The M10 Individual Service Carbine is a Propellant-Combustion (PropCom) operated, selectively cooled, selectively fired, computer assisted rifle. It is typically chambered in 6.8x42mm Caseless, but comes in a variety of calibers and configurations. The M10 replaced the M7 Service RIfle as the primary infantry weapon of the TASA Marine Corps by 2271, and currently remains in that role.

History

By the time of the War of the Americas, the M7 Rifle had been in service in one form or another for almost 75 years. TASA Marines often jokingly speculated that they were being issued the exact same rifles as their parents and grandparents. Though the M7 was still a formidable weapon in the right hands, it became clear over the course of the war that it was falling behind the more technologically advanced weapons fielded by the Confederation of Southern Nations (CNS). TASA contracted several arms manufacturers to develop a new infantry weapon for the next generation of combat, eventually settling on a highly modular, high tech weapon system by German weapon designer Egon Steiner.
The initial prototype designated as the XM10, chosen in 2267, was chambered in a caseless 9mm rifle cartridge to offer better armor penetration against the heavier infantry and ground combat drones fielded by the CNS during the war. Ultimately TASA decided that a smaller caliber round would be preferable for standard issue. One of the many reasons was that smaller rounds would allow each individual to carry more ammo by weight. Additionally the TASA logistical network was already tailored toward the smaller 6.5mm rounds used by the M7. The variant of the M10 chambered for 6.8x42mm Caseless was chosen as the standard "A" model, while the 8mm variant would be designated "H" for Heavy and kept on for a number of specialized roles.
After a final round of testing the M10 saw its first field deployment in 2269, largely replacing the M7 by 2270. The roll-out of the M10 was prioritized for units deploying to the Americas, units of TASA Joint Special Operations Command, and units guarding key infrastructure. The first years of the M10's combat service saw a number of performance issues, particularly in the muddy and humid rainforests of Central and South America. In some cases Marines would retain their old M7 rifles or even scavenge captured enemy weapons, despite standing orders against such actions.
In sharp contrast, the drier battlefields of Northern Mexico and orbital environments saw almost flawless performance out of the M10. Firmware updates, better electronics waterproofing, and feed system improvements were quickly rolled out into an "A2" version by 2272, but by that point the public perception of the weapon was one of unreliability. For the generation that fought the War of the Americas, the M10 was strongly detested, even though the flaws were hammered out long before the next major conflict. Future generations wouldn't harbor the same resentment except through anecdotal experience from their predecessors.
Despite the rocky start, the M10 was, by most measures, a marked improvement over the M7, especially in the realm of space combat. The M10A2 carbine remained the mainstay infantry weapon of the Transnational Aerospace Security Alliance even into the early years of the Campaign Against New Dawn. Technological advances warranted the introduction of an improved version of the M10, designated the M10E Enhanced Service Carbine in 2304 at almost double the cost per unit of the M10A2. The M10E1 was initially fielded in limited numbers with TASA Special Operations units, but saw widespread introduction in 2308 for units deploying to Mars and Luna. The M10A2 remains in service to present day with Combat Support and Combat Service Support units of the TASA Marine Corps and elements of the TASA Space Corps deployed planetside.
The M10 was not exclusively fielded by TASA. Many member nations procured the M10A2 (or A1 for those with more parsimonious defense budgets) for their Terrestrial Forces. The United North American States was one of the slowest adopters due to reluctance from American War Veterans, who had risen through the ranks with vivid memories of jamming or blue-screening M10A1s. The UNAS Army eventually saw widespread adoption of the M10 by 2300. It would take the introduction of the M10E1 for the UNAS National Guard to finally adopt the M10A2 in 2309, as TASA's surplus A2 Carbines had become much cheaper and much more numerous.

Features

Despite its rocky introduction, the M10 series was, by most metrics, an improvement over the M7. One of the biggest advancements was in heat dissipation technology, which allowed the M10 to attach miniaturized versions of the same heat radiators employed by modern warships. Liquid cooling systems also saw vast increases in efficiency and flow management, to the point that external coolant tanks became unnecessary except in the most extreme cases. These cooling improvements allowed the M10 to use caseless ammunition in a vacuum without fear of heat damage to the weapon.
The M10's computer systems featured a greater amount of integration with worn interfaces like those built into TASA's Vacuum Combat Armor Suits. Between the suit's electronics, a multi-optical sensor built into the M10 above the barrel, and other internal diagnostic systems, the M10 offers an almost seamless interface between weapon and user. A prime example is the ability for the weapon to detect the center of its user's mass in microgravity so that the rifle can be manually lined up to minimize spin from recoil.
On the subject of recoil, the M10 also saw massive improvements in recoil reduction. With the improvements in energy absorption and redistribution, the felt recoil of an M10 is almost negligible, even with the higher caliber 9mm variants. Rearward acceleration in a vacuum as a result of firing an M10A2 rifle is a quarter of the acceleration from an M7, and an order of magnitude less than what would be experienced from a 20th or 21st century firearm without recoil compensation. Additionally, the M10 manages to feature these recoil improvements and an adjustable stock which can also be folded for compact maneuverability (since the computer elements are located in the foregrip of the weapon, above the barrel).
The M10 is chambered in a variety of calibers, which allows it to fill far more roles than its predecessor. Notably, the M10 was able to fill the SMG role with a 10.7mm pistol caliber variant. With greater than 50% parts commonality between most M10 variants, a weapon can be converted in a matter of minutes. The action and barrel assembly can be stripped from the lower receiver, stock, and upper receiver housing with relative ease. Additionally, the M10's computer can be programmed to exclude the use of certain ammunition types by detecting the codes printed on the currently loaded round. This helps to avoid accidents, such as overpenetration in a vacuum by using non-Frangible Ammunition or using live ammunition during blank-firing training exercise or non-lethal riot control scenario.
Among the improvements introduced with the M10E variant is the ability to interface with the REDCAM active camouflage system. A set of REDCAM panels can attach to the rifle at the same point as supplementary radiator attachments, occluding 40-65% of the weapon's surface. The weapon's REDCAM panels are linked directly to the wearer's suit or armor camouflage.

Variants

Variants of the M10 Carbine include, but are not limited to:

• M10A1 Individual Service Carbine - Original Production Model
• M10A2 Individual Service Carbine - Upgraded/Improved Production Model
• M10E Enhanced Service Carbine - Advanced Model
• M10G1 Grenadier Carbine - M10A1 with 20mm Micro-Grenade Launcher
• M10G2 Grenadier Carbine - M10A2 with 20mm MicroGrenade Launcher
• M10B Breacher Carbine - M10A2 with underbarrel caseless shotgun
• M10C Compact Carbine - Short barreled M10 for close quarters engagements and crew PDWs
• M10S SMG - Submachine Gun variant of the M10, chambered for 10.7x19mm Caseless
• M10D Designated Marksman Rifle - Long ranged marksman variant of the M10
• M10H Heavy Carbine - M10 chambered in 9x55mm Caseless
• M10HB Heavy Breacher Carbine - M10H with underbarrel caseless shotgun
• M10HD Heavy DMR - Long ranged marksman variant chambered in 9x55mm Caseless
• M10HG Heavy Grenadier - M10H with 20mm MicroGrenade Launcher
• M10L Light Carbine - An M10 derivative chambered for 6.5mm cased ammunition for Law Enforcement, Export and Civilian use
• M10TAS Tactical Automatic Shotgun - An M10 chambered for the same shells used by the M10B's shotgun attachment

Specifications (M10A2):

Cartridge

6.8x42mm Caseless

Feed System

Detachable box Magazine (30 rounds standard)

Rate of Fire

850 rounds/min maximum cyclic fire

Maximum Effective Range

650 m

Maximum Terrestrial Range

4,275 m

Item type

Weapon, Ranged

Weight

3.09 kg (M10A2 unloaded)

Dimensions

Length: 0.79 m (M10A2), 0.553 m (M10A2 stock folded)