Firecracker (Weapon)
| Firecracker | |
|---|---|
| Type | Microburst scattergun |
| Place of origin | Great Britain |
| Service history | |
| In service | Since 2081[update] (Black Glass Group) |
| Used by |
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| Wars |
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| Production history | |
| Designer | Spencer Cardinal |
| Designed | 2076 |
| Manufacturer | Helios Corporation |
| Unit cost |
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| Produced | 1 January 2081 |
| No. built | Approx. 3.0 million |
| Variants |
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| Specifications | |
| Mass | 22.5 to 37.6 lb (10.2 to 17.1 kg) |
| Length | 61.9 in (1,570 mm) |
| Cartridge |
|
| Calibre | 3.44x10mm |
| Barrels | 400 |
| Action | Electronic |
| Effective firing range | 15 yd (14 m) |
| Feed system | 8-cell clip (3,200 rounds total) |
| Sights |
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The SRX-7 "Firecracker" is a HELIOS-manufactured close-range microburst scattergun designed to be carried by combat personnel. It is a high-RPM weapon with 50 miniature barrels stacked side-by-side in a grid arrangement that fire low-velocity caseless tracer rounds, each with a small high-explosive charge on both impact and timed fuses; the sound of these detonating is its namesake.
Each ammunition clip holds eight cells, each of which hold a total of 400 microbullets already aligned with the barrels. Pulling the trigger fires all 400 in a narrow "burst" that lights up the area in front of the user with trails that end randomly in small explosions. This "flash" is the signature effect of the weapon and shreds anything in the direction it is pointed.
The SRX-7 can be upgraded to a HELIOS SmartFire system for automatic aim assist that can integrate with the user's combat implants with the addition of a microwave designator module and guidance processor. Special SmartFire ammunition is required, which incorporate miniature manoeuvring thrusters controlled by the weapon's guidance system.
Applications
The SRX-7 is often used in the place of conventional combat shotguns where a higher damage profile is desired, for example for rapidly dealing with lightly or moderately armoured targets. The weight class of the weapon allows it to be versatile enough to be carried by most units. It is completely ineffective at mid and long range due to the fixed flight time and relative low velocity of the rounds.
It is classified as a Category 2 Restricted Weapon by the Coalition for its high potential for collateral damage, restricting it to military use only. Despite this, some private security forces employed by the largest megacorporations have been granted special authorisation to possess it.
Variants
The IRX-10 “Inferno” is a stationary, belt-fed, fully automatic version of the SRX-7. Its patented Flame Curtain technology allows it to continuously “project” a field of explosive ammunition, acting as continuous area denial and devastating anything that comes close. It is often used as a more destructive version of a flamethrower against targets that require area of effect damage, such as large swarms of biological mites.