AX3B Halberd

## Overview

The AX3B Halberd is the Iron Coalition's latest foray into advanced weapons technology. It is an electromagnetic mass driver firing a 20mm x 50mm Tungstenite fin-discarding sabot surrounding an unstable plasma core payload traveling mach 7. The design came on the heels of the embarrassing defeat at Bulwark in Y4144. The Iron Ordinance Department noted that sponson turrets and gun batteries could be more effectively neutralized with the quick acquisition afforded by a man-portable weapon system than the slow traverse of a traditional mounted gun battery. Such was the impetus for a mobile anti-materiel weapons platform that could charge while behind cover and net a high kill per shot ratio. The weapon system generally requires a two man team: one to man the gun while the other carries the ammunition and capacitor supply. The weapon's capacity is single shot only, as that is generally the engagement environment it is designed for.

### History

In Y4145 the IOD sent out a solicitation to relevant entities to design a weapon that would meet its specifications and tolerances. A number of companies applied, however the contract was ultimately given to family-owned firm Iordanov Electronics. The IOD assigned chief IE Engineer Lubomir Iordanov to develop a 140cm electric mass driver in the early days of the 2nd Tetrast Y4144 after their delegates witnessed test trials of the working model earlier that year. However, the project was put on hold as tensions in the South Harbinger Sea again escalated in Y4146. IE filed for a Coalition patent in late Y4155, which was issued on T2 Y4156 M24 as "Electromagnetic propulsion system for non-ferrous projectiles". In the device, a large hyper-capacitor bank is connected to a series of toroidal electromagnets of progressive strength, with the entire apparatus surrounded by an anti-magnetic field. By discharging current through the electromagnets and projectile, a force is induced which propels the projectile through the barrel and into flight.

In late Y4147 IE submitted its final design, the AX3A Halberd. The weapon system weighed a hefty 13.2Kg, much of which was attributed to the massive capacitor banks required for its operation. While the weapon was technically ready to be fielded, military doctrine and logistical issues surrounding its deployment had to be taken into consideration. The AX3A was given to a select few sniper teams operating in the South Harbinger Sea over the next year as a live test, measuring performance and combat effectiveness and resiliency. While the rifle seemed to perform its duties, opportune engagements for the system to truly perform as intended were somewhat scarce.

The project languished for the next three years, garnering only mediocre support at the IOD and amongst soldiers in the field. However in Y4152 tensions between the Iron Coalition and the Pax-Viribus Theocracy exploded, this time at the Saltstraumen Supermassive Hydro-Vortex. The perfect opportunity to utilize the AX3A had presented itself; the IOD immediately ordered production of 6,000 units from IE. The close ship-to-ship battle of the Saltstraumen allowed the Halberd to excel, with the Iron War Apparat assessing dozens of neutralized PVT ships and gun batteries. This performance cemented its place in the Iron Horde's arsenals, where it is being iterated and improved to this day.

### Features

#### Power Supply

The power supply of the railgun must be able to deliver large currents, sustained and controlled over a useful amount of time. The most important gauge of power supply effectiveness is the energy it can deliver. The hyper-capacitor fulfills this roll, as it contains a hyper-dense lithium anode matrix, allowing for immense energy density while decreasing weight.

#### Material Construction

The rails and projectiles must be built from strong conductive materials; the rails need to survive the violence of an accelerating projectile, and heating because of the large currents and friction involved. The current iteration AX3B utilizes a Tungstenite bore surrounded by a buttressed diamond-impregnated Nitrexite shroud. This design and combination of materials ensures minimal deformation due to heat as well as the immense magnetic forces involved in its operation.

#### Projectile

As stated above the projectile of choice is some nature of AP-FDS round. In this case a core of unstable plasma is used as a means to damage or destroy the electronic systems of a target. Depending on the mission parameters, other payload options include an activated cinderite shaped charge explosive, or Ferrite Blast Powder. In all cases the projectile must be stable enough to handle the immense accelerative and frictional forces applied, which is why high-grade Tungstenite is generally used.

Picture: Iron Horde marksman with his AX3B Halberd and pack of ammunition: