BSA SMX-15 Raptor

BSA's SMX-15 'Raptor' is a rotary sniper rifle well known not only for it's monolithic size, but also it's unique ability to burst fire very accurately.

The Raptor utilizes a new form of caseless round based on plastique explosives that provide immense propulsive force in a small package. Due to the highly potent nature of the rounds, the Raptor kicks very hard and is also quite heavy. In order to cope with the powerful nature of the rounds the entire rotary drum is a solid block of metal, which is completely sealed against a cooling system that keeps the rifle from overheating.

Most of the rifle's mass lies in the drum magazine area, so second-edition Raptors were issued with a redesigned bipod that mounts just forward of the trigger guard, in order to increase maneuverability. Much of the length of the rifle comes from it's barrel. The Raptor dwarfs most other modern rifles; it comes nearly up to the chin on many of it's shooters if stood vertically on the ground.

The unique burst function fires three rounds at a speed such that they hit within an inch above each other in a near vertical line at long range. This function is almost entirely reserved for destroying equipment and hitting soft spots on target vehicles. A special brace must first be attached to the rifle in order to prevent the shooter from breaking her shoulder and to stabilize the gun as much as possible. This brace also disengages the manual cycling bolt. In normal situations the standard bipod is used, and the manual bolt is locked into the action.

A very popular rifle indeed, it was originally developed to be an effective weapon against the heavily armour-suited infantry of the NWI during the Third War. Now it sees much use by various organizations. They are expensive rifles to produce, but surplus from the war has made the price accesible to some of the less wealthy militias in the world.

[This work a part of Epiverse]