Rorttmann Sturmkarbininer-19by Bryn Monnery Based on the Sk-19 as published in 2300AD PP-HE rules by Peter Grining
Sk-19 rifle, without the Bildverstärker mit integriertem Entfernungsmesser Des Modells 19 fitted 'Now the standard service weapon of the German Army, the SK-19 is clearly a progressive development of the Traylor Arms M-2 Assault Rifle. The main improvements over the M-2 consist of the substitution of a reliable binary propellant system for fixed cartridges and the inclusion of an integral 30mm grenade launcher in the stock below the barrel. The binary propellant system includes a muzzle velocity governor keyed to the fire select switch, patterned after that on the French FAM-90. When on the burst setting, muzzle velocity is considerably reduced giving an extremely controllable automatic weapon. The resulting combination of a high rate of fire, ease of control, the shattering punch of the 9mm HE round, and the option of 30mm grenade fire makes the SK-19 the most devastating close-in assault weapon in service anywhere.' -extract from the Rorttmann Weapons Catalogue, 2297 edition The Sk-19 is a result of the switch from the rifle to the grenade launcher as the primary infantry weapon on the battlefield. The Sk-19 consists of 3 major subsystems. Firstly the weapon is based around of the body of a 9mm assault rifle. The rifle uses an energy enhanced binary liquid propellant system, and has 3 propellant components. The first is the fixed binary propellant in the cartridge itself, secondly the other half of the binary propellant is stored in a small canister inserted into the pistol grip of the weapon. The third component is the high density battery pack in the magazine. Sk-19 rifle magazines are not reloadable, and are discarded during combat. The magazines hold 50 rounds each and are inserted forward of the pistol grip, the rounds actually being stored vertically and turned 90 degrees in the receiver, a mechanism pioneered on the ancient German H&K G11 rifle of the twilight war. The propellant system is superior to a fixed cartridge for several reasons. Firstly, by using a binary propellant, no stabiliser is needed and the energy density of the propellant is more than twice that of a conventional caseless cartridge. Secondly, the energy enhancement (sometimes known as an electrothermal propellant) smoothes out the pressure spike in the barrel, resulting in higher acceleration, and thus more power over a shorter barrel length, indeed the barrel length is only 242mm. The explosive bullets do not explode in the sense of a shell, rather upon hitting flesh a small explosive charge fragments the round causing increased tissue damage and the retention of all the bullet matter in the target. The round is unfortunately poor at penetrating body armour. The second component is the Lenkgranatenwerfer 19, the model 19 Guided Grenade Launcher. This is a 30mm smart grenade system, firing the German type-19 grenade system, but also capable of firing the French Type-17 grenade, although the French cannot reciprocate as their software is not written to do this. The LGW-19 is a 219mm barrel, with a semi-automatic receiver feeding from 2 3 round box magazines, one either side of the weapon. This allows for selectable grenade fire. In addition, the breach can be manually opened via the slide, and rounds manually inserted, generally specialised rounds like smoke. While the grenades can be fused for impact detonation, it is only when the third major component of the weapons system is added that the GGW-19's full potential is realised. The Bildverstärker mit integriertem Entfernungsmesser Des Modells 19 (BVE-19) is an electronic sight/ passive rangefinder. It provides night vision and x3.5 magnification, and it's ballistic computer integrates into the standard German Infantry Soldier System (Infantery Gefechtssystem 2288). When it is integrated, it can provide IFF, cutting down on friendly fire on the battlefield. The sight picture is transmitted straight to the helmet, allowing for engagement round corners etc. With the rangefinder integrated, the grenades can be fused to detonate after a set distance, rather than on impact, creating an airburst effect over enemy infantry. To do this the distance must first be locked. When the grenade system is in "range" mode (the setting lever is below the forward grenade trigger) the weapon should be sighted on the target, it takes approximately 2 seconds to register the range, once on target, the locking button is depressed and the weapon is range locked as long as the locking button is depressed. Pulling the trigger will now fire a grenade fused to go off after a set distance. Normal battle procedure is to range lock the weapon, raise it and deliver 3 grenades as an airburst into the approximate area of the contact. A much more involved grenade, the Programmable Pre-Fragmented HE grenade is also available. The Fire Control module inputs the distance to target, the grenade explodes after a set number of turns (the round spins, counting the turns). The explosion pattern can be set to to 'N' (Normal), 'U' (Down), 'L' (Left), 'R' (Right), 'A' (Contact), 'P' (Penetrate) or even 'O' (Up). 'N' is used for situations like firing into a room via a window. The pattern covers the room evenly, but wastes energy. 'U' is used over trenches, foxholes or walls, etc. 'L' or 'R' is around corners of buildings and such. 'A' is explosion on contact, 'P' mode is treated as a tamped explosion (EP=2). 'O' has no known use as yet, but is available. The explosion point is usually set from the Range Finder, but can be manually adjusted via the soldier system. Rather than standard fragmentation, preformed armour piercing flechettes are used. Another grenade type under limited use is the target seeking grenade. This grenade has a small sensor array, a computer and fins to steer the grenade. The course alteration is small, and so it must be fired actually at a target, but provides a bonus to hit. The point blank range (or the "point and shoot" range) of the LGW-19 is 150 meters. Targets are engagable upto 500 meters via indirect fire. In IDF mode (again, selected via the battle computer), the rangefinder takes the range, and a targeting reticule is displayed in the sight output, allowing for the correct elevation. German Webbing contains 2 pouches for 2 LGW-19 magazines, one on the left and one on the right breast, and pouches on the left hand side of the belt with 6 9mm magazines. The right hand pouch (for hand grenades etc.) is often found containing loose 30mm of specialist types such as smoke or flechette. It is quite common to find additional pouches with 30mm, indeed, a recent photo of a Marine of the 3rd Battalion, DSM showed that his modified webbing carried 14 spare 30mm magazines, allowing him to engage the enemy with 48 HE grenades... |
