Approved Tech M58-A Heavy Kinetic Rifle

[Amelia von Sorenn]

Out of Character​

	Intent:		Updating the M58 Heavy Kinetic Rifle
	Image Source:		Not Applicable
	Canon Link:		Not Applicable
	Permissions:		Not Applicable
	Primary Source:		M58 Kinetic Rifle
			M58 Heavy Kinetic Rifle
			M58-A Kinetic Rifle

Production Information​

	Manufacturer:		The Hellforge
	Affiliation:		Confederacy of Independent Systems; The Hellknight Corps
	Model:		M58-A/HKr
	Modularity:		No
	Production:		Limited

Materials​

Durasteel

Alusteel

Titanium

Bronzium

Slugthrower Components

Technical Information​

	Classification:		Slugthrower
	Size:		Very Large
	Weight:		Very Heavy
	Ammunition Type:		.998 Caliber Slug
	Ammunition Capacity:		(500) Round Belt-Feed
	Effective Range:		Average
	Rate of Fire:		Average
	Stopping Power:		High
	Recoil:		Very High

Special Features​

Smart-Gun Armorlink	Munitions Backpack	Flexible Munitions Belt-Feeder
Advanced Immobilizer Safety System	Safe Target System	Shock-Pad / Hip-Pad Bracing System

Strengths​

Shock-Pad / Hip-Pad Bracing System - Due in part to its rather large size and heavyweight, the weapon cannot be properly shoulder-fired like many other rifles. Rather, it is installed with a bracing system that allows for the operator to brace the weapon against their hip. This distributes the weight across a wider area and allows for the weapon to be better braced when fired and assist in countering the weapon's high recoil.

Smart-Gun Armorlink - Contained within the internal systems of the weapon is a specialized feature that links the weapon to the HUD of the Phase II Canoness Armor or Phase II Hellplate. Incorporating a small holocam and laser range finder to assist in calculating trajectories and increasing accuracy over longer distances; it also permits the operator to fire around corners or from behind cover without exposing themselves to incoming enemy fire. The system also provides the operator with a readout of ammunition count, heat buildup, and material stress that the weapon may be experiencing.

Reliability - Like many of the Kinetic Rifles deployed by the Hellknights, the M58-A Heavy Kinetic Rifle is known for its reliability - capable of continued operation after being dropped in or exposed to the elements such as mud, sand, water, and other similar substances that would gunk up or cause other weapons to become inoperable. With easily movable parts and simple design, the weapon can be broken down and cleaned within minutes to ensure optimal operating parameters.

High Stopping Power - With rounds larger than those chambered by the smaller Kinetic Rifles; it has the potential capability of easily tearing through lightly armored individuals, vehicles, and fortifications. While having more difficulty with heavier armored vehicles, fortifications, and personnel - it still will leave a sizeable dent in the armor plating, potentially causing the individuals within to question if it's worth remaining in that position or vehicle.

Advanced Immobilizer Safety System - The Heavy Kinetic Rifle is equipped with a system similar to that seen in the M58-A Rifle. This safety system prevents an unauthorized user from picking up the weapon - if they're capable of such a feat - and firing, by locking the trigger in place. Once locked, the weapon requires that it either be exposed to the matching RFID chip or matching biometric scan to unlock the system. A more advanced version of this safety system causes the weapon to self-destructed when an unauthorized individual attempts to fire the weapon - with this often causing the maiming or death of the said individual.

Safe Target System - Carried over from the M58-A Rifle; this system is meant to ensure that those embarrassing instances of shooting a friendly in the 'Hoop' are avoided. Utilizing the IFF Circuitry in the Phase II Canoness Battle Armor and Phase II Hellplate to lock the trigger momentarily when the weapon is pointed at a friendly that is deemed 'at-risk'. This system only allows the trigger to be unlocked again when the friendly target is deemed no longer at-risk.

Weaknesses​

Safe Target System - What this system often deems 'at-risk' can often cause the weapon to lock the trigger at inopportune times; such as when it detects a friendly on the otherwise of a hostile target. This can often cause the system to require a larger obstacle be between it and the friendly individual, such as a building, large vehicle, or even a sizeable geographical feature such as a mountain before the trigger is unfrozen and the operator permitted to fire the weapon once more.

Cumbersome - Intended to be coupled in operation with either the Phase II Canoness Battle Armor or Phase II Hellplate; this weapon can be unwieldy at the best of times and godawful at the worst of times. Notoriously difficult to pick up without the assistance of powered armor - or to all but the strongest of the species in the galaxy such as Wookies or Herglics. Even those utilizing the proper armor still have trouble and discomfort in operating these heavy weapons.

Heat Buildup - The overall size of the rounds that this weapon chambers have the potential to cause a rapid build-up of heat when the weapon is fired. If not properly watched, this build-up of heat could potentially cause stress fractures within the weapon, or damage internal components such as the Smart-Gun Armorlink. In other instances, this build-up of heat has the potential to cause the weapon to misfire resulting in a catastrophic malfunction when in the operator's hand.

Belt-Feed Jamming - While overall the weapon itself is highly reliable, there are still some instances of issues in regards to the flexible belt-feed system that provides munitions to the weapon. Often this is caused due in part to the size of the slug utilized and the heat build-up that the weapon may be experiencing. In such an instance, the munitions fail to properly feed into the chamber of the weapon - and it is highly advised that one not attempt to clear this jam via firing the weapon as it may cause a catastrophic failure of the weapon which may maim or kill the operator.

Cut the Feed - While the feeding mechanism is highly flexible, allowing for it to move with the operator of the weapon - it is still highly exposed. A skilled sharpshooter or a lucky shot has the potential of damaging the feed in a way that would effectively cut the supply of munitions to the weapon. This would require the weapon to be repaired in the field, returned to the rear for repairs, or be rendered ineffective if neither of the previously mentioned actions were possible.

Limited Deployment - While not as cost-prohibitive as its predecessor, this weapon is still not widely issued as its smaller Rifle counterpart. Thus the M58-A Heavy Kinetic Rifle is only issued to one individual out of every twenty-five individuals in a formation when deployed on the field.

Description​

The M58-A Heavy Kinetic Rifle; also infrequently known as a 'Heavy Bolter', is a heavier counterpart to the M58-A Kinetic Rifle. Chambering a .998 caliber slug, the weapon serves as in a support role specifically intended to counter or otherwise serve as an answer to an enemy deploying vehicles and armored personnel against its operators, or when said operators of the weapon come across a fortified enemy position. Larger, Heavier, and in some regards much more Cumbersome than its smaller counterpart - it is still designed to be operated in concert with the Phase II Canoness Battle Armor or Phase II Hellplate - and contains many of the same systems, such as the Smart-Gun Armorlink, to ensure optimal operation of the weapon. This system also allows the operator to fire around corners and from behind cover without exposing themselves to incoming fire from enemy positions; however, this internal system can potentially be damaged due in part to the heat build-up that this weapon can experience when constantly fired. This heat build-up also has the potential of causing the weapon's belt-feed system to jam, rendering the weapon inoperable as it is deprived of its munitions. However, we highly suggest that one does not attempt to clear this jam by firing the weapon, as it may potentially lead to the operator being maimed or otherwise killed. Its primary strength is predominately seen in its munitions pack, which has been refitted and expanded, allowing for the operator to carry a larger number of rounds than previously as seen with its predecessor. Though it still suffers from the possibility of heaving its flexible belt-feed system being damaged or cut off with a skilled or lucky shot, which would as mentioned, deprive the weapon of its munitions. And though it is not as cost-prohibitive as its predecessor, it is still only deployed in small numbers, with only one such weapon available per twenty-five individuals in a formation; though this often doubles the number of these weapons available in some formations that would have otherwise been without them if assigned the predecessor weapon. Equipped with a Shock-Pad / Hip-Pad Bracing System, the weapon is much more easily fired, as the weight of the weapon can be spread across a wider area, assisting in mitigating some of the weapon's recoil, though not all of it as it still packs a heavy punch when operated. Like its smaller counterpart, the Heavy Rifle comes equipped with both the Advanced Immobilizer Safety System and Safe Target Systems; both of which assists in ensuring that friendly fire incidents are lowered - however, the Safe Target System still causes its own fair share of problems in what it will deem 'at-risk' to a friendly target. Even with the majority of its downsides, the Heavy Kinetic Rifle is still a weapon worth its weight in salt, and if its predecessor accounts for anything, the reliability of the M58-A will make it a fan-favorite among the Hellknights that are deployed with the weapon.

 

[Vora Kaar]

Amelia von Sorenn

Approved

 

[John Locke]

PRE-FACTORY TEMPLATE
Submission Name: M58-A Heavy Kinetic Rifle
Link to Submission: [HERE]
Reason for Pre-Factory Request: Minor Edit to Ammunition Type

Moved to pre-factory per OP request.

Please remember to include a list of changes when you tag a member of factory staff to move the submission back to live judgement.

 

[Amelia von Sorenn]

Edits Made

• Ammunition Type correction
  • Original: 90mm Slug
  • Edited: .998 Caliber Slug

• Minor Edit to Description changing mention of 90mm slug to .998 caliber slug

John Locke

 

[John Locke]

Amelia von Sorenn

APPROVED