Mauser 960 Assault System

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The Mauser 960 Assault System was the standard-issue rifle of the Star League Defense Force.

Mauser 960 Assault System

Overview[edit]

Developed by Mauser & Gray Firearms, the 960 was a Pulse Laser rifle that also featured an integrated grenade launcher and retractable vibroblade bayonet. Both the pulse laser and grenade launcher used the same trigger, requiring the use of a safety/selector switch located next to the bayonet activation button. Contained within the weapon's stock was an extensive survival kit, which included two two-hour emergency flares which doubled as fire-starters, a flashlight and batteries for 48-hours of use, a pulse signal stick with visible/infrared strobe light and emergency radio, a folding spade and a medical kit which included a two-day supply of nutrition pills and a five-meter length of self-adhesive bandage.[1] Though capable, the system had one serious drawback: It was very heavy. At its lightest, the unit weighed just under ten kilograms, which led to rapid fatigue of the infantrymen who used it.[2] In Royal units of both the Regular Army and Marine Corps, the rifle additionally incorporated an aiming device which interfaced with the standard SLDF Infantry helmet and allowed the rifle's projected point of aim along with other rifle related information to be displayed on the helmet's HUD.[3] Just prior to the Amaris-Kerensky Civil War, this feature was rolled out to all non-Royal units as well.[4]

Of the few original Mauser 960s which have survived into the thirty-first century, most are in horrible shape and prone to malfunction, such as the selector switch being jammed, while the survival kit has typically been stripped for use, though the stock compartment can be used to store extra ammunition.[1] Only ComStar was able to maintain a sizable stockpile of these weapons in working order, and even then it was an uncommon sight among the Com Guards. The Clans, however, were able to maintain production of Mauser 960 and armed some of their unarmored infantry with it, eventually producing a successor to the design known as the Mauser IIC Infantry Assault System. In the wake of the ComStar Schism, the Word of Blake would also produce their own successor to this venerable weapon, the Mauser 1200 Light Support System, which dispensed with the survival kit.[5]

Notes[edit]

Specification[edit]

Item: Mauser 960 Assault System
Equipment Rating: E/C-F-D/D
Armor Piercing/Base Damage: 3E/3B
Range: 55/170/365/740 meters
Power Points per Shot: 2
Cost: 8,000
Affiliation: CS
Mass: 10.5 kg
Notes: Burst 10; Recoil 0; Includes a detachable vibroblade and a compact grenade launcher

[6]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 LosTech, p. 34
  2. Technical Readout: 2750, p. 158
  3. Field Manual: SLDF, p. 28
  4. The Star League, p. 111
  5. Combat Equipment, p. 12
  6. A Time of War, p. 267
  7. Combat Equipment, p. 44: "Nighthawk Power Armor (Light)"
  8. Era Report: 2750, pp. 103–104
  9. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 12

Bibliography[edit]