Energy Weapons VS Ballistic Weapons

[Wolv0rine]

You know, when it's all said and done, this question will be based on the same factor as every other weapons choice in history has been made.
It will be based on the developments in defense.

If, for example (this is a Sci-Fi thread, afterall) the enemy is fielding magnetic/gravitonic personal shields on their soldiers, then ballistic weapons just became moot. If tehy have Really strong magnetic/gravitonic sheilds, then ballistic AND energy weapons become moot and someone had better start getting more creative in their weapons designs.

But it's ALL about the defenses you face. So, you want an answer to the man's initial question, then we'd better start designing interesting defenses to be overcome.

There, how's that spin your top, Ralts?

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

Also the development of conventional guns is nearly at the end. There aren't any big inventions left in the field except the conversion to gauss weapons or micro rockets

I don't know...

 

[Skrit]

You all forget the advantages energy weapons have over conventional ones, mainly accuracy.

Laser who really travel at light speed are much easier to aim than slug throwers who are affected by the density of the air and gravity (which are constantly changing variables in a sci-fi setting). And depending on the energy source a continous fire is possible.

Also the development of conventional guns is nearly at the end. There aren't any big inventions left in the field except the conversion to gauss weapons or micro rockets and even now some good defenses exist against bullets which stop them completly or reduce a hit to a minor wound. Yes, knockback is nice at close range but gunfights happen mostly at long rage where knockback is a minor factor because of the reduced power of the bullet and because you can't take as many advantages by knocking the enemy over than at close range.

Guns only stay effective as long as the enemy doesn't has access to defensive equipment which is superior than the guns. If that happens you have invent a bullet to penetrate this defenses and, if that is not possible, switch to a different weapon.

My guess for the future is mainly micro explosive rounds/rockets and either energy or gauss whatever proves easier to do.
What about sonic weapons? Sci-Fi dram or really an option?

Most gunfights take place at close range. If you talking about street warfare (criminals) most your shootings occur at 10 to 20ft. Not sure about the military statistics but I'm pretty sure the Urban Warfare that seems to be the new type of battlefield take place at close range and not a hundred yards. Most the time in Vietnam fighting was right in your face since you couldn't see more then 10ft in the jungle. My grandfather in the pacific has a story (that he seemed to tell way too much) about being 5 to 10 yrds from a Japanese machine gun nest on Okinawa and couldn't see it.

 

[Derren]

I don't know...

I don't see how this is a big new development. It is the same as we have now only with more technical stuff fitted into the gun, but nothing revolutionary.

And I disagree that most gunfights happen at close range. Even in street combat long range fighting happens. And on open terrain going for close range combat is suicide.

 

[Skrit]

I don't see how this is a big new development. It is the same as we have now only with more technical stuff fitted into the gun, but nothing revolutionary.

And I disagree that most gunfights happen at close range. Even in street combat long range fighting happens. And on open terrain going for close range combat is suicide.

Sitting out in open terrain in todays warfair doesn't sound like a very good idea to me.. That opens you up to attacks by planes, artillery, long range missles, and that's not talking about the nasty stuff such as nukes, chemicles and biological weapons. By sitting yourself in the city you force the enemy to come in an dig yout ot house to house which is much easier to defend against and should be a high casualty area. Sure they could still use percision guided weapons against some high concentrations but they can't just carpet bomb you like out in the field. Granted you still have to have boots on the ground to clean people out after but it will be far less people if youre sitting out in the open then you would be in a city. See the would has turned against leveling cities like was done in WW2. Still even back then if you level the city you still got to get troops and there and it's going to be hell of a fight.

I'm not saying Urban fighting takes place at 10ft but it's not going to be 200yrds or more unless is some kind of special circumstance.

*Edit* ohh yeah keeping on topic no one talked about Gene Simmons gun from Runaway where it was like a mini cruise missle. Rocket poppelled rounds have been around for awhile (I think the 70s) but they were too expensive and did nothing regular bullets could do. Where as if you had Gene's gun it would be a useful rocket round since it could lock on and track it's target..

 

[Captain Tagon]

I don't see how this is a big new development. It is the same as we have now only with more technical stuff fitted into the gun, but nothing revolutionary.

And I disagree that most gunfights happen at close range. Even in street combat long range fighting happens. And on open terrain going for close range combat is suicide.

Have you ever looked at gunfighting statistics? Most gunfights on the streets are within fifteen feet or so. That's why to qualify for concealed carry licenses and such you are only tested as being accurate out to seven yards or so.

 

[Jack of Shadows]

My wife is alive due to a Desert Storm Era kevlar vest. My brother is alive due to a Interceptor Vest. I'm alive due to a Desert Storm Era kevlar vest and helmet.

Dear Lord,

Where do you people live that your drawing so much fire!?!

Jack

 

[Plane Sailing]

Judge Dredd's gun does exactly that doesn't it.. Still that's some pretty far out science.

My brother had the issue of 200AD which had a cutaway diagram of the original Judge Dredd lawgiver, and it was clear that the ammo selector was actually a magazine selector - the gun had two magazines (I don't recall whether or not each magazine had two sets of ammo in as well). The 'hotshot' heat-seeking round wasn't an additional round type, but an attachment fitted to the end of the barrel a little similar to rifle grenade in concept.

The lawgiver was certainly the first thing that came to my mind for variable ammunition. Another viable option is to have a weapon which has a range of ammunition of the same calibre. In my sci-fi game the 'cartridge gun' was popular, a revolver and each chamber could be loaded with one of - armour piercing discarding sabot, shotshell, high explosive, tranq, grappling line, smoke. I think the idea was inspired by the snub pistol in original traveller.

Cheers

 

[Plane Sailing]

You all forget the advantages energy weapons have over conventional ones, mainly accuracy.

Actually many people have already mentioned this factor.

Also the development of conventional guns is nearly at the end. There aren't any big inventions left in the field except the conversion to gauss weapons or micro rockets

A rather sweeping statement which is extraordinarily likely to be wrong. There are almost certainly innovative ways of killing people with ballistic weapons which haven't been concieved yet.

I've noticed that you have a habit of making statements which are phrased in an adversarial manner, you might wish to work on that a little.

Regards

 

[Skrit]

A rather sweeping statement which is extraordinarily likely to be wrong. There are almost certainly innovative ways of killing people with ballistic weapons which haven't been concieved yet.

Exactly just because we can't think something up yet doesn't me it would be impossible to do.

Things about Slug throwing weapons is they will always be cheap, always be reliable, and will be used by somebody in some form in the future.

How do I know this?? Simple look at the blowgun. They have been around for over 40,000 years and have changed little (other then being made of space age materials now). They still work and people still use them