HK-36
The Iron Lord Protector (Neutral Good)
Image Source: Image of a heavy bolter taken from Warhammer 40k Wiki, link here, made with cooperation with [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] and [member="Valiens Nantaris"]
Intent: To create a heavier variant of MK-1 Bolt Gun for use by Heavy Infantry for crowd control and bombardment.
Development Thread: Overkill is a Myth (Completed), based on previous MK-1and MK-2 bolters, Shatterbolters, pistol and hold-out bolters.
Manufacturer: ARGH and Firemane
Model: MK-3 Heavy Bolter
Affiliation: Barony of Abregado-Rae and Kaeshana Confederation
Modularity: Can be mounted into vehicles or walkers to utilize external ammunition magazines, otherwise comes with Graphite ammunition drums which can be linked via clip chain, multicaliber bore in some variants.
Production: Minor
Material: Durasteel structure with Bronzium or Electrum details, Electrum and Copper wiring, Graphite Capsule for electronics and Ammunition Drum
Classification: Heavy Slugthrower
Size: Handheld and Vehicle Mounted
Length: 110 cm (based on MK 19 grenade launcher)
Weight: 31 kg (based on MK 19 grenade launcher)
Ammunition Type: 40mm x 53mm explosive bolts. The bolts are armed at launch and any significant pressure on the warhead will cause it to detonate. This includes shields, Force powers, glass etc. Bolt has a 5 metre ‘casualty zone’ on impact against most humanoids. Up to 15 metres can be injured by either shrapnel or blast wave. Also other approved Bolter ammunition types like Slugs or Buckshot.
Ammunition Capacity: 18 round drums or larger drums with belts containing 32 to 48 bolts (based on MK 19 grenade launcher).
Effective Range: 1,400 metres for specific aimed shot, 2,000 metres for area suppression/bombardment. Minimum range 20 meters with standard ammunition due to blast and shrapnel radius.
Rate of Fire: 60 rounds a minute semi-automatic (based on MK 19 grenade launcher)
Special Features: Ability to be mounted on vehicles or walkers, tripod attachment for mounting it on barricades or stabilizing on the ground, computerized interface scope, My Little Ropo sticker, multicaliber bore and magazine in some variants.
Description: [Introduction and Intent] As the new Dwarf Walker model was developed by the Firemane there came a need for updated weaponry and components to suit its construction needs. As such new weapons like the RC-2 or this MK 3 Heavy Boltguns were designed along with new components like Graphite Mesh Reinforcement or the updated Ionization Buffers. The intent for Heavy Boltguns was to make a larger higher-caliber version of Bolters mountable in vehicles for greater bombardment capacity that could be included as basic armament for the Dwarf Walker.
[Background] Bolters became one of the most iconic weapons of the Omega Protectorate as the Pyre made it their staple weapon during their formation and subsequent rise to power. The weapon is an automatic grenade launcher with plenty of crowd control and even armor piercing capabilities, its greatest asset being the versatility originating from the many ammunition types available to the weapon. Throughout time many newer versions have been made, including a lighter MK 2 which could be used more efficiently by most infantry units by sacrificing its firepower. When HK proposed construction of the MK 3 he asked this time to make the weapon even bigger than MK 1, increasing its weight and firepower.
[Physical Description] MK 3 is a very large weapon which must be handled with two hands even by larger and stronger species to be used effectively. Its structure is a combination of RC-2 and MK 1 Bolters from which most of the components were taken. MK 3 has a single barrel and same projectile propulsion as MK 1, however its ammunition magazine and feeding systems utilize ammo drums like the RC-2 did. These drums can be clipped straight into the gun as a normal magazine or kept on the back and linked to the gun via clip chain, this is usually used for larger ammo drums to carry larger quantities of ammunition. MK 3 has both a handle on top to keep the gun stable as well as a rail for optical attachments like a laser dot or computerized interface scope.
[Materials] MK 3 uses rather standard materials, a Durasteel structure with optional Bronzium or Electrum details depending if one can afford them, Electrum and Copper wiring like in previous ARGH constructions, an ammunition drum made from Graphite to assure maximum protection Abregado could provide to the pellet magazine, and a Graphite capsule containing inner critical electronic components to minimize chances of the gun being disabled by random damage during combat.
[Ammunition Type] Standard MK 3 ammunition is of the same design as standard MK 1 bolts, however their caliber has been increased as well as amounts of explosive to increase their blast radius, but the minimal range as well, making it less efficient at close quarters. As such some variants of the gun come with expensive multi-caliber bore and magazine, allowing it to use previous Bolt gun ammunition type like standard MK 1 or MK 2 ammunition with less explosive amount in each projectile and lesser minimum range. A solid slug counterpart of standard ammunition has also been made, fashioned out of durasteel, to increase armor-piercing capabilities and take out the requirement of minimum range in exchange for losing the crowd control capabilities of explosive standard ammunition.
[Range and Rate of Fire] The rate of fire has not changed since the MK 1 bolt gun as ARGH was not able to get the mechanical components to fire any faster, due to their history based on rail guns rather than guns using chemical propulsion. However what was increased was the total range of the Bolter as larger caliber bullets allow for more chemical propulsion to be used, meaning they will have a higher initial velocity, which in turns means they will travel longer and further. This is something strictly based on the ammunition caliber used, however, which means if one would use ammunition from MK 1 or MK 2 then MK 3 would be firing in range limitations of these weapons as they have less chemical propulsion per each bolt.
[Special Features] The MK 3 can be easily mounted in vehicles as that was the primary reason why MK 3 was developed, it can also have a tripod attached to make stabilizing the heavy weapon either on bare ground or on some sort of barricade easier, computerized interface scope which can be synchronized with most HUD’s to enhance aiming with the weapon, and the multicaliber bore and magazine set up mentioned before, however due to its cost it could not be installed into all weapons, making it available only to more veteran and elite troops like squad or company commanders or honor guards.
[General Strengths] Ability to fire large caliber projectiles gives this weapon plenty of kick, allowing it deal both concentrated damage when using solid slugs as well as area of effect damage with explosive projectiles like the standard MK 3 projectiles, or even cone of effect when using buckshot. Most of the weapon’s strength come from the projectiles it uses, giving it plenty of versatility, especially when the multicaliber bore is used, increased ammo capacity is also a boon when the issue of previous bolters was the frequency at which they had to be reloaded.
[General Weaknesses] The greatest weakness of the weapon is the large size and weight it gained from firing larger caliber projectiles, it is a very noisey weapon only for the strongest soldiers who are not planning on heading onto a covert mission anytime soon. Soldiers with inappropriate strength would find difficulties at lifting the weapon and withstanding its recoils, most likely being knocked back on their ass after firing it just once
.
[Summary and Conclusion] In summary, this is a much heavier MK 1 bolter capable of firing larger caliber projectiles to propel them over greater distance and cause greater degree of damage while if installed with multi-caliber magazine and bore it can also become a quite versatile weapon for wider range of occasions, however that is an expensive addition to already clunky weapon for only the strongest warriors, therefore not seen very commonly.
