Cycle overview

The firing protocol connects seven stations into one complete shot. Use this overview to keep the sequence clear before working through each station in detail.

In-game firing protocol showing the seven steps from reading an order to firing — The in-game firing protocol: Read, Measure, Calculate, Load, Rotate, Elevate and Fire.

Read the order

Receive the mission at the Receiver and record the target information needed for the shot. Confirm the objective and any restrictions before leaving the station. The Receiver contains the High Command and Field Reports machines.

High Command order with selected lines copied onto the operator's clipboard — High Command — Left-click a line to copy it to your clipboard. Click and drag across several lines to copy them together.

Field Reports machine displaying reference points and target intelligence — Field Reports — This machine sits to the left of High Command and may contain additional target or reference-point information. Its lines can also be copied to your clipboard.

Measure the target

Before plotting targets, establish the position of the Iron Nest and any allied units or observation assets. High Command usually provides the coordinates needed to place them on the Tactical Map.

Tactical Map with the Iron Nest and allied spotters placed from High Command coordinates — Establish friendly positions — Plot the Iron Nest and known allied units first, using the position information received from High Command.

Tactical Map with reference points and target positions plotted from copied intelligence — Plot reference points and targets — Transfer the copied bearings and distances onto the map. More detailed map usage is covered in the Map measurements dossier.

Red shell trajectory drawn from the Iron Nest to a target on the Tactical Map — Measure the shell trajectory — Draw a line from the Iron Nest to the target with the red pencil. Its bearing and distance are added to your clipboard automatically.

Calculate the firing solution

Enter the measured distance to the target, then select the number of powder charges you intend to load. Pull the Calculate Required Elevation lever to produce the gun-elevation setting for that combination.

Bearing, shell type and target are optional inputs. Adding them does not change the elevation calculation, but includes those details on the printed solution card.

Fun fact: you can calculate every shot with six powder charges and still reach short-range targets. Additional charges require a lower gun elevation for the same distance.

Iron Nest Ballistic Calculator configured with target distance, powder charges, bearing, shell type and target — Ballistic Calculator — Enter distance and powder charges, then pull Calculate Required Elevation. Bearing, shell type and target can be added to complete the solution card.

Load the guns

The loading process can be completed at either the left or right Loader because the Iron Nest has two separate guns. Both guns can be loaded at the same time with different shell types, or operated independently.

Select the required shell type and load it into the gun. If that shell is out of stock, obtain additional ammunition through the Requisition system.

After loading the shell, pull one powder-charge lever for every charge specified by the firing solution. Then operate the loading mechanism again to place those charges behind the shell.

Fun fact: shells can be written on before they are loaded.

Iron Nest loading station with shell controls and six powder-charge levers — Loader Left/Right — Select and load the shell first. Pull the required number of powder-charge levers, then load the charges behind it.

Handwritten message on the side of a high-explosive shell — Fun fact — You can write directly on shells before loading them.

Rotate the turret

Rotate the turret until its displayed bearing matches the value measured on the Tactical Map. Turn the wheel on the right to control the rotation directly and make precise adjustments.

For semi-automatic rotation, move the lever on the left away from its centre position. The turret continues rotating by itself until you return the lever to the centre.

Tip: most Operators use the semi-automatic lever for faster, larger rotations and the handwheel for fine-tuning the final bearing.

Iron Nest Rotation Console showing the semi-automatic lever, handwheel and bearing display — Rotation Console — Use the left lever for continuous semi-automatic rotation. Return it to centre to stop, then use the right wheel to fine-tune the bearing.

Set gun elevation

Set the gun or guns to the elevation supplied by the Ballistic Calculator. Move the centre lever up or down for faster, larger adjustments. Return it to the centre when the guns approach the required angle.

Use the left and right handwheels to fine-tune each gun independently until its displayed elevation matches the firing solution.

Tip: the metal scale is labelled from 0° to 60° in 15° intervals. Each interval contains three 5° steps. Estimate the two intermediate positions halfway between the centre of a mounting bolt and the neighbouring numbered plate; do not use the edges of the plates as reference points.

Iron Nest Elevation Console showing the centre lever, two handwheels and gun-elevation displays — Elevation Console — Use the centre lever for fast, large elevation changes, then use the handwheels to fine-tune the left and right guns.

Close-up of the elevation scale showing three five-degree steps between the 30- and 45-degree settings — Five-degree reference — A 15° interval contains three 5° steps. The intermediate settings sit halfway between the centre of a mounting bolt and the neighbouring numbered plate.

Verify and fire

At the Fire Control Console, verify that the firing solution and selected gun are correct. You can keep track of the checks with the illuminated buttons along the bottom of the console. This checklist is optional, so you can also skip it and proceed directly to firing.

Arm the gun you intend to use. Once it is armed and ready, pull the large firing lever in the centre down to fire.

Iron Nest Fire Control Console showing the verification lights, armed gun and central firing lever — Fire Control — Verify the shot with the illuminated checklist buttons, arm the required gun and pull down the large central lever to fire.

NOTE

What is not automated

IRON NEST is built around manual operation. Levers, valves, the loading bridge, chamber locks and powder charges all require direct input. If a mechanism has not been operated, the corresponding action does not happen automatically.

The firing cycle