Legion Anti-Armor/Fortification Launcher Mk I

[Noah Corek]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To create a more streamlined and portable VML-01 for the GFL
• Image Source: Here
• Canon Link: N/A
• Permissions: N/A
• Primary Source: VML-01

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: Hekler'Kok Defense Industries
• Affiliation: Galactic Foreign Legion
• Market Status: Closed-Market
• Model: Legion Anti-Armor/Fortification Launcher Mk I (LAA/FL Mk I)
• Modularity: Various Ammo Types
• Production: Minor
• Material: Titanium-Alusteel Alloy (Breech, Body and Internal Mechanisms), Plastoid (Grip, Foregrip and Carrying Handle), Chromium (Barrel Lining), and CeramiCoat (Plating)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Recoilless Rifle
• Size: Very Large
• Weight: Very Heavy
• Ammunition Type: 105mm Recoilless Rifle Shells
• Ammunition Capacity: Extremely Small, 1 Shell
• Effective Range: Extreme
• Rate of Fire: Very Low
• Damage Output: Extreme
• Recoil: None

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Ambidextrous Safety
• Ambidextrous Breech Release
• Upgraded Targeting Scope
• Backup Adjustable Iron Sights
• Padded Shoulder Rest
• Carrying Handle
• Folding Foregrip
• Textured Grips

STRENGTHS

• Portable Cannon: While a recoilless rifle is not actually a cannon it has many similar attributes to it, this being the fact that is has both an extreme amount of damage it can put out and the distance at which it can hit targets
• Varied Ammunition: The LAA/FL Mk I was designed from the outset to be able to use the wide and varied amount of ammunition produced by Hekler'Kok in their Large Caliber line

WEAKNESSES

• Large and Cumbersome: As you would expect with something that is for all intents and purposes a portable, shoulder fired cannon the LAA/FL Mk I is a rather large and heavy weapon that is also awkward to handle
• Unguided: Unlike a missile or rocket launcher that would fill a similar niche the LAA/FL Mk I is an unguided launcher and rely's on line of sight and user competence when it comes to hitting the target
• Backblast Area: Just like a rocket or missile launcher the LAA/FL Mk I has a rather fiery backblast when fired that can be hazardous to one's health

DESCRIPTION
With the main machinegun of the Legion's weapon squad replaced the Legion's armorers began work on replacing the squads other main weapon, the VML-01 recoilless rifle. As with the other weapons they developed the began first by interviewing the Legionnaires to get their opinion on the current weapon.

One of the first complaints was how awkward the weapon was to handle as it was very front heavy and there was only one grip to hold onto and transport. Another complaint that popped up was that some of the features were very rarely used and as such added more weight that needed to the weapon. Finally the last big complaint was that the targeting scope integrated into the weapon was rather lackluster in general.

With the complaints in mind the armorers began working on a prototype that would better suit and satisfy the Legionnaires. The first thing they did was redesign the firing mechanism and such so it was shifted to be more central to negate the front heavy complaints. Next the removed the lesser used features of the weapon such as the integrated monopod and the bipod/tripod/pintle mounting system. Lastly they replaced the targeting scope with a more advanced model that would better help with aiming.

Once this step in the process was done they began work on deciding what type of ammunition that the weapon would use, deciding that the 90mm cartridge used by the original VML-01 was satisfying enough they instead chambered the new weapon in the larger 105mm cartridge, this also gives the new weapon access to the Large Caliber Ammunition Line from Hekler'Kok.

Next came the choosing of materials for the weapon. Most of the materials stayed the same with the main components of the weapon being made of Hekler'Kok's trademark Titanium-Alusteel alloy for its durability and lower weight. All the furniture was replaced with Plastoid to save on weight yet not sacrifice durability. The barrel was plated in Chromium to reduced wear and tear and lastly the entire weapon was coating with CeramiCoat to reduce external damage.

The next step in the process was to choose the features they would include in the weapon. The first was of course completely ambidextrous controls, which includes a safety and breech release. A computerized interface scope replaced the original scope as it was more effective and better helped the user. A pair of back-up adjustable iron sights helps aiming if the scope ever goes down. A padded shoulder rest makes the weapon more comfortable when its shouldered and fired. A carrying handle makes for easier carrying and transport by the user. A folding foregrip makes for better aiming stability from the shoulder and last both grips are textured to provide more secure holds.

Just like always before releasing the weapon for the entire Legion the armorers produced a small test batch and distributed them to a small amount of units as a field trial to see if there were any issues that needed to be ironed out. When the test period ended the armorers found that the units loved the new weapon as it was much less awkward to fire from the shoulder, better accuracy with its new scope and was much more streamlined. With this stamp of approval the weapon was put into full production and rolled out to the entire Legion.