Why does sci-fi not have energy-based automatic weapons?

[Teaos]

Anyone ever heard of metal storm? 1 million shots a minute.

[JudgeKing]

What about the Plasma repeaters that the Kull Warriors have in Stargate. That seemed pretty automatic.

[mwhittington]

Anyone ever heard of metal storm? 1 million shots a minute.

I have, Teaos. It's amazing because there are no moving parts, no firing pin, and the ammo is stored in the barrels. Check it out here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_storm
Man, I love Wikipedia!

[Mikey]

Yeah, I saw that thing too. Quiet as a mouse, because of the lack of action. Scary thing to be on the wrong end of, that's for sure.

[sunnyside]

What about the Plasma repeaters that the Kull Warriors have in Stargate. That seemed pretty automatic.

I don't know if those make 10 rounds a second but they're at least getting close.

I selected 10 rounds a second as that's the slowest rate of fire I know of on a modern full auto small arm. Almost all assault rifles/SMGs fall in between 10 and 15 rounds per second.

Metal storm is a little misleading. They have a technically high rate of fire, but since they don't really reload it's more of a burst. So what Metal Storm does feels an awful lot like saying my shotgun has a million per minute rate of fire because it sends a few dozen pellets out all at once.

Frankly I think Metal Storm technology would work better as a 3 shot burst or single shot system mounted on something like a UAV that could take advantage of the lightweight nature of the system.

[Mikey]

AFAIK, the intent is to develop it for remote use on UGV's as well as the lighter types of manned utility vehicles and remote-operated fixed emplacements.

[Tsukiyumi]

Here's a great idea for application of Metal Storm technology: AICW

[Aaron]

I can't remember... does BSG (original and new, I count them as separate universes, though I ignore the middle one) have autos.

Yes to both.

[Aaron]

There are SMG's and some assault rifles with up to 1.5 times that rate ROF, most notably, some of the more modern Fabrique Nationale models - the MINIMI has been rated at up to 1150 rounds/minute.

Yeah, if you crank the gas pressure up. Which is only supposed to be done once the weapon has become fouled and you need the pressure to maintain fire, though try telling that to the gunner.

As for what the military calls weapons that have varying rates of fire: it's just automatic. Most of the automatic weapons in the miltary can have varying rates anyways. Weapons are subdivided according to their role and size but a 25mm Bushmaster cannon is an automatic weapon just as a C-7 service rifle is.

[Mikey]

That was a point I made earlier - "automatic" refers to the fact that it keeps firing as long as you hold the trigger, not to any particular ROF.

Good to see you back, BTW.

[Aaron]

That was a point I made earlier - "automatic" refers to the fact that it keeps firing as long as you hold the trigger, not to any particular ROF.

Good to see you back, BTW.

Thanks dude. Even a weapons cyclic rate really only refers to how many rounds go down range with an uninterrupted supply of ammo. The M2HB has a cyclic rate of 600 rounds a minute (max) but it's practical rate is around forty, unless you really enjoy a busted gun and jello arms.

[stitch626]

What's wrong with Jell-O arms?

[Aaron]

What's wrong with Jello arms?

Besides making you combat ineffective? I suppose your mates could eat them for a snack.

[Mikey]

There's always room for Jell-O!

[mwhittington]

Except for the lime green! IT'S EEEEVVVIIILLLL!!!! *cue swirling grey clouds, thunder, and lightning*