[High-Tech] Military Equipment: Global War on Terror edition

[Icelander]

I confess that I'm really interested in stats for modern military weapons. Even those that are modified versions of previously published wespons require some research, in order to determine whether any of Acc, Range, Weight, ST, RoF or Cost should change.

I mean, I'm sure the differences of the M4A1 with the SOPMOD Block II from the Block I are really minimal and the 10.3-inch barrel version is functionally similar to other ultra-short barrel M16/M4 type weapons, but nevertheless, I don't know what the Weight and Cost should be or if RoF changes slightly.

You mention that marksman rifles seem to be Fine versions of M16/M4 type rifles, but which of them qualify for Fine (Accurate), which for Fine (Reliable) and which for both?

I'm also very interested in special-purpose varieties of weapons that are already statted, like the SCAR PDW or SCAR-P, the 20-inch barrel SR-25 rifles, SR-25K carbines with 16-inch and 14.5-inch barrels (SR-25 E2 Advanced Combat Carbine commercially, a military version is M110K2), SEAL Recce Rifle/'M4 Sniper' (especially whether 16-inch and 14.5-inch barrels should get different Acc), Mk12 SPR (16-inch and 18-inch versions) and an in-house modification to the M14 said to have been made by Delta armourers in 2002 (barrel chopped down to the gas block, wooden stock replaced with AK-style under-folder or side-folder stock, operator's choice).

I don't think I have stats for the SCAR Mk 20 SSR or the modular Mk21 sniper rifle bought by SOCOM.

Other interesting weapons that SMUs have allegedly looked at with interest include the AAC Honey Badger and MCX LVAW 'Black Mamba' in .300 AAC Blackout. Stats for those would be awesome to get, as I'm not entire sure about various judgement calls and breakpoints.

Aside from weapon accessories mentioned by name in Tactical Shooting and Pyramid #3/57, I don't know what exact stats to give many of the most common accessories. These include the Elcan Specter DR (does it get Collimating/Reflex bonus and magnification?), Insight MX3 weapon light, Insight SU-233 weapon light, Insight WMX200 weapon light and SureFire Scout lights.

I'm also not sure which models of real-world suppressors used by JSOC special mission units give -2 , which -3 and which, if any, give -4.

[Michael Thayne]

Originally Posted by Icelander

You mention that marksman rifles seem to be Fine versions of M16/M4 type rifles, but which of them qualify for Fine (Accurate), which for Fine (Reliable) and which for both?

I think improved accuracy was the main point in both cases, I don't know if reliability was improved as well.

[Michael Thayne]

Another aircraft:

AC-130 Gunship

3e stats for this can be found in GURPS Special Ops. Converting to 4e requires some guess work, but I think we're looking at something like:

ST/HP: 182
Hnd/SR: +1/3
HT: 11f
Move: 3/180
SM: +7
Occ: 13SP
DR: 3
Range: 2,530
Loc.: g3WWi
Stall: 58

Weapons include a howitzer, similar to the RIA M2A1 in High-Tech. I've heard conflicting things about the exact specifications of the AC-130's howitzer, High-Tech seems to think it's a shortened version, but Wikipedia suggests a longer gun. As a GM, I'd just use the RIA M2A1 as-written at least until I found better information.

Other weapons include M61 autocannons and the Bofors M2A1 40mm cannon. The latter has stats in Special Ops, which converted to 4e come out as something like Dmg. 6d×6 (0.5) p++ + linked 3d [4d] cr ex, Acc 5, Range 3,000/9,600, RoF 2, Rcl 2. Also in Special Ops is the GE GAU-12/U Equalizer, 25×137mm cannon. Converted to 4e, it would have something like Dmg. 6d×4 (0.5) pi++ + linked 1d [2d] crushing explosive, Acc 5, Range 2,500 / 7,500, Rof 30, Rcl 2.

[Michael Thayne]

Another vehicle stated out with some help from Vehicles 3e

AV-8B Harrier II

ST/HP: 87
Hnd/SR: +3/4
HT: 12f
Move: 7/336
SM: +5
Occ: 1SP
DR: 7
Range: 2,100
Loc.: g3WWi
Stall: 25

It's armed with the same GAU-12 as the AC-130. Other weapns include the 70mm Hydra, Sidewinders, AIM-120s (which as noted in a previous post I'm extremely unsure how to deal with), the AGM-84 Harpoon, and the AGM-88 HARM.

The Harpoon is a 34 cm anti-ship missile based on high explosives. This makes it the first case where rule of using cube-root damage for explosives over 100 lbs. TNT becomes relevant. Because I favor that rule, the Harpoon should be something like 6dx27 [6dx3] cr ex. with a range of something like 268/140,000. Using the same Acc 4 for the Sidewinder is probably fine, though it's unclear what makes the most sense at such extreme ranges.

The HARM appears to be designed for taking out radar stations. Possibly ABF, if so then like the AIM-120 I'm unsure how to handle it.

[Michael Thayne]

Apache Helicopter

ST/HP: 90
Hnd/SR: +2/2
HT: 11f
Move: 4/91
SM: +6
Occ: 2SP
DR: 3
Range: 1,180
Loc.: GH2R
Stall: 0

Weapons:
M230 Chaingun: Don't know how to improve on the "Dogfight Action!" 30mm gun, in spite of objections that have been raised by this.
Hellfire Missiles: 6dx18(10) + linked 6dx6 [9d]. Minimum range 475/8,800.

Can also be armed with 70mm Hydra rockets and Stinger missiles.

[weby]

The unofficial Vehicle collection has stats for things like the A-10 (that look more reasonable than the ones you have on the base idea given that the A-10 is supposed to be rugged build), AH-64D Apache and weapons like the GAU-8/A and the short 30mm gun for the Apache along with Hellfire missiles.

[Michael Thayne]

Originally Posted by weby

The unofficial Vehicle collection has stats for things like the A-10 (that look more reasonable than the ones you have on the base idea given that the A-10 is supposed to be rugged build), AH-64D Apache and weapons like the GAU-8/A and the short 30mm gun for the Apache along with Hellfire missiles.

Google turns up a couple things you could be talking about—can you provide a specific link?

[Donny Brook]

This is a great thread, Michael Thayne.

Note, you forgot a bold title in post #17.

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by Donny Brook

This is a great thread, Michael Thayne.

I agree. This comes at a good time as I'm contemplating a TW2K GURPS game!

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by Michael Thayne

I think improved accuracy was the main point in both cases, I don't know if reliability was improved as well.

Improved accuracy or a longer effective engagement range being a design goal unfortunately doesn't suffice to give a weapon Fine (Accurate) in GURPS terms. The range of Acc numbers for real weapons is not wide and the breakpoints aren't granular enough to differentiate between many weapons that demonstratably have different performance envelopes in the real world.

Consider that Acc 4 covers anything from the MP5 through a wide variety of carbines in 5.56x45mm/.223 Remington, the AKM rifle and the SKS, the Barrett REC7 carbine in 6.8mm or the FN SCAR-H in 7.62x51mm in any barrel length shorter than 19.7-inch*. Even pistols like the USP Match in 9x19mm or an AMT Hardballer Longslide in .45 ACP have functionally the same Acc bonus when held in two hands (Braced) as a high-end carbine in a military rifle chambering fired from the shoulder.

Acc 5 includes anything from budget .30-30 deer rifles, the Vietnam-era M16 firing M193 5.56x45mm and the RPK in 7.62x39mm up to such high-end, accurate and long ranged rifles as the G36, L86A2 Light Support Weapon, Steyr AUG with 24-inch barrel, Remington Model 700 in .308, FN BAR Magnum in .300 Win Mag and the FN SCAR, both in the 5.56x45mm Mk 16 MOD 0 Sniper Variant (18" barrel) and the 7.62x51mm Mk 17 MOD 0 SV (19.7" barrel).

Acc 6 is basically all sniper rifles.

*I'll admit I can't figure out how the 16-inch barrel SCAR-H in 7.62x51mm rates only Acc 4 while GURPS gives the HK33 and HK93A2 in 5.56x45mm Acc 5 despite the shorter 15.4-inch and 16.25-inch barrels and less powerful, flat-shooting and long-ranged round.