Weapon Name- BR-18
Round Type- 7.62mm x 63mm (.30-06) Caseless
Over-all length- 32 inches carbine, 36 inches standard, 40 inches Marksmen, 40 inches SAW
Barrel length- 12 inches Carbine, 16 inches Standard, 20 inches Marksmen, 20 inches Saw
Weight- 7.5 lb carbine, 8.5 lb Standard, 9.3 lb Marksmen, 10.2 lb SAW
Rate of Fire- 600 RPM (+- 25)
Feed Mechanism- Detachable Box Magazine, Belt Fed
Round Capacity- 5, 10, 20, 30- Box, 50, 75, 100 round Drum- 100 round Beta-C Drum, 100 round soft or hard pouch, 200 round soft or hard pouch, 50+ rounds (50 round smallest link)
Effective Range- 600 meters Carbine, 825 meters standard, 1000 Meters Marksmen, 1200 Meters SAW
Range- 1600 meters
Accuracy- 2.5 MOA Carbine, 1.5 MOA Standard, 1 MOA Marksmen, 1-1.5 MOA SAW (Dependent on Burst Length)
Accessories- Picanty Rail
Quick switch firing mechanism- N/A
Scope/Sights- Picanty Rail
Muzzle Velocity-
760 m/s- Carbine
820 m/s- Standard
840 m/s- Marksmen
840 m/s- SAW
Firing System- The Firing system is essentially a heavily modified AR-10 firing system, similar to how the Ares Shrike Operates.
Miscellaneous/electronic information- Essentially an adjustable 7.62mm x 63mm NATO Battle Rifle capable of serving both Carbine, Standard, Marksmen, and SAW roles.
Basic Information
The weapon essentially exploits a detachable polygonal barrel with a 1:10 inch (254mm) five groove right hand rifling twist. The operation to adding and removing a barrel is similar to that of an M240. The barrels come in 12, 16, and 20 inch variations.
The weapon is technically a Battle Rifle, seeing as how it uses a more powerful round directly related to traditional rifle rounds, although it is capable of fulfilling multiple combat roles. The weapon fires caseless 7.62mm x 63mm NATO rounds, that essentially reduce the weight of each round, compared to the parent round, by roughly 50%; in other words, each caseless round is roughly half the weight of the parent round. The rounds, while lighter than typical 7.62mm x 63mm NATO rounds, are still roughly 1.5 times heavier than standard 5.56mm NATO rounds, although the round still weighs less than the smaller and weaker 7.62mm x 51mm NATO rounds.
The weapon is capable of full-filling Close Quarter, Rifleman, Marksmen, and SAW roles. The weapon is heavier than typical Close Quarter and Rifleman Combat weapons, although it is slightly lighter than typical marksmen and SAW styled weaponry. Changing the weapon from one variation to another is as simple as changing the detachable barrel and stock. The barrels can be exchanged rapidly, thanks to a barrel release button located on the left side of the weapon. The weapon is cleared first and then the button is held down, while the barrel's carrying handle is moved from the right side of the weapon to the center, unlocking it from the receiver. At this point, the button is released and the barrel is then pulled free of the receiver and placed to the side. The new barrel is inserted into the receiver and then the carrying handle is shifted to the right, locking it into place. This ability to quickly swap out barrels also allows the weapon to be a more effective SAW weapon, as problems associated with the barrel overheating can effectively eliminated if proper care is taken.
Technically, the BR-18 can preform any particular mission of the CQC, Rifleman, Marksmen, and SAW positions in any configuration. However, certain specific additions, that are easily adjustable, have been created so that the weapon can more adeptly fill the particular role required. As well, despite it's appearance and ergonomics to the AR-10, the weapon is actually more related to the HK417 in operation. The stock for both the CQC and standard Rifleman barrel is essentially the same and completely removable as in the HK417. The Stock for both the Marksmen and SAW weapons, however, is a little different. They resemble both the shape and size of the AR-10, however, they possess inherent recoil reducers and pads. There are four recoil reducers, with these being basically the same as ordinary recoil reducers, with springs on two ends of a pipe filled with engine oil. The recoil pad, however, is essentially the same as an Impact Gel Pad, which drastically reduces the felt recoil. The stock is also somewhat heavier and non-adjustable, making it better suited for this particular role.
The firing system is basically identical to the HK417. The weight of the weapon is roughly 5% heavier than it would otherwise be, as it deals with a more powerful and caseless round, requiring both the hammer and the bolt to be larger and heavier to deal with the increased pressures. Like all caseless firing weapons, another mechanism is introduced to seal the chamber during firing (which is why most caseless weapons are roughly 1% heavier).The weapon also has a somewhat slower, but more controlled firing rate as a result of the heavier bolt.
The system, while extremely similar to the HK417, incorporates an aspect more similar to the Ares Shrike. While the Ares Shrike concept of a dual feed, extra top-fed mechanism is new, is does not technically alter the firing mechanism. Rather, the system merely alters the feeding method, requiring a weighty top fed mechanism, and to ensure a clear breach from the top of the weapon, however, the firing mechanism is essentially the same. The links are typically fully disintegrating, although if regular links are used, they are typically ejected through the top mechanism. While similar to the Ares Shrike mechanism, it is obviously not the same- the mechanism is simply scaled up for the larger round. The system, is essentially a dual feed, top and bottom fed mechanism. The top fed part is fed by chain links, and the bottom fed part is fed by spring magazines. The top fed belt fed feed operates like a typical machine gun. The belt fed ammunition in the holding container is usually held by the spring magazine holder, although the belt is fed through the top mechanism.
