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ARC-920 railgun: Difference between revisions

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The ARC-920 uses a pair of parallel conducting rails to accelerate its projectiles. A large electric current flows from one rail into the projectile and then to the other rail; the electromagnetic effects of this interaction accelerate the projectile to an immense speed. The rifle requires a brief charging period before firing high-explosive rounds accelerated to an incredible speed.<ref name="bulletin52512">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/05/25/The-Halo-Bulletin-52512.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 5.25.12'']</ref> The explosive yield contained in the round adds to the kinetic force of the impact, making the weapon effective against both infantry and armor.<ref name="GI 522012"/> The weapon lacks a scope.<ref name="bulletin52512"/> The ARC-920 is one of the various limited-production electromagnetic launchers in service with the [[UNSC Defense Force]], and the ARC-920 is widely considered the best among them.<ref name="universe"/>
The ARC-920 uses a pair of parallel conducting rails to accelerate its projectiles. A large electric current flows from one rail into the projectile and then to the other rail; the electromagnetic effects of this interaction accelerate the projectile to an immense speed. The rifle requires a brief charging period before firing high-explosive rounds accelerated to an incredible speed.<ref name="bulletin52512">[http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/05/25/The-Halo-Bulletin-52512.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: 5.25.12'']</ref> The explosive yield contained in the round adds to the kinetic force of the impact, making the weapon effective against both infantry and armor.<ref name="GI 522012"/> The weapon lacks a scope.<ref name="bulletin52512"/> The ARC-920 is one of the various limited-production electromagnetic launchers in service with the [[UNSC Defense Force]], and the ARC-920 is widely considered the best among them.<ref name="universe"/>


==Variants==
===Whiplash===
The ''Whiplash'' features a faster charge cycle, multiple rounds per magazine, and projectiles fitted with a proximity airburst fuse.<ref name="H5G">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'''</ref>
===Arclight===
The ''Arclight'' fires armor-piercing high-explosive rounds. While it takes longer to charge the weapon the charge can be held indefinitely.<ref name="H5G"/>
== Gameplay ==
== Gameplay ==
Compared to the [[M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle|Spartan Laser]], the ARC-920's charging time is half the duration and deals less damage to vehicles. In addition, the travelling time for a fired shot is almost instantaneous<ref name="bulletin52512"/>(though still markedly slower than most ballistic, [[hard light]], and laser weapons in the game, which are hitscan). In Campaign and Spartan Ops, the charging time is longer than in War Games.
Compared to the [[M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle|Spartan Laser]], the ARC-920's charging time is half the duration and deals less damage to vehicles. In addition, the travelling time for a fired shot is almost instantaneous<ref name="bulletin52512"/>(though still markedly slower than most ballistic, [[hard light]], and laser weapons in the game, which are hitscan). In Campaign and Spartan Ops, the charging time is longer than in War Games.
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File:H4-ARC920-Schematic.jpg|A schematic of the railgun.
File:H4-ARC920-Schematic.jpg|A schematic of the railgun.
File:ARC-920 HUD.png|HUD icon of the ARC-920 in ''Halo 4''.
File:ARC-920 HUD.png|HUD icon of the ARC-920 in ''Halo 4''.
File:Railgun.png|A [[SPARTAN-IV Program|SPARTAN-IV]] soldier wielding the ARC-920.
File:Railgun.png|A [[SPARTAN-IV Program|Spartan-IV]] soldier wielding the ARC-920.
File:H4-ARC920Railgun-FirstPerson.jpg|First-person view of the ARC-920 railgun.
File:H4-ARC920Railgun-FirstPerson.jpg|First-person view of the ARC-920 railgun.
File:RG reload.jpg|Closeup view of the ARC-920 being reloaded.
File:RG reload.jpg|Closeup view of the ARC-920 being reloaded.
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File:ARC-920_post-launch.jpg|An ARC-920 immediately after discharge.
File:ARC-920_post-launch.jpg|An ARC-920 immediately after discharge.
File:Railgun_slug.jpg|An M645 round being fired.
File:Railgun_slug.jpg|An M645 round being fired.
File:Battle for the Moon.png|[[Sarah Palmer]] wielding an ARC-920 against [[Merg Vol]].
File:Battle for the Moon.png|[[Sarah Palmer]] wielding an ARC-920 against [[Merg Vol]] in ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''.
File:Jackknife.png|Spartan Newman firing an ARC-920 during the [[Battle of Ealen IV]] in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:H5G-ArclightHUD.png|First-person view of the ''Arclight''.
File:H5G-ArclightSS.png|Smart scope with the ''Arclight''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


Revision as of 12:50, October 6, 2015

Template:Weapon Infobox

The Asymmetric Recoilless Carbine-920, abbreviated ARC-920 or known simply as the railgun, is a compact-channel linear accelerator weapon used by the United Nations Space Command. It was designed and manufactured by Acheron Security.[1]

Design details

The ARC-920 railgun is a result of scientific breakthroughs following the Human-Covenant War that allowed for portable, hand-held, electromagnetic launcher systems to be used in combat. The ARC-920's disposable power cell and ferric-shelled M645 FTP-HE projectile has dramatically decreased the weapon's total mass. Despite the ARC-920's lighter weight over previous models, it is still too heavy and cumbersome for general use by non-augmented personnel.[2]

The ARC-920 uses a pair of parallel conducting rails to accelerate its projectiles. A large electric current flows from one rail into the projectile and then to the other rail; the electromagnetic effects of this interaction accelerate the projectile to an immense speed. The rifle requires a brief charging period before firing high-explosive rounds accelerated to an incredible speed.[3] The explosive yield contained in the round adds to the kinetic force of the impact, making the weapon effective against both infantry and armor.[1] The weapon lacks a scope.[3] The ARC-920 is one of the various limited-production electromagnetic launchers in service with the UNSC Defense Force, and the ARC-920 is widely considered the best among them.[2]

Variants

Whiplash

The Whiplash features a faster charge cycle, multiple rounds per magazine, and projectiles fitted with a proximity airburst fuse.[4]

Arclight

The Arclight fires armor-piercing high-explosive rounds. While it takes longer to charge the weapon the charge can be held indefinitely.[4]

Gameplay

Compared to the Spartan Laser, the ARC-920's charging time is half the duration and deals less damage to vehicles. In addition, the travelling time for a fired shot is almost instantaneous[3](though still markedly slower than most ballistic, hard light, and laser weapons in the game, which are hitscan). In Campaign and Spartan Ops, the charging time is longer than in War Games.

Advantages

The railgun is extremely powerful and can kill Spartans and all but the highest-ranking Knights and Elites with one shot. It is also very accurate at short and medium distances.

Disadvantages

The railgun must be charged before firing, which is a disadvantage on the battlefield. It can only fire one slug before reloading and is weak against vehicles. Its lack of scope coupled with its narrow blast radius make it difficult to aim, limiting mostly to firing at stationary targets.

Trivia

Main-Legendary.png See our gameplay information related to ARC-920 railgun on its gameplay page.
Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • The ARC-920 was inspired by a piece of Halo: Reach concept art.
  • Canonically, a magnetically accelerated projectile would move at many times the speed of sound. However, for the sake of balance, the railgun's projectiles move at a much slower subsonic speed in gameplay.
  • Despite being a railgun, the rings that form around the barrel when charging, as well as the Railgun Kill medal depicting a projectile going through rings, seem more indicative of a coilgun.
  • This weapon's name may be a reference to the M-920 Cain, a railgun in the Mass Effect series. In addition, the number 920 is a reference to the number 7 (9-2-0=7)

Gallery

  • Army compilation 2.png

    The Halo: Reach concept art that inspired the ARC-920.

  • Concept art of the ARC-920 railgun for Halo 4.

    Concept art of the ARC-920 railgun for Halo 4.

  • Concept art of the ARC-920's reloading mechanism in Halo 4.

    Concept art of the ARC-920's reloading mechanism in Halo 4.

  • Chief ARC.jpg

    Concept art of Master Chief with the ARC-920.

  • John-117 wielding the ARC-920.

    John-117 wielding the ARC-920.

  • The ARC-920 in Halo 4.

    The ARC-920 in Halo 4.

  • A right side view of the ARC-920 railgun.

    A right side view of the ARC-920 railgun.

  • A schematic of the railgun.

    A schematic of the railgun.

  • HUD icon of the ARC-920 in Halo 4.

    HUD icon of the ARC-920 in Halo 4.

  • A Spartan-IV soldier wielding the ARC-920.

    A Spartan-IV soldier wielding the ARC-920.

  • First-person view of the ARC-920 railgun.

    First-person view of the ARC-920 railgun.

  • Closeup view of the ARC-920 being reloaded.

    Closeup view of the ARC-920 being reloaded.

  • Reloading an ARC-920.

    Reloading an ARC-920.

  • An M645 round in the barrel.

    An M645 round in the barrel.

  • An ARC-920 immediately after discharge.

    An ARC-920 immediately after discharge.

  • An M645 round being fired.

    An M645 round being fired.

  • Sarah Palmer wielding an ARC-920 against Merg Vol in Halo: Spartan Assault.

    Sarah Palmer wielding an ARC-920 against Merg Vol in Halo: Spartan Assault.

  • Spartan Newman firing an ARC-920 during the Battle of Ealen IV in Halo: Escalation.

    Spartan Newman firing an ARC-920 during the Battle of Ealen IV in Halo: Escalation.

  • First-person view of the Arclight.

    First-person view of the Arclight.

  • H5G-ArclightSS.png

    Smart scope with the Arclight.

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b Game Informer: The Arsenal of Halo 4
  2. ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Railgun
  3. ^ a b c Halo Waypoint: The Halo Bulletin: 5.25.12
  4. ^ a b Halo 5: Guardians

v • d • e
 
List of infantry support weapons in UNSC service
Anti-vehicle weapons
Guided munitions launchers
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