At the beginning of the XXII century, several weapon technologies were used in the world. Gunpowder-based weapons were still popular, but several alternative technologies were introduced to replace traditional weapons, avoiding their weaknesses, in addition to railgun weapons, units using laser weapons can be observed occasionally, sonic and plasma. Each of them used batteries instead of material ammunition magazines and could fire from 50 to even 400 times (depending on the model).
Fires material projectiles of a certain size at a distance, thanks to a pyro-ballistic force (powder gases), pneumatic force (compressed gas), or electromagnetic force (Lorentz force). This weapon accumulates mechanical, chemical or electromagnetic energy which is converted into kinetic energy of the projectile when fired. This type of weapon has a very limited amount of ammunition in one magazine and a limited range. Its advantage is the ability to place various materials in the projectiles, such as small explosives or chemicals, darts with poison or sleeping pills. Such a missile may also be equipped with a flight control system, thus targeting a target. Until the middle of the 21st century, only gunpowder gas and compressed gas kinetic weapons were used. In 2046, weapons using the EM forces – railguns began to be massively used.
The Railgun uses electromagnetic force to impart kinetic energy to the projectile. The projectile, which is made of an electric conductor, is placed between two metal rails. After connecting the voltage to the rails (plus to one, minus to the other), the current flows through a closed system: rail-bullet-rail. Around the parts of the rails carrying the current, a magnetic field is created which affects the current flowing through the projectile, pushing it forward and making it accelerate. As soon as the projectile leaves the rails, the system is interrupted and the magnetic field disappears. In most EM rifles, the muzzle velocity reaches a maximum of 2400 m / s, while in previous kinetic weapons this velocity was up to 900 m / s. Tank guns fire projectiles with a muzzle velocity of up to 3600 m / s. Due to the rapid heating of the rails in the barrel of an electromagnetic weapon, the larger cannons and guns are cooled with liquid helium.
Railguns use smaller calibers than gunpowder and gas weapons. This is due to the much greater knockdown force of each projectile fired. A 6.8 mm bullet fired from a railgun has the power comparable to a 9mm bullet fired from a traditional pyrobalistic weapon.
The effective range of the EM weapon is up to 2,500 meters. It depends mainly on the length of the barrel in which the projectile accelerates.
Most EM rifles have a movable barrel that lengthens when going into fire-ready mode. The barrel is then retracted again. Railguns are primarily used as sniper rifles. They are also good for heavy support rifles in the form of long-range mini-cannons.
Laser weapons use a molecular laser based on carbon dioxide. It is a gas laser in which the active medium is a mixture of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen and helium. It emits a wave in the infrared range, so the beam fired from the weapon is not visible to the naked eye, but leaves a very visible mark for all heat detectors (such as a thermal imager). To ensure the highest possible power (up to 10,000 GW), without overheating the weapon, the beam is pulsed. The laser beam is susceptible to external factors, such as water vapor or air pollution. Lack of kinetic energy further weakened its effectiveness in combat, especially against armored vehicles.
CO2 laser operation
The active particles in the molecular laser are carbon dioxide particles. The laser levels correspond to the vibrational energies of the CO2 molecule related to symmetrical or asymmetrical longitudinal stretching and deformation transverse stretching. The nitrogen particles transfer the energy directly to the upper excited level of the carbon dioxide particles, which makes it possible to obtain a fill inversion.
Laser weapons are rare. Its main advantage is that it is very quiet, light and has a relatively low power consumption. The power of fire is no match for railguns or plasma weapons.
It is mainly used by scouts, drivers and detectives.
Plasma is an ionized gas with a sufficiently high concentration of ionized, neutral particles. Any substance at a sufficiently high temperature can become plasma as a result of thermal ionization. Plasma guns use a plasmatron (also known as a plasma generator or a plasma torch). This device produces a stream of low temperature plasma that melts or cuts the target. (It even copes with refractory metals, ceramics and concrete.) The gas flowing into the plasmatron (argon, hydrogen or nitrogen) is heated in the inductor supplied with a high-frequency current (from a few to 10 MHz) and creates a plasma stream, which is additionally accelerated in the electromagnetic beam accelerator when it flows out of the plasmatron. Without it, the plasma would not stay in the focused stream at distances longer than several dozen meters. After about 300-500 meters (depending on the medium in which it is located), the EM field weakens, the plasma loses focus and disperses.
High firepower and rate of fire make it the most popular type of energy weapon in the XXII century. However, their range is very limited compared to railguns. They are also characterized by high energy consumption and size (due to the cooling system).
Plasma tubes are widely used in defensive actions and in supporting offensive actions.
Most often we deal with grenades or EM rockets. The detonation of an electromagnetic charge causes an electromagnetic pulse of limited range, covering virtually the entire radio frequency band. It creates excess voltage and current in electrical circuits and electronic systems, inducing signals that interfere with the operation of electrical devices. Electromagnetic grenades (GEM) are mainly used to deactivate vehicles and machines under the influence of AC. A strong electromagnetic pulse can cause a heart attack or neurological problems in organic beings such as humans or animals.
