Restricted Weapon PIPE

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PIPE

AFFILIATION
Open market.

MANUFACTURER

• Greff-Timms Industrial.
• Blackwell Munitions.

SIZE
Length - 1 meter.

WEIGHT
6 kilograms.COMPOSITION
Durasteel.

WEAPON TYPE
Rocket launcher.

DAMAGE TYPE(S)
Explosive.

AMMUNITION CAPACITY
1 projectile.

FIRE SELECTOR
Single shot.

MAX RANGE
150 meters.

DESCRIPTION​

The PIPE, or Projector, Infantry, Proton Explosive, is an infantry-portable rocket launcher originally produced for the Old Republic's Special Tactics Troopers, although it was later accepted into more general service. It was meant to be a lighter, more general-purpose alternative to heavier, less portable launcher systems; design and initial production was undertaken by Greff-Timms Industrial, although a quality control scandal led to competitor Blackwell Munitions producing their own version. The "PIPE Scandal" is cited as one of the primary factors in Greff-Timms' eventual downfall.

PIPEs are rocket launchers, basically a tube with a complex internal system of baffles and vents designed to reduce the recoil and back-blast from firing its projectile. These measures give the weapon greater flexibility of use, as they reduce the back-blast enough to allow the weapon's firing in semi-enclosed spaces. This allows the user to fire from cover much more easily than with other rocket systems. The PIPE's rocket ammunition has a range of about 150 meters and is tipped with a powerful proton explosive, which can be set either for contact or timed detonation, up to 20 seconds from time of firing. It can also be set for two different modes, either a focused detonation meant for use against armor, roughly equivalent to a medium laser cannon and useful against pillboxes or the vulnerable spots on tanks, or an unfocused detonation, which is roughly equivalent to a bundle of fragmentation grenades and has a blast radius of about 7 meters. Generally, it is not advised for the shooter to be within 10 meters of their target due to this explosive radius; additionally, it is advised that at least a 3-meter area directly behind the shooter be clear to allow for back-blast from the weapon's discharge.

Each PIPE-fired rocket weighs about 5 kilograms, and a supply of them is usually carried by an assistant gunner/loader, although a being can opt to carry extra rounds themselves, though this will usually slow them down. The rounds are muzzle loaded. They do not contain any active guidance systems, and are fin-stabilized in flight; the PIPE itself has a standard visible-light targeting optic to assist in aiming.

The PIPE is one of the oldest patterns of infantry rocket launcher still in service, with antique examples persisting in the armories of a number of Outer Rim worlds. It has done sterling service on battlefields across the known Galaxy, spanning thousands of years.

LEGALITY​

Restricted. Rocket launchers are extremely powerful weapons, and are thus banned on most civilized worlds. Even on uncivilized ones, carrying one around in public is sure to draw unwanted attention.

INTENT​

To revive a design from previous timelines for the current one.

RESTRICTIONS​

In a PvP engagement, rocket launchers such as the PIPE may only be used against vehicles and fortifications. Care should be taken for any player characters driving, riding in or fighting from the target to be given the opportunity to bail or deploy countermeasures before impact.