Weapon selection is always challenging for any military or security organization. It is even more so for a mercenary company, which cannot count on the logistical support enjoyed by units of the Unified Armies or the Imperial Marines. Energy weapons have certain advantages in terms of limiting munitions which must be transported and maintained. These kinds of weapons also have disadvantages in terms of flexibility and vulnerabilities. An outfit such as Silvan's Troopers, which outfits itself at TL12, also can experience difficulties with local procurement of parts and munitions.
The Troopers use a large range of weapons. Most merc units are armed with a greater variety of weapons than standard units. Often this is because individuals are responsible for their own equipment. The Troopers do not fall into this mold. The typical Trooper is proficient with a large number of weapon types because of the great variety of missions that he or she must perform. The greater the variety of missions the more varied the weapon selection must be.
Like many Profor units the troopers use the Advanced Combat Assault Weapon (ACAW), a modular weapon system that can be configured for different mission profiles. The ACAW is manufactured by Instellarms under the designation IA-552 AGW.
As an effectively unsupported unit the Troopers are an elite unit especially suited to strike missions in the spirit of the Sylean Rangers. Unlike the Rangers they are a Profor unit, and so are generally more dependent on vehicles and life support technology than your average Ranger unit. Though an elite unit, they are unsuited to holding actions or occupation and security duties. These tasks are sometimes performed by their mates in the Home Guard, who are trained in these kinds of missions and outfitted for it.
The best way to illustrate the number of different weapons utilized is to describe typical missions, giving standard weapon loadouts. Some devices can also double as weapons. For example, no Trooper would be without a bayonet-knife, a handy Solimani pocket tool, and wire, which among its many other uses can become a garrote.
The standard side arm of Trooper officers is the 4mm gauss pistol , although a few carry the 4mm HC gauss. Because the Troopers are sometimes called on the perform bodyguard duties most officers and many warrants also possess a body pistol, which can be easily concealed. The influence of the Imperial Marine trainers, and the Duchess's expertise with the weapon, has also influenced the Trooper officers and warrants to follow the Imperial norm, and most possess a serviceable ceremonial sword for full dress occasions. Many noncommissioned officers also posses a 4mm gauss pistol, although they must procure them at their own expense.
The Troopers standard dress for boarding actions is Army Combat Armor. The exact weapon choice depends upon the resistance expected and the allowable collateral damage. For minimum damage troopers will use shotguns or the ACAW in its shotgun configuration, supplemented with auto snub pistols. The large variety of available shotgun combat rounds makes it a very effect weapon. If the unit expects to be operating in zero G they will supplement this loadout with 10mm accelerator rifles or the ACAW with its integrated accelerated rifle. A mixed bag of HEAT, AP and chemical rounds will be carried to achieve maximum flexibility. Unit demolition experts will carry breaching charges and each unit will have a cracker whose job it will be to neutralize any electronic defenses. Like the Imperial Marines, Troopers will often be armed with cutlasses or tomahawks which can be quite effective in the close quarters aboard ship, and can be much less random in the damage inflicted than a firearm or energy weapon.
In cases where stiffer resistance is expected gauss SMG 4mms are used. This is the standard weapon of the Sylean Rangers, and is preferred to the heavier 4mm gauss rifle by most Troopers for situations aboard ship. The ACAW can also fulfill this role.
Combat in zero G, especially EVA combat presents special problems. Lasers and accelerator weapons have a long history of use in this arena. Due to the relative distances involved these weapons typically include HUD displays and computer targeting links.
One of the most difficult type of mission in this category is the so called unassisted boarding. In this scenario the Troopers will approach a ship or station either in free fall or using bullet bikes. The target must be externally dead or at least have no operating point defense weaponry. Bullet bikes are used because they are faster than a zero-g maneuvering unit and more maneuverable than a cutter. Hardpoints on the bikes allow weapons to be mounted, typically a missile launcher or VRFGG, which can be used for support.
Troopers will commonly wear ACA if they are engaged in a boarding action. In the case of an assault on a station, asteroid, or other target where the goal does not require combat in close quarters battledress is usually worn. The types of weapons used in this case are also generally more destructive, often including man-portable missile launchers and fusion guns.
Profor troops specialize in combat in hostile environments. Since the term "hostile environments" can mean anything from an airless rockball to a chlorine atmosphere weapon loads can be quite variable. Mission requirements have led the Troopers to establish a number of standard equipment configurations.
Troopers wear the Utility Uniform, often with a skinsuit underneath if operating aboard ship or on station. Protective equipment consists of elbow and knee pads and the light helmet and lined combat vest. For "Clean" missions (i.e. those that happen on planets with breathable atmosphere) the trooper will have a field kit, full of the standard gear soldiers have used for millennia. Weapon load consists of side arms for officers usually a 4mm or 4mm HC gauss pistol. Troopers carry the ACAW with its 4 mm gauss rifle with under barrel 20 mm gauss grenade launcher, HUD hookup, laser sight, gyrostablization and bayonet lug or ACAW in its the combat shotgun configuration. If required one fire team will be designated as a heavy fire support unit and outfitted with a gauss LSW weapon or man-portable antitank weapons depending upon perceived threat.
Troopers wear Army Combat Armor with sealed helmet and long endurance life support pack. The soft pack is used to carry additional equipment. Troopers carry the the ACAW gauss rifle. Each combat team will have a support gunner armed with a grav compensated and gyrostablized FGMP-12 or a fire support team as designated above. Officers will additionally carry a side arm.
If deployed with bullet bikes a heavier weapon load will be carried, which will include more ammunition and more disposable man-portable missile weapons to increase the unit's firepower.
Troopers are outfitted with battledress. In many respects battledress is more of a vehicle than a suit of clothing or armor. Equipment is mounted on the suit at hardpoints, locations specially designed to accept attached equipment. The main hardpoint is on the torso rear. This is the standard backpack location. Various backpack designs are used depending upon weapon load and mission.
