Some calculations.

[Shadow Archon]

80% DU? I dunno what that means.

Depleted Uranium.

[Quirel]

The MkVI article is all just meaningless gibberish to me. What makes a weapon automatic?

An automatic weapon will continue to fire so long as the trigger is held down. A semi-automatic will fire one round per trigger pull.
Burst-fire is generally considered to be semi-automatic, but it depends on who you ask.

And the new models seem like the basic model (a canister rifle) with modifications, which are just as easily put in by any soldier that wants to (want a flash light? Just duck tape it on there. This sorta stuff happens in the real world).

Depends. I think that the 'Energy' munitions that were mentioned were the biggest change, and quite possibly the one that warranted a new weapon design.

Anyhow, "The basic model with modifications" is quite literally how firearm developments work in real life.
The AK-74 is the AKM (You know it as the AK-47) rechambered for a smaller bullet. Most of the other changes were ergonomic.
The M16A2 had the automatic setting removed in favor of burst fire and... OK, it received a lot of changes.

Magnetic grid tracker in real life would be as simple
as some kind of computer attached to the weapon (adding a ballistic range finder to a rifle doesn't change the rifle's model number! It's still the same rifle).

I could see an argument made if the computer is integrated right into the rifle's chassis, rather than being an attachment.

It's all just screwy technobabble that doesn't really mean anything. Another example, no explanation for why it's both high powered single shot and full automatic in the same package - such technology couldn't concievably exist

Don't see why not. If you're worried about the recoil, a bipod might be used for stability, and lighter APFSDS rounds might be issued for automatic fire.

In automatic mode, I think that the C-14 might be analogous to an automatic grenade launcher, just with longer range.

Okay, so on top of all that, impalers have more penetration. Why does the AGR-14 even exist, unless the terran have an obsession with coil guns (maybe it's just more affordable).

More affordable is likely. Might be a different manufacturer trying to compete for the same niche.

Heck, might even be easier for mercs to fabricate.

[solidsamurai]

Depleted Uranium.

That's used in ammo, not armor, far as I know.

The AK-74 is the AKM (You know it as the AK-47) rechambered for a smaller bullet.

That alone is enough of a mod to warrant a different model, especially for firearms dating from the 20th century, before computers. Lesee, adjust the stock (maybe) to fit the new barrel (a new barrel is needed for a new size of bullet), adjust the loader so that it could load the new bullet, and then design a new magazine that fits into the existing magazine load design. Someone that purchases the gun needs to know what ammo it works with, so a new brand is attached to the label for easier identification for consumers. All of that contributes to the name change.

I could see an argument made if the computer is integrated right into the rifle's chassis, rather than being an attachment.

Why put it into the stock? It'd only get in the way. Computers are also prone to fail on the battlefield (like any other high technology or more complicated mechanism), so no firearm, save maybe something complicated like an aircraft or artillery weapon (not that I know anything about weapons, really), would incorporate a computer into the basic model (and the basic model probably isn't even a weapon - ie. many cars and aircraft these days come with computers right in their basic models).

Don't see why not. If you're worried about the recoil, a bipod might be used for stability, and lighter APFSDS rounds might be issued for automatic fire.

Inconcievable! I couldn't have possibly realized I was talking like that guy from princess bride. :P

Anyway, I dunno what APFSDSABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP means.

And recoil of that sort needs more than a bipod. Weapons can be designed to move the recoil in certain directions - I've never heard of downward though (something that a bipod might fight pretty well), and forward is impossible. On upward recoil, the bipod would be bouncing, removing the point of it, unless the shooter has shaky arms and needs a bipod to help him hold the weapon in the first place.

[Shadow Archon]

That's used in ammo, not armor, far as I know.

I was going off of what the Terran marine model kit stated the armor was made out of. 80% Depleted Uranium and other materials.

[Quirel]

That's used in ammo, not armor, far as I know.

Well, now you know differently. The M1 Abrams incorporates depletalloy (Old term for DU, but too awesome to not use) into its armor.

That alone is enough of a mod to warrant a different model, especially for firearms dating from the 20th century, before computers. Lesee, adjust the stock (maybe) to fit the new barrel (a new barrel is needed for a new size of bullet), adjust the loader so that it could load the new bullet, and then design a new magazine that fits into the existing magazine load design. Someone that purchases the gun needs to know what ammo it works with, so a new brand is attached to the label for easier identification for consumers. All of that contributes to the name change.

Exactly. My point was that the ammunition change might have been enough to warrant a new model number with the canister rifles.

Why put it into the stock? It'd only get in the way.

Ah, such a twenty-first century way of thinking!
Whether a computer will 'get in the way' is a question of ergonomics. I'm not sure what the device in question would display: If it's just the person's coordinates, that could probably be displayed inside the scope or the obligatory ammunition counter. If it's an actual map, then I would link it to the user's HUD, or incorporate a small screen like on the Halo Spartan Laser:

The screen could display a lot more than just maps, and it could flip shut when not in use.

I am assuming, of course, that holographic displays would be impractical, due to weight, size, or visibility limitations.

Anyhow, you might be surprised at what is actually comfortable to use when it comes to weapons.

Computers are also prone to fail on the battlefield (like any other high technology or more complicated mechanism), so no firearm, save maybe something complicated like an aircraft or artillery weapon (not that I know anything about weapons, really), would incorporate a computer into the basic model

Better tell the Terrans that. Don't see how a gauss rifle could work without a hardy computer to coordinate those magnetic coils.

Anyway, I dunno what APFSDSABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP means.

Armor-Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot.

I probably should have said "Sub-caliber rounds", as that's what I actually had in mind.

And recoil of that sort needs more than a bipod. Weapons can be designed to move the recoil in certain directions - I've never heard of downward though (something that a bipod might fight pretty well), and forward is impossible.

You mean like, say, a muzzle brake? = D

[Shadow Archon]

Better tell the Terrans that. Don't see how a gauss rifle could work without a hardy computer to coordinate those magnetic coils.

Gauss rifles should have computers in them. They do have an auto-target feature according to the SCC maps.

[Robear]

The ones in the Brood War intro have an ammo display screen on the side, so there's at least some tiny level of computing in there. It seems odd that auto-targeting would be in the gun and not the suit, though, since the suit is the part that aims.

About the possibility of a bipod— the C-10 doesn't have one. Here's that Ghost concept art for the cancelled C-20 that had one, which never made it into the game:



And here's the C-10 from SC2 (which looks the same as SCG's). I guess maybe it'd be possible to attach one, though.



Also maybe of note is that earlier concept, but is interesting in that the gun has separate barrels for firing normal bullets and canisters, plus a bipod.



Of course, that one was never used for anything, and the actual C-10s just have a thick barrel. Maybe as part of the Ghost's backpack equipment they could swap in parts and a thinner barrel to fire different kinds of ammunition.

[Equiliari]

or even maneuver through an asteroid belt).

That is pretty easy even with an insanely huge ship like that if the asteroid belt in question has the same spacing between asteroids as we find in the asteroid belts in our solar system. We are talking several hundred thousand kilometers. Of the missions we humans have performed out there involving asteroids, their interaction was planned. Otherwise they just fly straight through with no problem.

[Hawki]

The ones in the Brood War intro have an ammo display screen on the side, so there's at least some tiny level of computing in there. It seems odd that auto-targeting would be in the gun and not the suit, though, since the suit is the part that aims.

About the possibility of a bipod— the C-10 doesn't have one. Here's that Ghost concept art for the cancelled C-20 that had one, which never made it into the game:

Actually, it made it into Wings of Liberty and made a return appearence in Spectres. It's been canonized.

Of course, that one was never used for anything, and the actual C-10s just have a thick barrel. Maybe as part of the Ghost's backpack equipment they could swap in parts and a thinner barrel to fire different kinds of ammunition.

It can-earlier versions could fire lockdown rounds, the Mk. VI can fire EMP rounds. It's hardly a leap of faith to suggest that other rounds exist for it.

[solidsamurai]

Better tell the Terrans that. Don't see how a gauss rifle could work without a hardy computer to coordinate those magnetic coils.

The computer for that is likely the most reliable make for repeated use in all environments, and is mostly mechanically driven. Should definitely not be anything fancy.
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Of course, that one was never used for anything, and the actual C-10s just have a thick barrel. Maybe as part of the Ghost's backpack equipment they could swap in parts and a thinner barrel to fire different kinds of ammunition.

A thicker barrel would be better for a larger variety of ammunition. Smooth bore is better because it can fire a greater range of things than something that's rifled (rifled demands a more exact match of ammo, I believe).

The idea of a computer letting you automatically target anything you like is silly, cheesey, a totally unimaginative gamebreaker and a complete and utter buzzkill for story writers. IMO. Unless it were eve-online, where targeting is needed to get your guns to recognize a target in the first place, rather than gaurantee a hit like auto-casting true strike (D&D referance).

EDIT: Okay, maybe unless it's something like a CIWS (which seems pretty cool; maybe just because it's real life). But only if it's mounted on something like a starship. On a bunker, it just isn't cost effective (one would think; unless you're raynor's raiders and you feel the need to install a shrike turret). Auto-targeting people is mostly silly. Floor mounted guns, sure. But an infantry scale weapon that auto-targets would just get confusing for a human operator - why even have a human operator if everything is computed? Floor mounted and shrike turrets already exist already, and battlecruisers probably incorporate some kind of CIWS made to recognize missiles - although gemini missiles are probably too small, made to spiral (from the cinematic where the wraiths destroy the satellite) and launched at too close of range - the same might apply to lanzer missiles and valkyrie halo rockets; halo rockets are just many rockets shaped like cones, they launch in a cluster or pair in order to probably provide interferance against CIWS resistance and are actually guided to explode away from one another as a screen, instead of seek out the target - lanzer missiles are... er, quite small and thin? I guess, they're sorta like lasers (get it, lanzer and laser? Nvm...) so they move faster than fast lul (yeah terrible reasoning; no clue why it'd fool a CIWS but whatever - presumably vikings are very close quarters, even while airborne, they can start and stop quite quickly, however turning still seems to be another matter). Chances are the dominion is working on a new CIWS... er, maybe. Just assume that it exists whenever blizzard introduces the next 'uber roxxor big ship of massiveness for the sake of cool because big ships are cool and stuff, lol'.

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Something I've wondered about: Starcraft 1 was less about guns that are aesthetically appropriate to look at. I wonder what happened to that idea - everything needs to correspond with the USMC glamour these days. Or maybe that's the fruity terran dominion stepping over the gritty confederacy and the in-between KMC.

That is pretty easy even with an insanely huge ship like that if the asteroid belt in question has the same spacing between asteroids as we find in the asteroid belts in our solar system. We are talking several hundred thousand kilometers. Of the missions we humans have performed out there involving asteroids, their interaction was planned. Otherwise they just fly straight through with no problem.

A ship 10km long would certainly have its own center of gravity. The hull needs to be appropriated to all the shit that will be orbiting around or sticking to it on its journey. That might include smaller asteroids that feel the need to bang into it at high velocity - sort of like a meteorite entering earth's atmopshere, except that a behemoth has no atmosphere apart from a shield - and if the shield is anything like the defense matrix, it doesn't last long and needs a lot of power; the sort of power that slowly recovers over time.

A behemoth is so big that no armor can be thick enough to protect all its regions - it'd need to have redundant spaces (decks and quarters), and that includes extra bridges.

The M1 Abrams incorporates depletalloy (Old term for DU, but too awesome to not use) into its armor.

So what's all this mention of neosteel?

And isn't uranium an element? Why would they call depleted uranium an alloy (an alloy is just a compound with metal properties and solid in earth atmosphere and environment, far as I know)?