merlin (BattleMech)|Merlin]]'' (60, 240, 11.5, 19%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 143</ref>, CPLT-C1 ''[[Catapult]]'' (65, 260, 13.5, 21%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 147</ref>, GHR-5H ''[[Grasshopper]]'' (70, 280, 16, 23%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 151</ref>, ON1-K ''[[Orion]]'' (75, 300, 19, 25%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 153</ref>, VTR-9B ''[[Victor]]'' (80, 320, 22.5, 28%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 159</ref>, BLR-1G ''[[BattleMaster]]'' (85, 340, 27, 32%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 300</ref>, CP-10-Z ''[[Cyclops]]'' (90, 360, 33, 37%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 165</ref>, BNC-3E ''[[Banshee (BattleMech)|Banshee]]'' (95, 380, 41, 43%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 167</ref><br><br> + Combat Vehicles adjust engine rating calculation slightly based on motive suspension system. Additionally, engine rating is ''not'' proportional to engine mass; engine mass increases ''exponentially'' depending upon rating<ref>Based on Microsoft(R) Excel(R) "trendline" analysis</ref>. This results in light, low-to-moderately rated engines massing a disproportionately small fraction of larger engines. As a 'Mech's mass increases, a much larger proportion of the mass must be devoted to engine mass, or speed must be sacrificed. For instance,<br> + All of the following BattleMechs have the same maximum cruising (walking) velocity (43.2 kph), but their varying mass means each 'Mech mounts a different engine. BattleMech mass, engine rating, engine mass, and (engine mass)/(BattleMech mass) are listed for each example, and increase together: PNT-9R ''[[Panther]]'' (35, 140, 5, 14%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 115</ref>, WTH-1 ''[[Whitworth]]'' (40, 160, 6, 15%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 127</ref>, BJ-1 ''[[Blackjack (BattleMech)|Blackjack]]'' (45, 180, 7, 16%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 129</ref>, CN9-A ''[[Centurion (BattleMech)|Centurion]]'' (50, 200, 8.5, 17%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 133</ref>, MLN-1A ''[[Merlin (BattleMech)|Merlin]]'' (60, 240, 11.5, 19%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 143</ref>, CPLT-C1 ''[[Catapult]]'' (65, 260, 13.5, 21%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 147</ref>, GHR-5H ''[[Grasshopper]]'' (70, 280, 16, 23%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 151</ref>, ON1-K ''[[Orion]]'' (75, 300, 19, 25%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 153</ref>, VTR-9B ''[[Victor]]'' (80, 320, 22.5, 28%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 159</ref>, BLR-1G ''[[BattleMaster]]'' (85, 340, 27, 32%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 300</ref>, CP-10-Z ''[[Cyclops]]'' (90, 360, 33, 37%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 165</ref>, BNC-3E ''[[Banshee (BattleMech)|Banshee]]'' (95, 380, 41, 43%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 167</ref><br><br> For 'Mechs, larger fusion engines allow larger maximum momenta. But the inherent instability of bipedal locomotion requires a means to maintain balance and correct falls. In order to maintain control, 'Mechs also mount [[Gyro]]s, which vary in size proportionally to engine rating. For 'Mechs, larger fusion engines allow larger maximum momenta. But the inherent instability of bipedal locomotion requires a means to maintain balance and correct falls. In order to maintain control, 'Mechs also mount [[Gyro]]s, which vary in size proportionally to engine rating. Line 17:
Line 21: Fusion engines usually will only shut down if damaged or if heat is uncontrolled. Unlike popular belief, there is absolutely no risk of a fusion engine accidentally becoming a nuclear weapon. <ref>''TechManual'', pp. 36-37, "Fusion Engine Explosions: The Great Myth"</ref> There have been a number of cases of fusion engines being "over revved" and exploding with devastating force, but this is more akin to a boiler explosion than a true nuclear explosion. More often a destroyed engine will be punctured by weapons fire. Because the plasma is held in a vacuum chamber (to isolate the superheated plasma from the cold walls of the reactor; contact with the walls would super-chill the plasma below fusion temperatures), a punctured reactor can suck in air where the air is superheated. Normal thermal expansion of the air causes the air to burst out in a brilliant lightshow often mistaken for a "nuclear explosion". This thermal expansion damages anything within 90 meters of the destroyed 'Mech. Fusion engines usually will only shut down if damaged or if heat is uncontrolled. Unlike popular belief, there is absolutely no risk of a fusion engine accidentally becoming a nuclear weapon. <ref>''TechManual'', pp. 36-37, "Fusion Engine Explosions: The Great Myth"</ref> There have been a number of cases of fusion engines being "over revved" and exploding with devastating force, but this is more akin to a boiler explosion than a true nuclear explosion. More often a destroyed engine will be punctured by weapons fire. Because the plasma is held in a vacuum chamber (to isolate the superheated plasma from the cold walls of the reactor; contact with the walls would super-chill the plasma below fusion temperatures), a punctured reactor can suck in air where the air is superheated. Normal thermal expansion of the air causes the air to burst out in a brilliant lightshow often mistaken for a "nuclear explosion". This thermal expansion damages anything within 90 meters of the destroyed 'Mech. − Such dramatic failures are rare, though. It is difficult to sustain the fusion reaction and very easy to shut down. Safety systems or damage to containment coils will almost always shut down the engine before such an explosion occurs. The massive shielding of the engine (in the case of standard fusion engines, this is a tungsten carbide shell that accounts for over 2/3 of the weight of the engine) usually buys the safety systems the milliseconds needed to shut down the engine when severe damage is inflicted. + Such dramatic failures are rare, though. It is difficult to sustain the fusion reaction and very easy to shut down. Safety systems or damage to containment coils will almost always shut down the engine before such an explosion occurs. The massive shielding of the engine (in the case of standard fusion engines, this is a tungsten carbide shell that accounts for over 2/3 of the weight of the engine) usually buys the safety systems the milliseconds needed to shutdown the engine when severe damage is inflicted. ==History== ==History== − Fusion technology was achieved by the [[Western Alliance]] in [[2021]].<ref>''TechManual'', pp. 214-215, "Military-Standard Fusion Engines" & "Industrial Fission/Fusion Engines"</ref> Almost a century later, fusion technology had progressed to the point of using protium, the most abundant isotope of hydrogen.<ref name=FaFF/> + Fusion technology was achieved by the [[Western Alliance]] in [[2021]].<ref>''Tech Manual'', pp. 214-215, "Military-Standard Fusion Engines" & "Industrial Fission/Fusion Engines"</ref> Almost a century later, fusion technology had progressed to the point of using protium, the most abundant isotope of hydrogen.<ref name=FaFF/> − Research into fusion engine technology has yielded improvements over the many centuries of BattleMech use. [[Light fusion engine|Light]], [[Extralight fusion engine|extralight]], and [[compact fusion engine]]s are now available, in addition to the standard military version. + Research into fusion engine technology has yielded improvements over the many centuries of BattleMech use. [[Fusion Engine - XL|Extralight Fusion Engines]], [[Fusion Engine - Light|Light Fusion Engines]], and [[Fusion Engine - Compact|Compact Fusion Engines]] are now available in addition to the Standard Military Fusion Engine. ==Brands== ==Brands== − Fusion engines are produced under the following brand names: + Fusion Engines are produced under the following brand names: − <div class="desktop-3-col"> * [[Breen (Engines)|Breen]] * [[Breen (Engines)|Breen]] * [[Consolidated (Fusion Engines)|Consolidated]] * [[Consolidated (Fusion Engines)|Consolidated]] Line 51:
Line 54: * [[VOX (Engines)|VOX]] * [[VOX (Engines)|VOX]] * [[Warner (Engines)|Warner]] * [[Warner (Engines)|Warner]] − </div> ==Manufacturing== ==Manufacturing== − Fusion engines are manufactured on the following planets: + + Fusion Engine is manufactured on the following planets: {| width='600' class='wikitable' {| width='600' class='wikitable' Line 62:
Line 65: |- |- | 240 Standard | 240 Standard − | [[Arcadia (Clan System)|Arcadia]] + | [[Arcadia (Clan)|Arcadia]] | [[Arcadia BattleMech Plant CM-T4]] | [[Arcadia BattleMech Plant CM-T4]] |- |- | 300 XL | 300 XL − | [[Arcadia (Clan System)|Arcadia]] + | [[Arcadia (Clan)|Arcadia]] | [[Arcadia BattleMech Plant CM-T4]] | [[Arcadia BattleMech Plant CM-T4]] |- |- Line 170:
Line 173: |- |- | LTV 120 | LTV 120 − | [[Ares (system)|Ares]] + | [[Ares (planet)|Ares]] | [[Bergan Industries]] | [[Bergan Industries]] |- |- | LTV 160 | LTV 160 − | [[Ares (system)|Ares]] + | [[Ares (planet)|Ares]] | [[Bergan Industries]] | [[Bergan Industries]] |- |- Line 194:
Line 197: |- |- | LTV 160 | LTV 160 − | [[Ares (system)|Ares]] + | [[Ares (planet)|Ares]] | [[Bergan Industries]] | [[Bergan Industries]] |- |- Line 345:
Line 348: | [[Magna]] | [[Magna]] |} |} − − ==Notes== − * This article refers to a common object and addresses the object as a common noun. The preferred term is "fusion engine" (except on section titles & table headings, where "Fusion Engine" is favored). ==References== ==References== Line 356:
Line 356: *''[[TechManual]]'' *''[[TechManual]]'' *''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]'' *''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]'' − [[Category:Technology]] [[Category:Technology]] [[Category:Engines|Engine, Fusion 000 Engine]] [[Category:Engines|Engine, Fusion 000 Engine]]
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[[File:Color-mech-components-4.png|A fusion engine of a [[BattleMech]]|thumb|right|200px]] | [[File:Color-mech-components-4.png|A fusion engine of a [[BattleMech]]|thumb|right|200px]] | ||
| − | '''Fusion | + | '''Fusion Engines''' are the most common type of [[BattleMech]] and [[aerospace]] power plant in the BattleTech Universe. Fusion engines can supply great quantities of power, enough to power massive vehicles and all of their weapon systems, including [[Direct Energy|directed energy weapons]] common on the modern battlefield. Yet when no thrust is generated, fusion engines are so efficient, they practically never need refueling. If properly ventilated, controlled fusion reactions generate little heat. There are several sub-types of fusion engines available as well, each trading bulk for mass of the components. |
== Description == | == Description == | ||
| + | |||
The fusion engine is capable of powering 'Mechs, Aerospace Fighters, and other vehicles. Fusion engines function by harnessing the power of a fusion reaction, as occurs in the core of the Sun. A BattleMech's fusion engine can usually last for decades on a few kilograms of hydrogen. Unlike the research reactors of the real world, a BattleMech's fusion engine runs on "light" hydrogen, protium, rather than hydrogen's heavier isotopes deuterium and tritium. <ref name=FaFF>''TechManual'', p. 35, "Fusion and Fusion Fuels"</ref> | The fusion engine is capable of powering 'Mechs, Aerospace Fighters, and other vehicles. Fusion engines function by harnessing the power of a fusion reaction, as occurs in the core of the Sun. A BattleMech's fusion engine can usually last for decades on a few kilograms of hydrogen. Unlike the research reactors of the real world, a BattleMech's fusion engine runs on "light" hydrogen, protium, rather than hydrogen's heavier isotopes deuterium and tritium. <ref name=FaFF>''TechManual'', p. 35, "Fusion and Fusion Fuels"</ref> | ||
| Line 9: | Line 11: | ||
In a BattleMech, the fusion engine resides in the center torso. It cannot be relocated elsewhere in the BattleMech, though certain types of engines may intrude into adjacent spaces within the structure. | In a BattleMech, the fusion engine resides in the center torso. It cannot be relocated elsewhere in the BattleMech, though certain types of engines may intrude into adjacent spaces within the structure. | ||
| − | Fusion engines, like other engines, are defined by their "engine rating". For 'Mechs, the engine rating is the mathematical product of the mass of the vehicle and its desired maximum walking or cruising velocity. Stated another way, a 'Mech's maximum walking momentum is directly proportional to engine rating. For instance, | + | Fusion engines, like other engines, are defined by their "engine rating". For 'Mechs, the engine rating is the mathematical product of the mass of the vehicle and its desired maximum walking or cruising velocity. Stated another way, a 'Mech's maximum walking momentum is directly proportional to engine rating. For instance,<br> |
| + | A 30-ton ''[[Spider]]'' BattleMech with a 240 [[Pitban]] Fusion Engine is able to generate the same maximum momentum of a 60-ton ''[[Merlin (BattleMech)|Merlin]]'' with the same engine, but because the ''Merlin'' masses twice the ''Spider'', the ''Spider'''s maximum velocity is twice that of the ''Merlin''.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', pp. 106-107</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3058'', pp. 142-143</ref><br><br> | ||
| − | Combat Vehicles adjust engine rating calculation slightly based on motive suspension system. Additionally, engine rating is ''not'' proportional to engine mass; engine mass increases ''exponentially'' depending upon rating<ref>Based on Microsoft(R) Excel(R) "trendline" analysis</ref>. This results in light, low-to-moderately rated engines massing a disproportionately small fraction of larger engines. As a 'Mech's mass increases, a much larger proportion of the mass must be devoted to engine mass, or speed must be sacrificed. For instance, | + | Combat Vehicles adjust engine rating calculation slightly based on motive suspension system. Additionally, engine rating is ''not'' proportional to engine mass; engine mass increases ''exponentially'' depending upon rating<ref>Based on Microsoft(R) Excel(R) "trendline" analysis</ref>. This results in light, low-to-moderately rated engines massing a disproportionately small fraction of larger engines. As a 'Mech's mass increases, a much larger proportion of the mass must be devoted to engine mass, or speed must be sacrificed. For instance,<br> |
| + | All of the following BattleMechs have the same maximum cruising (walking) velocity (43.2 kph), but their varying mass means each 'Mech mounts a different engine. BattleMech mass, engine rating, engine mass, and (engine mass)/(BattleMech mass) are listed for each example, and increase together: PNT-9R ''[[Panther]]'' (35, 140, 5, 14%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 115</ref>, WTH-1 ''[[Whitworth]]'' (40, 160, 6, 15%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 127</ref>, BJ-1 ''[[Blackjack (BattleMech)|Blackjack]]'' (45, 180, 7, 16%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 129</ref>, CN9-A ''[[Centurion (BattleMech)|Centurion]]'' (50, 200, 8.5, 17%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 133</ref>, MLN-1A ''[[Merlin (BattleMech)|Merlin]]'' (60, 240, 11.5, 19%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 143</ref>, CPLT-C1 ''[[Catapult]]'' (65, 260, 13.5, 21%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 147</ref>, GHR-5H ''[[Grasshopper]]'' (70, 280, 16, 23%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 151</ref>, ON1-K ''[[Orion]]'' (75, 300, 19, 25%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 153</ref>, VTR-9B ''[[Victor]]'' (80, 320, 22.5, 28%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 159</ref>, BLR-1G ''[[BattleMaster]]'' (85, 340, 27, 32%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 300</ref>, CP-10-Z ''[[Cyclops]]'' (90, 360, 33, 37%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 165</ref>, BNC-3E ''[[Banshee (BattleMech)|Banshee]]'' (95, 380, 41, 43%)<ref>''Technical Readout: 3039'', p. 167</ref><br><br> | ||
For 'Mechs, larger fusion engines allow larger maximum momenta. But the inherent instability of bipedal locomotion requires a means to maintain balance and correct falls. In order to maintain control, 'Mechs also mount [[Gyro]]s, which vary in size proportionally to engine rating. | For 'Mechs, larger fusion engines allow larger maximum momenta. But the inherent instability of bipedal locomotion requires a means to maintain balance and correct falls. In order to maintain control, 'Mechs also mount [[Gyro]]s, which vary in size proportionally to engine rating. | ||
| Line 17: | Line 21: | ||
Fusion engines usually will only shut down if damaged or if heat is uncontrolled. Unlike popular belief, there is absolutely no risk of a fusion engine accidentally becoming a nuclear weapon. <ref>''TechManual'', pp. 36-37, "Fusion Engine Explosions: The Great Myth"</ref> There have been a number of cases of fusion engines being "over revved" and exploding with devastating force, but this is more akin to a boiler explosion than a true nuclear explosion. More often a destroyed engine will be punctured by weapons fire. Because the plasma is held in a vacuum chamber (to isolate the superheated plasma from the cold walls of the reactor; contact with the walls would super-chill the plasma below fusion temperatures), a punctured reactor can suck in air where the air is superheated. Normal thermal expansion of the air causes the air to burst out in a brilliant lightshow often mistaken for a "nuclear explosion". This thermal expansion damages anything within 90 meters of the destroyed 'Mech. | Fusion engines usually will only shut down if damaged or if heat is uncontrolled. Unlike popular belief, there is absolutely no risk of a fusion engine accidentally becoming a nuclear weapon. <ref>''TechManual'', pp. 36-37, "Fusion Engine Explosions: The Great Myth"</ref> There have been a number of cases of fusion engines being "over revved" and exploding with devastating force, but this is more akin to a boiler explosion than a true nuclear explosion. More often a destroyed engine will be punctured by weapons fire. Because the plasma is held in a vacuum chamber (to isolate the superheated plasma from the cold walls of the reactor; contact with the walls would super-chill the plasma below fusion temperatures), a punctured reactor can suck in air where the air is superheated. Normal thermal expansion of the air causes the air to burst out in a brilliant lightshow often mistaken for a "nuclear explosion". This thermal expansion damages anything within 90 meters of the destroyed 'Mech. | ||
| − | Such dramatic failures are rare, though. It is difficult to sustain the fusion reaction and very easy to shut down. Safety systems or damage to containment coils will almost always shut down the engine before such an explosion occurs. The massive shielding of the engine (in the case of standard fusion engines, this is a tungsten carbide shell that accounts for over 2/3 of the weight of the engine) usually buys the safety systems the milliseconds needed to | + | Such dramatic failures are rare, though. It is difficult to sustain the fusion reaction and very easy to shut down. Safety systems or damage to containment coils will almost always shut down the engine before such an explosion occurs. The massive shielding of the engine (in the case of standard fusion engines, this is a tungsten carbide shell that accounts for over 2/3 of the weight of the engine) usually buys the safety systems the milliseconds needed to shutdown the engine when severe damage is inflicted. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | Fusion technology was achieved by the [[Western Alliance]] in [[2021]].<ref>'' | + | Fusion technology was achieved by the [[Western Alliance]] in [[2021]].<ref>''Tech Manual'', pp. 214-215, "Military-Standard Fusion Engines" & "Industrial Fission/Fusion Engines"</ref> Almost a century later, fusion technology had progressed to the point of using protium, the most abundant isotope of hydrogen.<ref name=FaFF/> |
| − | Research into fusion engine technology has yielded improvements over the many centuries of BattleMech use. [[ | + | Research into fusion engine technology has yielded improvements over the many centuries of BattleMech use. [[Fusion Engine - XL|Extralight Fusion Engines]], [[Fusion Engine - Light|Light Fusion Engines]], and [[Fusion Engine - Compact|Compact Fusion Engines]] are now available in addition to the Standard Military Fusion Engine. |
==Brands== | ==Brands== | ||
| − | Fusion | + | Fusion Engines are produced under the following brand names: |
| − | |||
* [[Breen (Engines)|Breen]] | * [[Breen (Engines)|Breen]] | ||
* [[Consolidated (Fusion Engines)|Consolidated]] | * [[Consolidated (Fusion Engines)|Consolidated]] | ||
| Line 51: | Line 54: | ||
* [[VOX (Engines)|VOX]] | * [[VOX (Engines)|VOX]] | ||
* [[Warner (Engines)|Warner]] | * [[Warner (Engines)|Warner]] | ||
| − | |||
==Manufacturing== | ==Manufacturing== | ||
| − | Fusion | + | |
| + | Fusion Engine is manufactured on the following planets: | ||
{| width='600' class='wikitable' | {| width='600' class='wikitable' | ||
| Line 62: | Line 65: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 240 Standard | | 240 Standard | ||
| − | | [[Arcadia (Clan | + | | [[Arcadia (Clan)|Arcadia]] |
| [[Arcadia BattleMech Plant CM-T4]] | | [[Arcadia BattleMech Plant CM-T4]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 300 XL | | 300 XL | ||
| − | | [[Arcadia (Clan | + | | [[Arcadia (Clan)|Arcadia]] |
| [[Arcadia BattleMech Plant CM-T4]] | | [[Arcadia BattleMech Plant CM-T4]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 170: | Line 173: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| LTV 120 | | LTV 120 | ||
| − | | [[Ares ( | + | | [[Ares (planet)|Ares]] |
| [[Bergan Industries]] | | [[Bergan Industries]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| LTV 160 | | LTV 160 | ||
| − | | [[Ares ( | + | | [[Ares (planet)|Ares]] |
| [[Bergan Industries]] | | [[Bergan Industries]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 194: | Line 197: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| LTV 160 | | LTV 160 | ||
| − | | [[Ares ( | + | | [[Ares (planet)|Ares]] |
| [[Bergan Industries]] | | [[Bergan Industries]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 345: | Line 348: | ||
| [[Magna]] | | [[Magna]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 356: | Line 356: | ||
*''[[TechManual]]'' | *''[[TechManual]]'' | ||
*''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]'' | *''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]'' | ||
| − | |||
[[Category:Technology]] | [[Category:Technology]] | ||
[[Category:Engines|Engine, Fusion 000 Engine]] | [[Category:Engines|Engine, Fusion 000 Engine]] | ||