MAG-8
The MAG-8 is an older grenade launcher that has seen a lot of use with the American Union and Magnetic Assembly due to the wide variety of ammunition available and ease of use.
The weapon itself was originally intended to be a 40mm grenade launcher. It contains an extremely simple firing mechanism, is nearly immune to mechanical failure, and can accept a range of ammunition magazines.
Ultimately, there is not a lot to the weapon itself. The majority of the development for the weapon was placed into the ammunition types, and has been focused on bringing drone technology to individual users in an extremely easy to use platform. The goal of the platform being bringing an entire drone swarm to an individual user. A magazine filled with a pre-selected mix of drones can easily be fired off and allowed to operate without extensive programming from the operator of the weapon.
Overview
Weapon: MAG-8
Type: Grenade Launcher
Operators: Magnetic Assembly
Manufacturer: Magnetic Assembly
Length: 42 centimeters
Weight: 3.8lb
Ammunition: 40mm super drone
Capacity: 4 rounds
Type: Grenade Launcher
Operators: Magnetic Assembly
Manufacturer: Magnetic Assembly
Length: 42 centimeters
Weight: 3.8lb
Ammunition: 40mm super drone
Capacity: 4 rounds
History
The MAG-8 is a nearly 20 year old weapon originally designed by the Magnetic Assembly as a go-between system for American Union soldiers to deploy small drone systems during combat. Typically the weapon would be used as a light weight launcher for fairly dumb ammunition, though during the 2310s-2320s it became increasingly common for even lower level American Union units to be using the more sophisticated drones with the launcher itself. The weapon would see slight updates throughout 2310-2320, though the numerous small drones would be developed and improved upon in that time. Since the drones themselves were also used widely throughout other systems produced by the Assembly, the Mag-8 never lacked for cutting edge drones to launch.
After the New Years Revolution, the MAG-8 started to see more widespread use throughout the newly created provisional fleet, still serving as a go between for the non-cybernetic soldiers and 40mm drones.
After the New Years Revolution, the MAG-8 started to see more widespread use throughout the newly created provisional fleet, still serving as a go between for the non-cybernetic soldiers and 40mm drones.
Layout
The launcher is a fairly simple system with a safety switch above the grip, a fold out stock, and simple iron sights. The iron sights also have a simple display that shows the ammunition's status including how many rounds are left in the magazine and if any of those rounds are malfunctioning/need service.
Usage
The launcher itself is designed to be as simple as possible, requiring only a magazine of drones to be loaded and the trigger to be pulled. The drones are self-launching, meaning there are no casing to eject, information to be loaded, or maintenance to be carried out on the weapon itself. Instructions can be pre-loaded onto the drones inside of magazines, so that a soldier can carry several magazines for specific situations. This allows for soldiers without the capability to program drones on the fly to still utilize the drones.
Deploying 4 scout drones, or deploying a scout drone and 3 attack drones, is as simple as loading the correct magazine and pulling the trigger 4 times.
Deploying 4 scout drones, or deploying a scout drone and 3 attack drones, is as simple as loading the correct magazine and pulling the trigger 4 times.