Approved Tech M58 Flame Projector

[Amelia von Sorenn]

Out of Character Information​

	Intent:		Updating the older Pyroclastic Flamethrower
	Image Sources:		Not Applicable
	Canon Link:		Flamethrower / Flame Projector
	Permissions:		Not Applicable
	Primary Source:		Pyroclastic Flamethrower
			Flamer
			M1 Flamethrower

Production Information​

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

Materials​

Durasteel

Dallorian Alloy

Duravlex

Quadranium

Flame Thrower Components

Technical Information​

	Classification:		Flame Thrower / Flame Projector
	Size:		Very Large
	Weight:		Heavy
	Ammunition Type:		Liquid-Gel Fuel
	Ammunition Capacity:		(2.5) Gallon Canister or (15) Gallon Backpack
	Effective Range:		Personal
	Rate of Fire:		Extremely High
	Stopping Power:		High
	Recoil:		Average

Special Features​

Pressure Seal

Pilot Flame

Reverse / Side Grip

Pressure Gauge

Adjustable Nozzle

Heat Dispersion Vents

Strengths​

Pressure Seal - Set along the underside of the weapon, this specialized seal allows for the weapon to be attached to a backpack feed for longer uninterrupted usage, or - as is common - accept smaller fuel canisters for quick refueling in bursts.

Pressure Gauge - A small safety feature, this gauge provides a simplistic readout on the pressure that the weapon and its fuel system is currently experiencing. This allows the operator to adjust their fire or shut off the weapon if the pressure builds up to high to prevent the weapon from becoming damaged.

Heat Dispersion Vents - An additional safety feature installed along the barrel - specifically near the nozzle - that assists in dispersing the heat produced by the fuel when projected. This ensures that the nozzle and barrel are not damaged when the weapon is in operation.

Rate of Fire - The weapon boasts an extremely high rate of fire, which is often experienced when the operator holds the weapon's triggering mechanism down, thus, the weapon is capable of consuming half a gallon a second. However, this rapidly consumes the fuel source - be it the standard fuel canister or a larger external backpack feed.

Stopping Power - Producing a wall of liquid flame - often utilized to clear out fortifications, choke points, or disperse or dislodge enemies from a location - the weapon is more than enough to cause a pause in an enemy and force them to rethink their life choices. Even if not fired with the intent to kill, the weapon is more than capable of stopping an individual in their track and halt their advanced in most cases.

Highly Destructive - Depending on the nozzle configuration, the weapon produces a cone, jet, or sustained stream of highly flammable fuel which produces a liquid flame - making for a difficult challenge in snuffing out the flames, as water only causes the flames to spread further. The weapon's destructive capability is even greater when it comes to items that are not protected against flames or flame-retardant, unarmored or lightly armored individuals, and many lightly armored vehicles.

Weaknesses​

Pilot Flame - Sitting just beneath the primary barrels of the weapon is an ignited pilot flame that is used to ignite the aerosolized fuel mixture that produces the liquid flame emitted from the weapon. However, this pilot flame is exposed and has the potential of being snuffed out - which would thus render the weapon inoperable until the pilot flame was reignited; a task which is often daunting in the middle of a combat zone.

Limited Fuel Capacity - The effectiveness of the weapon is greatly reduced due in part to its limited fuel capacity. Its standard canister carries only 2.5 gallons - often requiring that multiple canisters be carried or be kept available for reloading. Though capable of being attached to a backpack canister - it still suffers from a limited amount of fuel - with the larger backpack canisters providing a much larger target. This coupled with its extremely high rate of fire often rapidly consumes the fuel.

Cumbersome - Fully intended to be utilized in tandem with the Phase II Prometheus Heavy Armor; the M58 Flame Projector can be described as unwieldy in the best of situations, and often godawful in the worst of situations. These weapons are notoriously difficult to be lifted - let alone fired - without the assistance of the power-assisted servos located in the armor mentioned above; or by any but the largest of species - such as Wookiees and Herglics - though even they would have a difficult time, often experiencing discomfort and strain in lifting and firing the weapon.

Near Constant Maintenance - Much like its predecessor, the M58 Flame Projector suffers from a need for nearly constant maintenance due in part to the hazardous environments and conditions that its deployment results in. Debris, soot, and ash can build upon and in the weapon, if not properly cleaned and cared for, often resulting in the nozzle becoming blocked, the pilot flame being snuffed out, or other detrimental effects that could potentially cause the weapon to misfire, or be rendered inoperable.

Limited Range - The weapon lacks any kind of real range, requiring the operator to be close to properly utilize and get the most out of this destructive weapon. Even with its nozzle adjusted to produce a concentrated stream, the weapon is incapable of reaching beyond 20m (roughly 65ft). Meaning that an enemy can often pick off an operator, or hold their forces back until the weapon has depleted its fuel and move in on the operator during the reloading phase.

Highly Destructive - There is no controlling the flames once the weapon has been fired - meaning that vulnerable or highly flammable materials or easily destroyed items are just as much in peril as those that are on the receiving end of the weapon. Its flames will often destroy anything of note - such as important documents or materials - as well as lacking any kind of means to differentiate between friend or foe as the fires burn.

Description​

The M58 Flame Projector; also infrequently known as a 'Flamethrower' or 'Flamer', is a heavy weapon designed to be utilized with the Hellknight Corps - specifically in tandem with the Phase II Prometheus Heavy Armor which is designed to be heat resistant. The weapon carries a small 2.5-gallon fuel canister - attached via a special pressure valve on the underside of the weapon - though it is also capable of being attached to larger backpack canisters or tanks via a flexible feed tube utilizing the same pressure valve. The bulk of the weapon's weight and its cumbersomeness is due directly to the weapon's large size - making it difficult to be lifted, let alone operated by individuals not utilizing the power-assisted servos of the matching armor; with even some of the larger species of the galaxy - specifically Wookiees and Herglics - often also experiencing strain and difficulty in lifting the weapon. An adjustable nozzle - which can be reached by detaching the heat dispersion vents at the front of the weapon - allows for the stream of the weapon to be modified, often resulting in a stream, conical, or dispersed spray pattern when the weapon is fired. A pressure gauge at the top of the weapon shows the amount of pressure the contents are under, as well as the pressure the weapon is experiencing with its fuel canister - or fuel lines - to assist in preventing damage to the weapon that would render it inoperable or potentially explode in the operator's hands. Designed with a reverse grip rather than a standard triggering mechanism - an additional grip juts out from the side to provide for a more stable firing platform - allowing the operator to better plant their stance while utilizing the weapon. Its high stopping power is due to the sheer wall of flame and liquid fire that it produces, often being enough to stop an enemy advance without even striking the enemy with the weapon. And while it is a highly destructive weapon - often more than capable of dealing with lightly armored vehicles and making quick work of individuals in all but the heaviest or fire-resistant armors - this highly destructive capability is also one of its greatest weaknesses; due in part to the flames lacking any kind of capability to differentiate between friend or foe, nor capable of not destroying sensitive or highly sought after items, documents, or other important objects of interest. Couple with its exposed pilot flame - which can be extinguished in the proper conditions or with an ample application of an extinguishing element - as well as its need for near-constant maintenance, the weapon has additional hiccups that could prove to be detrimental in the long run. However, the M58 Flame Projector is still a heavily reliable weapon and one that has the potential to be utilized to great effect - specifically in its application of clearing out enemy structures, fortifications, or dispersing an enemy attack with a careful burst of multiple Flame Projectors. And though it suffers in a number of avenues, including its limited range, more often than not, the mere hissing sound it is known to produce before it is unleashed upon an enemy can be enough to cause a panicked retreat from an area before it even is unleashed.

 

[Luca Donskoi]

APPROVED