Kaukolastan
14-10-2005, 05:37
OOC One: Anyone can bid on this weapon contract, if they meet ALL the requirements listed. Here's what's going on...
OOC Two: I started using the XM8 weapon system way back in 2003, when it was still in mid-prototype phase, just spun out of the OICW Program. My regional alliance, the Directorate, adopted it shortly after, agreeing that it's benefits were large, and it would serve as a perfect weapon for the Directorate Defense Forces. As the years have passed, many more people on NS have come to learn on the XM8, and it has become a standard weapon for many nations. This comes with a downside, however. The original XM8, simply called “M8”, used by the Alliance, is not the version used by most of NS.
The prototype I extrapolated my gun from was supposed to be caliber-convertable, and included several different features than currently used. This has led to the unfortunate situation where the Alliance possesses a “domestic” weapon that is unnaturally similar to foreign weapons, leading it to be less-than-original. Also, when a Directorate member says “M8”, they mean different than the rest of the world, but due to shared nomenclature, this could cause confusion. Therefore, it has become imperative for the region to move on to a new, original design for an assault weapon. Although the XM8 is a very cool gun, for the reasons outlined above, it must be replaced.
IC:
After two decades of honorable and worthy service, the time has come to replace the venerable but aging M8 weapon system in the Directorate Defense Forces, and of all Allied Nations thereof. In order to replace the M8, the DDF has commissioned the Universal Assault Rifle (UAR) Project. By 2030, all M8 Weapons Systems will be replaced by UAR Systems, resulting in more than a billion weapons rotated. This project will be opened to any worthy bidder who can submit a weapon system to meet the requirements to follow. The weapons will be fully tested in an open competition, and the best option will be chosen for the contract. This will be the most massive defense contract in history, and will decide the primary weapon of the DDF for decades to come.
The UAR must be multirole, adaptible, flexible, rugged, capable of functioning in the full host of terrains the DDF can expect combat. It should be easy to handle and repairm and it should fill into a combined arms role. The rifle should meet the following requirements:
Cartridge
The cartridge must be non-developemental. That is, it must currently exist and be fully tested before the competition.
The cartridge should be accurate to 600 meters. (Note: This does not mean that all versions of the UAR must be this accurate, only tha the round fired must be capable of this accuracy.)
The round must penetrate CRISAT/PAGST at 400 meters ninety-percent of the time.
The round must be small enough that a soldier carrying the UAR could carry enough ammunition to engage in prolonged combat without resupply. This ammunition cannot exceed a weight of 9kg.
The UAR should demonstrate a 100% combined lethality improvement over current M8 system.
The UAR should be rugged and robust, capable of handling all situations in combat and performing as expected.
The weapon should fire 100,000 rounds continuously without failure.
The weapon should then, after a refit, fire 50,000 more rounds consecutively without failure.
The weapon should function in the variety of environments the DDF operates in.
The weapon should be submerged in sand for 60 days, after which it will fire 10,000 rounds consecutively without failure.
The weapon will be submerged in 30 meters of water for 60 days, after which it will fire 10,000 rounds consecutively without failure.
The weapon will be left in -20 Celsius for 60 days, after which it will fire 10,000 rounds consecutively without failure.
The weapon must be able to survive the rigors of combat.
The weapon will be dropped from a height of 10 meters onto concrete, after which it will fire 10,000 rounds consecutively without failure.
The weapon will be run over by a Light Transport Vehicle, after which it will fire 10,000 rounds consecutively without failure.
The weapon will be deliberately misfed, and loaded with poor quality ammunition, and it will still fire 10,000 rounds.
The Universal Aimpoint (UAP) is the centerpiece of the UAR. This integrated optic will allow each soldier to carry out a wider capacity in combat, and will form the bulk of the increased lethality in combat.
The UAP will function as a tactical scope, placing a red dot on the target. It will have a 1x - 4x variable zoom. It should be capable of this same zoom in an integrated nightvision and thermal imaging mode.
The UAP will possess a laser designator/rangefinder, that will be used to calibrate optics for targets, and also to allow soldiers to designate targets for artillery/airstrikes, should the unit have access to this function. (The function should be “lockable”, so untrained units could not accidentally call a bad fire mission.)
The UAP will autocalibrate for targetting, placing the red dot where the round should land. It should do this at any magnification, and compensate for range. Windage and elevation will only be autocalibrated with the addition of the Telephoto Insert, discussed in the DMR section.
The UAP should also autocalibrate for the grenade launcher, predicting the grenade's arc and landing location and displaying this data for the operator, should he choose to view said data.
The UAP should come compliant to be “plugged in” to automated battlefield systems such as BattleNet, for even faster combined arms responses. This would include mission display, the ability to call up satellite provided maps, and other high-end features for a Third Wave information battlefield.
The UAP should run from an internal and compact battery that provides a three year operational service life. This battery should be easily and quickly replacable in the field.
The UAP, should it lose power, should not interfere with the weapon's function. Traditional iron sights should be standard on every weapon.
The UAP must pass every ruggedness test applied to the entire UAR system.
The UAP must be integrated into cost and training with the UAR system.
The UAP must be secure from exterior access, so as to prevent OpFor interference in DDF combat operations through electronic interference, active or passive.
The UAP should have both upgradable firmware and software, to extend its service life.
The UAR will fill many roles inside of the DDF, being a one-piece system capable of becoming a Light Support Weapon, a Designated Marksman's Rifle, an Assault Rifle with Grenade Launcher, and a Super Compact Carbine.
The Light Support Weapon (LSW)
The capacity of the weapon should be 100 rds, in a drum or box, without encumbering the operator.
The LSW should fire 100rds continuously before barrel overheat becomes possible.
The barrel should be quickly replacable, able to be changed out be a trained operator in under a minute, using only battlefield tools, and without having to break cover.
The LSW should be accurate to 400 meters.
The LSW, when deployed, should be capable of firing controlled automatic fire.
The LSW should be under 6kg, unloaded.
The Designated Marksman's Rifle (DMR)
The DMR should attain, with match ammunition, 1 Minute of Angle Accuracy (One inch deviance for every hundred meters.).
The DMR should be accurate to 600 meters, the cartridge limit mentioned above.
The DMR should accept a telephoto “insert” for the Universal Aimpoint (UAP).
This insert will function as a scope for the DMR.
It will, when inserted, retain the zero of the UAP. Also, it should auto-compensate for windage, elevation, range, just as the UAP does.
It will possess a 4x – 8x variable power magnification.
It will not interfere with the UAP functions (Nightvision, Laser Designator, Integrated Display), and will work with these functions at extended range.
If power is needed, the insert will operate from the internal UAP battery, and will not increase power drain by more than 10%.
The insert should function without power as a traditional scope, with manual means to change windage, elevation, and range.
The insert will not exhibit “lens flare”.
The ammunition feed on the DMR will not interfere with prone or side-prone firing.
The DMR will be under 4kg, unloaded.
The Assault Rifle (AR) with Grenade Launcher (GL)
The AR will be accurate to 400 meters.
The AR will be controllable on fully automatic firing.
The AR will place decimeter-diameter burst patterns at 100 meters.
The AR will hold sufficient ammunition for prolonged combat.
The GL will retain the zero of the UAP. That is, it will not need to be re-sighted every time it is attatched, and it will automatically interface with the UAP, so that the UAP can predict grenade landing.
The GL will be able to take instructions from the UAP, so that grenades can be set to airburst at a range predetermined by the UAP's laser rangefinder.
The GL will be a single shot 40mm system, which can take a variety of loads, including, but not limitted to, Fragmentation, Incindiary, Concussion, Flare, and Tear Gas.
The GL will be accurate to 60 meters with the UAP's trajectory prediction.
The combined AR/GL will weigh under 5kg, unloaded.
The Super Combact Carbine (SCC)
The SCC will be under 600mm in total length.
The SCC will be accurate to 100 meters.
The SCC will be controllable under burst firing, and will be reasonably controllable under fully automatic firing.
The SCC will be streamlined, so as to make it easily tranported inside of garments, and possess minimum “travel to target” time.
The SCC will be under 3kg, unloaded.
The UAR will be modular and adaptible, capable of rapid mission transformation, and easy to maintain.
The UAR must be capable of “on the fly” reconfiguration into any of the modes mentioned above, from any other. It should fully convert in under two minutes, with only battlefield tools available, and without expert assistance.
The UAR should be capable of functioning even when removed from supply lines. Therefore, operators should have the ability to convert the UAR to fire enemy cartridges. This should be done by allowing rapid barrel change (already recommended for LSW and DMR variants, for heavier barrels), and a quick expansion of the action. This would require the operators to have the correct barrels on hand, meaning that they would have to expect this possibility beforehand. Calibers the UAR should be capable of accepting, with proper barrels, would be the common 5.56 NATO, 5.45 Russian, 6.8 SPC, 7.62x33 R, 7.62x51 NATO, and 7.62x54 R. If the barrel and action was available for the chosen caliber, the UAR should be convertible to that caliber within five minutes, using only battlefield tools and without expert assistance.
The UAR should contain universal parts, so that pieces of one UAR, in any model, could be used on any other UAR.
The UAR should have Picatinny mounting rails for various attatchments.
The UAR should be easy to use and maintain.
The UAR should require no more than 120% of the time required to train a soldier on the current M8 weapon system.
The UAP should be streamlined and intuitive, so that it could be functional even with a rushed trained operator.
The UAR should be ambidexterous in all firing modes.
The UAR should be comfortable to fire, and should not give too much recoil and flash, so as not to give new operators unnecessary flinch reactions.
The UAR, do to its modular construction, should be able to be field stripped, cleaned, and reassembled by a trained operator in under five minutes, using only battlefield tools. Likewise, the UAR should not fail due to lack of precise mainenance.
The UAR, with the UAP, should cost no more than 120% of the M8 system per unit. (The M8, with all modes, came to approximately $900 per unit.)
The UAR should cost less over it's expected twenty year service lifetime than maintaining the current M8 would cost.
The UAR must be domestically produced. If a foreign company of government wins the contract, they must do all production inside of the Directorate. The winner will be paid in full, but rights of the winning entry will become property of the DDF, do to security concerns. All future variants and modifications are also sole property of the Directorate.
OOC Two: I started using the XM8 weapon system way back in 2003, when it was still in mid-prototype phase, just spun out of the OICW Program. My regional alliance, the Directorate, adopted it shortly after, agreeing that it's benefits were large, and it would serve as a perfect weapon for the Directorate Defense Forces. As the years have passed, many more people on NS have come to learn on the XM8, and it has become a standard weapon for many nations. This comes with a downside, however. The original XM8, simply called “M8”, used by the Alliance, is not the version used by most of NS.
The prototype I extrapolated my gun from was supposed to be caliber-convertable, and included several different features than currently used. This has led to the unfortunate situation where the Alliance possesses a “domestic” weapon that is unnaturally similar to foreign weapons, leading it to be less-than-original. Also, when a Directorate member says “M8”, they mean different than the rest of the world, but due to shared nomenclature, this could cause confusion. Therefore, it has become imperative for the region to move on to a new, original design for an assault weapon. Although the XM8 is a very cool gun, for the reasons outlined above, it must be replaced.
IC:
After two decades of honorable and worthy service, the time has come to replace the venerable but aging M8 weapon system in the Directorate Defense Forces, and of all Allied Nations thereof. In order to replace the M8, the DDF has commissioned the Universal Assault Rifle (UAR) Project. By 2030, all M8 Weapons Systems will be replaced by UAR Systems, resulting in more than a billion weapons rotated. This project will be opened to any worthy bidder who can submit a weapon system to meet the requirements to follow. The weapons will be fully tested in an open competition, and the best option will be chosen for the contract. This will be the most massive defense contract in history, and will decide the primary weapon of the DDF for decades to come.
The UAR must be multirole, adaptible, flexible, rugged, capable of functioning in the full host of terrains the DDF can expect combat. It should be easy to handle and repairm and it should fill into a combined arms role. The rifle should meet the following requirements:
Cartridge
The cartridge must be non-developemental. That is, it must currently exist and be fully tested before the competition.
The cartridge should be accurate to 600 meters. (Note: This does not mean that all versions of the UAR must be this accurate, only tha the round fired must be capable of this accuracy.)
The round must penetrate CRISAT/PAGST at 400 meters ninety-percent of the time.
The round must be small enough that a soldier carrying the UAR could carry enough ammunition to engage in prolonged combat without resupply. This ammunition cannot exceed a weight of 9kg.
The UAR should demonstrate a 100% combined lethality improvement over current M8 system.
The UAR should be rugged and robust, capable of handling all situations in combat and performing as expected.
The weapon should fire 100,000 rounds continuously without failure.
The weapon should then, after a refit, fire 50,000 more rounds consecutively without failure.
The weapon should function in the variety of environments the DDF operates in.
The weapon should be submerged in sand for 60 days, after which it will fire 10,000 rounds consecutively without failure.
The weapon will be submerged in 30 meters of water for 60 days, after which it will fire 10,000 rounds consecutively without failure.
The weapon will be left in -20 Celsius for 60 days, after which it will fire 10,000 rounds consecutively without failure.
The weapon must be able to survive the rigors of combat.
The weapon will be dropped from a height of 10 meters onto concrete, after which it will fire 10,000 rounds consecutively without failure.
The weapon will be run over by a Light Transport Vehicle, after which it will fire 10,000 rounds consecutively without failure.
The weapon will be deliberately misfed, and loaded with poor quality ammunition, and it will still fire 10,000 rounds.
The Universal Aimpoint (UAP) is the centerpiece of the UAR. This integrated optic will allow each soldier to carry out a wider capacity in combat, and will form the bulk of the increased lethality in combat.
The UAP will function as a tactical scope, placing a red dot on the target. It will have a 1x - 4x variable zoom. It should be capable of this same zoom in an integrated nightvision and thermal imaging mode.
The UAP will possess a laser designator/rangefinder, that will be used to calibrate optics for targets, and also to allow soldiers to designate targets for artillery/airstrikes, should the unit have access to this function. (The function should be “lockable”, so untrained units could not accidentally call a bad fire mission.)
The UAP will autocalibrate for targetting, placing the red dot where the round should land. It should do this at any magnification, and compensate for range. Windage and elevation will only be autocalibrated with the addition of the Telephoto Insert, discussed in the DMR section.
The UAP should also autocalibrate for the grenade launcher, predicting the grenade's arc and landing location and displaying this data for the operator, should he choose to view said data.
The UAP should come compliant to be “plugged in” to automated battlefield systems such as BattleNet, for even faster combined arms responses. This would include mission display, the ability to call up satellite provided maps, and other high-end features for a Third Wave information battlefield.
The UAP should run from an internal and compact battery that provides a three year operational service life. This battery should be easily and quickly replacable in the field.
The UAP, should it lose power, should not interfere with the weapon's function. Traditional iron sights should be standard on every weapon.
The UAP must pass every ruggedness test applied to the entire UAR system.
The UAP must be integrated into cost and training with the UAR system.
The UAP must be secure from exterior access, so as to prevent OpFor interference in DDF combat operations through electronic interference, active or passive.
The UAP should have both upgradable firmware and software, to extend its service life.
The UAR will fill many roles inside of the DDF, being a one-piece system capable of becoming a Light Support Weapon, a Designated Marksman's Rifle, an Assault Rifle with Grenade Launcher, and a Super Compact Carbine.
The Light Support Weapon (LSW)
The capacity of the weapon should be 100 rds, in a drum or box, without encumbering the operator.
The LSW should fire 100rds continuously before barrel overheat becomes possible.
The barrel should be quickly replacable, able to be changed out be a trained operator in under a minute, using only battlefield tools, and without having to break cover.
The LSW should be accurate to 400 meters.
The LSW, when deployed, should be capable of firing controlled automatic fire.
The LSW should be under 6kg, unloaded.
The Designated Marksman's Rifle (DMR)
The DMR should attain, with match ammunition, 1 Minute of Angle Accuracy (One inch deviance for every hundred meters.).
The DMR should be accurate to 600 meters, the cartridge limit mentioned above.
The DMR should accept a telephoto “insert” for the Universal Aimpoint (UAP).
This insert will function as a scope for the DMR.
It will, when inserted, retain the zero of the UAP. Also, it should auto-compensate for windage, elevation, range, just as the UAP does.
It will possess a 4x – 8x variable power magnification.
It will not interfere with the UAP functions (Nightvision, Laser Designator, Integrated Display), and will work with these functions at extended range.
If power is needed, the insert will operate from the internal UAP battery, and will not increase power drain by more than 10%.
The insert should function without power as a traditional scope, with manual means to change windage, elevation, and range.
The insert will not exhibit “lens flare”.
The ammunition feed on the DMR will not interfere with prone or side-prone firing.
The DMR will be under 4kg, unloaded.
The Assault Rifle (AR) with Grenade Launcher (GL)
The AR will be accurate to 400 meters.
The AR will be controllable on fully automatic firing.
The AR will place decimeter-diameter burst patterns at 100 meters.
The AR will hold sufficient ammunition for prolonged combat.
The GL will retain the zero of the UAP. That is, it will not need to be re-sighted every time it is attatched, and it will automatically interface with the UAP, so that the UAP can predict grenade landing.
The GL will be able to take instructions from the UAP, so that grenades can be set to airburst at a range predetermined by the UAP's laser rangefinder.
The GL will be a single shot 40mm system, which can take a variety of loads, including, but not limitted to, Fragmentation, Incindiary, Concussion, Flare, and Tear Gas.
The GL will be accurate to 60 meters with the UAP's trajectory prediction.
The combined AR/GL will weigh under 5kg, unloaded.
The Super Combact Carbine (SCC)
The SCC will be under 600mm in total length.
The SCC will be accurate to 100 meters.
The SCC will be controllable under burst firing, and will be reasonably controllable under fully automatic firing.
The SCC will be streamlined, so as to make it easily tranported inside of garments, and possess minimum “travel to target” time.
The SCC will be under 3kg, unloaded.
The UAR will be modular and adaptible, capable of rapid mission transformation, and easy to maintain.
The UAR must be capable of “on the fly” reconfiguration into any of the modes mentioned above, from any other. It should fully convert in under two minutes, with only battlefield tools available, and without expert assistance.
The UAR should be capable of functioning even when removed from supply lines. Therefore, operators should have the ability to convert the UAR to fire enemy cartridges. This should be done by allowing rapid barrel change (already recommended for LSW and DMR variants, for heavier barrels), and a quick expansion of the action. This would require the operators to have the correct barrels on hand, meaning that they would have to expect this possibility beforehand. Calibers the UAR should be capable of accepting, with proper barrels, would be the common 5.56 NATO, 5.45 Russian, 6.8 SPC, 7.62x33 R, 7.62x51 NATO, and 7.62x54 R. If the barrel and action was available for the chosen caliber, the UAR should be convertible to that caliber within five minutes, using only battlefield tools and without expert assistance.
The UAR should contain universal parts, so that pieces of one UAR, in any model, could be used on any other UAR.
The UAR should have Picatinny mounting rails for various attatchments.
The UAR should be easy to use and maintain.
The UAR should require no more than 120% of the time required to train a soldier on the current M8 weapon system.
The UAP should be streamlined and intuitive, so that it could be functional even with a rushed trained operator.
The UAR should be ambidexterous in all firing modes.
The UAR should be comfortable to fire, and should not give too much recoil and flash, so as not to give new operators unnecessary flinch reactions.
The UAR, do to its modular construction, should be able to be field stripped, cleaned, and reassembled by a trained operator in under five minutes, using only battlefield tools. Likewise, the UAR should not fail due to lack of precise mainenance.
The UAR, with the UAP, should cost no more than 120% of the M8 system per unit. (The M8, with all modes, came to approximately $900 per unit.)
The UAR should cost less over it's expected twenty year service lifetime than maintaining the current M8 would cost.
The UAR must be domestically produced. If a foreign company of government wins the contract, they must do all production inside of the Directorate. The winner will be paid in full, but rights of the winning entry will become property of the DDF, do to security concerns. All future variants and modifications are also sole property of the Directorate.