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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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[[image:Thuddgun.jpg|right|thumb|A Squat Thudd Gun mounted on a tractor unit.]]
'''Heavy Quad-Launchers''', also known as '''Thudd Guns''', are four-barreled light field artillery pieces originally produced by the [[Squat]]s.<sup>1</sup> Invented by their Engineers Guilds on the Squat Homeworlds, they would later share the design with the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]], who copied and produced their own version for use by the [[Imperial Guard]]. The weapon received its nickname from the distinctive and rhythmic "thud" sound produced as each barrel fires in rapid succession.<sup>1</sup> More commonly used by the Imperial Guard in the past, the heavy quad-launcher has been largely relegated to [[Regiment#Siege_Regiment|siege regiment]]s and garrison forces.<sup>2,3</sup> The weapon was employed during the [[Horus Heresy]] in [[Battle of Terra|defense of the [[Imperial Palace]] and has seen recent use in the [[Badab War]] as well as the [[Tyrannic Wars]].<sup>4-p92</sup>
Essentially four [[Mortar]]s mounted on a single weapons carriage, the Heavy Quad-Launcher boasts a high rate of fire that makes it an excellent suppression weapon and in a direct-fire role against enemy infantry.<sup>2,3</sup> One of its primary drawbacks however is the long reload time after all four barrels have been fired, requiring the loader to hand-crank the breech close in order to feed in a new round for each barrel. The launcher also lacks the range of heavier Imperial Guard artillery, limiting its viability in the counter-battery role.<sup>2</sup>
