Axman

Axman
Production information
Manufacturer	Defiance Industries[1] Johnston Industries[1]
Production Year	3048[2]
Model	AXM-1N[1]
Class	Heavy
Cost	11,840,510 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	65 tons
Chassis	Dorwinion AXM Standard
Armor	Kallon Unity Weave Ferro-Fibrous with CASE
Engine	Magna 260 XL
Communications System	Johnston Wide Band
Targeting Tracking System	Rander Pinpoint-HY
Heat Sinks	10 double
Speed	64 km/h
Jump Jets	HildCo Model 12
Armament	1x autocannon/20 3x medium laser 1x large pulse laser 1x hatchet
BV (1.0)	1,165[3]
BV (2.0)	1,369[4] or 1,374[1]

Description[edit]

Developed by Team Banzai as the big brother of the highly successful Hatchetman, the Axman was designed exclusively to be a 'Mech killer. The Axman was also intended as a symbol of solidarity throughout the Federated Commonwealth by using components that were produced in the Federated Suns, Lyran Commonwealth, and even former Capellan Confederation space. The collapse of the Federated Commonwealth in 3057 almost rendered the design extinct because of this, production slowing to a trickle as both the Federated Suns and Lyran Alliance were forced to rely on surplus stores while developing new variants utilizing locally sourced components.^[5]

The Axman has a ground speed of only 64.8 km/h, which is average for a heavy 'Mech, but improved in part by the inclusion of jump jets. The 'Mech is covered with eleven tons of ferro-fibrous armor that gives it a great deal of protection, with ten double heat sinks offering average heat dissipation. Much like its lighter brother, the Axman was designed to utilize the full-head ejection system to safeguard its MechWarrior.^[5]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The two primary weapons on the Axman are its massive hatchet, which alone weighs five tons and can cleave through enemy 'Mech armor like a knife through butter, and a Luxor Devastator-20 autocannon, which can strip over a ton of armor off of an enemy 'Mech with ease. The 'Mech also carries a trio of Intek medium lasers and a highly accurate Sutel Precision Line large pulse laser for short to intermediate range combat.^[5]

Variants[edit]

• AXM-2N 

  The 2N variant of the Axman, introduced in the late 3040s, has been called a mistake by some and a stroke of genius by others. The 2N carries two Coventry Star Fire LRM-15 launchers in place of the massive autocannon/20, as the autocannon often jammed on early models.^[1] While this changes the 'Mech's role from a city fighter to a long-range bombardment 'Mech, it also allows the Axman to be a support 'Mech that can defend itself with its massive hatchet at ranges where the LRMs are ineffective if an enemy closes.^[5] BV (1.0) = 1,238;^[3] BV (2.0) = 1,458^[6]

• AXM-3S 

  The Furillo-manufactured 3S introduced in 3060^[7] removes the XL Engine of the 1N and 2N variants and replaces it with a light fusion engine. This exclusively Lyran variant of the Axman is armed with a massive LB 20-X AC, which allows it to fire either solid rounds or cluster rounds that act like a 'Mech sized shotgun. The 'Mech also carries three ER medium lasers for close combat and a Guardian ECM suite, which defends against enemy electronic warfare equipment.^[1][5] BV (1.0) = 1,499^[3] or 1,403;^[8] BV (2.0) = 1,649^[6]

• AMX-3Sr 

  This variant was introduced in 3069 and uses a rotary autocannon/5 as its main gun, supplemented by an extra medium pulse laser. By adding a C3 slave, it can share targeting data with its lancemates and an extra heat sink helps dissipate heat.^[9] BV (2.0) = 1,743^[10]

• AXM-4D 

  An attempt to reduce reliance upon foreign equipment, this exclusively Davion variant replaced the 1N line on New Syrtis in 3071. It drops the jump jets, lasers, and large-bore autocannon in favor of four light autocannon/5s, supplemented by two medium lasers. Two tons of ammunition stored in a CASE-protected bay allows for some flexibility in the choice of munitions. A targeting computer improves the accuracy of all the weapons on the 'Mech. The heat sinks are downgraded to single models.^[1] It uses ferro-fibrous armor for protection.^[1] BV (2.0) = 1,222^[6]

• AXM-5N 

  A prototype in 3146 whose production was delayed due only to lack of parts, the AXM-5N was rapidly built for the desperate AFFS after the Davion recapture of New Syrtis from the Capellans. Using a number of components shared with the Hatchetman 7D and Caesar 5D, the AXM-5N carries a Tiburon Khanate–supplied HAG 20 in its right torso, supported by a left arm–mounted Sea Fox Clan ER PPC and a trio of IS-grade ER medium lasers in the right arm, and fitted with a Guardian ECM suite. Though carrying three tons of HAG reloads, the AXM-5N primarily relies on its energy weaponry to activate its triple strength myomer to enhance both its speed and the damage inflicted with its hatchet.^[11] BV (2.0) = 2,575^[12]

• AXM-6T 

  This is the production variant of the AXM-6X described under "Custom Variants". This version, introduced in 3083, uses an Inner Sphere–produced XL engine and lacks the supercharger of the 6X. The top speed of the 6T is 86 km/h. The armor protection and weapon configuration are identical to the Axman 6X, but the Thunderbolt launchers have two tons of ammunition each. BV (2.0) = 1,830^[13] (The handheld weapons listed for the 6X are also used by the 6T.)

Custom Variants[edit]

• AXM-6X 

  This Axman variant, introduced in 3074,^[14] uses several experimental systems as a technology testbed. The hatchet and standard weaponry have been removed. In their place is a pair of Thunderbolt 15 missile launchers in the torso, while each leg mounts a pair of ER medium lasers. This is important, as the 6X uses several handheld weapons to provide its main firepower. A Clan-spec engine coupled with a supercharger keeps the 6X moving at high speeds. Though the Thunderbolt missiles provide some firepower, they're only supported by a ton of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 2,132^[15]

The weapons systems available to the 6X include:

• Light autocannon - light AC/5 with 1 ton of ammunition and a half-ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 86^[16][13]
• Enhanced LRM - Enhanced LRM-10 and a half ton of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 111^[16][13]
• ER medium laser - One ER medium laser, five heat sinks, and a half-ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 78^[16][13]
• Heavy flamer - Three heavy flamers, one ton of ammunition, and a ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 81^[16][13]
• Fluid gun - Twin fluid guns with two tons of ammunition available, protected by a half-ton of armor. The flexible nature of the fluid gun's ammunition allows this weapon pod to be used in noncombat situations. BV (2.0) = 28^[16][13]
• LRM system - This weapon pod carries three LRM-5 launchers and a half-ton of ammunition. BV (2.0) =138^[16][13]
• MML system - A single MML-7 with a ton of ammunition and armor. BV (2.0) = 107^[16][13]
• Streak SRM launcher - A single Streak SRM-6 with a ton of ammunition, which is protected by a ton of armor.^[16][13]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Axman has the following Design Quirk:^[17]

• Protected Actuators

Notable Pilots[edit]

See: Category:Notable Axman Pilots

Related 'Mechs[edit]

• Hatchetman - The design of the Axman would originate from this 45-ton 'Mech.

Notes[edit]

• In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to Kriegsbeil, which literally means War Hatchet. The model code was accordingly changed to KGB-1N.

Gallery[edit]

• 

  Original Axman from TRO:3050

• 

  AXM-1N Axman from TRO:3050 Upgrade

• 

  Axman 2N from BTC:TRoW

• 

  Experimental AXM-6X Axman in motion from XTRO:Steiner

• 

  Axman from RG:ilClan v12

• 

  Adam Steiner's Axman Gauntlet from BT:Legends

• 

  AXM-1N Axman in combat from BTTCG

• 

  Axman miniature from BattleTech: Inner Sphere Heavy Battle Lance

References[edit]

Bibliography[edit]