EM-9
Bullpup version of the Rifle, Mark 5, Enfield Mk 2
Specifications:
Rifle, Lightweight, Model 9, Enfield, mk 2
EM-9 with 40mm UGL by Alistair Shaw
Accessories:
K-blocs on fore-grip and 1 Springfield Rail System along the spine of the rifles. Vertical grip or bipod. 40mm UGL.Sights: SUSAT+ LDM.
History
When RSAF Enfield was designing their new gigavolt laser based personal infantry weapons, (in the later half of the 2700s), to replace the aging and rapidly obsolencing KM-X series; they designed a standard configuration, 10 Gigavolt rifle. This weapon, the Rifle, Model 5, Enfield Experimental, would become the standard rifle of the infantry. (See EM-5 page).
However, as extended trials, started in 2772, progressed, it soon became clear that, although extremely rugged and reliable, the standard 500mm barrel on the XM-5 did not allow for the beam to remain sufficiently focused over distances greater than 500 metres to still be lethal; despite the 10 Gv power output. For mechanised infantry this was deemed to not be a problem, as almost all engagements occurred within 500 metres or less, especially once the DMR, the EM-5D, was created. However, for light infantry and SF the rifle was deemed less than ideal especially as the mass was over 3kg.
To correct this deficiency, a new bullpup pattern was created, adding 60mm of extra barrel whilst maintaining the overall length. This does not sound like much extra, but the addition of that space allowed for bigger coherency chamber and this increased the coherent range by over 3x. The mass was reduced to 3.2kg to 2.8kg by reducing the power even further, from 6 Gv average, to 4 Gv. This reduction was achieved by lowering the quantity of capacitors within the weapon, and of the cells within the battery. This shortened battery would lead to a reduction in the quantity of shots per cycle; however the reduction in voltage means the shortened battery fires an identical number of bolts as the EM-5's. The stepping back of the voltage had the side effect of reducing the effective range gains to only double as well as reducing effectiveness on target, though 4gv still is more than enough to dent most main battle tanks.
Ultimately, the loss of beam power was deemed an acceptable trade-off for the carriablity and the extended cohesive reach. So in 2795 the Rifle, Lightweight, Model 9, Enfield was trialled with light infantry units who approved the rifles and formal adoption occured 2798.
Since then the EM-9 mark 2 was introduced with improved laser optics and improved battery life; increasing the coherent range to 3000 metres, with a 565mm barrel (with an absolute maximum range of 10,000 metres) and 1000, 10 millisecond, beams per battery and improved service life of 10,000 cycles.
However, as extended trials, started in 2772, progressed, it soon became clear that, although extremely rugged and reliable, the standard 500mm barrel on the XM-5 did not allow for the beam to remain sufficiently focused over distances greater than 500 metres to still be lethal; despite the 10 Gv power output. For mechanised infantry this was deemed to not be a problem, as almost all engagements occurred within 500 metres or less, especially once the DMR, the EM-5D, was created. However, for light infantry and SF the rifle was deemed less than ideal especially as the mass was over 3kg.
To correct this deficiency, a new bullpup pattern was created, adding 60mm of extra barrel whilst maintaining the overall length. This does not sound like much extra, but the addition of that space allowed for bigger coherency chamber and this increased the coherent range by over 3x. The mass was reduced to 3.2kg to 2.8kg by reducing the power even further, from 6 Gv average, to 4 Gv. This reduction was achieved by lowering the quantity of capacitors within the weapon, and of the cells within the battery. This shortened battery would lead to a reduction in the quantity of shots per cycle; however the reduction in voltage means the shortened battery fires an identical number of bolts as the EM-5's. The stepping back of the voltage had the side effect of reducing the effective range gains to only double as well as reducing effectiveness on target, though 4gv still is more than enough to dent most main battle tanks.
Ultimately, the loss of beam power was deemed an acceptable trade-off for the carriablity and the extended cohesive reach. So in 2795 the Rifle, Lightweight, Model 9, Enfield was trialled with light infantry units who approved the rifles and formal adoption occured 2798.
Since then the EM-9 mark 2 was introduced with improved laser optics and improved battery life; increasing the coherent range to 3000 metres, with a 565mm barrel (with an absolute maximum range of 10,000 metres) and 1000, 10 millisecond, beams per battery and improved service life of 10,000 cycles.
Significance
Personal weapon of the Light Infantry Soldier
Item type
Weapon, Ranged
Subtype / Model
Manufacturer
Owning Organization
Rarity
Extremely Common
Weight
EM-9, mk2:
unloaded weight:2.5kgLoaded Weight:2.9kg
Dimensions
EM-9, mk2
Overall Length: 790mmBarrel Length: 565mm
Base Price
£1800
Comments
Author's Notes
As can be seen it, the concept of the EM-9 is that it is a laser version of the L85a3. Not an original idea, but nothing every truly is. much like this story as a whole.