LSW Mare

LSW Mare
The LSW Mare and its variants.
Type	Squad Automatic Weapon, General Purpose Machine Gun.
Place of origin	The Empire of Common Territories
Service history
In service	2008 - Present.
Used by	TECT Armed Forces
Production history
Designer	Wolf Armaments.
Designed	2008.
Manufacturer	Wolf Armaments.
Unit cost	$3,400 to $4,200 NSD (variant dependent).
Produced	2008 - Present.
No. built	N/A.
Specifications
Weight	7.6 kgs unloaded, 10.1 kgs loaded. (Standard) 10.2 kgs. (MSW) 10.4 kgs. (HSM)
Length	1,011 mm. (Standard) 1,266 mm. (MSW) 1,271 mm. (HSM)
Cartridge	6.45×42mm WA CTA. (Standard) 7.58×54mm WA CTA. (MSW) 8.20×60mm WA CTA. (HSM)
Action	Gas-operated long-stroke piston, open bolt.
Rate of fire	Sustained rate of fire: 65 RPM. Rapid rate of fire: 115 RPM. Cyclic rate of fire: 600-900 RPM. (Standard) Sustained rate of fire: 50 RPM. Rapid rate of fire: 95 RPM. Cyclic rate of fire: 500-700 RPM. (MSW & HSM)
Muzzle velocity	926.3 m/s. (Standard) 865 m/s. (MSW) 821 m/s. (HSM)
Effective firing range	500-4,000 m depending on visibility and optics.
Maximum firing range	4,000+ m.
Feed system	50 & 100 round linked belt system (box or threaded bag carrier) or 50 & 100 round drum magazine, 20-30 round detachable box magazines, 60 round detachable box magazine, 10-20 round detachable box magazines. (Standard) Belt-fed using disintegrating links. (MSW & HSM)
Sights	iron, variable optics.

The LSW Mare or Light Support Weapon Mare, is a squad automatic weapon (SAW) and medium machine gun designed by Wolf Armaments in 2008. The Mare was designed as a replacement to existing belt fed systems that were heavy and required extensive preparation to handle (including assembly with two-man crews). Prior to 2008, the TECT Armed Forces utilized the FN Minimi and later on a reengineered version; attempts at replacing the system failed due to dissatisfaction of the product and prototype failures. Wolf Armaments once again brought forth a design concept to the Ministry of the Armed Forces that included the proven concepts with the FN Minimi and M249 light machine gun while adding considerable alterations that suited Commoner needs. After 4 months of revision and prototype development, the LSW Mare was officially accepted into testing with the TECT Armed Forces and would shortly be adopted later. Since its original introduction, the Mare has been converted to fill other machine gun roles in the TECT Armed Forces. A special medium machine gun model of the original LSW Mare was developed to replace the aging M240 machine gun as the military's standard medium machine gun of choice.

Although highly similar to its cousins, the LSW Mare has a number of key differences that make it stand out from the originals. Firstly, it fires the same cartridge as the AR Scorpion, the 6.45×42mm WA CTA. Using the same ammunition that other infantry use doesn't force soldiers to carry additional ammo types and allows for more efficiency in ammunition management. The barrel itself is also different in terms of its shape, its rifiling, and the addition of an external cooling fin design throughout most of the barrel; additionally, the carrying handle design allows operators to twist off the barrel and replace it with a new one in seconds. The cold hammer-forged barrel provides a stronger barrel for greater safety in case of an obstructed bore or for extended firing sessions - it is chrome lined to increase the lifespan and durability of the barrel, making for a highly accurate and durable barrel. Modifications for an over-the-beach (OTB) capability, such as drainage holes in the bolt carrier and buffer system, are used to enable the LSW Mare to be fired safely after being submerged in water or in other extremely wet conditions. Additionally, the Mare is manufactured with similar materials used in other Wolf Armaments designed firearms, such as impact resistant hard plastics, high quality steel alloy parts, and aluminum alloy parts. Similar to the M249, the Mare can be belt-fed or use detatchable magazines, allowing operators to use more than just belts in combat. Rail systems along the top, sides, and bottom allow for a wide range of attachments and electronics for operators to use. The wide selection of modifications and personalization options essentially make the Mare system one of Wolf Armament's most personalized weapon systems.

Since its inception in 2008, the Mare has been used primarily by the TECT Armed Forces and export customers around the world. Although its standard version is nearing the end of its life in the TECT Armed Forces, other militaries, reserve units in TECT, and the Mare's medium machine gun variants will continue to see service until the forseeable future.

LSW MareV2 "MSW"

The LSW MareV2 or "Medium Support Weapon", is a medium machine gun derived from the original LSW Mare and has since become the parent to many variations itself; including the HSM, there is a special version designed for the Imperial Air Force, Navy and special forces. Originally meant to be a rechambering, designers quickly realized a larger, sturdier body was required to handle the harder ammunition and the extensive modifications needed to affectively utilize said ammunition. Thus, using the LSW Mare and the M240 as inspiration, designers went back to the drawing board and modified the LSW Mare to resemble the M240's system of operation. Everything from a new, hardier firing system to a new ejection port underneath the feed tray for brass was added to an enlarged weapon system. Although new, designers wished to keep the simplicity found on their inspiration piece, hence why a minimal heat shield and more open barrel configuration was adopted; this allows operators to slide off the heat shield, use the larger carrying handle to twist off the barrel, and replace it with ease in combat. The latest version of the MSW features lightweight materials and improved performance parts, reducing the weight and increasing the lifespan of parts considerably. Ideally paired with a ground mount, the MSW, with its solid stock, easily handles 7.58×54mm WA CTA cartridges.

LSW MareV2-1 "HSM"

LSW MareV2-1 or "Heavy Support Mare", is a medium machine gun derived from the standard LSW Mare, but in truth is more an offspring of the LSW MareV2 or MSW. It's defining differences with the MSW is its use of the 8.20×60mm WA CTA, aka "shoulder destroyer." Although never adopted by the TECT Armed Forces, the HSM was crafted for clients looking for much heavier, and deadly, medium machine gun firepower without having to dive into heavy machine guns. Aside from the larger barrel and replaced firing system, the HSM also features heavily improved recoil absorbtion technology. Everything from a firm and soft stock to a hydraulic buffer system have heavily reduced the recoil from firing.

Simunition Conversion

Conversion kits are available for all models of the LSW Mare; they include a bolt carrier (partly colored blue to distinguish it), blank-firing adapter for firing blanks, and an upper receiver colored blue to distinguish it for its practice use. The standard kit will also include a laser transmitter for laser combat systems to use; such systems would include individual soldiers carrying small laser receivers scattered over their bodies, which detect when the soldier has been illuminated by a firearm's laser. Each laser transmitter would be set to mimic the effective range and potential damage of the weapon on which it is used. Depending on how complex the laser combat system is, trainers can retrieve immediate results and statistics compiled by the system; such examples include readings that give medics a digital readout to determine which first aid method to practice and probability readouts. Using the conversion kit, the LSW Mare can seamlessly integrate into these laser combat systems.