208 Research Institute SMG

Appears in: This is an actual weapon developed for the Chinese PDW/SMG competition, but not approved.

Weapon Type: Submachinegun

Notes: The PLA is currently conducting a competition for a new submachinegun/personal defense weapon to be issued across the board from rear area troops to certain special operations forces. One of the competitors was in the competition for so short a time that it never had an official name, but is normally called simply the "208," for the company that designed it, the 208 Research Institute. The 208 is mostly a conventional-design SMG (in fact, it looks vaguely like an MP-5, and the external design was in fact influenced by the German SMG; it can even use steel MP-5 magazines). The guts of the 208 are, however, very different from the MP-5; it uses a telescoping bolt, blowback operation, and fires from an open bolt. The upper receiver is of stamped steel, while the lower receiver and collapsing stock are of aluminum alloy (virtually identical to the metal used in the AR-15/M-16 series’ lower receiver). Handguard, pistol grip, and the buttstock insert are of light-but-strong polymer. The charging handle is on top of the receiver (below the sight line of the front and rear sights), and if the 208 jams it may be rotated 90 degrees (locking it to the bolt) and used as a forward assist. Though the sights are not of unusual design (they are a simple hooded front post and an aperture rear); they are made of an unusual material: titanium alloy. The rear sight is removable and mounted on a short optics mounting rail. The selector lever is also unusual; in addition to conventional safe, semiautomatic, 3-round burst, and automatic settings, it also slides out, allowing the weapon to be broken open for cleaning in the same manner as an AR-15/M-16-series weapon. (This strikes me as slightly dangerous, but anyway…) A variety of accessories were designed for the 208, ranging from non-magnifying holographic reflex sights to laser pointers to a lightweight silencer.

Unfortunately, the 208 was dropped from the competition very early in the process; most sources cite the exotic construction materials and that unusual selector lever/breakdown pin. The 208 Research Institute tried to market the weapon elsewhere, but found no buyers. It remains an interesting "what-if" weapon.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Merc 2000 Notes: There is some limited use of the 208 (known in the Merc 2000 timeline as the Type 08 submachinegun) by a couple of Chinese warlords’ forces, but the primary users of the 208 are the troops of the Myanmar Army.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

208 SMG

9mm Parabellum

1.7 kg

30

$411

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

208 SMG

3/5

2

Nil

2/3

2

3/4

26

3-Barrel 40mm Grenade Launcher

Appears in: This weapon was developed for SEAL use in Vietnam, but was not adopted.

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher

Notes: During 1966-67, the SEALs and other US special operations forces tried several designs in an attempt to increase the firepower of their grenade launching systems over the M-79. One of these systems, which never received any official designation, was a triple-barreled grenade launcher designed to be carried under the M-16 and CAR-15. This design used a slide-forward loading design in a similar manner to the then-experimental underbarrel grenade launcher, the XM-148, but improved to prevent dirt from entering the mechanism and eliminating the guide bar system of the XM-148. The trigger mount is similar to that of the XM-148, however. The barrels are shorter than that of the XM-148 or M-79, being only 6 inches, to allow it to fit under the CAR-15 without projecting beyond the barrel. At least three and as many as five of these launchers were built; one was known to have been sent for combat testing to Marine Force Recon in Vietnam, while the rest were sent with the SEALs. The firepower was well thought of, but that was the only thing they liked about the design. The launcher was unwieldy, unbalanced the rifle it was mated to, and the complex firing mechanism did not stand up to the dirt and mud common in Vietnam. In fact, when the trigger was pulled, there was about a 50/50 chance that the round would not fire. The design remains an interesting, though flawed and failed, attempt to increase firepower.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazine

Price

3-Barrel 40mm

40-46mm Low-Velocity

2.04 kg

3 Internal

$456

Weapon

ROF

Round

SS

Burst

Range

IFR

3-Barrel 40mm

SA

APERS

2

Nil

43

Nil

 

SA

CHEM

2

Nil

85

357

 

SA

Ferret

2

Nil

85

357

 

SA

Flash-Bang

2

Nil

85

357

 

SA

Flechette

2

Nil

77

Nil

 

SA

HE

2

Nil

85

357

 

SA

HEAT

2

Nil

85

357

 

SA

HEDP

2

Nil

85

357

 

SA

HE Airburst

2

Nil

85

357

 

SA

ILLUM

2

Nil

85

357

 

SA

WP

2

Nil

85

357

Birdman Weapon Systems BWS M-82B1-P

Appears in: This weapon is an internet hoax, but I have included it as a "what-if." The site for "Birdman Weapon Systems" can be seen at http://www.birdman.org.

Weapon Type: Pistol

Fictional Notes: This weapon began life as a Barrett M-82 heavy sniper rifle, but has been drastically modified into a heavy pistol, for use as a close assault weapon. In this version, the stock is removed, and the barrel chopped to little over 1/10th its normal length, with a different style muzzle brake added, along with a pistol grip modified from the M-16A2 assault rifle. The result is a pistol unlike any other, firing a massive cartridge for excellent short-range firepower. This pistol was tested by US Special Forces, and by several police departments, but found most acceptance only with survivalists and exotic weapon collectors.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

BWS M-82B1-P

.50 Browning Machinegun

7.35 kg

10

$8595

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

M-82B1-P

SA

7

2-3-4

4

3

Nil

9

Birdman Weapon Systems M-82B1K-PDW

Appears in: This weapon is an internet hoax, but I have included it as a "what-if." The site for "Birdman Weapon Systems" can be seen at http://www.birdman.org.

Weapon Type: Battle Rifle

The M-82B1K-PDW is a drastically chopped version of the Barrett M-82 heavy sniper rifle, with a barrel about 1/10th the length of the standard Barrett M-82A1, a shortened, sliding stock, an M-16A2-style pistol grip front and back, and a different muzzle brake. It received some acceptance from special operations communities, who value it for its ability as a close assault weapon able to shoot through walls, doors, and armor, but most buyers were exotic weapons collectors and heavy-caliber firearm enthusiasts.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

M-82B1K-PDW

.50 Browning Machinegun

9.73 kg

5,10

$8657

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

M-82B1K-PDW

SA

7

2-3-4

5/6

4

Nil

15

Colt M-41A Pulse Rifle

Appears in: Aliens 2

Weapon Type: Assault Rifle

Notes: This is the signature weapon of the Colonial Marines in the sequel to Aliens, Aliens 2. It is a short barreled assault rifle that fires 10mm caseless explosive-tipped armor-piercing ammunition. The rounds are caseless chemically-propelled rounds; however, the primer is electrically-ignited. It uses a rotating breech mechanism and the barrel is free-floating, granting a bit more accuracy. The M-41A is constructed largely of what would be considered in our time exotic composites, such as carbon nanotubes. The weapon has a gyroscopic recoil compensator to help control recoil, as well as a conventional muzzle brake. On the side of the magazine well is a digital ammunition counter; this device counts the ammunition as it is being fired or reloaded in clear, easy-to read red LED numbers.

Of course, the assault rifle portion is only half the weapon. The M-41A includes a 30mm grenade launcher under the barrel for heavier work. This is a pump-action weapon which, though not designed for sustained fire use (it’s magazine holds only four rounds), it useful for quick explosive work.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

M-41A Pulse Rifle

10x24mm Caseless

4.9 kg

99

$9710

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

M-41A (Ball Ammo)

4/10

4

2-3-Nil

4/5

1

2/6

55

M-41A (AP)

4/10

4

1-2-3

4/5

1

2/6

66

M-41A (HE)

4/10

C0 B4

Nil

4/5

1

2/6

40

M-41A (HEAP)

4/10

(5) C0 B4

1-2-3 (5C)

4/5

1

2/6

53

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazine

Price

PN Grenade Launcher

30x45mm Medium Velocity

Integral to Rifle

4 Tubular

Integral to Rifle

Weapon

ROF

Round

SS

Burst

Range

IFR

PN Grenade Launcher

PA

APERS

2

Nil

15

Nil

 

PA

CHEM

2

Nil

120

730

 

PA

Flash-Bang

2

Nil

120

730

 

PA

Flechette

2

Nil

20

Nil

 

PA

HE

2

Nil

120

730

 

PA

HEAT

2

Nil

120

730

 

PA

HEDP

2

Nil

120

730

 

PA

HE Airburst

2

Nil

120

730

 

PA

ILLUM

2

Nil

120

730

 

PA

Thermobaric

2

Nil

120

730

 

PA

WP

2

Nil

120

730

PN Grenade Launcher Ammunition

Round

Round Weight

Round Price

Damage

Penetration

APERS

0.08 kg

$2

1d6x8

Nil

CHEM

0.15 kg

$2/$4/$6

C2 (B1)

Nil

Flash-Bang

0.12 kg

$3

(C4)

Nil

Flechette

0.08 kg

$4

1d6x8

1-2-Nil

HE

0.16 kg

$2

C2 B11

Nil

HEAT

0.16 kg

$6

C1 B9

29C

HEDP

0.16 kg

$4

C2 B11

4C

HE Airburst

0.17 kg

$6

C3 B14

Nil

ILLUM

0.15 kg

$2

(B145)

Nil

Thermobaric

0.18 kg

$10

C6 B6

14C

WP

0.15 kg

$5

C2 B6

Nil

Explosive Scatter Gun

Appears in: Space Gamer Magazine, in an article by William A. Barton (though I have changed the story considerably).

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher

Fictional Notes: The original article for the Explosive Scatter Gun is a weapon for the original Traveller game, a Tech level 10 weapon designed by the Aslan for use against armored transports and personnel dressed in heavy battlesuits. However, this weapon can easily be imagined as something that was come up with by the likes of DARPA or China Lake, for use as a heavy grenade launcher to attack light armored vehicles, unarmored vehicles, and troops in the open. I have devised special ammunition for it, since the original weapon is described by Mr. Barton as using Tech level 10-11 RAM grenades; these are essentially higher-tech versions of NATO 40mm HV ammunition.

The XM-192 Explosive Scatter Gun exists only in the Merc 2000 timeline, and not in the Twilight 2000 timeline. It was designed for use by special operations, airborne, air assault, and Marine units for use as a heavy support weapon; fully-loaded, it is quite a handful, and while due to its advanced construction materials it is not too heavy, it is a very bulky weapon. It resembles a short rocket launcher, some 850 millimeters in length, and the barrel cluster some 105 millimeters wide. The XM-192 has a bipod near the muzzle, a forward handgrip for hip firing (which is a practice that is not recommended when burst firing), and a curved, padded shoulder stock that allows the weapon to be supported on the shoulder easily. The XM-192 uses 30mm grenades which are rocket-assisted to increase range and velocity. The weapon is fed by 10-round cassettes; the XM-192 breaks open like a shotgun at the breech of the barrel cluster. Due to the size of the cassettes, reloading the XM-192 takes 3 combat phases. (A cassette weighs 1 kilogram, plus the weight of the ammunition within; it costs $10) The "receiver" of the weapon is topped with a MIL-STD-1913 rail; the normal sight, included in the cost of the weapon, is an electronic sight similar to that used on the OICW.

The weapon may be fired in one of three ways: semiautomatically, in "half bursts" where half the ammunition in the cassette is fired at the same time with one pull of the trigger; and a "full burst", in which all the ammunition in the cassette is fired simultaneously with one pull of the trigger. Though the rocket-assisted ammunition takes up part of the recoil (the rocket fires within a few milliseconds after leaving the barrel, with a small launching charge actually firing within the barrel), the simple fact is that the recoil is brutal when half bursts or full bursts are fired. However, the half and full busts can do something a single shot cannot do – open up an armored vehicle like a can opener. Due to special enhancements to the sight and ammunition, the rounds in a half or full burst will all hit in roughly the same spot if desired by the gunner; this mode is set by the gunner by flicking a switch before firing the burst. If the gunner scores a hit, the user of a burst in this precise mode may multiply the penetration what would be a single round by 3 for a half burst, or 6 for a full burst. If a miss is made in this precise mode, all the rounds fired in the burst miss, and eventually hit the ground at their maximum effective range, scattering normally. Of course, such precise burst may also be fired at targets other than vehicles; if fired at troops in the open in this mode, scatter is rolled normally, but the maximum amount of scatter is only 1 meter. Without the precision mode, shots at troops in the open scatter normally, and shots against armored vehicles and suchlike hit as normal (enhanced by the electronic sight).

The XM-192, due to the way it fires and its effectiveness, is generally known to troops who use it as the "Splat Gun" or "Can Opener."

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazine

Price

XM-192

30x68mm RAM Grenades

5 kg

10 Cassette

$2670

Weapon

ROF

Round

SS*

Burst*

Range

IFR

XM-192

1/5/10

APERS

3

6/12

30

Nil

 

1/5/10

CHEM

3

6/12

230

730

 

1/5/10

Flash-Bang

3

6/12

230

730

 

1/5/10

Flechette

3

6/12

40

Nil

 

1/5/10

HE

3

6/12

230

730

 

1/5/10

HEAT

3

6/12

230

730

 

1/5/10

HEDP

3

6/12

230

730

 

1/5/10

HE Airburst

3

6/12

230

730

 

1/5/10

ILLUM

3

6/12

230

730

 

1/5/10

Thermobaric

3

6/12

230

730

 

1/5/10

WP

3

6/12

230

730

*Halve recoil (rounded up) and add 20% to the range when used from the bipod.

XM-192 Grenade Launcher Ammunition

Round

Round Weight

Round Price

Damage

Penetration

APERS

0.12 kg

$3

1d6x8

Nil

CHEM

0.23 kg

$3/$6/$9

C2 (B1)

Nil

Flash-Bang

0.18 kg

$5

(C4)

Nil

Flechette

0.12 kg

$6

1d6x8

1-2-Nil

HE

0.24 kg

$5

C2 B11

Nil

HEAT

0.24 kg

$9

C1 B9

29C

HEDP

0.24 kg

$6

C2 B11

4C

HE Airburst

0.26 kg

$9

C3 B14

Nil

ILLUM

0.23 kg

$3

(B145)

Nil

Thermobaric

0.27 kg

$15

C6 B6

14C

WP

0.23 kg

$8

C2 B6

Nil

Hecker & Koch G-11 PDW

Appears in: Heckler Koch literature of the early 1980s.

Weapon Type: Machine pistol

Notes: This is a machine pistol designed to use caseless ammunition. It is not really related to the G-11 assault rifle, other than the name and its use of caseless ammunition. The G-11 PDW uses a shortened form of the ammunition used by the G-11 (4.7x25mm Caseless), and is rather a large pistol. The magazines consist of a 20-round magazine that would sit flush with the grip, and an extended 40-round magazine. The G-11 PDW was never developed beyond the ammunition and a wooden model, but shows how a family of weapons evolves. The G-11 PDW was designed to be the machine pistol/PDW version of the G-11 family, used to arm rear-area troops.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

G-11 PDW

4.7mm Caseless Short

1.5 kg

20, 40

$168

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

G-11 PDW

3

1

Nil

1

2

2

13

Heckler & Koch LMG-11

Appears in: Heckler & Koch literature of the early 1980s.

Weapon Type: Automatic Rifle

Notes: This weapon was developed by Heckler and Koch as a squad automatic weapon variant of the G-11 assault rifle. Only a few prototypes were built before development of all caseless ammunition weapon was stopped. The weapon resembles an enlarged G-11, but the magazine is a package that is fed into the stock of the LMG-11. The LMG-11 fires the same ammunition (4.7x33mm caseless) as the G-11 assault rifle. The fire mechanism involves three rotating chambers to decrease the probability of cook-off during sustained automatic fire. An interesting what-if weapon, and I can see some employees of H&K pulling out the prototypes for use against the Italian or French invasion.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

LMG-11

4.7mm Caseless

5.36 kg

200

$1698

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

LMG-11

10

3

1-1-Nil

6

2

9

73

LMG-11 (Bipod)

10

3

1-1-Nil

6

1

4

95

Heckler & Koch WSG-2000

Appears in: Heckler & Koch literature of the early 1990s.

Weapon Type: Sniper Rifle

This weapon was designed by Heckler and Koch as their answer to the heavy-caliber sniping rifles beginning to emerge at the time. H&K's research indicated that the best antimateriel rifle would be one firing a moderate-caliber round at a high velocity, and be of moderate size to reduce shooter fatigue. To this end, they developed a 340-grain 9x90mm ammunition fired by a large powder load, to produce a muzzle velocity of over 1100 meters per second. This was coupled with a computerized sight that is equivalent to a 12x sight with an additional bonus of +3 to hit at all ranges, and also has night vision equal to an image intensifier. This weapon was to be issued to various Special Operations communities, but was unfortunately never developed beyond one working prototype due to lack of interest and high cost of development.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

WSG-2000

9x90mm MEN

7.98 kg

5

$6685

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

WSG-2000

SA

8

1-3-5

7

4

Nil

61

WSG-2000 (Bipod)

SA

8

1-3-5

7

2

Nil

81

Hill H-15

Appears in: Experiments conducted in the 1960s.

Weapon Type: Submachinegun (Personal Defense Weapon)

John L. Hill began thinking about the H-15 design in 1948; however, it wasn’t until the early 1960’s when, caught in a snowstorm in Denver in a machine shop with nowhere to go and nothing to do that the first H-15 was made. It is a shot-barreled submachinegun designed to be used in one hand or fired two-handed like a large pistol, though a folding wire stock may also be attached to the weapon. The most striking aspect of the H-15 is the magazine; it is a large clear plastic box that sits atop the weapon with the rounds contained sideways within it, in exactly the same manner that the FN P-90 PDW would use some 30 years later! It is sort of a "semi-bullpup" design, with the magazine behind and above the pistol grip, and with a barrel which, though short, is longer than one might expect from looking at the weapon. The experimental weapons he produced had no manual safeties of any sort, though there were some automatic safeties. Unfortunately, the rather draconian gun regulations present in the US at the time prevented Mr. Hill from making many fully-automatic versions of the H-15, and he could not interest any police or military agencies in the rather novel weapon. He was basically ahead of his time. Perhaps 90-100 of these weapons were built, mostly semiautomatic, and only 10 or 11 examples remain in existence today. (The status of Frankford Arsenal’s H-15 is unknown at this time.) Most of these were made to fire 9mm Parabellum, but some .380 ACP versions were also built. The H-15 remains a great example of how ingenious a private arms manufacturer can be.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

H-15

9mm Parabellum

2.27 kg

35

$303

H-15

.380 ACP

1.81 kg

35

$287

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

H-15 (9mm)

5

2

Nil

2/3

1

3

21

H-15 (.380)

5

2

Nil

2/3

2

4

20

Howlett JE-1 SMG

Appears in: Tests for new submachinegun to use the .30 Carbine round conducted in the mid-1940s.

Weapon Type: Submachinegun

The JE-1 (with "JE" standing for "Japeradicator") was a submachinegun designed by a worker at Douglas Aircraft named C.C. Howlett. While his weapon would now be regarded more as a PDW (Personal Defense Weapon), at the time of its inception it was meant to be a small stockless submachinegun to use the then-new .30 Carbine cartridge, which the US Army hoped would be a round which was lighter and more effective than the .45 ACP when fired from longer-barreled weapons. The JE-1 was a selective fire weapon based on short blowback operation, with a barrel that recoiled slightly much like that of a pistol, but not as far. The upper receiver of the weapon was fashioned largely of stamped steel, with a lower receiver of aircraft aluminum. And a wooden pistol grip and fore-end/heat shield. A simple thumb lever controlled the operation of the weapon, and the barrel was a short 12-inches, finned on the rear third of the barrel for cooling. As stated before, the barrel had a lower wooden foregrip/heat shield, with a steel, ventilated shield on top of the barrel; the barrel protruded only a fraction of an inch from this affair. External steel parts were blued, the aluminum was left in natural metal, and the wood laminated. No tools were required for stripping. The weapon was designed to be used with two hands, but could be fired with one hand. For a prototype, the JE-1 was exceptionally well-made, but it was a bit on the heavy side.

Unfortunately, though the Army took a long, hard look at the JE-1, and even extensively tested it, they requested several changes – something Mr. Howlett had little money to do. It was later determined that the JE-1 offered no significant advantages over the M-1 Carbine, and furthermore could not have a grenade launcher or bayonet mounted. Though the OSS was reportedly quite interested in the JE-1, the Army dropped interest in the weapon, and the end of World War 2 effectively killed the JE-1 completely.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

Howlett JE-1

.30 Carbine

2.72 kg

15, 30

$363

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

Howlett JE-1

5

2

1-Nil

2

1

3

21

ISA Rail Gun Rifle

Appears in: Several of the later Dale Brown books, including Warrior Class.

Weapon Type: Battle Rifle/Sniper Rifle

Fictional Notes: This weapon, probably developed by Dr. Jon Masters’ company of Sky Masters, is a radical departure and advance over present-day firearms. Those who are familiar with the original Traveller RPG will recognize it immediately as an early version of the Gauss Rifle, a firearm that does not use chemical propellants to fire its rounds, but instead uses a charge of electromagnetism, similar to the manner in which a mag-lev train moves. This causes the round to move at extremely high velocity, and be very destructive. This also means that the entire round can be fired out of the barrel, with no cases remaining and allowing for a larger bullet. And the bullets fired by the rail gun rifle are huge – about as large as a modest-sized cigar. The rail gun rifle is large (over six feet long) and heavy, and one really needs the augmentation of a BERP suit (more on this, one of these days…) to handle it in a fluid combat situation, but it also makes a really good antimaterial rifle or sniper’s weapon. The magazines themselves weigh 2.45 kilograms, and include a battery pack to power the rifle’s electromagnets; a single round weighs 26.5 grams. The weapon normally uses the sensors in the helmet of the BERP suit, but a special electronic sight may also be added, similar to that on an OICW.

These guns were originally designed for use by the US ISA (Intelligence Support Agency) for use in their support of the CIA and military’s operations. There are probably less then 20 in the world, total.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

Rail Gun Rifle

15x75mm ISA-Masters

38.2 kg

10

$39,460

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

Rail Gun Rifle

SA

21

2-2-2*

14

4

Nil

507

Rail Gun Rifle (Bipod)

SA

21

2-2-2*

14

2

Nil

658

*Penetration against vehicles (armored or otherwise) or other structures is 10/9/7/5.

LEL-1

Appears in: Experiments began by DM ("Carbine" Williams in the 1930s and continued by LE Lisk in the early 1970s.

Weapon Type: Submachinegun

Notes: David Marshall "Carbine" Williams (the nickname is from his greatest invention – the M-1 Carbine) began designing a .22 Long Rifle submachinegun soon after selling the M-1 Carbine to the US government. The idea was to use the weapon as a testbed for a weapon firing a larger caliber. The weapon, known as the Model 7, had a design which was jealously-guarded by Williams, as he believed it was so innovative that it would be immediately stolen if its plans were known. Unfortunately, Williams died in 1975 before he was able to make a working prototype of the Model 7 – but not before writing a document giving Williams’ widow permission to allow LE Lisk (and only LE Lisk) to copy or improve upon the design.

Lisk did improve upon the design, and the eventual prototype produced was called the LEL-1. It is, essentially, a belt-fed rimfire submachinegun. Crude and rather lumpish in appearance, it looks like what it is – a first prototype – in software terms, an "alpha" version. The operation is very similar to that of the M-1919A4, firing from a closed bolt, pulling the belt in from the right side, and ejecting brass from the bottom of the receiver. The charging sequence is unusual in that the bolt must be cycled twice before the weapon is ready for operation. Unlike the M-1919A4, however, the barrel does not move during operation; instead, the LEL-1 has a "floating chamber" which moves by itself instead of taking the barrel with it. The belts themselves are made from cloth, and since no loading machine (Williams designed one, but neither Williams nor Lisk ever built it) was ever made for them, loading the belts is quite a bear of a job that tends to put blisters on one’s fingers. There are no sights of any kind; they were to be designed and placed on later models. The LEL-1 has a sliding wire stock, but no sort of safety mechanism (again, this was to be added later). Most of the weapon is made from aluminum. Like alpha software, the LEL-1 has a number of features which don’t actually work, but were meant to be working in the final examples of the weapon. The LEL-1 has a cocking knob, but it was left disconnected; instead, one must open the top cover, pull the bolt back with a finger (like the M-3A1 Grease Gun), then do it again. The LEL-1 also has a knob-like protrusion at the rear of the receiver. In later examples, this would have adjusted the cyclic rate, but the actual feature is not present in the LEL-1.

LE Lisk demonstrated the weapon to the US Army at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The Army was not really as interested in the weapon as they were to see how it works; however, Lisk would not permit an internal inspection of it, fearing the Army would steal the design before any contracts were signed. Lisk went as far as taking the LEL-1 with him to lunch, keeping his foot on it the entire time. (This secrecy continues to this day.) The Army refused to even consider any sort of contracts before they made a full, disassembled inspection of the LEL-1. Thus there was a classic standoff, with the Army and Lisk parting ways rather quickly, and no one ever manufacturing the LEL-1. Lisk also never continued work on the design (as far as is known). Lisk seems to have lost interest in firearms design after the death of his wife in 2002. Thus the LEL-1 remains an interesting design seemingly with much unrealized potential.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

LEL-1

.22 Long Rifle

5.44 kg

100 Belt, 250 Belt, 1000 Belt

$221

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

LEL-1

25

1

Nil

2/4

1

3

21

Metzger Arms Spectre-15

Appears in: Twilight 2000 First Edition Small Arms Guide, though I have embellished the story considerably.

Weapon Type: Pistol

Fictional Notes: In the late 1980s, the US CIA and DIA and the British MI-5 and MI-6, as well as the Mossad and intelligence agencies of certain other countries, were looking for a firearm with decent firepower and was yet invisible to X-Rays, CAT Scans, and MRI scanners, and could also shield the metal and gunpowder of its ammunition from detection from known methods (including dogs and electronic explosive or gunpowder sniffers). The program was handed to a company known as "Metzger Arms," which was actually a CIA front company for black weapon research. The result, after four years, was the Spectre-15. The Spectre-15 is constructed entirely of exotic synthetic polymers (even the barrel and firing pin) that are harder than steel and extremely durable. The materials are also virtually invisible to most known detection methods; disassembled, the Spectre-15 is unlikely to be spotted inside a bag or distributed over a person. The magazine well includes gaskets that prevent odors from exiting the weapon (though the chamber and barrel do not). In addition, special bags and cases were issued with the weapon that enhanced those features; these bags and cases were manufactured to resemble various objects that an average person might carry on an airplane, ship, or other secured facility. A no-wipe silencer was also made of the same materials for use with the Spectre-15. A laser spot device is included with the weapon; some of the parts of the laser are the few parts of the Spectre-15 not composed of the exotic polymer (known as Abiliplex in CIA records). The laser spot device can be removed for this reason.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

Spectre-15

9mm Parabellum

0.59 kg

15

$599

Spectre-15

.40 Smith & Wesson

0.71 kg

15

$672

Spectre-15

10mm Colt

0.78 kg

15

$713

Spectre-15

.45 ACP

0.85 kg

15

$755

Spectre-15

.50 Action Express

1.27 kg

14

$1007

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

Spectre-15 (9mm)

SA

1

Nil

1

3

Nil

12

Spectre-15 (.40)

SA

2

2-Nil

1

3

Nil

13

Spectre-15 (10mm)

SA

2

1-Nil

1

3

Nil

12

Spectre-15 (.45)

SA

2

2-Nil

1

3

Nil

14

Spectre-15 (.50)

SA

4

1-1-Nil

1

3

Nil

14

Omnicorp Cobra Assault Cannon

Appears in: Robocop series of movies.

Weapon Type: Sniper (Antimateriel) Rifle

Fictional Notes: Designed for military use, the Cobra Assault Cannon was illegally given to Robocop's enemies by the evil head of a rival robot designer at Omnicorp. This weapon was taken by Robocop after he killed the criminals, and used to destroy ED-209, a flawed robot. The Cobra Assault Cannon was designed as an antimateriel rifle and sniper's weapon for use by special units, and under normal use will not be found out of the hands of units like Special Forces, Rangers, Marine Scout/Snipers, and Navy SEALs. It uses a proprietary 20mm cartridge, and is an extremely lethal weapon capable of engaging even light armored vehicles. Cobra Assault Cannons are built out of strong titanium alloy, except for the light alloy bipod. The electronic sight allows for telescopic vision (with a +20 to range) as well as viewing in the infrared and ultraviolet spectrums. The barrel is long and allows for great range.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

Cobra Assault Cannon

20x99mm Cobra

22.5 kg

8

$23,785

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

Cobra Assault Cannon (Ball)

SA

13

2-2-3

13

3

Nil

108

Cobra Assault Cannon (Ball, Bipod)

SA

13

2-2-3

13

2

Nil

128

Cobra Assault Cannon (APFSDS-T)

SA

13

1-1-1*

13

3

Nil

124

Cobra Assault Cannon (APFSDS-T, Bipod)

SA

13

1-1-1*

13

2

Nil

162

Cobra Assault Cannon (HE)

SA

C1 B7

Nil

13

3

Nil

96

Cobra Assault Cannon (HE, Bipod)

SA

C1 B7

Nil

13

2

Nil

120

Cobra Assault Cannon (HEAT)

SA

C1 B6

17C**

13

3

Nil

96

Cobra Assault Cannon (HEAT, Bipod)

SA

C1 B6

17C**

13

2

Nil

120

Cobra Assault Cannon (CHEM/Smoke)

SA

(B2)

Nil

13

3

Nil

96

Cobra Assault Cannon (CHEM/Smoke, Bipod)

SA

(B2)

Nil

13

2

Nil

120

Cobra Assault Cannon (APERS)

SA

272x1d6 or 76x2d6 or 28x3d6 or 12x4d6

Nil or Nil or 1-Nil or 2-2-Nil

13

3

Nil

55

Cobra Assault Cannon (APERS, Bipod)

SA

272x1d6 or 76x2d6 or 28x3d6 or 12x4d6

Nil or Nil or 1-Nil or 2-2-Nil

13

2

Nil

55

Cobra Assault Cannon (Flechette)

SA

28x3d6

1-1-Nil

13

3

Nil

82

Cobra Assault Cannon (Flechette, Bipod)

SA

28x3d6

1-1-Nil

13

2

Nil

82

*Penetration against armored vehicles is 3/3/3/2.

**Penetration against body armor is 2-2-2.

Omnicorp Auto-9

Appears in: Robocop series of movies.

Weapon Type: Machine pistol

Fictional Notes: This is the sidearm of Robocop. The Auto-9 is a selective-fire machine pistol based on Beretta's M-93R machine pistol, but fires a proprietary cartridge developed for it with considerably more power than the standard 9mm Parabellum round of the M-93R. Recoil is surprisingly light, despite the power of the rounds. The weapon is also much larger than the M-93R with a longer barrel, and an enlarged pistol grip; standard magazine is 16 rounds, but a 30-round extended magazine is available. Note that the pistol will not fit inside Robocop’s integral leg holster with an extended magazine fitted. This pistol is also available to US and NATO special operations troops, and to rear area troops as sort of a PDW.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

Auto-9

9mm OCP Magnum

2.24 kg

16, 30

$528

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

Auto-9

3/5

3

1-1-Nil

2

1

2/3

28

Saurian Game Gun

Appears in: Dinosaur World, a book by Stephen Leigh.

Weapon Type: Assault Rifle

Fictional Notes: This personal Gatling gun was featured in Stephen Leigh's book Dinosaur World (a concept he developed from an idea by Ray Bradbury). In this book, the hero uses a time machine to explore the Age of Dinosaurs, and has for dinosaur hunting a six-barreled rotary weapon that fires .357 Magnum ammunition. Just imagine it as an antipersonnel weapon! This weapon includes telescopic sights for long-range use and an Aimpoint-type laser sight for short-range work. The ammunition is carried in a backpack in belted form.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

Saurian Game Gun

.357 Magnum

7.5 kg

100 Belt

$2384

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

Saurian Game Gun

20

3

1-Nil

6

1

14

59