The HCL-90 “Big Momma,” MCL-9 “Big Daddy,” TCL-3 “Boomer,” and SCQ-8 “Baby Boomer” Combat Launcher Series
Over time combat launchers have become something of a staple weapon for the Guardcorps, ranging in size from the artillery-like HCL-90 “Big Momma” to the diminutive, pistol-sized SCQ-8 “Baby Boomer” issued as a sidearm to support elements. It may seem cavalier to lump such a wide variety of weapons together into a single topic, but to an astute observer it will soon become clear that the only thing truly separating this diverse selection of weaponry is that of scale.
Combat launchers all function on the same fundamental principle—a wide, smooth bore firing tube and attendant feed mechanism for a limited number of large, low-velocity projectiles.
Projectiles are fired individually, typically using a semiautomatic assembly that reloads the firing tube with a new projectile after each shot. The projectiles themselves are two-part; lacking high-velocity penetration, they are invariably tipped with a blast effect warhead of some kind and, at least in the case of Guardcorps weapons, launched via a small charge of chemical explosive in the base.
Experimental models utilizing electromagnetic induction, gas charges, and even gravitics to replace the chemical explosive approach have been tried, all with scant benefit for the additional complexity and maintenance burden incurred. Smart and remotely guided warheads have also proved to be a dead end—the impact lag due to the weapon's low velocity made accuracy improvements irrelevant due to the increased time for countermeasures to throw a shot off-course.
The only direct improvement engineers have made is in the loading mechanism. The Boomer series features a dual revolving carousel system, with warheads in the lead carousel and launching charges in the rear. This allows for direct battlefield control of both the warhead type and ballistic properties of the shot via loading the rear carousel with a variety of explosive charge sizes that can be aligned with a warhead chosen from the lead carousel. As Unitas never tires of telling us, this allows for the selection of the appropriate level of “Boom” just prior to firing.
Overall, a rather mundane weapon in its own right, even inelegant, but fundamentally effective, and with a simplicity to it that has made it such an abiding feature of the Guardcorps arsenal.
One of the most respected analysts, known both for highly detailed breakdowns and post-engagement evaluation as well as more informal “pop” texts is “Drew Chambert” (a nom de plume). Little is known about this writer except it is evident they are or have been a zeo designer, possibly even a pilot at some point, and have some quite deep connections into both Pact and GuardCorps operations. Their writings and audiocasts are available across all one hundred heliospheres to a greater or lesser extent.
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