ARSS-02 "Durge"

[Tyro]

Manufacturer: Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc
Production Line: ARSS Series
Model: ARSS-02
Technical Weapon Designation: Automatic Rocket Suppression System Mk 2
Affiliation: Military Organizations
Availability: Mass Produced
Modularity: System is fairly robust and efficient as it is. Attempts to modify it prove difficult, as the entire weapon system is a new concept of ranged weaponry.
Composition: Ultrachrome barrel with a duraplast frame and comfortable rubberized grips
Ownership: Organized militaries looking to experiment with new kinds of weaponry. Usually favored by small but well-funded militant groups.
Description:

The ARSS Series is a daring experiment taken by Merr-Sonn Munitions with the goal of creating an utterly versatile weapon system that is specifically versatile against the most dangerous creatures, sentient or not, in the galaxy. The ARSS is a type of slugthrower that Merr-Sonn has designated as a 'Shell Gun'. Unlike other slugthrowers, shell guns use a very specific kind of ammunition that are referred to as 'shells'. Unlike conventional ammunition, shells are rocket-propelled, though they have absolutely zero navigation capability. Because of this, the weapon system has a minimum range of roughly ten meters, before which the shell has been considered outside of a lethal capability. After this ten meter mark, shells exponentially gain more and more speed based upon the distance they have traveled and therefore have much higher penetration potential than any conventional slugthrower can claim to have. Shell guns also have the advantage of zero recoil, as the rounds themselves produce their own propulsion. Because of this, the sound of a shell gun in use is signified by a heavy 'thunk' of metal hitting metal, followed by the scream of a miniature rocket. In large numbers, the screams of these rockets can cause deafness as easily as grenades and other kinds of loud ordinance. Merr-Sonn has subsequently provided ear plugs with each purchase of a weapon from their ARSS-series.

These shells come in two kinds: Penetrator and Explosive.

Penetrator rounds make full use of a shell's ability to maximize penetration, allowing a user to fire through many kinds of metals they previously could not. However, penetrator rounds have a habit of completely ripping through their intended targets, particularly if they are unarmored and organic, thus leading to less damage potential than a low caliber, non-rocket propelled slug.

Explosive rounds wreak havoc upon the morale of any under fire from it, specifically causing the ARSS-02 to be nicknamed 'Durge'. A small explosion results upon impact with a shell akin to that of a fragmentation grenade with a severely reduced radius (5-10cm depending on variables independent of the round itself), giving anyone faced with combating the ARSS-02 incentive to seek immediate cover. The disadvantage here is, while explosive rounds cause maximum damage physically and psychologically when impacting flesh and light armor, they explode prematurely against heavy alloys.

View attachment 872

The ARSS-02 is a heavy machine gun that has the potential to be man-portable, but because of its weight is ideally used as any other heavy machine gun: to be mounted on vehicles and fed with an ammunition belt, or braced against a suitable surface to reduce the strain on the user. It is recommended that the ammunition be carried separately, as the strain of carrying the weapon itself, combat gear, etc is almost too much on its own. It is not a very accurate weapon, and is not meant to be used as such. As stated, the ARSS-02 is a heavy machine gun: therefore, its primary purpose is to suppress and gain fire superiority against infantry, though penetrator rounds can easily be used to disable light vehicles and clear buildings if that is required.

View attachment 871

Unfortunately, shells and the ARSS-02 itself are expensive partially because they are a newer concept, and thus Merr-Sonn has made them in small numbers and have intentionally raised prices until a sufficient market demand appears that will allow the company to increase production and reduce prices to further increase demand until maximum profits are made.

Classification: Slugthrower|Explosive Ordnance
Size: Extra-large(Heavy Machine Gun)
Length: 110cm
Weight: 40kg
Ammunition Capacity: 100(Standard box) / Unlimited(Belt fed)
Range: 10m(min), effective 100-800m

 

[Solaris]

Unlike other slugthrowers, shell guns use a very specific kind of ammunition that are referred to as 'shells'. Unlike conventional ammunition, shells are rocket-propelled, though they have absolutely zero navigation capability.

Those are rockets. Shells don't necessarily have propulsion, but instead refer to the rounds a cannon or howitzer fires.

Shell guns also have the advantage of zero recoil, as the rounds themselves produce their own propulsion.

I think you mean to say they have less recoil, because zero recoil means the round never leaves the chamber. That's simply how physics works.

Explosive rounds wreak havoc upon the morale of any under fire from it, specifically causing the ARSS-02 to be nicknamed 'Durge'. A small explosion results upon impact with a shell akin to that of a fragmentation grenade with a severely reduced radius (5-10cm depending on variables independent of the round itself), giving anyone faced with combating the ARSS-02 incentive to seek immediate cover. The disadvantage here is, while explosive rounds cause maximum damage physically and psychologically when impacting flesh and light armor, they explode prematurely against heavy alloys.

Do they utilize shaped charges or fragmentary charges? One is anti-vehicle, the other is anti-personnel. Do they detonate on impact, time, proximity, or any/all of the above?

The ARSS-02 is a heavy machine gun that has the potential to be man-portable, but because of its weight is ideally used as any other heavy machine gun: to be mounted on vehicles and fed with an ammunition belt, or braced against a suitable surface to reduce the strain on the user. It is recommended that the ammunition be carried separately, as the strain of carrying the weapon itself, combat gear, etc is almost too much on its own.

This thing compares well to a M2 .50-cal heavy machinegun and the Mk 19 grenade machinegun in its weight - most of my .50-cal gunners made a point of carrying their weapon and its ammo themselves, with the AG carrying more ammo and the tripod. Fortunately, Star Wars has better technology than we do - check out the M-WEB.

It is not a very accurate weapon, and is not meant to be used as such.

Given the extremely high velocity of the rounds, it should be very accurate.

 

[Tyro]

I wasn't really thinking to clearly when I wrote this up, so I apologize. Half of it I wrote late at night, and the other half I wrote out in the morning.

That, and I really don't have a character this would work for yet.

If possible, I'd like to put this idea on the back burner and draft it when I actually have a use for it.

 

[Solaris]

What are you apologizing for? Because you didn't make something 100% perfect the first time? Hell, I'm not even the Admin running this tech forum, I'm just a guy who likes to offer unsolicited advice.