Cyclone
GUTS AND GEARS — THE BEASTS AND MACHINES OF THE IRON KINGDOMS
Date: Gorim 1st, Octesh 597 A.R.
To: Master Mechanik Lassiter Polk, Cygnaran Armory
From: Chief Mechanik Darias Marek, Engines East
Subject: Design notes for the Cyclone, heavy assault warjack
As always, we at Engines East are honored to fulfill our contractual and patriotic obligation to the Cygnaran Armory. Your contract for a heavy warjack utilizing synchronous rapid-fire chain guns has proved a challenging proposition; however, our engineers and mechaniks are up to the task. The diagrams I have sent along should illustrate our willingness to deliver the very best in warjack design.
We have dubbed our new warjack the Cyclone — an apt name, we think, as this design employs our new Metal Storm chain guns and has the potential to bring a veritable “storm” of firepower to the battlefield. As you will see, its antipersonnel applications, as well as the fire support it could provide our troops, offer any commander an incredibly versatile weapons platform.
Figure 1. As shown here, the Cyclone is built on the existing Ironclad chassis with few modifications. The addition of the two arm-mounted chain guns will increase the weight of the Cyclone, but we expect it to remain as nimble on the battlefield as the Ironclad.
Figure 2. The size of the boiler and steam engine has been increased slightly over that of the standard Ironclad to accommodate a heavier fuel load of roughly 650 pounds. With a full load, we predict a burn usage of five hours for the Cyclone during general, non-combat operations. In combat, we expect a burn usage of fifty minutes, somewhat less than the Ironclad, but still within operational parameters for the majority of combat engagements.
Figure 3. The Cyclone’s guns are loosely based on the Sentinel’s chain gun; however, we have made a number of modifications to adapt this technology to a heavy warjack chassis. Firstly, like the Sentinel, the Cyclone’s Metal Storm chain guns use brass-cased cartridge ammunition. The Cyclone’s chain guns, however, fire the №50 cartridge over the Sentinel’s №30. We are certain this larger slug will provide more complete stopping power against infantry and prove powerful enough to threaten enemy warjacks with sustained fire.
Secondly, the Metal Storm’s drum magazine holds 20 smaller “stick” magazines. Each stick magazine holds 20 rounds, for a total of 400 rounds per drum. The Cyclone’s drums can be changed out in a matter of seconds, and because the ammunition is completely housed within the magazine, the delicate firing mechanism is protected from grit, dirt, and other battlefield detritus that can foul barrels or cause jams.
Each Metal Storm chain gun features a small hydraulic motor that rotates the weapon’s nine barrels to provide a smooth and steady rate of fire. We predict a rate of fire of between 200 and 220 rounds per minute. In addition, tiny hydraulic pumps within the Metal Storm chain gun siphon small amounts of freshly condensed water from the Cyclone’s boiler to cool the barrels during sustained fire and vastly reduce the chances of barrel warping due to overheating.
Lastly, we believe the Cyclone’s guns can provide a unique advantage on the battlefield unmatched by any enemy warjack. With their high rate of fire, the Metal Storm chain guns can carpet the battlefield with lead, restricting the movements of enemy infantry and providing unequaled covering fire to friendly troops.
Figure 4. Equipping a warjack with Metal Storm chain guns requires little retrofitting. A simple yet sturdy brace connects each chain gun to the warjack’s wrists and allows the ‘jack to retain near complete functionality in its hands.
Figure 5. To attach the Cyclone’s chain guns, an existing Ironclad chassis must be retrofitted with the new Cyclone’s forearms. This is a simple process, and our mechaniks estimate that such a retrofitting would take less than three hours.
Figure 6. Here you can see the Metal Storm chain gun attached to the Cyclone’s wrist. We have designed each chain gun so that it can be easily removed for maintenance or swapped out when damaged.
With your approval, we can begin production immediately on the parts necessary to retrofit a number of existing warjack chassis and start prototype testing within the year.
Yours,
Chief Mechanik Darias Marek
Engines East
FIELD REPORT: CYCLONE HEAVY WARJACK
Donard 5th, Trineus 599 A.R.
Northguard
131st Field Mechanik Squadron, 11th Trencher
Company, 3rd Division, Cygnaran First Army
Lt. Casner Durst, Chief Field Mechanik
SITUATION OVERVIEW:
FIELD REPORT: CYCLONE HEAVY WARJACK
This report concerns the new Cyclone heavy warjack and its first battlefield test near the Khadoran/Laelese border. My squad was designated to service a Cyclone prototype stationed at Ft. Redwall. Shortly after we ran preliminary field tests, however, we were ordered to escort the prototype south to Northguard.
We left Ft. Redwall escorted by two platoons of trenchers and a Charger. Enemy activity near Ft. Redwall has been subdued, and we did not expect to encounter Khadoran forces. As we passed through a pine copse eight miles south of Ft. Redwall, we came upon the ruins of an ancient structure, possibly Orgoth, and the site of Khadoran excavation. We engaged the Khadoran forces overseeing the ruin’s excavation.
ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY:
The Khadoran forces included two squads of Winter Guard riflemen, nearly a dozen doom reavers, several field gun crews, and a single member of the Greylords Covenant, who was obviously commanding. Because we had two warjacks in tow, the Khadoran forces had plenty of forewarning of our approach.
The guardsmen opened up first and focused fire on the Charger, which had taken the lead along with Captain Avers. The field guns downed the Charger, Captain Avers, and four trencher riflemen in the first volley. I took command and ordered our trenchers to return fire while I maneuvered the Cyclone to provide covering fire.
I ascertained we should pull back into the forest while the Cyclone laid down suppressing fire to pin down Khadoran forces in the ruins. As we pulled back the Greylord ordered the doom reavers to charge, and they came howling like demons.
The Greylord was clearly not acquainted with chain gun technology to send such soft targets into the Cyclone’s field of fire. The doom reavers were literally torn apart and, with the corpses in pieces, I found it hard to determine the number of their casualties. The remaining Khadoran forces did not pursue us as we retreated. We arrived at Northguard without further incident.
EVALUATION:
Because the Cyclone is based on the Ironclad chassis, a model with which I have extensive experience, I expected it to be as dependable. I had my doubts, though, regarding the new warjack›s Metal Storm chain guns. Specifically, I had serious concerns regarding both the rate of fire and the efficacy of the new barrel coolant system designed by Engines East.
Although we suffered serious casualties at the hands of the Khadoran forces we encountered en route to Northguard, the presence of the Cyclone allowed to make a detailed analysis of its new weapon systems under live fire conditions. Below is my evaluation.
Ammunition: The Cyclone’s Metal Storm chain guns fire the №50 brass cartridge, a much larger round than that used by the Sentinel. Initial tests of this round promised increased penetration and killing power over the smaller №30 cartridge. From what I saw against the doom reavers, the №50 inflicted mortal wounds with only a single round.
Although quite heavy, the Metal Storm’s drum magazines were easy to remove and replace, even under grueling combat conditions. During the battle, my crew and I cycled through a magazine for each chain gun without incident.
Rate of Fire: The hydraulic motor installed in each Metal Storm chain gun spins its barrels at an incredible rate. I can only approximate the rate of fire based on the ammunition we used and the time elapsed during the battle, but I calculate a truly withering 200 rounds per minute.
As promised by Engines East, the Metal Storm chain guns performed well in both direct fire and suppressing fire roles. When used to provide covering fire against the Winter Guard riflemen, they created a nearly impassible barrier.
Coolant System: The hydraulic coolant system in the Metal Storm chain guns proved surprisingly effective. After what I estimate to be two minutes of continuous fire, and roughly 400 rounds of ammunition run through each gun, the Metal Storm barrels became noticeably hot.
A thorough examination after the battle, however, showed no cracks, warping, or any of the other deleterious effects of extreme heat.
Final Evaluation: Although I would like to see more strenuous tests performed on the Cyclone’s chain guns in combat situations, this warjack has the potential to be an invaluable asset to field commanders throughout the Cygnaran military. The firepower a single Cyclone brings to any battlefield extricated myself and my men from what could have been a slaughter.
Lt. Casner Durst, Chief Field Mechanik
Fonte: No Quarter 32
