Equipment/Proposed/Mass Driver
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: Mass Driver Proposal
Commander, our recent success in developing the man-portable bolter rifle has given us several ideas on other applications for the technology.
I'm proposing an attempt to scale up the existing bolter model into something of a long-range payload rifle. I believe we can develop a weapon with range and accuracy approaching that of our current model sniper rifles but with the ability to carry a small warhead similar to our grenade launcher rounds. This will give our snipers the newfound ability to engage not only single targets but to deny entire areas from long range.
With your permission Commander, we will begin development ASAP.
--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: Mass Driver
Commander, the mass driver prototype is complete. I've sent a full project summary for your review.
In short, the mass driver is simply a bigger, more powerful bolter - with all of the same advantages and flaws. While the barrel and rails themselves are not much longer, we had to increase the size of the battery in order to give it the reach desired. Unfortunately this resulted in our being forced to reduce the magazine capacity to only three rounds. The addition of powerful recoil dampeners also increased the weight of the rifle but were necessary to reduce the massive amounts of recoil generated. It still kicks like a mule, but it is at least down to a manageable level for our troops.
Where the mass driver really differs is the ammunition itself. Rather than a solid alloy slug, each round contains a powerful explosive warhead and fusing system. While less powerful than our 25mm grenades, these new rounds have the advantage of being able to be launched at high speeds and over a much greater distance. This will let our snipers place high explosives on target from almost the same ranges as our existing sniper rifles.
Currently we have developed two types of ammunition suitable for the mass driver. The first is a simple air-burst thermobaric round, quite similar in effect to our 25mm HIT grenades. The second uses a small but powerful shaped charge, eschewing area effect for raw penetrating power against a single target.
Simply put, this weapon will not replace our current sniper rifles. It doesn't have quite the same reach, and by weight can only carry a fraction of the ammunition. It will however cause utter devestation for whatever the shooter is aiming at. I'd recommend using it in a support role alongside our snipers, bringing it to bear only on the heaviest of targets.
--Cdr. Navarre
Research Tree Data
(This information for reference only; do not translate or include in-game.)
Prerequisites: Equipment/Bolter