Small Arms

HVEM (High Velocity Electro-Magnetic) Rifles

HVEM rifles are the most common type of small arm used by military forces. They come in several standard sizes; they follow the NATO ammo sizes, 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm, 9x19mm, 12.7x99mm. The 5.56mm and 7.62mm rifles are commonly used by infantry. The 9mm and 12.7mm ammo are used by drones, and infantry using powered armor or mecha. The velocity of the bullet can be changed by the user by use of a knob on the side of the rifle. 

The ammo is launched using a combined rail gauss system called a helical rail. This imparts a spin on the bullet when it is fired. 

The bullet itself is usually launched using a sabot. There are several types of sabots that are used depending on whether the bullet has any self guiding features. 

Types of ammo

There are four different calibers, as discussed above. The basic dumb bullet is a nickel coated copper cored bullet. Smart bullets will feature fins that can be used to alter the direction of the bullet and guide it towards its target. Explosive bullets replace the copper core with an explosive and a shaped penetrator. 

All the ammo carries a nanoball battery which stores enough power to launch the bullet. If there is extra energy left over from launch, it can be funneled into the rifle’s power supply, also a nanoball battery. 

Printed Weapons 

Printed weapons are common among civilians, where legally allowed, and criminals, where such weapons are illegal. They are also common among law enforcement personnel. Usually, they are modifications of older designs and use chemically propelled bullets, typically caseless ammunition is used. 

Drones 

Surveillance Drones 

Insect Drones 

These drones are the size of a bee or a wasp or a fly. They can fly and observe targets from a distance and provide data on them. 

Flying Wing Drones 

A drone in the shape of a flying wing. It can be folded up, carried in a backpack and unfolded when needed. Its wing is made of a gossamer fabric that’s nearly transparent to the human eye and able to conduct heat efficiently, making it hard to detect for thermal systems. These can be used for surveillance over greater distances than the insect drones. 

Quad-Copters

Simple, portable quad-copter drones.

Balloon Drones

This drone uses a vacuum balloon, or lighter-than-air gas, to gain lift and float high above the cloud line. It’s the next best thing to using a satellite. 

High-Altitude Drones

These drones are planes that fly at high altitudes and monitor a sizable chunk of the sky. These are more mobile than the balloon drones. They are larger and have greater range than the man-portable flying wing drones.

Monkey Drones 

These are roughly the same size and shape as a capuchin monkey. The only difference is that the head is a sensor mast featuring a 360 camera that can see across the visible, infrared and thermal spectrums, acoustic sensors and chemical sensors. These drones are used closely with infantry, especially in urban combat situations. 

Combat Drones 

Sphere Drones 

These drones have two different modes; the first travel mode where the drone is a mobile metal sphere, the second combat mode where four legs and gun turrets emerge. These are used to enter hostile environments ahead of soldiers, along with other drones. Unlike surveillance drones, these are armed and will engage any hostile forces. These are equipped with HVEM rifles and grenade launchers. 

Monowheels

The monowheels are drones that move around using a single wheel. At the center of the wheel are the electronics and the motor, along with pintle mounted rifles on either side. These drones can move very fast.

Black Dogs

Four-legged drones that resemble large dogs commonly accompany assault teams. These drones can be equipped with manipulator arms or rifles mounted on their backs. In a non-combat capacity, they can serve the place pack animals did in ancient times. These are one of the most versatile drone types.

Tank Drones 

These are heavily armored all terrain drones that have a similar, though slightly smaller, form as tanks. 

Armor 

Tanks 

These are heavily armored combat vehicles with human crews, usually between three and five depending on the design. They usually have one large main gun and several smaller guns.

Mecha

Light

This is one of the most common armor configurations. It consists of a simple powered exoskeleton and ceramic armor. When not on Earth, environmental systems are also included.

Heavy

This armor is bulkier and more solid than the light armor. The armor is typically tailored for the user. The armor can include jump thrusters for short bursts of flight. The weapons carried are larger and more powerful than a regular person could carry. An average person in this armor can stand up to nearly two meters in height.

Super-Heavy

These are much larger than the human pilot. They can typically stand up to three, four or even five meters tall. There are a variety of designs, some have two legs, some have four. Some can contain two crew members. These mecha are typically reserved for heavy combat.

Ultra-Heavy

These are exclusive to Venus, and they are used on the surface of the planet. It is rare for combat to occur on the surface, but these mecha are available in case that need should arise. They are very bulky and protect the pilot from the heavy air pressure and high temperatures of the surface. They have large fins on the back to expel heat. They work in conjunction with specially built quad-copter transports. They are brought to and from the surface using transit spheres.

Angel

These are used most often on Venus as well. These are mecha that can fly. They have wings that fold into the back and jet packs. When unfolded, the wings integrate with the arms. On the back, there are two rifles integrated on mounts. When flying these rifles face the direction of flight and when not in flight they can be stowed, shoulder mounted or removed and held.

Artillery 

Self-Propelled 

These are large mobile railguns that are crewed. 

Support 

Command Centers 

Command centers can be many miles away or close to combat. The mobile versions are long armored trailers with work stations inside. Officers and battle managers use these to direct drones and personnel on the ground while analyzing data that’s coming in from the various surveillance drones on the battlefield.