Domino
Warden of the Ice
Image Source: Army Mill, a good read on modern LVOSS
Intent: To quantify a system capable of creating smoke screens as requested here.
Development Thread: N/A
Manufacturer: Sun Forged industries/anyone
Model: LVOS Light Vehicle Obsuration System
Affiliation: Black Suns/anyone that makes them
Modularity: Ammo, charge strength
Production: Mass
Material: metal piping & base plate (usually steel), electrical ignition wires
Description: An incredibly simple launch system to the point where someone with a welder can make it in their garage, the LVOS (LVOSS IRL) simply holds a grenade in a tube above a cloth wadding separating it from a launching charge that when activated with an electrical charge explodes, thus launching the grenade like a miniature nineteenth century cannon. Range and dispersal typically rely on the strength of launching charge used, and the angle of the pipe once it's mounted. Basic systems like in the linked video are typically nonadjustable once mounted or loaded and are instead set to a pre-determined pattern, usually a series of arcs covering the front of the vehicle at 20 and 50 meters depending on the vehicle, ammunition, and desired results.
More advanced systems can have differing launch methods from a shell system like the 40mm grenade or a rail gun type system. Really the only limits are the creativity put into designing it and the end cost of the system. Some are even turret mounted to provide more flexibility in where each shot goes, but that's taking it out of the realm of a defensive weapon and might be better replaced with a repeating grenade launcher then.
Obscuration systems can also be mounted on bunkers and in trench lines (also demonstrated in the video) but should always be anchored into the ground or other solid surface when fired. Attempting to hold one while its fired can result in horrible accuracy at best and severe injury due to miss-fire or a fallen grenade at worse.
Common LVOS systems tend to be cheap and static-mounted simply to provide cover for a retreat or disembarking troops. Number of launch tubes vary from as few as 2 to as many as 8 or more per system mounted, limited only by exterior space and desired coverage, though too many mounted can provide easy hand and foot-holds for enemy infantry trying to mount the vehicle. Likewise the chosen grenade type is limited only by what's available, though common sense dictates smoke or tear gas for increased survivability in a hostile environment, fragmentation/incendiary/flash/hornet/sonic grenades are also usable.
Classification: Grenade launcher
Size: Stationary, vehicle mounted
Length: varies
Weight: varies
Ammunition Type: Grenade + launching charge & wadding
Ammunition Capacity: 1
Effective Range: Personal, Battlefield, equivalent to any grenade launcher or small mortar
Rate of Fire: Single action, reloaded by hand
Special Features: None really
