Latest revision as of 10:13, 11 June 2012

UFOpaedia Entry

Proposal

TO: Base Commander, PHALANX, Atlantic Operations Command

FROM: Cdr. Paul Navarre, R&D: Engineering Division, PHALANX, Atlantic Operations Command

DATE: %02i %s %i

SUB: Proposal: Laser Rifle

This is one of several proposals I'm submitting for the research and development of new laser weaponry. Each of these will have to be developed separately due to the size differences, power levels and complexity of the systems involved.

The laser rifle is the flagship design of our new deuterium-fluoride laser family. It will be a perfect marriage of power, accuracy, range, manoeuvrability and ammo capacity. Even on paper the laser rifle's specs can compete with any conventional assault rifle. The only problem will be actually building it.

The components we've been using in our Continuous Wave Laser prototypes have been cumbersome, fragile and very expensive. Our soldiers need ruggedness in a rifle, something that will last through the bumps and bashes of combat, and we badly need to bring down production costs to make the program worthwhile. As it is, the price of a squad of working laser rifles would be on par with your average main battle tank. We need funding and lab time to bring costs down, fix or replace the most sensitive components to make the weapon more reliable, and reduce its form factor to something that can be comfortably fired by a human soldier.

As always, Commander, we'll begin work as soon as you give us your authorisation.

--Cdr. Navarre

Result

TO: Base Commander, PHALANX, Atlantic Operations Command

FROM: Cdr. Paul Navarre, R&D: Engineering Division, PHALANX, Atlantic Operations Command

DATE: %02i %s %i

SUB: Re: Laser Rifle

It's done, Commander. We are now the proud owners of a working laser rifle, with full production plans loaded into our computers. We've eliminated several moving parts and refined the electronics to bring production and maintenance costs down into our budget range. I believe you'll find the weapon's specs to your satisfaction.

It is quick to fire, has a good magazine capacity, no recoil, a respectable range and does away with many other issues that plague conventional firearms. It will never misfire or suffer a jammed mechanism. It will never blow up due to a fouled or bent barrel. It will never have problems with incompatible or faulty ammunition. It can suffer cracked lenses if subjected to severe mistreatment, but those are thoroughly shielded, set into shock-resistant foam and protected from the outside by a metal iris that only opens when the weapon is ready to fire.

This rifle is possibly the most accurate assault rifle ever designed. It's light and rests easily in the shooter's hands. The lack of recoil makes it great for sustained fire. A lengthy blast in Pulse mode is just as accurate. Due to difficulties in keeping the beam on a moving target, however, soldiers will probably experience a sense of lower accuracy in the field. Lasers require time on target to deal damage and this presents challenges to a soldier on the battlefield.

We've designed the rifle to use the standard deuterium-fluoride cartridges which we've drawn up to power all of our laser weaponry. A soldier can fire a while before a new cartridge must be inserted. The cartridges can be popped out and left on the ground without risk of contaminating the area, but they will require special hazard disposal once the mission is completed.

We'll need to have at least one D-F Cartridge on hand at all times in order to be able to load and use a laser rifle.

--Cdr. Navarre

Damage Type

laser

Skill

assault

Links

Stat Suggestions

(This information for reference only; do not translate or include in-game.)

Pro:

1) Very high accuracy.

2) Quick-firing.

3) Good range.

Con:

1) Low damage.

2) Cannot shoot through smoke/gas/fire.

Research Tree Data