Mortar cannon

This article is about the weapon. For the Flip Racer from Rescue Bots, see Mortar.

Mortar cannons, also known as mortar launchers or just mortars, are reasonably common weapons used by Autobots, Decepticons, and even humans.

Fiction

Marvel The Transformers comics

In robot mode, Bombshell carried a head-mounted mortar that fired 50-pound explosive shells with a range of eight miles. Bombshell's Universe profile When not carving up enemies with his diamond-hard, micro-serrated beak, Buzzsaw could fire five rounds a minute from his twin mortar cannons. Buzzsaw's Universe profile As befitted a "walking armory", Fortress Maximus had twin laser-guided mortars built into each of his lower legs. Fortress Maximus's Universe profile In vehicle mode, Outback carried a turret-mounted mortar cannon which could fire armor-piercing shells up to a distance of three miles. Outback's Universe profile Each of Predaking's feet were fitted with a double-barrelled mortar shell launcher. Predaking's Universe profile Punch used a twin mortar launcher capable of firing highly-combustible firebombs a distance of 3000 yards. Punch/Counterpunch's Universe profile Slammer's cannon shot explosive rocket-propelled mortar shells with a 1.5-mile range. Metroplex's Universe profile Finally, in jet mode, the Aerialbots' resident sharpshooter Slingshot could hit a highway stop sign six miles away with his twin mortar cannons. Slingshot's Universe profile

As well as wire-guided surface-to-air-harpoons and single-man hovercopters, G.B. Blackrock's oil-drilling platform was armed with mortar cannons. When Shockwave attacked, Josie Beller fired the mortars but they were completely ineffectual against the Decepticon. The Worse of Two Evils!

When the Autobots were lured into a Decepticon ambush in the Arctic by the treacherous Starscream, Buzzsaw took revenge on Omega Supreme by blasting him with his mortar cannons. He fired them at Swoop as well, but apparently missed. Dark Star

Finding himself being stalked across a ski resort by Carnivac and Snarler, Spike Witwicky called down the body of Fortress Maximus from the Ark and by combining with it, he was able to use Max's leg mortars to drive away the Pretender Beasts. The Man in the Machine!

The Transformers Adventure Game Books

Peril from the Stars

The following summarizes one or more multipath adventures. Details vary depending on the paths taken in-story. See the book's page for information on alternate paths.

During a confrontation at the Los Palmos observatory, you suggested to Jazz that you should attempt to get away from Bombshell, but the aerial Decepticon quickly overtook you, transformed to robot mode, and killed you and Jazz with mortar fire. Peril from the Stars

Find Your Fate Junior

Dinobots Strike Back

Although "Dinobots Strike Back" is a multipath adventure, the following holds true for every path of this micro-continuity-nexus.

Bombshell and Kickback infiltrated Hidden Valley, where the Dinobots were supposed to be on lookout duty but were arguing amongst themselves instead. Taking advantage of this distraction, Bombshell transformed to robot mode and launched a mortar which knocked them all out except Swoop, who managed to get away but had one of his wings damaged in the explosion. Dinobots Strike Back

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

Bombshell was equipped with a highly accurate head-mounted mortar that could fire 50 lb. explosives up to eight miles. Bombshell's More than Meets the Eye profile Buzzsaw wielded twin mortar cannons which could fire five rounds per minute. Buzzsaw's More than Meets the Eye profile Fortress Maximus was armed with laser-guided mortars amongst his other weapons. Fortress Maximus's More than Meets the Eye profile Outback's mortar cannon turret could fire armor-piercing shells with a range of three miles. Outback's More than Meets the Eye profile Predaking's armaments included twin mortar launchers on each foot. Predaking's More than Meets the Eye profile In Autobot mode, Punch carried a twin mortar cannon with a range of 3,000 yards. Punch/Counterpunch's More than Meets the Eye profile One of Metroplex's towers transformed into Slammer, a remotely controlled mortar cannon tank. Metroplex's More than Meets the Eye profile In jet mode, Slingshot was armed with twin-mortar cannons. Slingshot's More than Meets the Eye profile

Toys

The Transformers

• Soundwave And Condor Cassette: Buzzsaw (Decepticon Communicator, 1984/1985/1986/1990)

• Accessories: left & right twin mortar cannons

Available only with the Hasbro release of Soundwave, Buzzsaw came with twin mortar cannons (as identified in his instructions) that are practically indistinguishable from Laserbeak's laser cannons.

In Japan, Buzzsaw and his twin mortar cannons were initially only available in a multi-pack with Skids and Sunstreaker.

This mold was also used to make Laserbeak, Garboil, and Sundor, and redecoed to make Linkin Park Buzzsaw and Collaborative Energia Buzzsaw. The original has been reissued many, many times over the years, see Buzzsaw (G1)/toys for more information.

• Bombshell (Insecticon, 1985)

• Accessories: twin ion impulse blaster

According to his packaging bio, Bombshell's insect mode antenna becomes a head-mounted mortar in robot mode. This mold was also used to make the Salvo drones and has been reissued in two separate multi-packs alongside the other Insecticons.

• Metroplex (1986)

• Accessories: turret

Labelled simply as a "turret" in Metroplex's instructions, Slammer's cannon is described in his bio as a rocket-propelled mortar cannon. This mold was also used to make Metrotank.

• Outback (Mini-Vehicle, 1986, 2008)

• Accessories: mortar cannon

Outback was the only Mini-Vehicle to have been given an accessory: a mortar cannon that can mount on the vehicle mode roof via a 5 mm post-hole in the spare tire. Unfortunately, this weapon cannot really be wielded effectively in robot mode.

• Predaking (1986, 2004)

• Accessories: X-ray laser cannon, sonic sword, 4 combiner extremities, head

Predaking's packaging bio notes that each of his feet contains twin mortar shell launchers. In Japan, these were available in a Predaking giftset, while Hasbro initially only released the Predacons individually, with Predaking's feet coming with Tantrum and Headstrong respectively. The Predaking giftset has been reissued a number of times since.

• Slingshot (Aerialbot, 1986, 1991)

• Accessories: neutron rifle

Although not represented by a separate accessory, Slingshot packaging bio notes that in jet mode he is armed with twin mortar cannons.

• Fortress Maximus (Headmaster Base, 1987)

• Accessories: Spike Headmaster unit, Cerebros large Headmaster unit, Gasket, Grommet, photon rifle, dual laser blaster, Cerebros's mini laser rifle, Cog's laser rifle, radar scope, Master Sword (Japanese release only), Cerebros's sword (Japanese release only)

According to his packaging bio, Fort Max's notorious "leg guns" are twin laser-guided mortars. This mold was also used to make Super-God Masterforce Grand Maximus, Car Robots Brave Maximus, and Robotmasters "Cybertron Base".

• Punch-Counterpunch (Doublespy, 1987)

• Accessories: twin mortar launcher, photon cannon

Punch came with a yellow double-barrelled gun, identified in his instructions and bio as a twin mortar launcher.

• Grimlock with anti-tank cannon (Action Master, 1990)

• Accessories: Anti-tank cannon partner, particle beam cannon

Action Master Grimlock's anti-tank cannon partner could combine with his particle beam cannon to form a really big hand-held long-range mortar launcher.

Generation 2

• Slingshot (Aerialbot, 1994)

• Accessories: neutron rifle

According to his packaging bio, Generation 2 Slingshot was armed with twin mortar cannons in jet mode.

Notes

• Buzzsaw's More than Meets the Eye profile notes that his mortar cannons are neither particularly powerful nor accurate. Maybe not in your continuity, Dreamwave.