Stellar would acquire a number of small arms manufacturers and start producing its own series of weapons using the best of what was generally available. The S-17 series was an easy to use rifle designed to be fairly idiot proof, cheap to produce, and serve as a starting point for Stellar Arms to iterate as they entered the rifle market. In 2320 the New Years Revolution would see the American Union suddenly decide to divest itself of weapons procured from The Magnetic Assembly. The American Union would be unable to return to the unreliable XM132 Laser Rifle, and the existing stockpiles of M17 Modular Assault Rifles were outdated with ammunition that wasn't suitable for use against cyborgs or other armored targets.

This left Stellar Arms perfectly positioned to have its rifle accepted into service. The S-17 series had been receiving upgrades over the past few years with this in mind, and when ISOC put out an emergency request for a new rifle the S-17SF3 version of the rifle was submitted for consideration. As Stellar Arms was the only manufacturer that had both an acceptable design and the capacity to produce it, ISOC had no choice but to accept the S-17SF3 bid as its new service rifle. The S-17SF3 would be rebranded the UG-17 and enter into service in 2321 with units receiving their first rifles for training as early as Jan 1st.

The UG-17 has a rather basic, flat, stock that isn't really adjustable beyond some slight changes to the pad that goes against the shoulder. The stock section of the weapon has an feeding slot on the underside for both a power back and ammunition. The top side of the stock contains a sliding cover that can be opened up to expose the firing mechanism for maintenance. In front of this is an ambidextrous charging handle. In front of the handle on the underside is an adjustable pistol stock with handguard, ambidextrous fire selector, and mounting rails for additional equipment on the sides and top. Conventionally the rifle is equipped with an SA-TD5 system of optics and electronics for the gun. The front of the gun has an integrated suppressor, and an ejection slot for spent cases forward facing and directly above the barrel.

The UG-17 was accepted into service with combat against The Magnetic Assembly in mind. The weapon uses a variety of electronics to dazzle a target while the soldier operates the gun which fires a heavy, fast moving, round designed to pernitrate armor. It is designed to be reasonably idiot-proof with many functions that work automatically so that the standard ISOC soldier can use the weapon and get a reasonable amount of use out of it.

The more capable special forces units equipped with the gun can get a bit more out of all of the extra features, giving them much greater ability to fight against heavily augmented transhumans.

The actual usage of the weapon is intended to be straightforward. Give it to soldiers, and have soldiers shoot at targets. The high recoil can make sustained fire difficult, but the good first hit probability combined with the heavy round help ensure that targets get hit and go down.

• SA-6.8mm