Axman

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 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.

The Axman has a ground speed of only 64.8 km/h, which is slow for a 'Mech of its weight, but average for the Heavy weight class and mitigated 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 safe-guard its MechWarrior.

Weapons and Equipment
The two primary weapons on board 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/20, 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.

Variants

 * 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 LRM-15 launchers in place of the massive Autocannon/20 as the autocannon often jammed on early models. 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. BV (1.0) = 1,238, BV (2.0) = 1,458


 * AXM-3S : The Furillo manufactured 3S introduced in 3057 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-X Autocannon/20, 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. BV (1.0) = 1,499 (1,403), BV (2.0) = 1,649


 * 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. BV (2.0) = 1,743


 * 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. It uses Ferro-Fibrous armor for protection. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,222


 * 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 (The handheld weapons listed for the 6X are also used by the 6T.)

Custom Variants

 * AXM-6X : This Axman variant introduced in 3074, and uses several experimental systems as a technology test-bed. 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 Axman-6X uses several hand-held 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


 * The weapons systems available to the Axman-6X include:
 * Light Autocannon - Light AC/5 with 1 ton of ammunition and a half-ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 86
 * Enhanced LRM - Enhanced LRM-10 and a half ton of ammunition. BV(2.0)=111
 * ER Medium Laser - One ER Medium Laser, five Heat sinks, and a half-ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 78
 * Heavy Flamer - Three Heavy Flamers, one ton of ammunition, and a ton of armor. BV(2.0)= 81
 * 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 non-combat situations. BV(2.0)= 28
 * LRM System - This weapon pod carries three LRM-5 launchers and a half-ton of ammunition. BV(2.0)=138
 * MML System - A single MML-7 with a ton of ammunition and armor. BV(2.0) = 107
 * Streak SRM Launcher - A single Streak SRM-6 with a ton of ammunition, which is protected by a ton of armor.

Related Mechs
Hatchetman - The design of the Axman would originate from this 45-ton mech.

Notable Pilots

 * Adam Steiner piloted an AXM-2N variant at the opening of the Clan Invasion. The 6X variant was developed primarily in the hopes of pandering to the Archon's use of the Axman during the Clan Invasion.

Design Quirks
The Axman has the following Design Quirk:
 * Accurate Weapon (AC/20)

The AXM-6T Axman variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:
 * Protected Actuators
 * Rumble Seat