Chapter Six: Weapons
Beam Weapons: Thanks to Dr. Gerald Lucas' pioneering research in developing the high-energy laser and the ready availability of RPCs, beam weapons technology in general was at TL9 by the late 1960s, and entered TL10 by 1976. It should be noted that Dr. Lucas developed a "pulse laser" (see p. 118 of GURPS Ultra-Tech); hence the slang term "blaster". Beam lasers, sometimes called "burners", are much rarer, but not unknown.
Sonic stunners are also rather common. (The IST infantry armor employs a weapon system that somehow produces a sonic stun effect in a cone shaped area reminisicent of that generated by the outlawed "sonic screamer".) Early plasma guns and force beams are also available. Some reports suggest that neural disruptors and even more advanced psionic disruptors have seen use, but no conclusive evidence has been produced that these incidents were not the result of powers rather than technology.
Guns and Launchers: As predicted a decade ago, caseless telescoped ammunition has entered general use. (The U.S. Armed Forces switched over in 2000.) Electrothermal-chemical versions of heavy weapons are quite common, and ETC small arms are in development. So far, the military establishment has proved resistant to the notion of liquid propellant slug-throwers -- their advantages seem trifling when compared to their cost and complexity.
Gas-powered air guns have been introduced, but, aside from paint guns and tanglers, have proved something of a commercial failure. (Wrist needlers have been enthusiastically adopted by some urban supers, but the market is too small to be viable.) So far, no non-metallic versions have been introduced commercially, though TRADE allegedly does a brisk business selling them to assasins ...
Sniper rail-guns are still in the experimental stage; one was "field tested" against the Blue Demon by Warrior some time ago. (Results were inconclusive.) Gyro-stabilized rocket guns are likewise still under evaluation. (Prototypes do leak out.)
Ammunition and Warheads: All forms of TL9 ammo is readily available on the open market, with the notable exception of mini-nukes. Force, plasma, implosion and psi-bomb warheads are also available.
Combat Robots: As yet, no national armed force deploys combat androids or warbots, though they are used by metavillains of a world conquering stripe. (In particular, the Deadly Dozen are famous for their use of robot "henchmen".)
Beam Weapons: Thanks to Dr. Gerald Lucas' pioneering research in developing the high-energy laser and the ready availability of RPCs, beam weapons technology in general was at TL9 by the late 1960s, and entered TL10 by 1976. It should be noted that Dr. Lucas developed a "pulse laser" (see p. 118 of GURPS Ultra-Tech); hence the slang term "blaster". Beam lasers, sometimes called "burners", are much rarer, but not unknown.
Sonic stunners are also rather common. (The IST infantry armor employs a weapon system that somehow produces a sonic stun effect in a cone shaped area reminisicent of that generated by the outlawed "sonic screamer".) Early plasma guns and force beams are also available. Some reports suggest that neural disruptors and even more advanced psionic disruptors have seen use, but no conclusive evidence has been produced that these incidents were not the result of powers rather than technology.
Guns and Launchers: As predicted a decade ago, caseless telescoped ammunition has entered general use. (The U.S. Armed Forces switched over in 2000.) Electrothermal-chemical versions of heavy weapons are quite common, and ETC small arms are in development. So far, the military establishment has proved resistant to the notion of liquid propellant slug-throwers -- their advantages seem trifling when compared to their cost and complexity.
Gas-powered air guns have been introduced, but, aside from paint guns and tanglers, have proved something of a commercial failure. (Wrist needlers have been enthusiastically adopted by some urban supers, but the market is too small to be viable.) So far, no non-metallic versions have been introduced commercially, though TRADE allegedly does a brisk business selling them to assasins ...
Sniper rail-guns are still in the experimental stage; one was "field tested" against the Blue Demon by Warrior some time ago. (Results were inconclusive.) Gyro-stabilized rocket guns are likewise still under evaluation. (Prototypes do leak out.)
Ammunition and Warheads: All forms of TL9 ammo is readily available on the open market, with the notable exception of mini-nukes. Force, plasma, implosion and psi-bomb warheads are also available.
Combat Robots: As yet, no national armed force deploys combat androids or warbots, though they are used by metavillains of a world conquering stripe. (In particular, the Deadly Dozen are famous for their use of robot "henchmen".)