Automatic Rifle

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Automatic Rifle

Technology > Technology Type or Material > Drytech/Hylotech
Technology > Technology Levels > Middle Tech / Midtech
Technology > Application > Weapons > Personal Weapons

Image from Anders Sandberg

Hand-held kinetic weapon which may be dumb or smart (rarely sentient), capable of firing one or a variety of projectiles; effective range generally in the vicinity of several hundred meters. The term 'rifle' refers to the helical lining of the barrel, which imparts a spin to projectiles leaving the weapon, and improves their accuracy.

Most have sights with optical magnification and light amplification, often sensitive to wavelengths outside the baseline human range of vision. Modern rifles are often linked via DNI to the user's optic system.

Automatic rifles with self-aiming software are common; these weapons are capable of adjusting their orientation minutely in order to attain their target, and generally will not fire unless a hit is very likely.

Rate of fire can usually be adjusted between single, short-burst (usually 3), and continuous. In an atmosphere, especially a murky atmosphere, usually more effective than a laser weapon.

Ammunition used in rifles includes armour-piercing shells, self-steering and partially self-propelled projectiles, and explosive shells.

Gauss Gun
Hand-held Lasers
Ionic Pistol - Text by M. Alan Kazlev
Hand-held weapon that fires a beam of high velocity electrically charged ions. Short range when used in an atmosphere.
Melee/Close Combat Weapons
Quadrail Gaussrifle

Appears in Topics

Drytech/Hylotech

Middle Tech / Midtech

Personal Weapons

Development Notes

Text by M. Alan Kazlev and Steve Bowers
Initially published on 03 November 2001.

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