The TBR-1 ‘Claviger’ Battle Rifle
The success of the TAR-29d prompted a re-examination of the GuardCorps’ range of so-called ‘battle rifles’. While the classic assault rifle is suited for a variety of threats, the GuardCorps’ battle rifle concept was aimed squarely at packing enough kinetic energy punch to overcome even heavy Zeoform armor.
Previously, high ammunition weight per shot proved a critical factor in achieving adequate performance for the heavyweight HBR-4 ‘Khagan’ Battle Rifle. For Medium, and Tactical Zeoforms every battle rifle tested came with a distinctly restricted ammo loadout which effectively ruled out their usefulness.
Over time this had led to the battle rifle concept being effectively dropped by all but a limited number of specialist pilots dedicated to rogue Zeoform interception, with the HBR-4 as the rare remaining example of a mass-produced battle rifle armament. Advances in the nano-lathe of the TAR-29d solved this issue at a stroke, and it wasn’t long before an effectively re-bored, lengthened version of it was tested for a putative battle rifle role.
The initial results were highly promising although cyclic rate of fire naturally had to be reduced both to accommodate the capabilities of the nano-forge and to keep recoil within tolerable margins. The sighting interlink used for the TAR-29d was re-designed in anticipation of an increased engagement envelope and, with very few other alterations, the outstanding TBR-1 ‘Claviger’ battle rifle was born.
One of the most respected analysts, known both for highly detailed breakdowns and post-engagement evaluation as well as more informal “pop” texts is “Drew Chambert” (a nom de plume). Little is known about this writer except it is evident they are or have been a zeo designer, possibly even a pilot at some point, and have some quite deep connections into both Pact and GuardCorps operations. Their writings and audiocasts are available across all one hundred heliospheres to a greater or lesser extent.
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