SACO/Bofors/Computer Devices Striker

Notes: This is the first of a new generation of automatic grenade launchers that uses computerized aiming and special microchip-controlled grenades to produced enhanced casualty-causing abilities. Another consideration was weight; the Striker (not to be confused with the South African AGL of the same name) is considerably lighter than grenade machine guns of earlier generations. It also incorporates features to control recoil without having to use a soft mount.

The heart of the Striker is its computer controlled sight and the special ammunition (known as Programmable Air Burst). The sight was developed by Computer Devices of Canada, the ammunition by SACO of the US, and the launcher itself by Bofors of Sweden. The sight interrogates the intended target, the gunner tells the sight which type of target it is (personnel in the open, in a trench, light vehicles, etc.) and the sight supplies the proper aiming point. It also sets the fuzes on the ammunition to detonate at the proper moment (impact for light vehicles and buildings, overhead for personnel in the open or trenches, etc.) All this happens in microseconds. The gunner can override any decision the computer makes, or fire without computer assistance at all (this means the special ammunition functions as standard ammunition). The computerized sight incorporated an 8x day sight and a image intensifier, as well as a ballistic computer.

The Striker can be stripped without tools. It is made largely of light alloy and polymer, except for high-stress components such as the barrel, bolt, firing pin, etc.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist.

Merc 2000 Notes: This weapon does not appear in any significant quantity until 2009.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazine

Price

Striker

40mm NATO High Velocity and Programmable Air Burst)

17.5 kg (GL), 6.6 kg (Sight), 9 kg (Tripod)

50 Belt

$1599 (GL), $2600 (Sight), $140 (Tripod)

Weapon

ROF

Round

SS

Burst

Range

IFR

Striker

3

HVCC

1

2

339

Nil

 

3

HVHE

1

2

203

2025

 

3

HVHEDP

1

2

203

2025

 

3

PAB

1

2

203

2025