If I had to create a weapon, I'd envision a replacement for the standard suite of conventional-ammunition firing rifles utilized by UNSC forces. The 7.62mm FMJ-AP ammunition seems archaic by the standards of what we would expect from the 26th century, unless there's some trick to it that hasn't been revealed yet, and we know it's tiresomely ineffective against shielding.
What the UNSC requires is a way to use the gauss technology that they've incorporated into portable Anti-Armor and ship based weaponry which has proven so effective against shielding into a standard-issue front-line rifle. As we know, the principle with energy shielding is that a large, widespread blast is more effectively absorbed and neutered, whilst a massive amount of kinetic force delivered to a small region (like a shot from a MAC to a Covenant CCS class' shields) is going to be able to effectively overload them.
And we do know that it is with this in mind that the new M20 Submachine Gun was put into service, an M7 re-chambered for a unique HVAP (High-Velocity Armor Piercing) round which actually uses the same principles as modern tank Armor Piercing ammunition, or the rounds fired by the SRS-99. Under US designation, a HVAP round is a round consistent of two components within the actual bullet - a large, soft metal casing and a smaller, ultra-dense penetrating spike known as a SABOT. This round is designed so that the larger case either shatters on contact with or breaks away before striking the target, ultimately dumping the momentum of the entire larger round into a small, super-dense penetrator. This results in a massive amount of kinetic energy being delivered to a much smaller area, drastically increasing the ability of the round to go through body armor or deplete shielding.
However, we know that this effect can be recreated by the UNSC using gauss technology without the need for specialized ammunition. Theoretically, all you'd need is a dense, solid spike which could be propelled at high speed by a series of magnetic could like in a MAC or Gauss Cannon to deliver massive kinetic energy onto a small target area. Nothing compared to what the weapon mounted on an anti-armour Hog, but more than enough to better deal with armored troops. If this technology could be incorporated into a standard rifle, I feel as if UNSC troops would be much more effective at dealing with both heavily armored and heavily shielded hostile targets. Variations in ammunition type velocity could be used to adjust the weapon's effectiveness against less armored targets.
Just a thought. Couldn't think of a specific weapon.
Consider this constructive criticism.. I think you got confused with the difference between a discarding sabot and a hard-core, of which the 5x23mm CLT (CaseLess Telescoped?) falls under the latter. Their functions may be similar (penetrating armor) but their exact means of penetrating vary differently. And so, if you know anything about bullets, you would know that submachine guns chambered with High Velocity Armor Piercing ammunition would likely be using Hardened Jackets, not to mention that barrel wear is going to be a very, very big issue in any SMG, plus you still need to account for another issue at hand: muzzle blast. barrel length/width, barrel wear, etc. I'd also like to see the justification for a sabot retaining enough mass to be beneficial (superior ballistics!) over a hardened jacket, while accounting for that cartridge size and the even smaller diameter of the projectile itself. Anyhow, youre on the right track, but on the wrong train.
Heck, lets look at the weight.
1.3kg (empty) - Convenientaly the same weight of the M7
2.8kg (loaded) - Considering that they fire the same exact ammunition - M443 Caseless Ball... wait a minute, that doesn't make sense. How the hell is the M443 Caseless Ball new if its been used for at least 100 years?
So we've got ships, we've got Spartans, we've got fleets...you know, all of these vessels and soldiers need some armorment. Misriah can't do it all themselves you know! Lets see what you've got!
(This is just the basic outline; if you have more in you don't hold back!)
Weapon Designation:
Role:
Based On/Modified From (Leave Blank If Original):
Manufacturer:
Notes (Anything interesting, quirks, famous users, flavor stuff.)
One I've been working on for a while now...
Weapon Designation: M305 Multi-Purpose Individual Launcher
Role: Squad-level indirect fire, anti-armor, support utility (depending on ammunition used)
Based On/Modified From: No specific, but similar in idea and usage to individual grenade launchers of the 21st century and the Sticky Detonator
Manufacturer: Glorious Victory Armories, Colony Pacifica
Description: Literally nothing more than a tube with a hand grip, the M305 is simple, rugged, and made to take nearly any kind of ordinance produced in the 40-60mm range. Explosive shells are most common, though gas, incendiary, flechette, HESH, smoke, flashbang and even more exotic warheads like hardlight or sonic charges exist.
Notes: Not commonly found among UNSC personeel (the Sticky Det and M319 Individual Grenade Launcher have both yet to be surpassed). A very common sight among Pacifica's planetary militia and units stationed there however, where its small size and light weight, ease of use in MOUT (Military Operations on Urban Terrain), and the avalability of a multitude of specialty ammunition makes it a popular choice
Okay, I'll bite. Anyone remember those concept art pieces of the
Master Chief holding this wicked rifle - well I'll use that as the base.
Weapon Designation: XAM801 (Augmented) Squad Assault System
Role: Anti-material rifle
Based on: Advanced Weapons System Program
Manufacturer: Grim Solutions
Description-
Ammunition type: 5.6mm Staballoy Armor-Piercing
Rate of Fire: 650 RPM
Magazine Capacity: (High-capacity detachable Box Magazine) 48
Muzzle Velocity: ~1530m/s
Firing Mode: Semi-automatic, Automatic
Notes: In response to the increasingly prevalent appearances of Forerunner Warmachines and heavily armored Jiralhanae warriors on distant worlds, Grim Solutions has been working tirelessly on an advanced weapon system that would exploit the enhanced and power-assisted physiology of a Forward Deployed Operator - and neutralize targets in the most efficient way possible. Through the integration of a reciprocating barrel, sophisticated recoil dampening system, and auto-processing compensators, the XAM801's can accurately disable everything from a person to armored vehicles from as far as two kilometers away, even while operating in less then optimal environmental conditions.
