The Essential Guide to Force Exile/S-3 autorifle

The S-3 autorifle was a second-generation Kraechar Arms infantry weapon designed to provide fire support at the squad level. The weapon was first released in 12 BBY as part of an ongoing modernization and standardization effort in the Yanibar Guard Army. The S-3's development was a source of considerable tension between Yanibar Guard Army and Fleet commanders, as both services had wanted an infantry support weapon. The highest echelons of the Yanibar Guard had stipulated that, due to cost, only one weapon type would be procured and that the two services would have to work together to create criterion for the autorifle.

That was the problems originated. The army wanted a more robust, heavier weapon with a larger magazine size and more firepower. The navy, concerned about the cramped nature of shipboard combat as well as collateral damage to the interior of its vessels, wanted a blaster that could dominate the ship corridors but one that was also small enough to wield. Many long, heated discussion were had over the nature of the design, but in the end, more components of the navy design were adopted.

The S-3 came with its large blaster gas magazine built into a foregrip that allowed it to be used more effectively in close-quarters and provided stability while firing. The weapon, though larger and heavier than the S-2F blaster rifle by volume and mass, was shorter and simpler. In order to cut costs, there were no rails for attachments like on the S-2F and S-2C blaster series, but a built-in flashlight/targeting scope that could interface with the army's Battlesuit52s was included.

After the final designs were completed and the first S-3s entered service in 12 BBY, the result was a small autorifle with a higher fire rate and capacity than a standard rifle, but far less firepower and range than other support weapons of that era such as the T-21 repeating blaster. The S-3 could fire 200 blasts per gas cartridge, at a rate of 12 blasts per second when set on full autofire. This was fifty percent more than the firing rate of an S-2F blaster rifle set on full autofire and could be sustained for 15 seconds. The weapon could also be set on half-fire and single fire, as well as a stun mode. The latter feature was requested by the navy and caused considerable design problems for the Kraechar Arms engineers developing it. The effective range of the weapon was 500 meters, but it was recommended for use at ranges of about half of that, making it more suited for close-range combat than fire support.

The barrel of the S-3 was also difficult to develop due to the incredible thermal strains placed on it by repeating fire. Kraechar Arms was able to develop a material with a very high thermal coefficient in order to reduce wear and tear on the barrel, but personnel equipped with the S-3 were advised to carry an extra barrel with them at any rate. Kraechar Arms made the barrel replacement simple and easy enough to be completed in under thirty seconds by an experienced soldier, but it was still a source of concern.

Despite its size, the S-3 was deployed at the squad level by the Yanibar Guard Army and saw field use for over 10 years. Its ruggedness and reliability, aside from the occasional barrel overheating, as well as its simplicity, made it relatively popular among line infantry. In 2 BBY, the S-3A was released, featuring better optical sights and a slightly modified stock design that provided more stability and balance to the autorifle so it had less of tendency to "kick up" when firing. Both models saw heavy use at the Battle of Yanibar in 4 ABY.

Appearances

 * Hard Code