Tagaziel
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I have always been fascinated by fictional weaponry, and the OSI Pulse Rifle from Half-Life 2 was a subject of my special interest. I admit the following is a bit sketchy, so I post it for your critique, input and especially suggestions as to what to add further to the document.
As we all know, it is a weapon manufactured by the Combine Empire, derived from modern human assault rifles for use by the Transhuman Arm of the Overwatch. It is very accurate at short and medium ranges and is best used in short, controlled bursts, since when firing continuously, it tends to wander due to the kickback. For added control, similar to assault rifles it descends from, it is equipped with a pistol grip.
1. Construction (fig. 1)
The rifle is manufactured from the same alloy most Combine technology is produced from, which guarantees durability and reliability in the field. The design is derived from modern human assault rifles, however, due to it's different working mechanism, it varies significantly.
It's based on the Combine energy pulse technology, which is also used in chopper, gunship and dropship personell carrier cannons, sentry turrets and APC machine guns as well as hunters and striders.
The forward part of the weapon contains all the working mechanisms of the rifle - the magazine feed, the firing pin for the energy plugs, the energy barrel, the orb launcher and it's firing mechanism.
* The energy barrel is suspended over the orb launcher via a short metal beam, additonally fitted with an armor plate for protection. Inside, the energy barrel is laid with resistant material, which prevents the exploding energy from ripping the barrel apart and additonally helps direct the blast.
The barrel is additionally outfitted with a set of grips locking the plug in place.
* Magazine feed - the rifle utilizes special energy plugs, which are stored in Combine designed ammunition cartridges, resembling thin drum halves. Each drum is outfitted with it's own plug loading mechanism, as a measure to improve the weapon's reliablity and minimize the amount of weapon's firing mechanism parts. The ammunition cartridges are mounted into the underside of the weapon and locked in place.
* The firing pin - the firing pin, unlike human assault rifles, does not operate within the rifle's body, but instead operates outside of it. It is also significantly longer and larger than human pins, resembling a long spike. This design is required for it to effectively detonate the energy plugs.
* The orb launcher is located directly underneath the energy barrel and in front of the plug cartridge. It is basically a tray outfitted with an OSI firing pin, large enough to detonate the charge and release the orb.
2. Working mechanism
The OSI Pulse Rifle posseses two fire modes: automatic energy pulse fire and orb launch.
* Energy pulse fire (fig. 2a) - by pressing the trigger, the firing pin is released and hits the detonator of the energy plug. This action releases energy stored within the plug. In normal conditions, it would burst outwards in all directions, but when it happens within the energy barrel, the energy is channeled and directed towards the end of the barrel at the unfortunate target.
This mode is fully automatic, and posseses a very high rate of fire, capable of discharging the whole plug in seconds.
The lack of bullet casings to eject and the simplicity of design makes this a very reliable fire mode.
Each loaded plug carries energy for thirty energy pulses.
* Orb launch (fig. 2b) - this fire mode utilizes specially designed charges, containing inert Combine energy orbs. The charge is placed on the tray underneath the energy barrel, with it's detonator against the firing pin. When detonated, the forward part of the charge disperses into six parts (thanks to it's construction and the fins), releasing forwards an energy orb.
Similiar to the primary fire mode, the mechanism required for this is very simple and reliable.
Each charge carries a single energy orb.
3. Design variations
The OSI Pulse Rifle has also been modified by the Combine for use in entrenched positions, as a heavy machinegun.
This version of the pulse rifle differs from the standard version drastically (fig. 3):
* The orb launcher is removed, and the rate of fire amplified, to allow continuous suppressing fire.
* Heavy energy barrel - the barrel was redesigned and lenghtened to accomodate the weapons increased rate of fire and avoid overheating. The barrel, instead of being enveloped in a metal case, now consists of only the red resistant material that was a component of the OSI's barrel. Three armour plates are attached to it for protection, outfitted with a searchlight, allowing it's use in all lighting conditions.
* Modified ammunition feed - due to it's increased rate of fire, the weapon requires the ammunition feed to be redesigned.
* Articulated weapon mount - the pulse machinegun requires a weapon mount in order to be used effectively, as it isn't intended for infantry. The weapon mount is articulated and allows firing in nearly every direction in the frontal 180 degrees. Two clamps allow for the mount to be attached to any solid surface, including railings.
* Twin handles - since the weapon was designed as a mounted heavy machinegun, the stock and pistol grip were removed, replaced instead with two handles, more suited for emplacements.
4. Employment
The Overwatch Standard Issue, as it's name suggests, is primarily employed by the Transhuman Arm of the Combine Overwatch. It's versatility, accuracy and reliability make it an excellent choice for troopers operating often in hazardous conditions. It is also the exclusive weapon of the Combine Elite, who operate it with even deadlier skill than regular troopers. Additonally, only the Combine Elite are authorized for energy orb charges, since their employment requires high precision and proper training.
The heavy machinegun variant is used in entrenched positions and bunkers, as it provides extreme firepower in a very mobile and compact package. It's use is authorized for all branches of the Combine military, from Civil Protection to Combine Elite.
5. Notes
* Points to cover:
- Manufacturing stamp on the stock
- Combine Overwatch tactics and firing method
- Additional points suggested by forum users
As we all know, it is a weapon manufactured by the Combine Empire, derived from modern human assault rifles for use by the Transhuman Arm of the Overwatch. It is very accurate at short and medium ranges and is best used in short, controlled bursts, since when firing continuously, it tends to wander due to the kickback. For added control, similar to assault rifles it descends from, it is equipped with a pistol grip.
1. Construction (fig. 1)
The rifle is manufactured from the same alloy most Combine technology is produced from, which guarantees durability and reliability in the field. The design is derived from modern human assault rifles, however, due to it's different working mechanism, it varies significantly.
It's based on the Combine energy pulse technology, which is also used in chopper, gunship and dropship personell carrier cannons, sentry turrets and APC machine guns as well as hunters and striders.
The forward part of the weapon contains all the working mechanisms of the rifle - the magazine feed, the firing pin for the energy plugs, the energy barrel, the orb launcher and it's firing mechanism.
* The energy barrel is suspended over the orb launcher via a short metal beam, additonally fitted with an armor plate for protection. Inside, the energy barrel is laid with resistant material, which prevents the exploding energy from ripping the barrel apart and additonally helps direct the blast.
The barrel is additionally outfitted with a set of grips locking the plug in place.
* Magazine feed - the rifle utilizes special energy plugs, which are stored in Combine designed ammunition cartridges, resembling thin drum halves. Each drum is outfitted with it's own plug loading mechanism, as a measure to improve the weapon's reliablity and minimize the amount of weapon's firing mechanism parts. The ammunition cartridges are mounted into the underside of the weapon and locked in place.
* The firing pin - the firing pin, unlike human assault rifles, does not operate within the rifle's body, but instead operates outside of it. It is also significantly longer and larger than human pins, resembling a long spike. This design is required for it to effectively detonate the energy plugs.
* The orb launcher is located directly underneath the energy barrel and in front of the plug cartridge. It is basically a tray outfitted with an OSI firing pin, large enough to detonate the charge and release the orb.
2. Working mechanism
The OSI Pulse Rifle posseses two fire modes: automatic energy pulse fire and orb launch.
* Energy pulse fire (fig. 2a) - by pressing the trigger, the firing pin is released and hits the detonator of the energy plug. This action releases energy stored within the plug. In normal conditions, it would burst outwards in all directions, but when it happens within the energy barrel, the energy is channeled and directed towards the end of the barrel at the unfortunate target.
This mode is fully automatic, and posseses a very high rate of fire, capable of discharging the whole plug in seconds.
The lack of bullet casings to eject and the simplicity of design makes this a very reliable fire mode.
Each loaded plug carries energy for thirty energy pulses.
* Orb launch (fig. 2b) - this fire mode utilizes specially designed charges, containing inert Combine energy orbs. The charge is placed on the tray underneath the energy barrel, with it's detonator against the firing pin. When detonated, the forward part of the charge disperses into six parts (thanks to it's construction and the fins), releasing forwards an energy orb.
Similiar to the primary fire mode, the mechanism required for this is very simple and reliable.
Each charge carries a single energy orb.
3. Design variations
The OSI Pulse Rifle has also been modified by the Combine for use in entrenched positions, as a heavy machinegun.
This version of the pulse rifle differs from the standard version drastically (fig. 3):
* The orb launcher is removed, and the rate of fire amplified, to allow continuous suppressing fire.
* Heavy energy barrel - the barrel was redesigned and lenghtened to accomodate the weapons increased rate of fire and avoid overheating. The barrel, instead of being enveloped in a metal case, now consists of only the red resistant material that was a component of the OSI's barrel. Three armour plates are attached to it for protection, outfitted with a searchlight, allowing it's use in all lighting conditions.
* Modified ammunition feed - due to it's increased rate of fire, the weapon requires the ammunition feed to be redesigned.
* Articulated weapon mount - the pulse machinegun requires a weapon mount in order to be used effectively, as it isn't intended for infantry. The weapon mount is articulated and allows firing in nearly every direction in the frontal 180 degrees. Two clamps allow for the mount to be attached to any solid surface, including railings.
* Twin handles - since the weapon was designed as a mounted heavy machinegun, the stock and pistol grip were removed, replaced instead with two handles, more suited for emplacements.
4. Employment
The Overwatch Standard Issue, as it's name suggests, is primarily employed by the Transhuman Arm of the Combine Overwatch. It's versatility, accuracy and reliability make it an excellent choice for troopers operating often in hazardous conditions. It is also the exclusive weapon of the Combine Elite, who operate it with even deadlier skill than regular troopers. Additonally, only the Combine Elite are authorized for energy orb charges, since their employment requires high precision and proper training.
The heavy machinegun variant is used in entrenched positions and bunkers, as it provides extreme firepower in a very mobile and compact package. It's use is authorized for all branches of the Combine military, from Civil Protection to Combine Elite.
5. Notes
* Points to cover:
- Manufacturing stamp on the stock
- Combine Overwatch tactics and firing method
- Additional points suggested by forum users
