ARC-920 railgun

ARC-920 railgun
Production overview
Manufacturer:	Acheron Security
Type:	Railgun carbine
Cost:	63,405 cR
Specifications
Length:	43.6 inches (111 cm)
Width:	2.9 inches (7.4 cm)
Height:	12.5 inches (32 cm)
Weight:	14.9 kilograms (33 lb)
Ammunition type:	16×65 mm M645 FTP-HE
Feed system:	1 slug
Operation:	Electromagnetic linear accelerator
Rate of fire:	Single-shot
Effective range:	Close to medium
Service history
In service:	Post-Covenant War conflicts

The Asymmetric Recoilless Carbine-920 (ARC-920), also known simply as the railgun, is a compact-channel linear accelerator weapon used by the United Nations Space Command. It is designed and manufactured by Acheron Security.^[5]

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.^[6]

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.^[7] The explosive yield contained in the round adds to the kinetic force of the impact, making the weapon effective against both infantry and armor.^[5] The weapon lacks a scope.^[7] The ARC-920 is one of the various limited-production electromagnetic launchers in service with the UNSC Armed Forces, and is widely considered the best among them.^[6]

Variants

Whiplash: The Whiplash is an improved variant which features a faster charge cycle, two rounds per magazine, and projectiles fitted with a proximity airburst fuse.^[8]
Arclight: The Arclight is an advanced variant that fires armor-piercing high-explosive rounds capable of piercing through multiple targets at once. While it takes longer to charge the weapon, the charge can be held indefinitely.^[8]
Extractor: This Railgun has a unique interior green glow.^[9]

Whiplash.
Arclight.
Extractor

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 traveling time for a fired shot is almost instantaneous,^[7] 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 Promethean 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 or slow-moving targets.

Changes from Halo 4 to Halo 5: Guardians

Can now be zoomed in via Smart Scope, which activates the weapon's Projection sight.
Like the Gauss turret, it now has hitscan properties.
Maximum reserve ammunition increased from 5 to 13.
Projectile weakness against vehicles has been removed, leaving it an all around effective anti-vehicle weapon.
Charge time is now the same in the campaign as in multiplayer.
If the Grunt Birthday Party skull is on, the railgun can now trigger the effects of said skull with headshots to Grunts.

Changes from Halo Wars 2

August is the only one that wields an actual Railgun. Despite it being the standard Railgun, she shoots it twice in some occasions.
The Railgun does less damage.
Extractor Marines wield Railguns in Blitz, the weapon can "siphon" enemies' health and give it to the user & having a higher rate of fire.

Trivia

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.
- In addition, the weapon's REQ card in Halo 5: Guardians identifies it as a coilgun.^[8]
Even though the weapon's name implies a lack of recoil, a railgun or coilgun should still produce substantial recoil.

Gallery

Normal gallery

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 Master Chief with the ARC-920.
A render of John-117 wielding the ARC-920.
The ARC-920 in Halo 4.
A right side view of the ARC-920 railgun.
A schematic of the railgun.
HUD icon of the ARC-920 in Halo 4.
A Warrior-clad Spartan-IV wielding the ARC-920.
First-person view of the ARC-920 by John-117 in the Halo 4 campaign.
First-person view of the ARC-920 railgun in Halo 4's multiplayer.
Closeup view of the ARC-920 being reloaded.
Reloading an ARC-920.
An M645 round in the barrel.
An ARC-920 immediately after discharge.
An M645 round being fired.
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.
Frederic-104 charging up an ARC-920.
First-person view of the ARC-920 by Fred-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.
Smart scope with the ARC-920 by Fred-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.
Linda-058 with an ARC-920 on Genesis.
First-person view of the ARC-920 in Halo 5: Guardians.
Smart scope with the ARC-920.
Alternate view of the ARC-920 in smart scope.
First-person view of the Whiplash.
A Centurion-clad Spartan-IV with the Whiplash.
First-person view of the Arclight.
A Spartan-IV with the Arclight.
A Spartan-IV charging up the Arclight. Note the uniquely colored glowing lights from the weapon.
The Arclight's explosive rounds piercing through multiple M820 Scorpions.
Concept art of August-099 using an ARC-920 for Halo Wars 2.
A ingame look of the Extractor.
The Extractor Railgun.