SSMC C-14 "Impaler" Gauss-Assisted Needle Assault Rifle

The C-14 Gauss-Assisted Needle Assault Rifle is a hybrid firearm created and sold by The Synax Sigma Mercantile Combine. It is marketed as a cheaper option for those looking to add stronger armour penetration to their arsenal than a conventional kinetic rifle but have difficulty affording the more expensive Mag-rifles. The C-14 uses a low-yield magnetic coil to help accelerate a chemically-fired needle-shaped round to hyper-sonic speed. Since it does not require the initial surge of power to fire the round like a regular mag-weapon, the energy cell used to power the weapon can last up to 5 times longer.
Though it is usable by an average human sized individual, this firearm in best utilized by operators using powered armour for both recoil compensation and external power supply.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The C-14 Impaler operates via a combination of an initial chemical propellant and a supplemental magnetic accelerator coil. Upon a pull of the trigger, the electronic firing pin ignites the cartridge's propellant sending the 8mm long projectile into the barrel of the weapon. At this point the magnetic coil (also activated by the trigger) accelerates the round to hypersonic speed, roughly 1900m/s or 5.54 the speed of sound. The remainder of the cartridge is ejected out of an ejection port in the upper receiver of the firearm (the side depends on how the grip is held, making the weapon ambidextrous), which is cycled by direct impingement using the gas generated from the propellant.

Because of the reduction of the cartridge size, due to the use of the mag coil to provide the majority of kinetic energy, a single magazine for a C-14 Impaler can contain hundreds of rounds. A digital ammunition counter located on the back of the firearm, just below the sights, keeps the user informed of the remaining capacity of each magazine. This is a useful feature as the prodigious firing rate of the weapon makes it nearly impossible to mentally keep track of rounds remaining.

In the unlikely event of a hostile closing to melee distance with a user of this firearm, an eight inch, spring-loaded bayonet can be deployed from under the barrel instantaneously for close quarters combat.

History

The C-14 Impaler was created to fill the niche of a cost effective option to give infantry personnel a way to combat powered armoured hostiles at range.

Item type

Weapon, Ranged

Manufacturer

The Synax Sigma Mercantile Combine (SSMC)

Rarity

Uncommon

Weight

10kg (22lbs)

Dimensions

0.91x0.25x0.11m (36x10x4.5 inches)

Base Price

400 Credits

Raw materials & Components

Made from similar materials such as polymers and lightweight alloys as other firearms of this technological level. Each C-14 Impaler comes standard with:

• Eight inch, spring-loaded, mono-edge bayonet blade, concealed under muzzle
• Triple digit digital ammunition display
• Ambidextrous ejection port
• Internal gyro-stabilizer and recoil dampening system for accurate firing

The ammunition of the C-14 Impaler is highly customizable, with the standard steel jacketed rounds exchangeable for:

• Polonium rounds - A low level radioactive round that can be used to inflict toxic effects on biological opponents.
• Shredder rounds -A round designed to break apart into smaller components upon impact with a solid surface creating a lethal storm of shrapnel that can shred unarmoured opponents into bloody mist.
• HEAP rounds - Short for High Explosive Armour Piercing, this round is used to add better anti-vehicle capabilities by having a tip that explodes on impact, blowing holes in armour and reducing the structural integrity of the target.
• U-238 rounds - A round with a core made of depleted uranium-238. The increased weight of the rounds adds additional momentum when they leave the muzzle, meaning that the round can travel farther before losing kinetic energy.