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==Overview==
Invented by the [[Engineers Guild]]s on the Squat Homeworlds, the design was later shared 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.{{Fn|1}} More commonly used by the Imperial Guard in the past, the heavy quad-launcher has been largely relegated to [[Siege Regiment]]s and garrison forces.{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|3}} The weapon was employed by [[Space Marines]] 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]].{{Fn|4}}
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.{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|3}} 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.{{Fn|2}}
