The CTX is one of the Coalition's standard fire support weapons. A 10 mm projectile gun, the CTX fires rounds at 2 kilometres per second via a magnetic rail. Rounds can be either ballistic, with a maximum range of 5 km, or boosted via a pulse repellor to about triple that distance. All rounds steer themselves by means of small fins which deploy after firing.
All rounds are guided by one of several methods. If the use of active sensors is possible the CTX has a laser-radar sight which can scan terrain out to 15 kilometres, identifying and tracking up to 200 targets. A frequency agile laser in the nose can then illuminate the 24 highest priority targets. Rounds are stored in ammunition magazines slung under the barrel; sixteen magazines each hold 48 rounds, a total of 768 for a full load. Each magazine can hold a single type of ammunition. AP, SAP, explosive and incendiary are available.
In passive mode the CTX can use optical or infa red sights or an electronic emissions sensor to locate targets. Ballistic trajectories are then calculated and fed into the rounds, allowing them to fly to the targets without any active emissions from the weapon or rounds.
The CTX is an extremely effective weapon in the hands of a skilled operator, but it is a complex system which is difficult to operate. There have been reliability concerns, though on investigation many of these are due to errors in using the weapon rather than failures of the weapon itself. The CTX is also prone to jamming if not kept clean - and some claim even if it is kept clean. As a result of these concerns it has a poor reputation amongst troops. There have been several attempts to produce a successor, though all have failed.
Give a man a fire, and you keep him warm for a day. SET a man on fire, and you will keep him warm for the rest of his life...
