H5A-M Icarus

## Overview

The H5A-M Icarus is a new development in microwave technology, breaking the current anti-air paradigm of various kinds of heat seeking and guided missiles. The H5A launches a radar-cloaked long range microwave perimeter defense drone, capable of melting critical electronics and munitions on enemy aircraft, often immolating the crew in the process. The device was designed by Grigax, Inc. in Y4134 specifically for the defense of the Iron Coalition's forward operating bases such as CD42-V and for use with clandestine and sabotage operations. The drones can create a no-fly zone of about 25 square miles and at specific altitude, with drone webs capable of covering multitudes larger. The weapon is particularly useful when deployed behind enemy lines by infiltrator troopers, taking out scores of aircraft if successfully deployed.

### History

The origin of the Icarus system is derived from a repurposing of cinderite mining equipment. In Y4110 the Primus Territory Mining Corporation (PTMC) developed the Gyro PX, a chamber hollowing drone. The Gyro creates subterranean chambers by producing large scale ultrasonic waves that reverberate through the surrounding rock, slowly pulverizing it and preparing it for removal. The device worked so well that it was taken notice of by the Iron Ordinance department, as a potential device to destabilize the earth below enemy strongholds. The IOD reached out to Grigax, Inc., a company specializing in highly advanced and novel technologies, to upscale the device and retool it for weaponization. The testing and prototyping began in Y4118, taking place at the defunct Starbrand Mining Facility outside of Napier. The goal was to quickly pulverize an area 30Km in diameter. The testing succeeded to a degree, however it took far too long to work and did not create the sinkhole effect that the IOD desired.

In Y4126 the IOD went back to the drawing board, asking Grigax, Inc. to salvage the project and create something with the remaining resources. Grigax reached out to Iordanov Electronics, another premier business in the military arms industry, for a project analysis. IE sent lead engineer William Gavron to embed on the Grigax team, assessing its current weapons and combat potential. What they came up with was the Icarus Drone: a large scale single-plane microwave pulse weapon, however it was turned airborne as opposed to being subterranean. The device showed serious potential for serving as a no-fly zone generator. While not what the IOD was expecting, they were pleased with the prototype's performance. Iordanov Electronics was relativey experienced with microwave technology, implementing a similar functionality into their contemporary project the Painbow SAM. Testing of the newly reformed drone performed well. In a radius of 23Km, the Icarus drone neutralized all seven of the airborne captured PVT PHA-14 Seraph fighters within 12 seconds. By Y4134 the Icarus entered mass production, ready to be shipped off to the battle front later that year.

The first documented combat kills of the Icarus system was during the 1st Battle of Bulwark in Y4144 after the small IC victory at the Battle of Solomon Beach. Coalition forces drove the PVT offensive back, maintaining air superiority with the use of rear-line H5A Icarus Drones inserted by Black Tang Infiltrators the night before. The weapon worked wonders, taking out entire squadrons of enemy PVT fighter craft, allowing the remaining stragglers to be easily cleaned up by the IC's fleets of M13C Broadhead GPFCs. While the IC was ultimately forced to withdraw due to the concession circumstances following its defeat at Bulwark, the Icarus had proven itself in battle, and had become a critical tool in the Iron Horde's arsenal. It has also been used to great effect in numerous conflicts since then, including the 2nd Battle of Saltstraumen and the Battle of Rubik Oasis.

### Features

#### Radar Cloaking Geometry

One issue with the Icarus System is that it is visible to the naked eye, as well as on enemy radar systems. While only a speck in the vast skyscape, it can be tracked relatively easily by competent pilots using their onboard tech. To combat this the drone is constructed of a lightweight carbon fiber exoskeleton, made with flat and angular geometry specifically designed to blur its signature on enemy radars. The hope is that the craft will either be neutralized or be forced to peel off before it acquires the Icarus drone.

#### Beam Focuser Countermeasures

If a projectile or aircraft somehow breaches the drone's radius, it will deploy its beam focuser countermeasure protocol. A multi-plated lensatic beam focuser unit narrows down the drone's entire output into one ray, bringing it to bear on whatever enemy object is approaching it. This immense concentration of power is generally enough to destroy most aircrafts it comes into contact with. If all else fails the drone also has a kamikaze self destruct protocol where it will jet towards the offending target and detonate destroying itself along with the enemy.