"William H. Keith Jr - Decision at Thunder Rift" - читать интересную книгу автора (Keith jr William H)

personnel or cargo.
HVWC: The Hovercraft Weapons Carrier is a military hovercraft, smaller
than a transport, mounting a missile battery, PPC, or other heavy weapon.
IFF: Short for "Identification Friend or Foe," this is a system of
signals from an on-board transponder that can be detected and used to identify
the vehicle, especially in combat.
Inferno: A special, shoulder-launched missile designed as an
anti-'Mech weapon. It explodes several meters from the launch tube, spraying
the target with white phosphorus or a similar flammable compound in a jelly
base. Infernos are not carried aboard 'Mechs because of their flammability.
 IR: Infrared is light at wavelengths too long to be seen by the human
eye. Infrared radiation is emitted by heat sources such as running engines or
living bodies, and can be detected by equipment designed for use in the dark.
Lance: A BattleMech tactical combat group, usually consisting of four
'Mechs.
Laser: An acronym for "Light Amplification through Stimulated Emission
of Radiation." As a weapon, it damages the target by concentrating extreme
heat on a small area. BattleMech lasers are designated as small, medium, and
large. Lasers are also available as shoulder-fired weapons operating from a
portable backpack power unit. Certain range finders and targeting equipment
employ low-level lasers as well.
Locust: A light, non-humanoid scout BattleMech designed for extreme
speed and maneuverability. Weighing 20 tons, it has a top running speed of 130
kph. It is armed with one medium laser and a pair of heavy machine guns.
LRM: Abbreviation for "Long-Range Missiles," indirect-fire missiles
with high-explosive warheads. They have a maximum extreme range of several
kilometers, but are accurate only between about 150 and 700 meters.
Marauder: A heavy, non-humanoid assault BattleMech, weighing 75 tons,
with a top speed of 65 kph. It is heavily armed, mounting a heavy PPC and a
medium laser in each arm, and a 120 mm autocannon over its back. Marauders are
extremely well-armored and difficult to knock out, particularly favored for
the psychological advantage conveyed by their fearsome appearance.
PBI: Short for "Poor Bloody Infantry," this is BattleMech slang for
non-'Mech troops.
Phoenix Hawk: A medium BattleMech weighing 45 tons, with a top speed
of 100 kph. It mounts one medium laser and a heavy machine gun integral to
each arm, and carries a heavy laser in an arm rifle mount. It is a
particularly useful blend of speed and maneuverability in BattleMech combat.
Platoon: A tactical military unit typically consisting of 50 to 60
men, commanded by a lieutenant or a platoon sergeant. A platoon may be divided
into two sections.
PPC: Short for "Particle Projection Cannon," a magnetic accelerator
firing high-energy proton or ion bolts, causing damage both through impact and
high temperature. They are among the most effective weapons available to
BattleMechs. Though they have a theoretical range limited only by
line-of-sight considerations, the technology available for focusing and aiming
the bolt limits effective range to less than 600 meters.
Regiment: A military unit consisting of two to four battalions, each
consisting of three or four companies. A regiment is commanded by a colonel.
Rifleman: A medium BattleMech weighing 60 tons, with a top speed of 65