Zofia Marek
Master and Commander
Intent: To create an anti-tank, shoulder launch missile system both effective and unique to the Ganathan military
Development Thread: N/A
Manufacturer: Produced by various manufacturers on Ganath, specifications and parameters set by the RGTC, global standardization set by the Ganathan Crown.
Model: L1SLMS
Affiliation: Ganath, Ganathan military, RGTC
Modularity: Able to fire ammunition designed specifically for the L1SLMS
Production: Minor
Material: Alusteel, durasteel, plasteel, electronics, explosives, and other weapon construction materials.
Classification: Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher
Size: Handheld/Shoulder launched
Length: 1.4m
Weight: 8kg
Ammunition Type: Explosive Rocket/Missile
Ammunition Capacity: 1 Rocket/Missile
Effective Range: 5,000m
Rate of Fire: Single shot
Special Features:
- Can Synchronize with Drul Beacons
- Can program missile to track signal from Drul Beacons
- Effective against most armor thicknesses of most armored vehicles
- Effective against most fortifications
- Capable of being fired in confined spaces
- Destructive - Designed to penetrate thick armor and destroy fortified positions, the L1SLMS is highly effective against vehicles and defenses alike. The weapon fires an anti-tank warhead that, on impact, uses a powerful shaped charge to deliver heavy damage to the target, often disabling or destroying the target.
- Back Blast - The L1SLMS is fired in a somewhat unorthodox and low-tech manner. The primary form of propulsion from the missile tube is not the rocket's propellant fuel, but a powerful spring. This spring flings the missile forward a set distance before the missile's internal systems trigger the propellant fuel, shooting the missile towards the target. This allows the weapon to be fired even in confined spaces where normal shoulder launched missiles can cause injury or death to the firing crew.
- Agile Hunter - The L1SLMS is capable of synchronizing and tracking signals given off by Drul Beacons. This allows the weapon system to upload that signal to the warhead in a few moments and, once synched, fire the warhead. Once fired, the warhead can track the signal and home in, using basic fin controls to zero in on the signal. This means that so long as the flight path to the target is clear of obstructions, the L1SLMS can fire warheads from behind corners, never exposing the operator to harm.
- Keval Kick - While the spring fire system is crucial to firing the weapon safely from confined spaces, the L1SLMS has no recoil compensation systems to alleviate the heavy 'kick' from the weapon as the trigger is pulled and the spring released. Firing from anything but a stable position can often knock a soldier off balance, sometimes with disastrous results if the missile impacts something nearby before it can clear obstructions.
- Work the Crank - With each firing of the L1SLMS, the weapon not only requires a reload, but the spring firing system needs to be reset. The spring can be reset in three ways. First, the soldier can holds the weapon with his hands and use a foot to shove the cocking mechanism down towards the back of the weapon where it's braced against the ground (this method is least popular as the barrel is usually pointed at or near the soldier's face). Second, the soldier can use the built in electrical motor to electrically reset the spring. Lastly, should the electric motor fail, the weapon features an integrated hand crank that allows the soldier to cock the weapon with mechanical assistance.
- Agile Doesn't Mean Smart - While the projectile can home in on the target, the missile itself doesn't have a dedicated flight computer. Because of this, the missile always takes the shortest route to the target regardless of obstructions. This means that should the flight path possess obstructions and/or debris, the missile may fail to reach the target and explode harmlessly well before the intended target.
Modern warfare relies on a wide array of weaponry, most of it carried by individual soldiers on the battlefield. In the realm of anti-tank weaponry, the Ganathan military has produced their first dedicated missile launcher designed to fulfill this role on the field.
The Land service 1 - Shoulder Launched Missile System is the newest addition issued to Ganathan troops. The L1SLMS is designed to function as the Ganathan Soldier's go-to for anti-tank and anti-fortification weapons. To this end, the weapon is designed to penetrate most vehicle armor and to destroy most fortified locations, making it effective at both roles. In addition, while it can be 'dumb fired' at a target, the weapon is designed to synchronize with and home in on the signals given off by Ganathan Drul beacons. To complete this task, the rockets are equipped with flight control fins and stabilizers that allow it to follow and track the signal it's synched with. This allows the weapon to be fired from relative safety such as around corners or from behind cover at a target locked signal. Lastly, the weapon can be fired from within confined areas safely due to the initial firing mechanism. This mechanism, a high powered spring, launches the projectile forward and away from the weapon operator before the weapon triggers its onboard fuel systems and accelerates itself towards the target. This removes the dangerous back blast dangers common with most shoulder launched missile systems and preserves the safety of the weapon operator.
The system is not without its faults, however. Primarily, the weapon trades the reduction of back blast for a massive recoil of the weapon. The spring's firing jolts the user with the recoil as there are no recoil compensation systems built into the weapon. This means that firing from anything but a stable firing position can often unbalance the weapon operator and can possibly cause the missile to impact on a nearby obstruction as the aim is thrown off by the recoil. Second, the weapon's spring system requires reset before the weapon can fire again. This is achieved in one of three ways. The first, and least favorite, method is to hold the weapon in both hands, brace the butt of the weapon on the floor, and use one or both feet to manually force the cocking lever down and reset the spring. This is unpopular primarily as the weapon's muzzle is pointed at or near the soldier's face. The primary method is to use the integral electrical motor to reset the spring, something that takes only a few moments to do. Lastly, should the motor fail or burn out for some reason, the operator can use the manual hand crank to cock the weapon with mechanical assistance. Once recocked, the weapon can be reloaded and fired once more. The final issue with the weapon is that the missiles do not have a flight computer outside of a basic navigation function to home in on the target signal. This means that the flight path must be clear to prevent premature detonation of the projectile as the missile will always take the shortest path to the target signal even if that means something gets in the way.
