Recent deployments of Durassian stabilization forces have demonstrated a deficiency in the current small arms systems of our soldiers. Various problems have been encountered due to weapon age and wear factors. Additionally, changes in the tactical situations faced have created additional issues which must be addressed.
To this end, the Durassian Weapons Directorate is issuing an open Request for Proposal for a replacement infantry small arms system or systems within the region. The tender is to include technical data and testing samples sufficient for live and technical tests. Further testing for promising systems will include brigade deployment at the National advanced Combat Training Facility and possibly low strength deployments. Final selection will be made from a Request for Tender short list and will include initial purchases and production rights for national production by DWD approved corporates. The small arms chosen should meet or exceed current capabilities and specifications including operational ergonomics and logistical footprint.
RFPs should be transmitted to DWD Small Arms Review Sub-Directorate.


Current Weaponry consists of:
C7/C8 Rifle Series with M203 under barrel grenade launcher
FN2000 Rifle - experimental distribution only
Barrett Model 98 Sniper Rifle
FN Minimi Light Machinegun
FN MAG General Purpose Machinegun
Browning M2HB Heavy Machinegun

Infantry Small Arms System(s) requirements:
Primary weapon for infantry
Same or derivative weapon for support and armoured personnel
Section direct support weapon (squad automatic/light machinegun) Section direct/indirect support weapon or weapon accessory (rifle mounted or separate grenade launcher)
Platoon and/or company direct support weapon (General Purpose Machinegun)
Heavy direct support weapon (heavy machinegun)


(OOC: Modern/Post-modern Tech only, any weapon that could be designed with existing technology is OK. OICS type weapons will have same problems as current ones.)

MilTek Arms would like to propose it's R5 Rifle Series in 6.5x42mm BT as a candidate for several of the weapons requested by the DWD.

The 6.5x42mm BT round was developed by Militair Patroonbedrijf to improve upon the internationally standard 5.56x45mm rounds currently used in Boreal Tundra. It was developed concurrently with the 6.8x43mm SPC and 6.5x35mm Grendel rounds and combines many of thier best features. The cartridge uses the same range of bullets available to the 6.5mm Grendel with a similar powder capacity and provides almost identical external and terminal ballistics. It also has a longer case, like the 6.8mm SPC allowing better feed properties than the Grendel in belt fed weapons. In comparison to 5.56x45mm M262 rounds, the 6.5x42mm BT results in slighty higher weapon system weight and felt recoil forces and significantly (65%) better terminal ballistics when using the standard FMJ108 round. When compared to the 7.62x51mm M80 round, the standard round carries 80% of the 7.62mm terminal performance (compared to 48% for the 5.56mm) with about half the felt recoil and a major reduction in system weight (or alternatively, more ammunition ofr hte same weight.) Switching to the FMJ144 round results in teminal ballistics results exceeding the 7.62mm M80 and still with significantly lower felt recoil and slightly lower system weight.

As the 6.5x42mm BT is longer than the 5.56x45mm cartridge, existing weapons cannot simply be converted without fairly extensive modifications to the receiver assemblies in addition to barrel and feed system modifications. Because of this, Miltair approached MilTek to design a new assault rifle that would optimize the capabilities of the new round. The result is the R5 series, currently awaiting final acceptance by the Royal Boreal Tundran Forces.

The R5 series is designed around a bullpup receiver group which can be modified with various barrels and accessory systems to handle several military rifle requirments. All modifications neccesary can be carried out by unit armourers as required.

With the standard rifle weighing in at 3.5kg (with dual battle sight and empty magazine) a full combat load of 5x30 round magazines and 450 rounds of ammunition weighs just over 12kg. This is only 1.2kg more than the equivalent C7/5.56x45mm package but, provides the significantly improved range and stopping power of the 6.5x42mm round.

The standard R5 would cover requirements for both Primary weapon for infantry and for support and armoured personnel. Alternately, the R5K, R5KG or R5C could be used for support and armoured personnel (in addition to Special Forces utilization.) and with the grenade launcing capability of the R5 and R5KG, the Section direct/indirect support weapon accessory would be met.

R5 Series Image and Specifications (Updated):


We are also developing a 6.5x42mm BT machinegun which will be able to cover both the Section and Platoon/Company direct support weapon functions due to the recoil and weight being similar to 5.56x45mm and ballistic capabilities rivalling the 7.62x51mm. Details of this system to follow.

OOC: Initial phase is open, consider the current weapons as minimum capability targets. Better weapons would be lighter, smaller but with greater range & hitting power. Of course compromises in order to optimise capabilities may be required.

The primary weapons producer in Durass will enter "product improved (i.e. minimally modified) versions of the C7/C8 and Minimi.

Gemetrian Proposal

Primary Infantry Weapon - R28A
Secondary Infantry Weapon - R28B
Section Direct/Indirect Support Weapon - R280

Caliber: 5.56x45mm + 35mm
Action: Gas operated
Length: 990 mm
Barrel: 510 mm
Weight: R28A 4.38 kg unloaded; 5.85 kg loaded (30 5.56mm + 3 40mm rounds);
Ammunition: 30 rounds 5.56x45mm, 3 rounds 35mm

OICW style modular assault rifle. The standard configuration (R28A) has a 5.56mm rifle utilizing any 5.56x45mm NATO rounds and the 35mm R280 multi-round grenade launcher. Rotary barrel locking.. The R280 accepts with three stacked caseless grenade rounds per magazine (separate from the 5.56 magazine). The 35mm rounds include FAX, flachette, gas, and HE rounds. The FAX and HE rounds have programmable fusing characteristics.

Uses the Reed Omega Infantry Fire Control System and the Ethex 28/DBIS sensor system. Can be outfitted with any standard Gemetrian optical sight. May also be configured with a non-lethal taser-style R432 module instead of the R280. Can be configured as a carbine as well (without launcher- R28B). Completely ambidextrous.

Section Direct Support Weapon

Sharps SH43

Caliber: 5.56x45mm
Action: Gas operated
Length: 997mm
Barrel: 440mm
Weight: 4.4kg unloaded, 6.9kg with 100 round clip
Ammunition: 100 round snail clip or belt

Open bolt with rotary barrel locking. Can easily be equipped with clips for light vehicle mounting. Comes with sling and bipod. Two selectable rates of fire, 800 and 1000 rounds per minute. Can be equipped with any standard Gemetrian optical sight.

Platoon Direct Support Weapon

Sharps SH143

Caliber: 7.62x51mm
Action: Gas operated
Length: 1304mm
Barrel: 552mm
Weight: 10kg
Ammunition: belt fed

Open bolt with rotary barrel locking. Can easily be equipped with clips for light vehicle mounting. Also comes in a the SH143C coaxial gun model. Two selectable rates of fire, 800 and 1000 rounds per minute. Can be equipped with any standard Gemetrian optical sight.

Heavy direct support weapon (heavy machinegun)

Phoenix PH790

Caliber: 12.7mm
Action: Electronic/Recoil
Length: 1578 mm
Barrel: 1250 mm
Weight: 35 kg
Ammunition: belt or 300 round box

The PH790 is an advanced weapon pod that fires 12.7mm caseless round via an electronic firing system. The belt feeding system is recoil driven, and piezoelectric coils in the action provide the power for the firing system. The barrel is air cooled. This is a smaller single barreled version of the PH750 that is currently used in many Gemetrian CIWS. Barrel changes are quick and easy (15.2 second median in mock battlefield conditions). The rate of fire adaptively scales between 400 and 800 rounds per minute depending on barrel temperature (override mode available). Available in configurations for vehicles and a variety of other mounts.

OCC: Not quite done with the GPMG but, it will be similar to FN Minimi & HK MG43 with versions much like the Minimi (Para & SPW.) I've been talking to a friend about ballistics and design and he's noted a few concerns that I didn't work out. On a plus note, he suggested improved performance from my rifle Effective Range which I've edited on the image.

MilTek's proposal for the Section and Platoon/Company direct support weapons is the MG6 series of machine guns. As with the R5 rifle series, these weapons are in final acceptance trials with the RBTF.

The MG6 is a series of weapons, the different versions of which can be built up from sub-assemblies by the unit armourers, which uses the 6.5x42mm BT round. Essentially, the system is made up of 2 receivers, 3 barrels and 2 butt stocks. Statistics for the 6 standard versions are displayed below.

Appearance of these weapons is similar to Mk 46 and Mk 48 US Navy SEAL versions of the FN Minimi.

Also just noticed a typo on the Rifles image, the rifle grenades are supposed to be bullet through, not bullet trap.

OOC: A bit crazy around here, sorry for the delay. I’ve added in some Durassian entries as I was hoping to have a few more entrants. Their weapons are updates of C7/C6/Minimi weapons.

Thank you for your responses. It ahs been decided to separate the Heavy Direct Support Weapon from the rest of the program at this time. It is intended to be added in to a new RFP in the near future.

For phase 2, we would like to do benchmark testing of the weapons systems. For this we will require the following from each contractor:

MilTek Arms - Boreal Tundra
20 - R5
5 - R5K
5 - R5KG (I assume from description these only differ in forend)
10 - R5C
5 - MG6A1
5 - MG6A1C
5 - MG6B2
5000 rounds per rifle plus 10000 rounds
300 HE rifle grenades
20000 rounds per machine gun plus 300000 rounds

Gemetria
10 - R28A
20 - R28B
5 - SH43
5 - SH143
300 HE grenades

Kolscher Waffenfabrik - Durass
(weapons modified to 6.8mm SPC cartridge)
10 – KW1568 (C7A2)
10 – KW1668 (w/M203)
10 – KW1868 (C8A2)
5 – KW2368 (Minimi Mk46)
5000 rounds per rifle plus 10000 rounds
20000 round per machine gun plus 150000 rounds

Draeger Waffenfabrik - Durass
(weapons modified to 6.5mm Grendel cartridge)
20 – DR3 (C7A2)
10 – DR3-G (w/M203)
10 – DR5 (C8A2)
5 – DR7 (Mk48 Mod 0 – 7.62x51mm)
5000 rounds per rifle plus 10000 rounds

Geheer Fabrik - Durass
20 – GF509 (C7A3)
10 – GF523 (w/M203)
10 – GF510 (C8A3)
5 – GF532 (Mk46 Mod 0)
5 – GF732 (Mk48 Mod 0 – 7.62x51mm)

5 magazines to be supplied with each rifle, rounds to be supplied in chargers.
3 rifle and 3 large capacity magazines for each machine gun, no more than 10% of rounds to be supplied in magazines or chargers, remainder to be supplied belted. All plus ammunition to be supplied belted or in large capacity magazines.

We will supply the 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm and 40x46mm for the trials.


Following programs will be carried out:

Familiarization & Ergonomics – Familiarization for the testing staff and ergonomics evaluation of the weapon systems.

Bench Range –Determining bullet velocity and energy profiles, accuracy and technical measurements.

Combat Range – Evaluating weapon capabilities and ergonomics under mock combat conditions.

Reliability – Single weapon randomly selected from the primary categories (mm) will, after general field cleaning, undergo a “torture test” firing regimen.

These evaluations will be used to determine which systems are eligable for the next phase (Battalion strenght testing.)

“Good morning.” Said the figure, polished parade boots striking the floor to the beat of an unheard drum as the man, in neat but slightly outdated combats, strode quickly to the front of the briefing room. Several Durassian were out of their seats and halfway to attention when they realized he was not one of their command. He stopped between the two stacks of weapon crates then pivoted to face the soldiers. A few others noted his right heel lift slightly as he caught himself about to come to a parade halt, then quickly moved to the standing easy pose favoured by senior NCOs for quiet, intelligent instruction as opposed to bellowing orders.

“I am Devon Walker, former Brigade Sergeant Major of the 539th Royal Boreal Tundran Commando. I am here as a technical director with MilTek Arms to brief you on the specifications and characteristics of the R5 rifle and MG6 machine gun weapon systems.”

Turning to the stepped stack of his right, Walker flipped open the latches on the lowest crate, opened it and removed a very short carbine. “The R5C. “ He stated as he quickly attached a small bipod to the fore stock and set the weapon on the now closed container. He repeated this operation on the next two cases in the stack, identifying the R5K and R5KG rifles. Then, as he opened the uppermost crate. “We know this wasn’t in the RFP but, we brought a few R5Ms along,” he said as he set the marksman version atop it’s container, “to show the complete series.” Next, he turned to the other stack and, working his way from top to bottom, he revealed four more weapons. “The R5, ... The MG6A1, ... MG6A1C, ... and the MG6B2.”

“These are the weapons MilTek is proposing to rearm the Durassian military for improved combat capability.”

Then, picking up the R5, Walker began going through the features of the weapon, demonstrating as he did so.

“The R5 Rifle Series use a short stroke gas piston, located above the barrel. The gas block expels all the used gases forward, away from the shooter. This system significantly reduces fouling in the chamber as the gasses are not vented onto the bolt and into the chamber as in the C7 rifle series. Due to this system, we are confident the weapon could fire in excess of 5000 rounds without cleaning. In fact, we have fired over 8000 rounds without a fouling induced stoppage. Needless to say, as a soldier, I wouldn't suggest doing this in practice but, it's nice to know the capability is there and it's indicative of the minimal cleaning requirments under more normal practices.

The rifle is assembled with cross pins allowing complete field striping without tools. A cleaning kit is carried in the butt stock and, there is sufficient space for and additional tool kit or batteries for accessories.

As you can see, the rifle is a bullpup design allowing a full length barrel, and the attendant muzzle velocity and energy advantage, in a weapon shorter than most carbines. To maximize accuracy, the rifle fires from a closed bolt

The system is fully ambidextrous with all controls and the cocking handle accessible from either side. The trigger group is the standard MilTek modular assembly and is available with SAFE and one, two or three of the following fire modes: semiautomatic, 2, 3 or 4 round burst and full automatic. In addition, unlike many bullpups which require switching some parts or using a deflector for left handed shooters, the R5 Series uses a forward ejection system which allows the rifle to be fired from either hand at any time, with no discomfort to the shooter.

Finally, the basic rifles come with attachment rails on the carrying handle and under the fore stock and additional rails may be added on each side and top of the fore stock for accessories such as tactical lights, laser pointers, sighting systems and other accessories.”

Walker then replaced the R5 and picked up the MG6A1.

“The MG6 series machine guns share some features with the R5. The gas piston system is the same as is the trigger group.

Speaking of which, I forgot to mention, the R5s we brought for evaluation have the S/1/3/A trigger group while the MG6s are equipped with the S/1/A group. These are our standard fits for rifles and machine guns.

Also similar is the use of accessory rails, four on the fore stock and a fifth on the top of the receiver. Finally, the MG6 series is ambidextrous though, not all models are to the extent of the R5s.

Unlike the R5, the MG6 uses a conventional layout with the feed in front of the trigger group the bullpup layout is not suitable for a belt feed or high capacity magazine system. Also, all versions use quick change barrels with fixed headspacing allowing full interghangability of parts between weapons. In the light machine gun / squad automatic weapon role, we have regularily achieved firing missions in excess of 100 000 rounds with the only stoppages being barrel changes.

Within the series, the A weapons use a dual belt/magazine feed similar to your Minimis whereas the B group are belt feed only. Due to the geometry of the dual feed system, the A group ejects rounds to the right and thus a brass deflector used. The B group ejects rounds and links downwards thus restoring full capabilities from either hand.”

Setting down the machine gun, he then picked up a small box and hands out several drill rounds.

“The final feature of this weapon system, and the most significant, is the ammunition itself. As you know, the 5.56x45mm round requires sufficient velocity to achieve good terminal ballistics. To maintain this capability to a suitable range requires a certain muzzle velocity. Unfortunately, many short barreled assault carbines, preferred for CQB / MOUT, do not achieve the required velocity. This puts the soldier, your squad mate, your buddy, ... and you at risk. Of course, not all conflicts occur in cities. Even those that do, often require troops to handle short range CQB one moment and longer range fire the next.

In order to overcome this problem, MilTek asked noted ammunition manufacturer, Militair Patroonbedrijf, to recommend a more suitable round. Militair tested many rounds, including the venerable 7.62x51mm and 7.62x39mm as well as the newly developed 6.8x43mm SPC and 6.5x39mm Grendel.

In the end, rather than go with any of these rounds, Militair developed an entirely new round. The 6.5x42mm BT round combines the MOUT range and feed capabilities of the 6.8SPC with the long range apabilities of the 6.5Grendel. This round gives excellent stopping power at all ranges for a minimal increase in recoil and carrying weight for the soldier.
All in all, the standard FMJ108 6.5x42mm BT round gives over a 50% increase in effective range compared to the 5.56x45mm M262 at a 20% increase in ammunition weight. In fact, compared to the older 7.62x51mm M80 round, the effective range is almost 95% and there is a weight savings of over 20%.

This capability means that in many cases, the MG6 can take over two roles, that of LMG/SAW and GPMG. Furthermore, the belted ammunition, if be switched to FMJ144 rounds improve this capability significantly. In this case, the round performance exceeds the 7.62x51mm in both effective range (by over 18%) and carried energy (over 25% at range) with reduced weapon (almost 30%) and ammunition weight (10%.)

Furthermore, the bullet design not only delivers more energy to the target at longer ranges. It also transfers that energy, punching through armour at greater ranges and incapacitating wounds at those ranges.”

Collecting the drill rounds, Walker motions two more MilTek employees forward to repack and load up the crates.

“OK, let’s head out to the range for familiarization and sighting in and any questions you may have.”

“Thank you for inviting me to your facility, honoured clients. Gemetria is pleased to be conducting business with you. I am Alphonse Gibons, from Stark and Gibon’s Consulting firm. Both Reed and Sharp have agreed to have me as their representatives for this business deal.”

The tall, pale skinned man took a sip from a thermos of tea that one of his underlings held. He had a somewhat marital baring, ultramarine blue eyes which indicated Gemetrian ocular implants, and a vicious scar running down from his left temple through his left eye and down his check. By his age, one would suspect that this scar probably came from the Iran-Gemetria war. He had a shaved head, and was clothed in a sharp black suit and a white silk shirt.

He whispered something to another underling, and a brushed steel case was brought to him.

“This,” Alphonse remarked when he popped the clasps, “is the much lauded R28A/B rifle system. This gun embodies the two Gemetrian martial philosophies- reliability under any situation, and information as a weapon. Let us discuss the first point”

Alphonse expertly snapped the components in the case together, “This is the R28B. Constructed from advanced polymers, titanium, and limited steel, you will find that the R28B is surprisingly light for an carbine as packed with features as it is.

After a brief flurry of motion, he reconfigures the weapon- attaching a 35mm grenade launcher, a stock, and swapping out the compact carbine barrel and handguard.


“And this is the R28A You will notice that there is a forward ejection port and ambidextrous fire selector. The R28 has a standard rather than bullpup action configuration, as we found that in combat situations, clip changes were taking 12% longer in the bullpup version due to more awkward clip locations. Soldiers also reported a smoother trigger pull from the standard model, so this was the configuration adopted. The R28A/B use the time-tested rotating bolt lock, and is gas operated. The R28A/B allows generous clearance in the mechanism, so it is exceptionally tolerant to foreign matter in its assembly.

“We have decided on the 5.56x45mm rounds based on a number of factors. First, they are lighter and thus we can have a higher volume of rounds per clip. Second, they are a common ammunition type, which means that rounds are cheaper per unit. Third, the advantages of a heavier ammunition is nullified in the situations where infantry is most advantageous. In urban and jungle situations, where infantry is the most useful, we find that most of the fighting is at relatively short ranges. And at short ranges where the 5.56x45mm rounds have proven to be quite effective. Our own military was especially pleased with the fragmenting characteristics of the 5.56 round, as ricochet was significantly reduced in urban settings. This lead to a decrease in both civilian casualties and “friendly-fire” situations.

“Now information as a weapon. Information is the ultimate weapon on the battle field, and the R28A/B is designed to capitalize on that. A modern army is a smart army with all parts moving as a whole. The R28A/B has the Omega IFCS, for smart fuzing of the 35mm grenades. This can be configured for airbursting, penetration into soft targets, delayed fuse, detonation on contact… you name it. All easily accessible from this intensively designed and intuitive UI. The grenade assembly is mounted over the barrel here, and is in the bullpup configuration. The 35mm grenades strikes a balance between the lightweight 20mm cannon system and the heavy-hitting 40mm grenade systems. The grenades are caseless to cut down on weight and so that we can avoid having to have an ejection system and the mechanism will be more resistant to foreign materials. Also, the grenades are much less expensive per unit.

“We also have a sensor system, which was designed to easily plug into any existing battle sensor system. The Ethex 28/DBIS, or Distributed Battlefield Information System is designed to push and pull information on demand for the individual soldier. The exact sensors can be customize, but the base model includes a integrated laser range finder- wavelength adjustable- thermal night vision, 9 times optical scope that can stream video. This means that it can be hooked up to a helmet display to allow around-corner sight, or compressed and sent back to HQ. This system can be easily removed, and is attached using the Picatinny Combat Attachment Points standard, so any other PCAP system can be attached in its stead.

“There is also a shot statistics tracker that runs on an ultra-low power circuit. This will mean that the shots taken by the soldier are recorded. This means that soldiers are more accountable for the shots that they take, and this also means that our weapons can be more accurately maintained, as we can build a use profile. The memory used is not volatile, so an infantry cannot reset the tracker by a simple power-down.

“You may be questioning the power usage of the unit. You will notice that here in the handguard of the rifle is the battery slot, and may be hot-swapped in battlefield conditions. The kinetic energy and grenade modules are unaffected if the unit is at zero power.”

Alphonse took another sip of tea

“I’ll pass that around. Next up we have the Sharps SH43….”

I should have time to write up the SH43 and SH143 descriptions this weekend. Hopefully.

Summary report supplied to the DWD Small Arms Review Sub-Directorate

The testing unit consists of 200 personnel and includes special forces, regular infantry, armoured, combat support and recruits. All personnel take part in each aspect of the trials and are grouped into 10 person evaluation teams. Note, only 7 of the teams tested machine guns.

Scoring for each of the evaluation sections is done by consensus within each team as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Final result of Satisfactory indicates at least 75% of the teams accepted the weapon as satisfactory, Unsatisfactory indicates no more than 25% satisfactory results and Indeterminate indicates an satisfactory results from teams was between 25 & 75%.

Initial results of the Ergonomics and Bench evaluations.

Primary weapon for infantry and Derivative weapon for support and armoured personnel

R5, R5K, R5KG, R5C
Ergonomics - Satisfactory
Comments - Fully ambidextrous. For the most part, bullpup configuration was easy to adjust to, only those with long experience of conventional layout only found difficulty converting. Felt recoil slightly greater than current weapons but, not considered significant.
Bench - Satisfactory
Comments - External and terminal ballistics acceptable at all test ranges, 100, 300 and 600m, except R5C, acceptable at 100 and 300m only.

R28B and R28A
Ergonomics - Satisfactory
Comments – Controls and weapon design is very good for ambidextrous use.
Bench - Indeterminate
Comments - Terminal ballistics results considered unsatisfactory at 600m.

KW1568 and KW1868
Ergonomics - Satisfactory
Comments - Slightly higher felt recoil
Bench - Indeterminate
Comments - Results acceptable at ranges of 100 and 300m. KW1568 was inconsistent though overall acceptable at 600m, the KW1868 unacceptable.

DR3 and DR5
Ergonomics - Satisfactory
Comments - Slightly higher felt recoil
Bench - Satisfactory
Comments - Results acceptable at all test ranges: 100, 300 and 600m.

GF509 and GF510
Ergonomics - Satisfactory
Comments - Slight improvement over service models.
Bench - Indeterminate
Comments - Terminal ballistics results considered unsatisfactory at 600m.

Section direct/indirect support weapon or weapon accessory

R5 and 5KG fired rifle grenades
Ergonomics - Satisfactory
Comments - No change required to weapon to fire grenades.
Bench - Satisfactory
Comments - Least accurate system (though well within requirements) but, greatest terminal effect.

R28A
Ergonomics - Satisfactory
Comments - Highest weight and complexity but, very intuitive procedure.
Bench - Satisfactory
Comments - Most accurate, terminal effect comparable to 40mm systems.

KW1668, DR3-G and GF523 (All used standard M203 mounted to primary weapon. GF523 and DR3-G used improved accessory rail type mount, KW1668 mount replaced hand guard.)
Ergonomics - Satisfactory
Comments - Slowest firing system
Bench - Satisfactory
Comments - Same system as currently in use.

OOC: I've barely had time to read the forums and the nice little "combat test" file I wrote up went to cyber erehwon when mu laptop crashed. Hopefully by this weekend, I'll have had time to do a rewrite and post it as opposed to quick messages like this one.

Commando Varen watched as the recruit team entered the “village”. An hour ago, his team had done thier test armed with the Gemetrian R28s and SH43s, the recruits carried Boreal Tundran R5s. Draeger noted no MG6’s in the group, then he realized they were all carrying short K or C versions.

Sgt O’Connon, answered the unasked question. “Their going in with Mech Engineers kit,” he said. “even have a couple of fake demo charges to place.”

“We have recruits playing engineers? Weren’t any assigned?” Varen asked in surprise.

O’Connon chuckled. “Yes, there’s a couple of teams, the recruits just get random weapon fits for various units. The other group went through this morning while you were checking out the Tundran sniper rifle. They went in as GP teams with 3 of the SH143s, practically sliced the god tower off.”

Shaking his head, Varen looked back at the recruits as they popped rifle grenades into the barracks. “So, what do you think so far?”

“I like the firepower of the Gemetrian’s grenade launcher but, would rather see it with a bigger rifle cartridge. Training wise, either of the rechambered C7s work but, as far as I can tell, the Tundrans have the best overall. One caliber from rifle up to GP, grenades you just slap on the barrel and fire, full length barrels on carbine sized rifles. Just give me an under barrel version of that genade launcher and I’d call it a wet dream!”

Without looking away from the village, Varen replied. “Yeah, now we just have to see if the bean counters will listen or if Geheer will get the contract again.”

“That may happen anyway,” said O’Connon. “I heard one of their guys telling his office to get production proposals to both Gemetria and Durass. I think they figured they were out before it started due to the problems in Farakh and were just here to see who they should cozy up to.

Anyway, I’m headed to the mess, we’re back here in two hours with Draeger. Oh, find out who troopers C5 and C8 are, I think they might be worth giving an invite to the next Eval, assuming they aren’t Marines that is." The stung look on Varen's face turned into a big grin as the departing Sgt tossed back over his shoulder, "Wouldn't want more of you in the unit."

OOC: Hope you don't mind a slight but, related diversion. Excerpt from Tundran Times.

ROYAL BOREAL TUNDRAN FORCES RE-ARM

Arcturus (BTP) - Today the Minister of Defence announced the official acceptance of MilTek Arms new rifle and machine gun series. Over the last year, various weapons have undergone trials including operational, statistical and reliability testing. The final result is the R5 rifle and MG6 machine guns will begin replacing the current weapons within the next three months. MilTek officials announced that full rate production would be acheived within the month and the first deliveries would be by next week.

Sub-Directorate Report Summary

…

Using the quantitative date and qualitative assessments of the evaluation program, it has been determined that the optimum system, militarily is the MilTek R6/MG6 series. The Durassian systems are all essentially partial upgrades of current weaponry, which do not adequately cover the proposed requirements. The Gemetrian system satisfies many of the requirements but, is hampered logistically by the use of two calibers as well as the performance deficit of the 5.56x45mm round. It was determined that these deficits are not counterbalanced by the grenade launching feature.

The evaluation team strongly recommends adopting the R5/MG6 weapon systems for Durassian Personnel. Furthermore, we recommend the development of an under-barrel grenade launcher module, similar to the R280, as an improved system.

….