S12B-P Chapman

## Overview

The S12B-P Chapman is an automatic quad-barreled high velocity rocket launcher, resupplying its rockets from a protected mechanical feed-belt that is connected to a back-mounted ammunition reserve. Designed in Y4158 by Boerelem engineers in collaboration with Iordanov Electronics under the auspices of the Iron Ordinance Department, the weapon system is a relatively recent development in the Iron Horde's foray into Powered Assault Chassis program. The Chapman is the first weapon of its kind designed to be arm or shoulder mounted to a Powered Assault Chassis such as the N6F Iron Maiden, and is capable of producing a withering amount of firepower in an extremely short amount of time. While not launching a standard full-size rocket as seen in the Piledriver AVL, the S12B-P makes up for this deficit with its superior rate of fire, which is far more deadly to groups of infantry and lightly armored vehicles. This firepower, coupled with the superior survivability of a Powered Assault Chassis makes for a menace and a deathknell to enemy forces on the battlefield.

### History

After the exile of the remaining Pax-Viribus Theocracy subjugates in Y4050, the Iron Coalition turned its focus to the southern reaches of the Walgren Forest. This area, known as Dimock's Jungle due to its hot climate and proximity to the Synovian Desert, is extremely rich in rare and elusive resources, especially Hoverite. These resources however were tucked away in the furthest reaches of the jungle, where countless hostile Pinamoy tribes hunt and kill any intruders on sight. This environment, while extremely prohibitive for traverse by armored vehicle, could be traversed well enough on foot. The grievous losses sustained from multiple failed excursions at the hands of the Pinamoy prompted a research project into developing a relatively small mobile armor package that could traverse the difficult jungle terrain while shrugging off frequent guerilla attacks. The design also needed superior firepower, being able to neutralize multiple enemies at once and provide covering fire for advancing friendlies.

In Y4143 the Iron Ordinance Department reached out to Chunkworth Heavy Industries for a quote on such a design. CHI obliged, and work began on the N1A Iron Maiden Powered Assault Chassis. Alongside this project, the IOD proffered expert explosive manufacturer Boerelem to design a high velocity rocket-based weapon system to be used in conjunction with the chassis. Boerelem engineers agreed, however their expertise with the intricate electrical systems required to run such an integrated device was lacking. Iordanov Electronics was recruited to complete the electrical interfacing of the weapon system to the chassis bionics and telemetric units. In late Y4147 a working prototype of the weapon system, the S1A Chapman, along with the N1A Iron Maiden, began testing at the underground weapons facility at Fort Derringer on Walcott's Island. The results were less than stellar as the bionics interface worked very poorly, leading to multiple test subject casualties in its early stages.

By Y4156 a successful prototype had been created. While extensive training of the was required for effective operation, the N1A vastly expanded a soldier's capability, target acquisition, survivability and deadliness on the battlefield. The bionic integration between the suit and the operator's body allowed for lightning fast aiming and tracking, despite the suit weighing just over 1.2 metric tons. Much of that weight was due to the matrix of thick laminar uranite armor plates affixed over the suit. The bulk was necessary however, in order to properly operate and handle the recoil of the Chapman weapon system. By Y4158 freshly manufactured N1A suits fitted with S1A Chapmans and modified A14 Centurion HMGs were being shipped to forward operating bases and forts across the territory, waiting for pilots to enter the cockpit.

### Features

#### Intelligent Electronic Fuse System

The firing mechanism of the Chapman is mated to the bionics support systems of the Iron Maiden, allowing for near-instant response times and engagement profiles. Brainwave patterns in the operator's head that are associated with target engagement are fed into a neural network and studied by the bionic support system. While this machine learning process can be time consuming and must be done for each individual operator, the result is lightning fast engagement of hostile targets before they can even raise their weapons to fire.

#### Auxilliary Nitrous Oxide Injection

If the operator happens upon a particularly armored target and needs an extra "boost" of penetrative power, he can opt to use the Chapman's Auxiliary Nitrous Oxide Injection System (ANOIS). This system injects NOS into the breach of the weapon upon firing, giving the rockets an extra burst of fuel to burn. This extra fuel burn vastly increase the pressure inside the firing chamber, shooting out rockets at nearly twice the speed and thus significantly increasing their penetrating power.

Pictured: A Combat Engineer piloting an N6F Iron Maiden equipped with an S12B-P Chapman, next to a Iron Horde Regular.