(Author's note: I had a couple of reader requests for more mock-wiki articles, so I polished up some material which didn't make it into the first collection. Those of you who aren't reading for the gritty depictions of future warfare may rest assured that normal programming will resume next time.)
{Edit: many thanks to creaothceann for the German correction.)
Supplementary Documents – Second Part
Kamov Ka-77
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The Kamov Ka-77 'Thunder Beast' (NATO reporting name: 'Hack') is a third universal layer Russian heavy assault helicopter. It was designed in the late 2000s and adopted by the Russian army and air force in 2016. While marketed under the name of the Kamov Design Bureau, the Ka-77 was actually co-developed by Kamov and Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, both part of the Ruscopter consortium since 2002.
[Caption: A Russian army Ka-77N flies over Red Square during the 2018 Victory Day Parade.]
Design and construction
The Ka-77 was designed to be able to deploy, support and retrieve infantry strike forces in remote areas, necessitating a mix of speed and survivability. It uses the tandem rotor system typical of Kamov helicopters, and like the smaller Ka-50 'Hokum' can be flown by a single pilot. Though of similar weight to the Mil Mi-6 'Hook' and Mi-26 'Halo', the Ka-77 is physically more compact thanks to the comparatively small rotor footprint and lack of a tail boom. It is capable of flying moderate distances with one engine out of action while fully loaded. The helicopter uses an overpressurized cockpit for NBC defense and can reliably survive hits from 30mm cannon.
[Caption: A Ka-77 firing S-8 rockets at Islamic Works Front insurgents in Kazakhstan, June 2017.]
Operational history
The Ka-77 entered mass production just as the Second Layer War began. It was flown in small numbers by the Russian Federation from the war's outset, and was supplied to allied states elsewhere. Significant quantities were purchased by Eto Delo Group during Russia's period of neutrality and operated by the company's PMC subsidiaries or sold on to international clients. Since the Ka-77 was an expensive machine in an already pricey class, in the assault role it was often flown alongside the cheaper Mi-24 'Hind' and armed variants of the Mi-8 'Hip'. Approximately 1800 were built before production ceased in 2029.
[Caption: The second Ka-77 prototype on outdoor display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.]
Main article: Conflicts in which the Ka-77 served
Variants
V-77: prototype version, eight built between 2007 and 2015. The sixth unit was sold to Eto Delo and saw combat during the Chinese reunification campaigns of 2016.
Ka-77 (Hack-A): the initial production model, armed with a flexible 12.7mm Yakushev-Borzov Gatling gun under the nose and eight double-rail ordnance pylons on the wings. Cabin mounts were provided for PKT machine guns and Balkan automatic grenade launchers.
Ka-77A (Hack-B): second production model, replacing the 12.7mm YakB with a flexible Shipunov 2A42 30mm autocannon.
Ka-77V (Hack-C): the 12.7mm YakB was replaced with a GSh-23L 23mm Gast gun in a flexible chin turret.
Ka-77P (Hack-D): the chin turret was removed in exchange for a pair of fixed GSh-30-2 30mm cannon, mounted along the sides of the cockpit.
Ka-77U (Hack-T): unarmed training model. Only six were built, as it was considered more cost-effective to carry out training in simulators.
Ka-77N (Hack-E): Ka-77A fitted with specialized electronics for improved night fighting capability.
Ka-77B (Hack-F): unarmed model with improved speed and payload capacity, for use as a courier or flying ambulance.
Ka-77M (Hack-G): artillery version based on the the Ka-77P, with the wing pylons dedicated to mounting a set of 220mm rocket tubes similar to those on the BM-24 ground vehicle. Twelve were built, all purchased by the Indian army. Others may have been refitted to this configuration by third parties.
Ka-77R (Hack-H): reconnaissance model with the wing pylons removed to make space for NBC sensors and terrain survey equipment.
Ka-78 (Hack-I): Ruscopter's designation for the export model, available in any of the standard configurations.
Ka-77PA (Hack-X): a set of three Ka-77Ps built in 2018 on a special order from Eto Delo. Exact differences unknown, but reputed to have been intended for testing of reverse-engineered Arume technology.
Operators
Due to inter-layer export agreements, no state in the second universal layer has officially operated the Ka-77.
Arume
-Secondhand Ka-77s were extensively used by the Equalist faction during the Arume Civil War.
Belarus
Brazil
Bolivia
Bulgaria
Canada
China
-Purchased through Eto Delo and flown by the Sino-Arumic Liaison armed forces. Russia also sold three units to the Shanxi Provisional Administration, which the Shanxi New Communist Party later deployed against the Aru-Japanese Alliance.
Ecuador
Finland
Georgia
Hungary
India
Japan
-Supplied by the Sino-Arumic Liaison after the installment of the second Ibuki shogunate.
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Mongolia
Pakistan
Poland
Republic of Alaska
-Supplied by Japan under the second shogunate.
Republic of California and Southern Oregon
-Supplied by Eto Delo, paid for by the Sino-Arumic Liaison.
Romania
Russia
Tajikistan
Ukraine
Unified States of America
-Captured Ka-77s were flown to compensate for equipment attrition.
United States of America
-Inherited from California and Alaska after reunification.
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Specifications (Ka-77 'Hack-A')
Crew: 1 pilot, 1 copilot, 1 navigator, 1 electronics operator
Capacity: 95 troops or 19,253 kg cargo
Length: 36.6 m (rotors turning)
Rotor diameter: 28.1 m
Height: 11.03 m
Empty weight: 30,027 kg
Loaded weight: 49,280 kg
Max takeoff weight: 55,090 kg
Powerplant: 2x Baryshev-Bratukhin BB-70 turboshafts, 9,125 kW each
Maximum speed: 330 km/h
Range: 2,012 km
Service ceiling: 5,110 m
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M18 rifle
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For the ArmaLite AR-18, click here.
The M18 (formally Universal Rifle, Caliber 6.73mm, M18) is an assault rifle based on the ArmaLite AR-15, designed by Boomslang Ordnance LLC of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine in the second universal layer.
[Caption: An M18 (center) compared with an M16A6 (top) and an M4A2 (bottom).]
Design
The M18 was originally developed as a conversion kit for standard AR-15 and M16 rifles. It inherited the general characteristics of the AR-15 family, including the rotary-locking bolt and aluminum alloy receiver. The M18 differs from its parent weapon primarily in the use of a shortened bolt carrier connected to a coaxial gas piston and recoil spring above the barrel, greatly increasing reliability over the AR-15's direct impingement system while allowing the use of a sideways folding stock.
History
The M18 was designed in the early 2000s, but the ongoing Arume domination and patent disputes with Z-M Weapons over similarities to the LR 300 prevented it from entering production until 2011. It was originally called the Vindicator by Boomslang, which contracted manufacturing to Diemaco.
[Caption: Lead designer Gordon Smith displaying a pre-production Vindicator.]
Boomslang entered the Vindicator in the 2014 trials to replace the various 5.56x45mm NATO rifles used by Terran forces under Arume command, where it was designated XM18. It was judged the best compromise between improved performance and minimal upgrade cost, beating the Bushmaster XM17 and Remington-Burnside XM19, and subsequently procured in moderate numbers for field testing.
[Caption: Top to bottom: XM17, XM18, XM19.]
The XM18 was issued to collaborator forces transported to the third universal layer, where it first saw combat during the abortive invasion of Hong Kong in March 2016. It was generally liked by troops, though the combination of a short barrel and SS109/M855 ammunition gave poor terminal ballistics at extended ranges. Low quality magazines were also a source of frequent criticism. These complaints were partially alleviated through issue of older M193 ammunition and improved magazines obtained from commercial suppliers.
[Caption: Master Commander Mariel of the Aru-Kazakh Administration test firing the XM18 in Kurchatov, Kazakhstan, September 2016.]
Conflict in the third layer saw the XM18 competing with the Colt M16A4E4 and M4A1E3 fielded by the Unified States of America and its satellites. These rifles chambered the new 6.73x42mm Halibut cartridge and gave their operators a fighting advantage at short to medium ranges. Samples of the new weapons and ammunition were sent back to the second layer, where Boomslang adapted the XM18 to use the heavier round. Tests of the resulting XM18E1 ran until late 2018, when the rifle was standardized as the M18. Manufacturing was subsequently contracted to multiple companies and arsenals in both the second and third layers.
[Caption: Rifle cartridges of the Second Layer War. Left to right: 5.45x39 Soviet, 5.56x45 NATO, 5.8x42 Chinese, 6.73x42 Halibut, 7.62x39 Soviet, 7.62x51 NATO, 7.62x54R, 7.92x57 Mauser.]
The M18's compatibility with existing AR-15 parts and accessories led to its eventual adoption by forces on all sides of the war, though it never overcame the dominance of older M16-pattern weapons. Postwar commercial sales in both layers generally lagged behind those of third layer 6.73mm rifles like Colt's M16A6 or Izhmash's AK-110 and AKbM.
Variants
Vindicator: original commercial version in .223 Remington, available in both select fire and semi-automatic configurations and with various barrel lengths, stocks and sights.
XM18: first military version in 5.56x45mm. The regular model had a 368mm barrel, side-folding adjustable stock and flattop receiver with integral Picatinny rail.
XM18E1: 6.73x42mm version, otherwise identical to XM18.
XM18E2: an XM18 chambered for 5.45x39mm ammunition. It was not accepted by any Arume forces, but a copy was manufactured by Shanxi Munition Works as the Type 19.
M18: formally adopted version, incremental improvements over XM18E1. Replaced most M4 carbines in Arume service.
M18A1: micro-carbine with a 292mm barrel, adopted to replace the XM177, GAU-5 and comparable weapons.
M18A2: full size rifle with fixed stock and 508mm barrel, replaced most M16s.
M18 DMR: accurized M18A2 fitted with telescopic sight, bipod and adjustable fixed stock.
M18 LMG: heavy barreled squad automatic rifle, similar to the M16 LMG co-developed by Colt and Diemaco. This version of the M18 fired from the open bolt.
Specifications (M18)
Weight: 2.9 kg empty
Length: 837 mm (stock extended)
Barrel length: 368 mm
Cartridge: 6.73x42 mm
Action: gas operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire: 900 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity: 904 m/s
Effective range: 570 m
Feed system: 25 round box magazine
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Karabiner 16
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The Karabiner 16 (abbreviated Kar16 or K16) is a bolt-action rifle based on the Mauser 1898 system. It was developed in the third universal layer by Andrzej 'Nereus' Majewski of Eto Delo Group and widely issued to reserve troops and militias during the Second Layer War.
History
At the end of World War II, the Soviet Union was left in possession of millions of Karabiner 98k rifles taken from the defeated forces of Nazi Germany. These rifles were overhauled and placed into storage, with some being given to Soviet-aligned parties in the third world. After the end of the Cold War many were exported to civilian markets, but hundreds of thousands were still held by various ex-Soviet states when the Second Layer War began.
[Caption: A typical Russian capture Kar98k. Note that the sight hood and cleaning rod are missing, and that the stock has a prewar flat buttplate yet is fitted with late wartime stamped and welded barrel bands.]
Development
In April 2016 General Jiang Dongming, commander of the Shanxi Provisional Administration, approached Eto Delo with a request to develop a rifle suitable for issue to his home guard and mountain troops. The rifle was to be simple and reliable, of rugged construction, and capable of placing lethal hits on a man-size target at a distance of no less than four hundred meters with iron sights.
[Caption: General Jiang and his protege, Colonel Kang Li, observing maneuvers of the Shanxi Mountain Rangers in Taiyuan, March 2017.]
Andrzej Majewski selected the Mauser 98 action, a well-established and proven design, as the basis for the project. The Mauser's dependence on expensive milled steel components was averted by recycling Kar98k rifles, which at the time were cheaply available from Russia and Ukraine. The primary modifications to the Kar98k pattern were the replacement of the barrel mounted tangent sight with a receiver mounted aperture sight, an arrangement similar to the sights used on the Pattern 1914 Enfield and Springfield M1903A3, and the addition of a Picatinny accessory mounting rail on the barrel ahead of the receiver. The short upper handguard was replaced by one which extended back to the front of the receiver ring, with a slot to clear the accessory rail.
[Caption: A prototype Kar16 converted from a Kar98k built by JP Sauer und Sohn in 1939. The prototype retains the original barrel with short handguard, and the Picatinny rail is mounted on the former base of the tangent sight.]
The design of the Karabiner 16 was completed and approved in July 2016. Production commenced immediately at Eto Delo Hong Kong and Eto Delo Berlin, using donor rifles inspected and processed at Eto Delo Kiev. New barrels and laminated wooden stocks were fitted, reusing the original bayonet lugs, barrel bands and buttplates. The new barrels had threaded muzzles for attachment of flash hiders, silencers and rifle grenade spigots. The coarse bluing and paint applied by Russian arsenals were removed and replaced with a hard-wearing epoxy finish. The 7.92x57mm caliber was retained for its good ballistic performance and for compatibility with the license-built MG 42/16 and refurbished ZB 26 machine guns supplied to Jiang's army by another Eto Delo subsidiary, Shanxi Munition Works. No effort was made to erase or obscure the rifles' original factory codes and Nazi proof marks, as doing so was considered a waste of valuable production time.
[Caption: Closeup of a Kar16 receiver. Markings top to bottom: Waffenamt acceptance stamp, 'ar' factory code indicating production at Mauser Borsigwalde, rework stamp denoting conversion at Shanxi Munition Works in December 2016, and two-digit date stamp showing that the receiver was produced in 1941.]
Field use
The Shanxi troops' initial reactions to the Karabiner 16, which they nicknamed the '98 rifle' after the model designation on the receiver, were mixed. It was a heavy, awkward weapon compared to the QBZ-95 and Type 81 assault rifles, while its low magazine capacity, stout recoil and poor rate of fire made it dangerous to use at close range. Troops often carried submachine guns as backup weapons, limiting their mobility.
Soldier Guo Hao described his experiences with the Kar16 in his autobiography:
It took a long while to get used to the 98 rifle. It was good for hunting now and then, or picking off the odd smuggler, but that seemed to be all... We began to appreciate it better once we started receiving telescopic sights which we could mount on it... The 98 really proved its worth during the spring invasion, when we quickly learned that if a Japanese soldier was shot in the chest by it, he usually didn't get back up.
The Karabiner 16 gained prominence in the hands of the Shanxi Civil Guard during the invasion of Shanxi by the Aru-Japanese Alliance in early 2017. In the Battle of Taiyuan, sharpshooters firing from windows and rooftops offered such fierce resistance to the invading army that 'carrying a 98' became slang for stubborn, defiant behavior.
[Caption: Guo Hao in 2017. He carries a Karabiner 16a with a 2.5x telescopic sight and a Chinese copy of the PPS-43 submachine gun.]
Quantities of Kar16s were purchased by the Sino-Arumic Liaison and Dutch-Danish United Front, where they were issued to rearguard units and civil defense companies in order to free up more modern weapons for frontline service. They also gained a certain popularity on the front lines with marksmen and grenadiers, who could use a simplified copy of the German Schiessbecher grenade launcher attachment to fire Arume Type 5 concussion grenades with high accuracy. Other states on both sides of the global conflict gradually obtained the rifle and it was a common weapon during the Arume Civil War, where its simplicity and hardiness made it attractive to Arume fighters with little firearms experience.
[Caption: Volunteers of the Deutsche Freiwilligen-Kompanie patrolling the Dutch coast, May 2018. A Karabiner 16c and a Karabiner 16d are visible.]
Production of the Karabiner 16 by Eto Delo ended in 2023. Many of the rifles were sold as surplus following war's end, but a large number remain in national arsenals and, like the Karabiner 98k, have continued to appear in regional conflicts up to the present. Since the war, the Kar16 has become a popular rifle with civilian hunters and collectors due to its power, accuracy and historical connections.
Variants
Karabiner 16a: standard model, converted from Russian capture Kar98k rifles.
Karabiner 16b: alternate model, converted from Czechoslovakian Vz 24 rifles. The Kar16b can be distinguished by its non-curved bolt handle and two sets of sling swivels. It was the main variant produced during the Russian freeze on exports of the Kar98k, from early 2017 until late 2018. Initial conversions were performed on Vz 24s captured from the Wehrmacht or from Romania, while production during the freeze was continued using rifles purchased from South America.
Karabiner 16c: a 7.62x51mm version of the Kar16a, produced for the Dutch-Danish United Front.
Karabiner 16d: a 7.62mm version of the Kar16b, also for the DDUF.
Karabiner 16e: a 7.62mm model ordered by the government of India, based on the Kar16c. This version featured a magazine extension which increased its capacity to ten rounds and a unique stock with a trapdoor compartment and nose cap, patterned after that of the 7.62mm Rifle 2A1, an Indian variant of the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield. The contract was canceled when India entered the Second Layer War, and the approximately 3,400 completed 'Maufields' were ultimately sold to Australia. An unlicensed, less polished copy of the Kar16e was produced in India as the 7.62mm Rifle 4A.
Karabiner 16f: a rare variant similar to the Kar16d, produced as a stopgap during the Russian export freeze on the basis of the Spanish M1943 La Coruna rifle.
M17: a licensed copy of the Kar16 produced by Zastava Arms of Serbia, based on the Yugoslavian M24/47 and M48 Mauser rifles.
Specifications (Karabiner 16a)
Weight: 3.9 kg empty
Length: 1,115 mm
Barrel length: 605 mm
Cartridge: 7.92x57 mm
Action: manual rotating bolt, controlled feed
Muzzle velocity: 760 m/s
Effective range: 500 m with iron sights, 800 m with telescopic sight
Feed system: 5 round box magazine
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