Automatic Uranite-Core Bombard Engagement (AUBE) Tank Hunter

## Overview

The Automatic Uranite-Core Bombardment Engagement Tank Hunter, or AUBE-TH, Represents an evolution in the Iron Coalition's strategy against heavy armor and strategic hardpoints. The AUBE-TH is the first of it's kind to leverage advanced Uranite-Core Fin-Discarding Sabot Rounds (UCFDS), granting it superior range and penetration capabilities compared to previous platforms. The platform is also equipped with a slew of countermeasures in the case of flank or ambush, such as directed radiation weapons or active kill measures. While the chassis was adapted from the earlier K1C Arlene Turretless Tank, a new and more powerful Axcell MkIII Engine is used to propel the heavier load and complexity of a Uranite-based weapon system.

### History

#### Development

The development of the AUBE-TH was largely a response to the lackluster performance of the Iron Federation's current tank hunting units against Collingian armor. The K1C Arlene Turretless Tank, while relatively quick and durable, failed to perform during the long and drawn out fights that were characteristic of the Collingian Civil War. The vehicle could not reliably penetrate the Aegis-Reinforced Armor found on many Collingian Battle Tanks, leading to several strategic losses.

In Early Y3567 The Iron Ordinance Department headed by General Roper Roberts reached out to a then-nascent engineering firm, Hallman Materials & Kinetics (HMK), to improve on the K1C's obsolete design. The effort was called Project RitaJean, and aimed to improve not only the platform's acceleration and handling but more importantly it's penetration and ultimately its combat effectiveness. At the time HMK was experimenting with a top secret material known as Uranite. While extremely dense for its relative size, this prototype material provided premier penetration capabilities.

Work to create an operating weapon system concluded in late Y3574, weighing just under 6 tons at full load. The system utilized a mag-fed design, all of which fit inside the larger hull area. The tank tracks were significantly widened to accommodate the increased weight, as well as the addition of a larger Axcell MkIII engine. Three prototype AUBE platforms underwent trials that year, which performed well aside from minor pressure issues surrounding the gun's automatic feed system.

#### Battle For The Capitol

The AUBE-TH first saw combat in Y3578 during the battle for the Collingian Capitol District at Messiah. Remnant Collingian Loyalists maintained a strong foothold in Messiah's Capitol District of Gravina armed with numerous Collingian Battle Tanks and various other armor pieces. The city's long and narrow streets made for deadly killzones, which Iron Federation forces could not defeat. A platoon of AUBE-THs were able to successfully dislodge the fortified armor positions using their superior penetrating capabilities and the aid of Strike White SOP Units utilizing thermal and seismic detection gear. The units were able to triangulate enemy tank positions, allowing the AUBE-TH to simply shoot through sometimes multiple structures to score a disabling hit on the enemy tank hidden behind them. The battle and subsequent victory played a large role in the platform's adoption by the Iron Federation, seeing service through to the end of the war and into the present day.

### Features

#### Uranite-Core Fin-Discarding Sabot Round (UCFDS)

The AUBE-TH utilizes the superior UCFDS round. The core of the round is comprised of a solid Uranite penetrator propelled by a Daxite ignition substance. The launched projectile reaches hypersonic speeds before reaching its target, shattering the penetrator along its pre-scored lattice and neutralizing the target's internal components.

#### Auto-Feeder

HMK equipped the AUBE-TH with a revolving automatic loading mechanism. A full load carries 8 UCFDS rounds, while smaller caliber loadouts can carry up to 24. The system can be calibrated to fire in adverse conditions, generally reaching a rate of fire of 20-25 rounds a minute. This is however taking into consideration the time to load a complete cylinder.

Pictured- Tank Commander John Fletcher Sighting in his AUBE Tank Hunter during the battle of Gravina District: