The SRR's new service weapon trials.

[Socialist Republik von Rhein]

Greetings! I, Johan Mauser, marshal of the SRR's ground forces, am proud to announce that we are launching a new initiative to replace our infantry small arms! Due to the advent of modern body armor, and the aging nature of our carbines especially, we are looking for a brand new rifle, carbine, and light machine gun in a new chambering. We will be accepting rifles from any great socialist nation. The nation and/or designer will, of course, be compensated. The rifles will be produced under license in the SRR. We are looking for a package deal of rifle, carbine, and machine gun by one designer.

All firearms are required to have a reasonable level of reliability, ease of use, manufacture, and maintenance one would expect within a martial firearm.

Requirements for the rifle:

Weight: Must be under 8lbs
Chambering: Must be a 6.5mm diameter round capable of penetrating level IV hard body armor and incapacitating the target at 150 yards. The cartridge must not exceed 50mm in length.
Effective range must be at least 550 yards.
It must have a powered rail, and ample room for optic.
Must have similar ergonomics to the standard Kalashnikov pattern in use.
Barrel must be between 14" and 20"
Must function reliably with suppressor.
Should have backup peep sights.

Requirements for the carbine:

Weight: Must be under 7lbs.
Must not exceed 30" OAL with the stock extended.
Barrel must be of sufficient length as to not produce excessive report.
Must provide powered rail and/or available space for mounting an optic.
Must have same general ergonomics as standard rifle pattern.
Must have backup peep sights.
Must function reliably with a suppressor.

Requirements for the light machine gun:

Weight must not exceed 20lbs.
Effective range must be at minimum 550yds.
Must be magazine fed.
Must have these select fire options:
Semi-Automatic, Slow (300-400rpm automatic), Fast (550-650rpm automatic).
Must be able to mount optic. Must have backup iron sights.
Must share chambering with rifle and carbine.
Must function reliably with a suppressor.

[The Selkie]

To: Johan Mauser, Marshal of the SRR's Ground Forces.
CC:

Office for Procurement, Ministry of Defense of Socialist Republik von Rhein (or equivalent).

Return Adress: Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan, Cathéide House, Office 65-C, Traverse, Farpoint Island, Free Lands of the Selkie.

Saturday, 20th of February, 2021.

Dear Marshal Mauser,
to introduce myself, I am Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan, representative of Gabha Blacksmiths Limited. We have heard of your trifold request for proposals, for a new rifle, a new carbine and a new light machine gun.
I write to you today, to offer our products for your consideration, namely the Carbine, Automatic, Model 2008 Mark II (or CAM 2008-II) and the Machine Gun, Light, Model 2009 (or MGLM 2009). Both weapons are used by the SDF, our own armed forces, and a number of export customers.
In their standard models, both use the 5.56x45 mm round, but we are sure, that we can adopt them for using the 6.5 mm rounds, which the Armed Forces of the SSR use.
You will find the catalogue entries attached below.
If our products are chosen, we can talk about a sort-of 'bulk-discount' and the exact modalities of the production under license.

I eagerly await your reply.
With kind regards,
Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan
Representing Gabha Blacksmiths Ltd.

Technical Data
Weight: 3.3 kg
Length:

991 mm with stock extended,
791 mm with stock folded

Barrel length: 500 mm
Width: 56 mm
Cartridge: 5.56×45mm
Action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire: 750 rounds/min cyclic
Muzzle velocity: 962 m/s
Feed system: 30-round detachable box magazine
Sights:

Iron sights, Picatinny rail for
mounting aiming optics on receiver

The Carbine, Automatic, Model 2008 Mark II (CAM 2008-II) is the standard assault rifle of the SDF. Suitable and useable in basically every environment, the CAM 2008-II is the ideal weapon for all carbine-related needs.

Design
The CAM 2008-II is a short-stroke gas-operated automatic weapon with a rotating bolt, ensuring both light weight and safety while operating, as well as precision when firing. Said precision can be enhanced by sights to be mounted instead of the simple iron sights. As such, the CAM 2008-II can be used in many different roles then just as an assault rifle. Being capable of being fired in full auto, semi automatic and in three round burst, all by the switch of a thumb on the selectors on either side of the pistol grip, certainly helps, too.
One of the most remarkable features is the polygonal rifling used on the barrel, which makes the barrel thicker and more resistant to the stress of firing a bullet, allows for more of the combustion gases to stay behind the bullet and propel it forward as it travels forward, making the bullet go faster, reduces the buildup of bullet remains inside the barrel and therefore easier to maintain, or it makes the barrel, in short, better.
The CAM 2008-II has an underslung rail beneath the barrel for mounting additional equipment like underslung grenade launchers.

Materials used include, but are not limited to, a carbon-fibre reinforced polymer for the receiver group (coming in black, dark green or any camouflage pattern wished by the customer) and a barrel of cold forged stainless steel, as is much of the internal mechanisms.

History
In 2000, the SDF-Army began to look for a replacement for the venerable, but old Carbine, Automatic, Model 1966, asking several companies in the Free Lands for their products for testing - half a dozen companies entered the contest, some with rifles from the 90s and Gabha being the one to present a new weapon from scratch, a weapon fit for the 21st century: The CAM 2000.
While none of the entries were, in the end, chosen, the SDF-Army made an order with Gabha for them to continue development of their new rifle. The first few rifles prototypes were handed over in 2002, being plagued by technical difficulties, not of the firing mechanisms, but of the magazine and the rails for additional optics.
These issues were quickly solved, as well as a few other things added along the development, like the polygonal rifling, and, as testing with the troops began in 2007, the new rifle was as good as ready to be produced...
...until the SDF-Army changed the requirements in early 2008. Much of the technical aspects of the rifle could be kept, but not everything, and the design needed to be made shorter - the CAM 2008 Mark I was born from this, a bullup assault rifle, which found the approval of the SDF in no time, being adopted relatively easily and quickly.
In 2014, the SDF-Army requested a modification, namely an additional underslung rail, which was quickly adopted by Gabha and gave birth to the CAM 2008 Mark II.
Since 2008, the CAM 2008 served well and with a good reputation amongst the troops, easy to use and maintain, hard hitting and reliable.

Export
In 2015, Gabha Blacksmiths began to offer the CAM 2008-II for export, offering 100 rifles as package deals for 470,000 NSD per package.

Technical Data
Length: 1164 mm
Weight: 9.6 kg (loaded)
Cartridge: 5.56x45mm
Action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire: 920 rounds/min, fully automatic
Muzzle Velocity: 800 m/s
Feed system:

Detachable box magazine
Belt

Sights: 3–10X telescopic sight

The Machine Gun, Light, Model 2009 (MGLM 2009) is a bullup light machine gun designed to be used in close spaces like houses.

Design
The MGLM 2009 is a bullup squad support weapon, designed to provide fire support to infantry sections. As such, it is a relatively light, high powered weapon using the same gas-operated rotating bolt as the CAM 2008. Development began in 1999, at the same time as the LRM 2006, and suffered from the same problems, mostly the high costs.
This problem was solved in the same was as with the LRM 2006, less elusive materials.
Due to the higher stress put on the barrel, reinforced stainless steel with octogonal grooving was used, while the internal workings are made of normal stainless steel. Like with the LRM 2006, stock and grip are made of polymers over a frame of light steel.

Export
In 2015, Gabha Blacksmiths began to offer the MGLM 2009 for export, offering 100 rifles as package deals for 950,000 NSD per package.

[Socialist Republik von Rhein]

OFFICIAL MAIL - OFFICE OF: Johan Mauser

Greetings.

I'm happy to announce that your design has secured a spot within our trials for a new service carbine and light machine gun. Please supply 10 carbines and 10 machine guns to our military procurement and testing office in Wiesbaden. If you pass the initial trials, we will request an additional 50 carbines and 25 machine guns for field testing. You will be reimbursed in full for every firearm used in field testing. I have here in attached technical data as to the selected chambering of the carbine. We will supply ammunition.

[The Selkie]

OFFICIAL MAIL - OFFICE OF: Johan Mauser

Greetings.

I'm happy to announce that your design has secured a spot within our trials for a new service carbine and light machine gun. Please supply 10 carbines and 10 machine guns to our military procurement and testing office in Wiesbaden. If you pass the initial trials, we will request an additional 50 carbines and 25 machine guns for field testing. You will be reimbursed in full for every firearm used in field testing. I have here in attached technical data as to the selected chambering of the carbine. We will supply ammunition.

(Image)

To: Johan Mauser, Marshal of the SRR's Ground Forces.
CC:

Office for Procurement, Ministry of Defense of Socialist Republik von Rhein (or equivalent).

Return Adress: Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan, Cathéide House, Office 65-C, Traverse, Farpoint Island, Free Lands of the Selkie.

Sunday, 21st of February, 2021.

Dear Marshal Mauser,
we will happily supply you with the test weapons for your weapons tests once we have finished the necessary modifications. Engineers of Gabha Blacksmiths will accompany the delivery, of course on our charge.

With kind regards,
Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan
Representing Gabha Blacksmiths Ltd.

[Socialist Republik von Rhein]

[blocktext]
Return Adress: Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan, Cathéide House, Office 65-C, Traverse, Farpoint Island, Free Lands of the Selkie.

Sunday, 21st of February, 2021.

Dear Marshal Mauser,
we will happily supply you with the test weapons for your weapons tests once we have finished the necessary modifications. Engineers of Gabha Blacksmiths will accompany the delivery, of course on our charge.

With kind regards,
Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan
Representing Gabha Blacksmiths Ltd.

OFFICIAL MAIL - OFFICE OF: Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner

Greetings. I am writing to your office to firstly, inform you that we have conducted our preliminary testing for the New-Generation Carbine Trials, and to secondly inform you that your nation's carbine has been approved for the second round of testing, provided some small modifications are made to the design. You will find these requests along with general remarks in our factbook.

Regards, Stabsoberfähnrich Wagner.

[The Selkie]

OFFICIAL MAIL - OFFICE OF: Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner

Greetings. I am writing to your office to firstly, inform you that we have conducted our preliminary testing for the New-Generation Carbine Trials, and to secondly inform you that your nation's carbine has been approved for the second round of testing, provided some small modifications are made to the design. You will find these requests along with general remarks in our factbook.

Regards, Stabsoberfähnrich Wagner.

To: Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner, Ground Forces of the SSR.
CC:

Office for Procurement, Ministry of Defense of Socialist Republik von Rhein (or equivalent).

Return Adress: Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan, Cathéide House, Office 65-C, Traverse, Farpoint Island, Free Lands of the Selkie.

Sunday, 21st of February, 2021.

Dear Stabsoberfähnrich,
we have received your comments on the CAM 2008-II and to be honest, we were a bit surprised by the formidable competition you set up. Our engineers thank you for the comments.
And that is, where the meat of this message begins: They began looking into options as to how to shorten the weapon without loosing too much weight (we are of the opinion, that an additional weight of 100 grams is not a problem for any soldier) or barrel length. We are not sure if we will be able to loose the 221 mm to meet the maximum overall length, but a shortened version will be looked into.
May I inquire as to how the machine gun trials are proceeding?

With kind regards,
Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan
Representing Gabha Blacksmiths Ltd.

[Socialist Republik von Rhein]

Dear Stabsoberfähnrich,
we have received your comments on the CAM 2008-II and to be honest, we were a bit surprised by the formidable competition you set up. Our engineers thank you for the comments.
And that is, where the meat of this message begins: They began looking into options as to how to shorten the weapon without loosing too much weight (we are of the opinion, that an additional weight of 100 grams is not a problem for any soldier) or barrel length. We are not sure if we will be able to loose the 221 mm to meet the maximum overall length, but a shortened version will be looked into.
May I inquire as to how the machine gun trials are proceeding?

OFFICIAL MAIL - OFFICE OF: Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner

Greetings. After further consideration, we have concluded that the length of the carbine is within acceptable variation from the guidelines set by the trial requirements. We apologize for any confusion.
As for the competition, I personally wouldn't worry. Your submission seems to be one of the leading designs among the testers and Oberfähnrich Müller (Also, we have no control over what design concerns submit designs.)
On the light machine gun trials, they had to be conducted consecutively due to limited space by virtue of a training exercise that was unfortunately scheduled for the same time as the trials. Some of the results are on my desk now, but it may be up to 2 days before I am able to send a full report as to my office's findings. On that note, may I inquire as to if the MGLM 2009 fires from an open or closed bolt?

Regards, Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner.

[The Selkie]

OFFICIAL MAIL - OFFICE OF: Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner

Greetings. After further consideration, we have concluded that the length of the carbine is within acceptable variation from the guidelines set by the trial requirements. We apologize for any confusion.
As for the competition, I personally wouldn't worry. Your submission seems to be one of the leading designs among the testers and Oberfähnrich Müller (Also, we have no control over what design concerns submit designs.)
On the light machine gun trials, they had to be conducted consecutively due to limited space by virtue of a training exercise that was unfortunately scheduled for the same time as the trials. Some of the results are on my desk now, but it may be up to 2 days before I am able to send a full report as to my office's findings. On that note, may I inquire as to if the MGLM 2009 fires from an open or closed bolt?

Regards, Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner.

To: Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner, Ground Forces of the SSR.
CC:

Office for Procurement, Ministry of Defense of Socialist Republik von Rhein (or equivalent).

Return Adress: Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan, Cathéide House, Office 65-C, Traverse, Farpoint Island, Free Lands of the Selkie.

Sunday, 21st of February, 2021.

Dear Stabsoberfähnrich,
not to worry - sometimes, people confuse things. I am glad to hear, that we are still in the race, though.
The MGLM 2009 fires from a gas-operated open rotating bolt, similar to the one used on the CAM 2008.

With kind regards,
Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan
Representing Gabha Blacksmiths Ltd.

[Socialist Republik von Rhein]

OFFICIAL MAIL - OFFICE OF: Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner

Greetings. My office offers their apologies for the delay in the publishing of the trials for the light machine gun. There was an investigation into the parties involved in submitting an obsolete Madsen machine gun "borrowed" from the state armory museum by a group of armorers. You will find the trials in our factbook.

Regards, Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner

[The Selkie]

OFFICIAL MAIL - OFFICE OF: Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner

Greetings. My office offers their apologies for the delay in the publishing of the trials for the light machine gun. There was an investigation into the parties involved in submitting an obsolete Madsen machine gun "borrowed" from the state armory museum by a group of armorers. You will find the trials in our factbook.

Regards, Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner

To: Stabsoberfähnrich Gertrude Wagner, Ground Forces of the SSR.
CC:

Office for Procurement, Ministry of Defense of Socialist Republik von Rhein (or equivalent).

Return Adress: Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan, Cathéide House, Office 65-C, Traverse, Farpoint Island, Free Lands of the Selkie.

Tuesday, 2nd of March, 2021.

Dear Stabsoberfähnrich,
it is no problem, as, to my understanding, there was a rather confusing entry into the competition. It is, however, interesting to see how modern light machine guns perform when compared to such a vintage model.
Now, onto the matter itself, we are happy to still be in the race. If there are any questions or further remarks, please feel free to contact us.

With kind regards,
Fiona Banphrionsa of the Tribe of Cavan
Representing Gabha Blacksmiths Ltd.