An Ascendancy Anvil IFV on maneuvers on Draconis IV.
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Produced by the design bureau of Hammer Heavy Industries and based on Hellion V, the HAM-21 Anvil is the mainstay IFV of the Strax Ascendancy. As an IVF, it is capable of transporting a full squad of eight soldiers in its troop compartment, as well as providing direct fire support with its array of weaponry.

The main armaments of the HAM-21 are pair of stabilized 35mm StrakArms Volk V-20 electrothermal-chemical autoguns, each capable of firing a selection of ammunition types at 300 rounds per minute. Mounted on the sides of the turret to complement the primary armament of the vehicle are twin StrakArms SA-142 MM (multi-missile) missile launchers, each of which is capable of acting as an ATGM or SAM launcher. In addition, located atop the commander’s cupola, is a pintle mounted V-37 12.7mm heavy machine gun for additional supporting fire.

Solaran Union and Straxian Empire IFVs utilized during the Strax Rebellion and Strax Uprising cemented the value of an IFV within the minds of the Ascendency’s inner circle, but the shortcomings and flaws of the vehicles proved too great for the Ascendency to ignore. As such, the Grand General ordered the Hellion V based Hammer Heavy Industries and Volk Design Bureau to develop a new vehicle capable of meeting the Ascendency’s standards.
Ultimately, Hammer Heavy Industries’ design won out over the vehicle presented by Volk Design Bureau and the HAM-21, dubbed the “Anvil”, went into mass production. However, significant time had elapsed since the events which called for the order for a new IFV to be given. Several inner circle members had switched their stance on such a vehicle, advocating now for true main battle tanks and dedicated armored personnel carriers instead. With no choice but to win over the inner circle of the Ascendency for a second time, and still having the praise of the Grand General himself, the HAM-21 was deployed to aid in the conquest of Raven Prime.

Facing underwater cities in the Ascendency’s first campaign outside of the Strax system, the opening move in the war against the Solaran Union, the newly delivered Anvils and their crews carried the Ascendency’s flag forwards along with the troops they supported. Emerging victorious from the maelstrom of battle, the HAM-21’s performance in its trial by fire silenced the its naysayers in the inner circle indefinitely.

Remembered fondly by veterans and happily embraced by new recruits, the Anvil, albeit with some upgrades, continues to serve the Ascendancy.
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My 'big' personal project as of late, fininshed it earlier in the week.
Yeah, it takes some heavy inspiration from the BMP-2 c:

Strax Ascendancy universe, art ©  kernkraftwerks

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