Earhard-Sanders Rifle
| M1082 Earhard-Sanders Bolt Rifle | |
|---|---|
 Earhard-Sanders M1082 with M0179 Bayonet Fixed and Powered | |
| Type | Service rifle |
| Place of origin |  Imperial and Federal Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1082 P.L. to Present |
| Used by | Imperial and Federal Union |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mannfred Earhard and Thomas Sanders |
| Designed | 1079 P.L. |
| Manufacturer | Earhard-Sanders Gunsmiths |
| Unit cost | 750 Kr |
| Produced | 1080 P.L |
| Variants | M1082k Bolt Carbine |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 4.4 kg |
| Length | 128 cm |
| Barrel length | 84.6 cm |
| Cartridge | 11 x 58 mm Vyner Bolt |
| Caliber | 11 mm |
| Action | Bolt action |
| Feed system | 12 Round en bloc Clip |
| Sights | Iron sights |
The Earhard-Sanders Rifle or M1082 is a bolt rifle that serves as the standard service weapon of the Imperial & Federal Common Army and is commonly issued to most infantry as their primary armament. Variations of the weapon are also used heavily among the cavalry, shipboard boarding parties of the Imperial & Federal Navy, and security forces of the Imperial & Federal Aerospace Troops. Firing a powerful 11 mm Vyner lasbolt, the Earhard-Sanders rifle has been in continuous service for nearly forty years, and is still being mass produced. As a breech loading, bolt action rifle, the Earhard-Sanders replaced the older single shot Vyner M1010 rifle, but continues to use the same powerful and flexible cartridge. The Earhard-Sanders is one of the most common weapons in the R.u.B, as it is issued in great numbers to Common Army regulars, Grenzers, as well as Federal militia forces. The wide spread availability of the rifle has made ammunition for it plentiful, as well as a great variety of local modification to make the weapon fit for other services.
History & Design
Ammunition & Attachments
Cartridge
The Earhard-Sanders M1082 fires a Vyner 11x58 mm lasbolt, commonly known as the Vyner 11-5. Like all bolt weapons, the Vyner 11-5 consists of two parts: a phlogiston charge, which takes up the majority of the cartridge's mass and a coronatite shard, that serves as a focusing and channeling point. When fired, the phlogiston charge rapidly ignites, and the resultant plasma is shaped by the coronatite into a contained and focused 'bolt', that is then propelled down the barrel.
The Vyner 11-5 is a noted improvement on previous lasbolts, with its bolts capable of much further range and coherence. The increased coherence of the bolt allows for more energy to be carried to the target, for armour penetration or damage. More importantly, the predictability of the 11-5 allows the M1082 to use a 'selective fire' capability. When fired, the use can now adjust the pattern of the bolt's coherence, with settings available for a bolt with a shotgun effect, ones that prioritise range over retention of power, and balanced settings for standard infantry engagements. This flexibility has proven to be a major contribution to the M1082's long service life.
Bayonet
The M1082 mounts the Vymer M1079 bayonet. Forged from vorpal steel, when energised, a vymer blade generates a power field around the blade capable of penetrating most common types of personal--and even light vehicle--armour. The Vymer bayonet allows the weapon's carrier to remain effective in combat, even against opponents making common use of heavy power armour or other forms of personal protection.