W A N D E R
Image Source: Joe Lesaffre
Intent: A personal blaster rifle for Lisette.
Development Thread: N/A
Manufacturer: Lisette Kuhn
Model: LK-ER-001
Affiliation: Lisette Kuhn
Modularity: No
Production: Unique
Material: Durasteel, Power Cell, Plas-Bonded Ostrine Coils (Cooling), Inertial Compensator (Repulsorlift)
Classification: Electrothermal Rifle (Slugthrower)
Size: Handheld
Length: 140 cm
Weight: 18.06 kg
Ammunition Type: Power cell & 12.5 x 90 mm slugs
Ammunition Capacity: 2 (Slugs) 10 (Per Power Cell)
Effective Range: 2200 m
Rate of Fire: Semi-Automatic
Special Features:
- Plas-Bonded Ostrine Cooling Coils
The cooling coils present along the barrel of the rifle utilize plas-bonded ostrine, meant to immediately reduce heat after firing, and due to the nature of the weapon only being capable of firing two slugs in sequence before requiring a reload, this is very effective. The idea is to prevent excessive heating and warping of the barrel, as well as to prevent overheating and injury to the person using it. This addition also prolongs the lifespan of the sniper rifle.
[*]Electrothermal Firing
- Utilizing mass-driver technology, the LK-ER-001 fires 12.5x90mm at muzzle velocities nearing 2.5 km/s. The method of propulsion, in this instance, is a plasma-arc at the end of the barrel which creates the necessary pressure to propel the slug. The common name in the arms industry for such a method of firing would be an electrothermal cannon, though due to being a much smaller scale weapon compared to an actual mass driver cannon the nomenclature chosen was "electrothermal rifle". The effective range of projectiles fired from this weapon are generally 2.2 km, accuracy decreasing dramatically at ranges beyond that. Recoil from each shot is considerable, so firing more than a single shot before re-adjusting aim reduces accuracy to the point that one might as well be trying to shoot someone from a kilometer away with a pistol. It goes without saying that any shot would need to be made laying down with the bipod stand set up. Trying to shoot this while standing or leaning it up against a wall can cause serious injury, which severely limits the type of terrain and the vantage points the rifle can have - no shooting down a wall, for example.
Description:
Although Lisette Kuhn is first and foremost a force user, one more proficient with sabers than the force - in terms of training - at that, the understanding that sometimes more practical approaches to certain targets has led to the realization of the electrothermal rifle. At first glance the rifle looks nothing more than a slightly bulkier, clearly heavier, sniper rifle with a fold-able bipod attached. The only real noticeable difference between it and other custom slugthrower rifles are the two plasma casters at the end of the barrel, creating a plasma arc which generates the necessary propulsion to accelerate the slug as it exits the barrel. Only two slugs can be loaded into the weapon at any given time, and as the weapon is semi-automatic it requires a manual pull of the trigger for each shot.
Lining the barrel is a set of plas-bonded ostrine coils, which immediately begin cooling the barrel down after each shot is fired, preventing the warping of the barrel that could be caused due to the nature of the weapon and the velocity at which the slug exits the muzzle. While the weapon does fire its projectiles at roughly 2.5 km/s, with an effective range of 2200 meters, the rifle is not without its issues. The first, most obviously, is the weight of the weapon. This rifle weighs over eighteen kilos, bipod included, and can only be fired in prone position. No firing down walls at targets in the street right below a building, no standing while firing (then you're just asking to lose your arms, shoulders, and possibly head), and other methods of using rifles that others might take for granted. This means the weapon, although granted a wonderful effective range, is entirely limited to longer ranges - possibly not much of an issue considering it is a sniper rifle, but when a target is within fifty meters and you're on the top of a building with this rifle, there's no chance in the Corellian hells that you will be making that shot until they are far enough away that a slight downward angle is going to get them in your sights.
The second, possibly most painful, issue is that of recoil. The weapon fires slugs, granted only one at a time, at velocities upwards 2.5 km/s, meaning this thing is going to have a major kick, one which requires the bipod (already attached to the body of the gun, fold-able) to be anchored into the ground to ensure accuracy at ranges under five hundred meters. Unarmored marksmen firing this will certainly feel it for the next few days, depending on how little they fire it, ranging from a mild pain in the upper torso to bruising and so on. It's also a guarantee that hearing loss is going to occur after using this, temporary in most cases, but eventually permanent after sustained, regular, use. In order to minimize recoil and personal injury, the electrothermal is outfitted with inertia compensators. These inertial compensators, while most certainly not comparable to the sorts seen in starship designs, utilize miniature repulsorlifts to compensate for recoil - essentially creating an equal, or as close to one, force in order to keep the gun and its wielder from potentially incredible harm.
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