Weapons: Moon-Darts

Moon-darts.

Moon-darts are a family of weapons developed on the moon and provide a cheaper alternative to more sophisticated weapons such as lasers and micro-missiles. The moon dart gun resembles a six to eight inch cylinder of between one and one and a half inches in diameter with either 19 or 37 openings in one end. Moon dart guns are commonly referred to as “pepperpots”. Such a cylinder is both magazine and firing unit and is used by attaching it to and assembly with a grip, stock and sighting system. Rounds are fired electrically and the firing units may be used on their own or in booby traps if a power source is available to fire them.

 

Guns (Pistol) (DX-4, or most other Guns at -2)

Name	Damage	Acc	Range	Weight	RoF	Shots	ST	Bulk	Recoil	Notes
Moon-dart Pistol	3d (2) pi-	2	250/2,800	1.5/1	3	19(4)	6	-2	2	(1)
	3d (2) pi-	2	250/2,800	2/1.5	3	37(4)	6	-2	2	(1)

 

Guns (Rifle) (DX-4, or most other Guns at -2)

Weapon	Damage	Acc	Range	Weight	RoF	Shots	ST	Bulk	Rcl	LC	Notes
Moon-dart Rifle	3d (2) pi-	5	2,700/3,300	5.5/1	3	19(4)	6†	-4	2		(1)
		5	2,700/3,300	6/1.5	3	37(4)	6†	-4	1		(1)

 

(1)   Ranges given are for the weapon used in lunar surface conditions: a vacuum atmosphere and 0.17g.
 

The moon-darts themselves resemble steel nails of about 3.5mm diameter. A polymer ring of about 5mm diameter provides obturation and engages the rifling to spin-stabilize the projectile. At the rear of the projectile is what appears to be an aluminium cartridge case. This contains a propellant derived from rocket fuel, protecting it from extremes of temperature and related effects. The propellant charge has aspects of both a rocket and a conventional gun. Most of the gases are vented against the breech face but some also fill the barrel space behind the obturation ring.

Pepperpots are not true recoilless weapons but their light projectiles keep recoil well within human tolerances, even at one-sixth lunar gravity. The projectile is launched at a velocity of 1,000 yards/second and in the vacuum and gravity of the lunar surface it has lost little of this velocity on impact. The dart has very little stopping power but its high penetration makes it a deadly weapon against pressurized targets such as moon-suits. Under the weak lunar gravity the  moon-dart follows a relatively flat trajectory to more than 2,700 yards. The curvature of the moon gives a surface line of sight of between 2,460 and 2,820 yards so moon-darts are very effective weapons. Designed with simplicity in mind moon-darts do not have warheads and guidance systems would be extremely rare and likely to be custom made.

Moon-darts are not designed to be fired in an atmosphere and consequently have a very poor aerodynamic shape. Treat range and ½ range in a normal Earth atmosphere as a thousand times actual distance. Under such conditions Acc=0 and shooting skill is at a penalty of at least -1.

 

 

 

Weapons: 15mm and Point Five-oh Recoilless.

15mm Recoilless Rifle and Pistol

15mm Recoilless Rifle: A rifle-like weapon which fires 15mm projectiles and counters recoil by venting cold gas out the back of the weapon or via vents in the side of the barrel. It is designed to use the same warheads as 15mm micro-missiles but mounted on a more compact rocket motor to facilitate feed through a magazine.

15mm Recoilless weapons are more commonly encountered off-planet since it is more suitable for in zero-G combat than conventional caseless weapons. Ammunition is easily produced by minifac so it is a popular weapon with space-dwelling isolationists.

Available with the same warheads as 15mm micro-missiles but using 3d+1 pi++ for kinetic damage rather than 6d. A SAPHE projectile with Dmg 3d pi++ and a 1d-2 [1d-2] cr ex follow-up is also available.

Firing a round is a soft hissing noise unlike a normal gunshot. Use the 4-yard line on the Hearing Distance Table, p. HT(4e)158. Obviously, firing in space makes no noise!

Acceleration is slower than for micro-missiles so make their piercing damage by 1d+1 at 1 or 2 yards and by 2d+1 at 3 to 10 yards.

Guns (Rifle) (DX-4, or most other Guns at -2)

Name	Damage	Acc	Range	Weight	RoF	Shots	ST	Bulk	Recoil	Cost
Recoilless rifle 15mm	3d+1 pi++	4	200/1,900	8.5/2	3	10(3)	7	-4	1	$790
SAPHE linked	3d pi++1d-2 cr ex[1d-2]
HEMP linked	5d x2 imp (5) 1d cr ex[1d-1]
SEFOP	4d+4(2) imp

Explosive damage is also incendiary.

Firing a 15mm recoilless round puts very little stress on the weapon. A recoilless rifle made from superior lightweight material and weighing 4.25lb has the same performance but costs 50% more ($1,185).

A large but lightweight pistol using the same rounds is also available. The magazine well is ahead of the trigger and also accepts the 10 round recoilless rifle magazines. Spacers sometimes use these weapons to project lines and grapples. Under Earth conditions it can fire a grapple, harpoon, splat piton. etc with a light line to 20 yards. Half this distance for a climbing rope.

The 15mm Holdout recoilless is a single round loaded in a tube that can be concealed up a sleeve. Lacking a vent for the exhaust it is not truly recoilless and may push the firer back if fired in microgravity.

Guns (Pistol) (DX-4, or most other Guns at -2)

Name	Damage	Acc	Range	Weight	RoF	Shots	ST	Bulk	Recoil
Recoilless pistol 15mm	3d+1 pi++	2	200/1,900	2/1.2	3	6+1	6	-2	1
Holdout Recoilless pistol 15mm	3d+1 pi++	0	200/1,900	0.25/0.1	1	1	6	-1	1

Point Five-Oh Recoilless.

This round is effectively the 15mm Recoilless round reduced slightly in size in accordance with US laws against explosive rounds of greater than 13mm calibre. This redesign gives the round a slight increase in velocity so in game terms it has the same performance as the 15mm round but cannot legally use rounds other than non-explosive ammunition. Damage becomes 3d+1 pi+.

Weapons: 9.5mm Poly-Hunter, Garden Gun and Olympic Pistol

9.5mm Poly-Hunter.

9.5mmPC. The 9.5mmPC is a rifle round designed for animal control and is sufficient to handle large dangerous game such as bears. It is a polymer-cased round firing full calibre bullets of 270-300gr. It also uses saboted smaller calibre rounds varying from 6.7mm to 8.6mm and 100gr to 275gr weights. By varying load the one gun can handle a wide variety of targets and shooting conditions.

Hunting is relatively rare in 2100 and the 9.5mmPC is mainly issued to game warders. It does see some use as a sniping or marksman weapon although in advanced armies remote snipers are more common. Military ammunition includes multi-purpose APHEI rounds.

Garden Gun.

            The Garden Gun is a compact coilgun that fires steel 4.5mm pellets of 20 to 60gr weight. The most notable features of the weapon are its inbuilt NAI system and the capability to vary muzzle velocity to suit the intended target and range. The gun can be set to fire at subsonic velocity for situations such as indoor target ranges. The Garden gun is used for target practice, plinking and were permitted, small game hunting. The NAI prevents the weapon being used for vandalism. Unless in “Survival Hunting mode” the NAI will prevent the weapon being used against animals not classed as legal game or vermin. It will not fire against humans or domestic animals unless “emergency defence mode” is invoked. In the latter case any shooting will be recorded as evidence. If set to “survival hunting mode” any animal target can be engaged but the gun will record shootings and also emit a distress beacon.

            The Garden Gun is decried by some as a “nanny gun”. Others consider it a very useful survival tool that also teaches responsible shooting behaviour. Attempting to disengage the safeguards can be surprisingly difficult. Stubborn would be hackers may find themselves having to buy more than one replacement.

Olympic Pistol.

            The Olympic pistol is a target pistol configuration coil gun using the same ammunition as the Garden gun. It lacks the LAI system and higher velocity settings of the Garden gun.

 

 

Weapons: 7.5mm Machine Gun.

The most powerful long-range fully-automatic weapon that can realistically be considered as manportable in TS is the 7.5mm Machine Gun. A number of different models are made by different companies but all use the same ammunition and have similar features. Although modular designs most components are not interchangeable between models from different companies.

7.5mm Machine Guns are belt-fed weapons that use polymer cased rounds joined by plastic links. This results in a considerable saving in ammunition weight compared to earlier machine guns. WPS is 0.024. Polymer-cased ammunition is somewhat more robust than caseless ammo and is not so vulnerable to corrosive atmospheres. The standard 7.5mm is a GPMG design that can be fired from a bipod, tripod, cybershell or vehicle mounting. Vehicle-mounted examples usually have an extra-heavy barrel (HT 4e p.85). Tripod mounted weapons may have either a standard or extra-heavy barrel and may have a spare barrel available. In bipod mode a spare barrel is seldom carried, the standard barrel having a number of design features to minimise overheating. An extra heavy MG barrel weighs 7.3lb and adds + 2.5lb to weapon weight. A standard GPMG barrel weights 4.8lb. A patrol barrel weighs 3.5lb and is classed as a Light MG barrel.

By 2100 the standard load for the 7.5mm is a mixed belt of APDS/API rounds. These can punch through tree trunks and chew through bricks or cybershells. Tracer ammunition is less commonly used due to the prevalence of HUD targeting systems. Tracer may be used from defensive positions as it provides an indication of the target’s location to other units. When used tracer ammunition will be dark-ignition or dim-tracer APDU/AP-T/API (HT 4e p.175). Gestalt ammunition in 7.5mm is relatively common. Triplex ammunition may be available for jungle fighting and other close range engagements. Triplex ammunition has the same performance in both the GPMG and Patrol-LMG. Supercavitating ammunition will be used on naval vessels and may be issued at locations where attack may come from the water. Supercavitating rounds are smart bullets that have 1/20 the gun’s Maximum and 1/2 Damage ranges underwater (50 times that of non-supercavitating bullets), and half the normal ranges in air since they are optimized for water. ×2 cost. (TS:UP p.121)

A common accessory for the 7.5mm MG is a “blast suppressor” (1.2lb, -3 to Hearing, -1 Bulk). This is a sound moderator that does not affect the round’s velocity. The enemy will know they are being fired upon but have more trouble establishing from where.

7.5mm MGs are usually platoon or company-level weapons but squads operating in environments where ranges are long often carry them. Defensive positions are usually reinforced with extra MGs. Many of the combat operations in 2100 take the form of small scale raids and it is possibly a raider may bring some 7.5mm as additional firepower. Larger fighters such as cybershells also favour the added punch of a 7.5mm.

The “Patrol LMG” has a number of modifications to make it more portable for sustained dismounted operations. The most noticeable of these is the shorter and lighter barrel. The modular design of the 7.5mm allows a standard model to be changed to a patrol model, or vice versa if you have the parts and time. Patrol LMGs are sometimes called “Spartan models”, partially because Spartan bioroids can use them like rifles.

Use Guns (LMG): (DX-4 or most other Guns at -2) to fire handheld or from a bipod or Gunner (Machine Gun): (DX-4 or other Gunner at -4) to shoot from a tripod or a vehicle mount.

Name	Damage	Acc	Range	Weight	RoF	Shots	ST	Bulk	Recoil	Cost	LC
7.5mm GPMG API/APDS ammo	9d(2)(inc) pi-	5	930/4,600	21	16	100(5)	10B†	-6	2		1
7.5mm Patrol LMG API/APDS ammo	9d-2(2)(inc) pi-	4	900/3,750	18	16	100(5)	10B†	-5	2		1
Triplex ammo	6d+1(2) pi-		300/1,250		16x3		10B†		1	CPSx1.5	3

At 30 yards or less Triplex ammunition follows the rules on p.B409 = Rof 16; (6d+1) x 4 Damage, 4 x target DR.

Weapons: 6.6mm Rifle and 5mm BCR.

Version 2.1

CaseInc, the developers of the 6.6mm Caseless round made their technical data widely available for a nominal fee. Most arms manufactures saw the wisdom in building weapons using this information rather than wasting time and resources developing their own caseless rounds. The result was that nearly every arms company offers weapons in 6.6mmC and it nearly became the standard calibre for every military force on Earth. CaseInc had manufactured a large stockpile of 6.6mmC ammunition before releasing the technical data and therefore made a considerable profit by cornering the market for ammunition supply in the early months of adoption. (see “CaseInc: Munitions and Marketing” by LEN113)

Guns (Rifle) or Guns (LMG) (DX-4, or most other Guns at -2)

Weapon	Damage	Acc	Range	Weight	RoF	Shots	ST	Bulk	Rcl	LC
6.6mm Assault Rifle	6d pi	5	600/3,300	8.5	6/10	80(5)	10†	-4*	2	1
6.6mm H-Bar	6d pi	5	850/3,600	9.8	6/10		9B†	-4*	1	1
6.6mm PDC/Recon	6d-1 pi	3	550/3,000	6	9		11†	-4*	3	1
6.6mm Marksman	6d pi	6	600/3,300	8.5	3/6/10		10†	-4*	2	1
6.6mm Pistol	4d pi	3	280/1,800	4.5	6/10		11	-3	3	1

6.6mm Military rifles are often available in several configurations:

Standard model. RoF is 6 using 2-round burst mode, 3 in semi-automatic and 10 in full-auto.

H-bar model. Generally the same length as the standard model but with a heavier barrel and a heatsink/radiator in the foregrip. A light support variant more suited to sustained fire and long range engagements. Includes a 0.5 pound bipod. Treat as a standard-barrelled LMG for the Sustained fire and overheating rules in HT(4e): p.85-86. A combat squad will generally have a couple of these unless heaver MGs are carried. Often used for sniping as well as MG roles. Some models are offered with a longer barrel that has +1 Damage and +1 to bulk.

Personal Defence Carbine. A lightened and often simpler version of the standard weapon intended as a self-protection weapon for non-combat units. Usually lacks the 2-round burst mode. Treat as light-barrelled for determining overheating [HT p.85-86]

Recon Rifle. The PDC fitted with a better sighting system and often used with a sound suppressor. Often the choice of reconnaissance troops, hence the name. May include a 2-round burst mode.

Marksman model. An accurized model of the standard rifle with either a standard length or long barrel (+1 Damage and +1 to bulk). Some models are semi-automatic only with a target trigger. Other models are selective fire and can be used as an LMG. More commonly used by police departments since most military units have H-Bars. If used for automatic fire treat as a MG with a light barrel. May or may not be fitted with a bipod.

Heavy Pistol. A rifle-based weapon with a 6½" to 10" barrel and no buttstock, around 17” long. 4.5lb. Muzzle blast is very noticeable. Sometimes used to arm the smaller varieties of cybershell such as the SCAT-kumo. Can be concealed under a heavy coat. Can be fired single-handed. May be fitted with a pistol stock. Treat as light-barrelled for determining overheating [HT p.85-86]

5mm Basic Combat Rifles (BCR)

The basic combat rifles are designed for cheap and easy mass-production or minifacture. They are commonly encountered being used by the militaries of less wealthy nations, private security firms, criminals and insurgents. Their use by dacoits and child soldiers has had them sometimes referred to as “bandit combat rifles” or “bambino combat rifles”. Many variants are found world-wide but the differences are mainly cosmetic. The BCR may be fitted with a HUD link and Laser sight. HUD gives +1 Acc for targets within 300 yds. Laser spot gives +1 to skill out to 500 yards if spot is visible to the shooter. $150.

TS Changing Times gives slugthrowers a low Acc. Acc of the BCR has been increased so it is consistent with similar TL7-8 weapons in 4e High Tech.

Guns (Rifle) (DX-4, or most other Guns at -2)

Weapon	Damage	Acc	Range	Weight	RoF	Shots	ST	Bulk	Rcl	LC
5mm BCR	5d pi	4	500/3,200	7/1	12	30+1(5)	10†	-4	2	1

The BCR appears in THS:Broken Dreams 3e p.137-8. Many GURPS writers are not as familiar with firearms as they should be, and the description of the BCR raises some questions. The weight of 11 lbs seems high for the weapon described so I have changed this to 7 lbs and magazine weight to 1 lb. Why does the weapon use a 5mm round and not the 5.6mm used by many other TS weapons? Since the calibre is only stated once in the book, it is quite possible that 5mm was a typo of 5.6mm. If not, it seems likely that some users would modify the BCR production template to use 5.6mm. Ballistically the 5mm is probably the equivalent of the British 4.85mm Experimental or the .19 Badger and the 5.6mm equivalent to a 5.56x45mm, so for game purposes the performance of 5mm and 5.6mm BCR variants would be the same. A bigger problem may be adapting the BCR to us the 40 and 100 round magazines of some 5.6mm weapons. A reduction in reliability for 5.6mm BCRs may be warranted. The 5.6mm Xuan Feng (Broken Dreams) uses a 30 round magazine, like the 5mm BCR,

The standard design uses electric ignition and is completely sealed. A good condition 5mm BCR is Very Reliable and HT 13. Well worn examples may be Malf.17 and HT 10-12. A BCR may overheat if it fires more than 150 rounds in less than a minute. [HT4e p.85]

While Broken Dreams tells us that the 5.6mm Xuan Feng cannot use smart ammunition no information is given about the BCR in this regard. 4mm smart ammunition is available in TS so there is no technical reason there cannot be 5mm smart ammunition. It may, however, be hard to come by in some areas that the BCR is used in. Supplying smart 5mm to African bandits may serve as a plot point. Dumb 5mm rounds are APHC [p.B279] or FMJ. WPS 0.015, CPS $0.04-0.08. Magazines are robust and designed for years of use. A nominal 30 round magazine is usual and has an empty weight of 0.55 lbs and costs around $5. The less common 40 round model costs $10 and weighs 0.6 lbs empty and 1.2 lb loaded. A 60 round four-column magazine is $20, 1.0/1.9 lbs. 5.6mm and 5mm magazines are not compatible.

TS 3e p.156-7 tells us that all personal ranged weapons have HUD and laser sights but does this statement include the BCR? The original 3e profile gives Acc as “10+2” and I am guessing the +2 represents a 3e laser sight. A weapon without a HUD cost $250 less but a BCR only costs $150 to start with! For this reason I have assumed the BCR does not have this features as standard but add-ons are available. My inclination is to rule that a standard, no-frills BCR is fitted with a reflex sight (3e did not have reflex sights). This gives +1 Guns skill at ranges up to 300 yards and makes it easier to aim in low-light conditions, negating up to -3 in darkness penalties on all shots. [HT4e p.156]