Alric Kuhn
Handsome K'lor'slug
Intent: To Create a weapon that allows for smaller vessels to take on bigger vessels as well as armored vehicles.
Development Thread: If Requested
Manufacturer: Vanir Technologies
Model: VT-Particle Gatling
Affiliation: Open-Market
Modularity: Yes
Production: Mass-Produced
Material: Fiberplast, Durasteel, Dallorian Alloy
Classification: Particle Beam Cannon
Size: Ship-Mounted
Length: 1.86m
Weight: 112kg
Ammunition Type: Direct Draw From Generators
Ammunition Capacity: Technically Infinite
Effective Range: 1000m
Rate of Fire: 1,200 Shots Per Minute, 10 Second Bursts, 10 Second Cooldown
Special Features:
Adaptive Case Fittings
Rotary Barrels
Built In Protective Mechanisms
Description:
The VT-Particle Gatling is the next logical step in technology when it comes to particle rifles.
The natural issue that comes with most particle beam rifles, like the Vanir Technologies produced SI-74 is the fact that the weapon takes a very heavy charge to fire, rendering it a single shot weapon that requires cool down. The other issue, as if found with many other blaster weapons is the fact that the barrel of the gun quickly heats and bends under intense use. Of course, the technology to get around such things has long been around, and the adaption of a weapon into a Rotary Cannon is not a new technology.
It is new, however, when introduced to a Particle Beam Cannon.
The Particle Gatling, as its name would imply is simply the adaption of a simple Particle Beam weapon into Rotary Cannon Form. The weapon itself is rather simple. The components were directly drawn and adapted from the production lines of the SI-74, these materials being diverted and then transformed into what the Particle Gatling would eventually become. The weapon went through several R&D steps, including the creation of variations that utilized a belt feed powerpack system.
Ultimately, these versions were found unsatisfactory due to weight, cost, and other concerns. The weapon version that was eventually settled upon was the MK VII Particle Gatling. The MK VII as it's name would imply was a late variant of the Particle Gatling and was a reduced direct power consumption model. This meant that the weapon drew power directly from the Generator of the ship it was directly attached to. It also meant that the Particle Beams fired from the Particle Gatling were slightly less powerful than those fired from the SI-74.
The beams from the MK VII do less damage and strip less armor overall. However this was seen as an effective trade off due to the weapons rate of fire. Since Particle Beams work through explosive contact it was found that even though the MK VII packed less of a punch it was still more than capable of taking out lightly, medium, and through continued fire, heavily armored targets.
For most Rotary weapons, including some, Laser and Master Turrets this is not an issue. The barrels are simply fitted, the weapon is introduced into the feed system, and all goes well. When Vanir Technologies attempted to do this with the Particle Gatling it found that traditional methods were not supportive of the weapons heavy power draw.
This meant that it was impossible for the Particle Gatling to be an after-market product.
Ships, turrets, speeders, and anything using the Particle Gatling had to be specifically designed to work with and for the weapon system. It is entirely cost prohibitive and difficult to attach the Particle Gatling onto a ship or other device that was not specifically created to house and operate it. Thought this posed some difficulties, it was ultimately ruled to be acceptable due to Vanir Technologies move into more extensive weapons technology.
Of course, because of the weapons massive power draws there are also other failings that could be presented, though this depends on the ship that the weapon is built around. These failings could include, but are not limited to, shield drop, speed inconsistencies, Significantly decreased maneuverability, and other flaws one might find when a good deal of a power generators out pout is consumed.
It should also be noted that the weapons system is limited to ten seconds bursts. This is due to barrel heat as well as mechanical systems in the weapon, and power draw usage.
Primary Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M61_Vulcan
http://starwarsrp.net/topic/62515-si-74-anti-tank-rifle/
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Particle_beam
