Neutron bomb

Neutron bomb
A schematic for the Alicorn's neutron bombs
Function	Nuclear weapon
Operators	Alicorn

A neutron bomb or enhanced radiation weapon (ERW) is a low-yield nuclear weapon with reduced blast and heat effects. They are designed to prioritize wiping out humans without the structural damage of other nuclear weapons. On impact, a neutron bomb releases high-energy neutron radiation, killing anyone within the radiation radius.

In the Strangereal universe, agents from the Alicorn acquired two neutron bombs in an attempt to fulfill Matias Torres's scheme to kill one million civilians. One neutron bomb was fired towards Oured but missed, while the other was destroyed after Trigger destroyed the Alicorn.

Design

The Alicorn's rail cannon was capable of firing different types of ammunitions; in this case, the neutron bomb warheads were encased within special nuclear artillery shells. Upon firing, these shells would partially break off as the housing projectile left the rail cannon, followed by the rest of the projectile breaking off as the warhead continued to travel to its target.

Shell

A close up of the shell fired from the Alicorn

The specifications of the containing shells are as follows:

• Weapon Type: NAR (Nuclear Artillery Round)
• Model Number: NAR-01b-S
• Length: 3,250 mm (128 in)
• Diameter: 600 mm (24 in)
• Total Weight: 2,036 kg (4,489 lb), including the shell and the nuclear warhead

Projectile

The specifications of the housing projectiles within the shells are as follows:

• Weapon Type: HVP (Hyper Velocity Projectile)
• Model Number: NAR-01b-HVP
• Length: 3,000 mm (120 in)
• Diameter: 400 mm (16 in)
• Total Weight: 974 kg (2,147 lb), including the nuclear warhead

Warhead

The specifications of the warheads are as follows:

• Weapon Type: ERW (Enhanced Radiation Warhead)
• Model Number: NBW-02 (Neutron Bomb Warhead)
• Yield: 1 kt (4.2 TJ)
• Length: 40 cm (16 in)
• Diameter: 20 cm (7.9 in)
• Weight: 98 kg (216 lb)

Casualties

David North's casualty estimation

David North estimated that a single warhead being fired upon Oured during its Continental War anniversary celebrations (with an estimated 175,000 people per 1 km² (0.39 sq mi)) would instantly kill a total of 549,500 people within 1,000 metres (3,280 ft) of ground zero. This estimation was broken down as follows:

• 0–100 m (0–330 ft): 5,495 people
• 100–200 m (330–660 ft): 16,485 people
• 200–300 m (660–980 ft): 27,475 people
• 300–400 m (980–1,310 ft): 38,465 people
• 400–1,000 m (1,310–3,280 ft): 461,580 people

History

The Alicorn firing the first shell from its rail cannon

During its extensive refurbishing in the early 2010s, the soon-to-be Erusean submarine Alicorn was refitted by GR Marine and Ships with a strategic rail cannon capable of firing various models of artillery rounds. Among the compatible ammunition was the NAR-01b-S, an artillery round carrying a neutron bomb warhead designed for strategic bombardment.

On September 10, 2019, rogue elements of the Erusean military allied with the Alicorn's treacherous captain, Matias Torres, stole two NAR-01b-S shells and loaded them aboard the submarine during a resupply operation in Anchorhead. Torres intended to use the pair of shells against Osean demonstrators and parade attendees in the city of Oured, aiming for maximum casualties in his twisted goal to take the lives of one million people.

On September 14, the Osean military intercepted the Alicorn in the Spring Sea. After the submarine received severe damage, Torres attempted to fire the railgun, intent on fulfilling his goals to any extent possible. Nevertheless, Trigger managed to land a hit on the rail cannon, dropping its elevation and causing the first shell to miss its target. Despite Torres' efforts to fire his second shell, Trigger destroyed the vulnerable base of the rail cannon, causing the Alicorn to suffer an explosive chain reaction that destroyed the submarine and prevented the second shell from being fired.