Mortar cannon

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 carries a head-mounted mortar that fires 50-pound explosive shells with a range of eight miles. Bombshell's Universe profile When he's not carving up enemies with his diamond-hard, micro-serrated beak, Buzzsaw can fire five rounds a minute from his twin mortar cannons. Buzzsaw's Universe profile As befits a "walking armory", Fortress Maximus has twin laser-guided mortars built into each of his lower legs. Fortress Maximus's Universe profile In vehicle mode, Outback carries a turret-mounted mortar cannon which can fire armor-piercing shells up to a distance of three miles. Outback's Universe profile Each of Predaking's feet is fitted with a double-barrelled mortar shell launcher. Predaking's Universe profile Punch uses a twin mortar launcher capable of firing highly-combustible firebombs a distance of 3000 yards. Punch/Counterpunch's Universe profile Slammer's cannon shoots explosive rocket-propelled mortar shells that have a 1.5-mile range. Metroplex's Universe profile Finally, in jet mode, the Aerialbots' resident sharpshooter Slingshot can 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

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

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

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. This mold was redecoed into Generation 2 Slingshot.

• 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".