The Golden Rule
Image Source: http://aqizithiuda.deviantart.com/art/5-8x50mm-Caseless-Flechette-Cartridge-432538215
Intent: To create a more effective round for projectile based weapons.
Development Thread: N/A
Manufacturer: Kiribian Systems Armory
Model: Vibro Flechette
Affiliation: Kiribian Systems Union and allies.
Modularity: No
Production: Mass Produced
Material: Graphene, Ceramics, Ablative Coating, Duraplast (for an optional armature, shell, or sabot configuration), Propellent (for caseless rounds).
Description:
To address increasingly tough armor systems, KSA developed a new round with superior performance in armor/shield penetration and hydrostatic shock in comparison to basic pellets and slugs. Taking inspiration from the Force Pike, KSA designed an advanced fin-stabilized flechette with similar mechanics.
The components of the flechette consist of a graphene-battery core, a carbon ceramic penetrator shell, and a simple piezoelectric accelerometer module based in the fin section. When the flechette is accelerated to a sufficient velocity, the accelerometer will trigger the battery to discharge. The currents of electricity that flow through the carbon ceramic layer to cause it to vibrate at the high frequencies necessary to destabilize the molecular bonds of a target at the point of impact for increased penetration capability.
Against biological targets, the deadly vibrations of the flechette also serve to exacerbate wounds and deadly hydrostatic shock through flesh that can cause organ rupture. Targets are also literally shocked as the carbon ceramic shell acts as a conduit for the discharging battery. This property makes the round moderately effective against synthetic targets in lieu of ion weapons.
The carbon ceramic shell has a high melting point, giving the flechette a good chance at penetrating energy-based shields. To aid in penetration, the entire flechette is coated in a thin gel ablative layer meant to absorb energy and vaporize, dissipating heat away from the flechette in the process.
The simple construction of the flechette make it scalable to multiple calibers, but the smallest effective caliber is 3mm.
The flechette to be fired from coil guns or mass drivers for the best performance, but accommodations were made for flechette to be able to be fired from chemical guns ("slughthrowers") and rail guns. For chemical guns, a caseless round and sabot was developed. As for rail guns, there are duraplast armatures available. Several flechettes can be packed together in a shell for shotguns, launchers, and artillery.
Primary Source:
Star Wars Wiki
"Flechette." Wookieepedia. Accessed April 03, 2016. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Flechette.
"Ceramic." Wookieepedia. Accessed April 03, 2016. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Ceramic.
"Force Pike/Legends." Wookieepedia. Accessed April 03, 2016. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Force_pike/Legends.
"Slugthrower/Legends." Wookieepedia. Accessed April 03, 2016. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Slugthrower/Legends.
"Verpine Shatter Gun." Wookieepedia. Accessed April 03, 2016. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Verpine_shatter_gun.
"Rail Gun." Wookieepedia. Accessed April 03, 2016. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Rail_gun.
"Mass-driver Cannon." Wookieepedia. Accessed April 03, 2016. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Mass-driver_cannon.
