Approved Tech ESR-12 Heavy Rifle

[Boethiah]

Image Source: Borderlands concept art, Gearbox Software
Intent: To create a powerful yet specialized sniper rifle for the Exemplars.
Development Thread:

• Utilizing what's of my Phrik from this thread.

Manufacturer: The Primeval Fleet
Model: ESR-series
Affiliation: Bleeding Sun, the Primeval
Modularity: No.
Production: Semi-unique
Material: Phrik barrel, titanium frame, rifle parts.
Classification: Antimatter rifle.
Size: Handheld
Length: 148cm
Weight: 12kg
Ammunition Type: Positron rounds.
Ammunition Capacity: One shot.
Effective Range: 3000m
Rate of Fire: Single action.
Special Features:

• Coiled magnetic accelerator
• Advanced telescopic sight
• Deployable bipod
• Adjustable stock
• HUD synchronization
• Recoil dampener

Description: The concept of a sniper rifle often revolves around assassinations and other special operations. So a certain level of stealth is tactically desirable as it is not a weapon you use in a firefight or close-quarters combat. So when the ESR-12 Heavy Rifle was designed, it seems that the creators decided to forego tactics and common sense. Rather this brash, deafeningly loud, and self-harming rifle suits an entirely different purpose. Akin to anti-material rifles, the ESR-12 is more of your 'big gun' for taking out light to medium vehicles, armoured personnel, and emplacements. Although it does it in such an interesting way.

Underneath the frame is a Phrik barrel surrounded by powerful electromagnetic coils which accelerate positron rounds with the explosive power of a hand grenade. Impacts are capable of flipping vehicles, blasting through buildings, and projecting excruciating amounts of kinetic energy upon anything it hits. Another fearsome aspect of this weapon is that its rounds can go on much longer than its effective range, which is mostly limited by organic capabilities and the rifle's scope.

However; all of this firepower has several drawbacks. First and foremost, the positron explosions are a two-phase reaction. The first explosion happens immediately when the trigger is pulled, accelerating the round rapidly through the barrel as electromagnetic coils accelerate the round even further. The second explosion happens upon impact, resulting in an explosive force akin to a hand grenade. This event results in three things; immense recoil, violently loud charges, and an abnormally bright flash due to the exhausted explosion. Furthermore, each use subjects the rifleman to doses of gamma radiation; meaning multiple uses will cause radiation sickness for the shooter if not adequately protected.

As well the sheer force of the firepower will permanently damage the rifle if fired too often before maintenance. This also means that the rifle cannot be easily modified, if at all as everything is designed in a way to create more or less a single piece, except for where maintenance is absolutely necessary.

Strengths
Excessive firepower: There is no arguing that such a weapon exhibits unseemly levels of power to eradicate ones target.
Pinpoint accuracy: Because the projectile is accelerated so greatly it is able to reach its target much faster than a typical slug resulting in greater accuracy at a range.
Explosive rounds: Enough positrons can be tipped within the round to create an explosion equal to that of a hand grenade.

Weaknesses
Single-action: The weapon can only fire one round at a time. Missing or failing to destroy your target will likely mean no second chances.
Cooldown time: Excessive use will overheat and destroy the coils, limiting the weapon to 3 or 4 shots every hour.
Electronic parts: An EMP or similar devices will make such a weapon useless, as the coils would no longer operate.
Radioactive: Positron explosions produce gamma radiation, enough of it will make one very sick and may lead to death.
Very obvious: Easy to hear, easy to see; stealth is no longer an option when using the ESR-12.
Bulky & heavy: It's the length of a small child, and weighs quite a bit--once deployed moving the weapon into a new position takes time.



Primary Source: N/A

 

[Raziel]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

An interesting take on a grenade launcher. Given the drawbacks, as long as this is kept to a similar level of firepower I'm content. However, this isn't an excuse for people to submit unbalanced weapons utilising antimatter.

I have a few questions as well:

What is the containment field used to hold the antimatter within each round?
You'll need something, otherwise positrons would annihilate on contact with the nearest electrons. Of which there will be plenty in the air!
How does this containment field survive the shock of being electromagnetically accelerated by the coil gun?

 

[Boethiah]

What is the containment field used to hold the antimatter within each round?

Antimatter is something that is mentioned quite a few times in Star Wars (as with many scifis) but for whatever reason there is no accepted method for containment to my knowledge. Nothing is ever mentioned or listed, yet there is technology that uses it. Many starfighters use it, some hyperdrives use it, and the Galactic Empire even made microscopic devices utilizing antimatter.

So with that in mind, it was my thought just to assume there's some method of containment without actually listing what it is. At the end of the day it still falls under the usual weaknesses, even aside from those I've listed. Particle shields can stop it, very dense materials can stop it (Beskar, aged Wintrium, etc.), and it isn't doing anything that cannot be done using other methods (as there are pistol-sized rail guns in canon which can breach durasteel). I just think positrons are cool!

Is this an acceptable response?

 

[Raziel]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

Bear with me, I'm going to have a little look into the precedent of weaponised antimatter.

 

[Raziel]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

Sorry for the delay. I'm tentatively going to accept this. Regardless of technology it seems reasonable on balance. It should not be taken as a route to less balance weapons, of course.

 

[Raziel]

Awesome. Pending Admin Approval. Thanks!

 

[Allyson Locke]

Approved.