MercTech: Short Range Missiles

## General overview

Unlike in the base game, standard Short Range Missile launchers fire guided missiles, much like LRMs. Because of this, they can take advantage of equipment like Narc Beacons. Streak SRM function more or less identically to how they do in the base game. All SRM types come in 2, 4 and 6 tube versions, including the Streak SRM, which was previously only available as a 2 tube.

## Weapon types

### Short Range Missile:

Relatively unchanged from its 20th century progenitors, the SRM fires large, guided short-ranged missiles capable of impressive damage for its size and weight. Its simple and reliable design has allowed it to survive the technological decline of the Succession Wars, while the Clans would significantly reduce the weight and size of their SRM launchers. Throughout its history, numerous specialty missile types would be developed to fulfill specific roles or integrate with certain pieces of equipment, these missile types include:

Standard: The common guided high-explosive missile in use for centuries

Artemis-IV compatible: A variation of the standard missile that has improved accuracy when paired with an Artemis-IV FCS-equipped launcher. The FCS-equipped launcher requires direct line of sight with the target to increase the accuracy of its missiles.

Narc-Capable: A standard missile than can receive targeting information from an active Narc beacon, improving its accuracy.

Inferno: A special missile that releases incendiary gel when impacting a target, which can be used to heat up an enemy unit. Its volatile chemicals makes it dangerous to carry inside a mech, as they can overheat it should they explode.

Deadfire: Developed by the Draconis Combine, deadfire missiles replace the guidance system with a larger warhead, increasing its potential damage at the expense if reduced accuracy.

Acid: A chemical-filled missile designed to combat the increasingly common Ferro-Fibrous armor and its derivatives. The corrosive compounds dissolve the foamed aluminum structure used in the plating, although they have reduced effectiveness against other armors and structures.

### Streak Short Range Missile:

An advanced variant of the standard SRM developed during the Star League, the Streak SRM uses a laser targeting system built into the launcher, which relays targeting information to fired missiles by laser communication. This system ensures that fired missiles have a hard lock on target, virtually guaranteeing that all missiles hit. The Star League had managed to only make the Streak system work properly on a twin tube launcher, as the system would run into issues trying to control any more missiles at once. The complexity of this system would lead to the Streak SRM becoming LosTech during the Succession Wars, with it only entering production again after the Grey Death Legion's rediscovery of the Helm Memory Core.

The Clans would refine virtually all aspects of the Streak SRM, as their launchers are lighter, the missiles have additional range, and the Streak system functions with a 6 tube launcher. The Inner Sphere would eventually reverse-engineer captured Clan models, allowing them to adapt the Streak system to the larger launchers.

Because of the nature of the advanced guidance system, the Streak system does not function with normal guided missiles. No specialty missile types have yet to be developed that use the Streak system.