The TRX-240A Automated Transporter Weapons Package is a family of experimental upgrade kits designed for the M240 ST family of medium machine guns, originally inspired by Starfleet Security's TR-116 rifle and (somewhat morbidly) Lieutenant Chu'lak's serial killing spree, that consists of several devices that when combined, allow an M240 ST to act as an autonomously-targeting microtransporter-assisted smart weapon. M240 STs equipped with the upgrade package are designated TR-240 or are colloquially referred to as Smartguns.
Design
Class 1M/SG Integrated Smartgun Systems Helmet
Based off of the Class 1M Combat Armor helmet unit and designed with input from two Spartan supersoldiers, the Class 1M/SG is intended to provide TRX-240A operators (referred hereon to as "Smartgunners") with a highly-protected all-in-one unit for all of the sensory devices employed by the TR-240 kit. Unlike the normal Class 1M helmet, there is no full-face visor screen; instead, there is a large blast-resistant plasticized tritanium-mesh shield that fully encases the front of the helmet, with a small aperture for the exographic sensor.
The helmet itself is relatively lightweight, even with the target detector, IFF transponder, lifesign detector, and exographic sensor all on the front side of the helmet. Moving all of the sensors up to the helmet behind a thick layer of shielding provides several benefits over mounting them on the rails: firstly, they are no longer exposed to the elements. Mud, snow, rain, and other items may obstruct or inhibit operation of devices like the target detector if they get caked along the lenses. The Class 1M/SG helmet subverts this by connecting the devices to the armor's internal environmental control system, and it is also insulated from heat by the coolant layer. Secondly, the need for a large, unwieldy helmet-cuing device is eliminated, as the smartgunner no longer has to manage two variables (HUD/helmet-cuing aperture and weapon orientation) at the same time.
Lacking a proper physical visor, the Class 1M/SG ISSH helmet incorporates technology found in the Ocular Head Up Display to compensate. Wired to the shield and the zoom-adjustable exographic sensor are an adjustable pair of either Ocular HUD lenses or a single wider low-profile goggle unit. Sensor images are projected onto the lenses themselves or onto the smartgunner's retinas, allowing them full situational awareness with heavy full-face protection. The 360-degree passive sensor from the Ocular HUD is retained, which displays on a HUD segment. Communications are provided by a heavier-duty comms headset with adjustable microphone, and are wired directly into the helmet and to the Solas Tempus communicator for ease of access.
The helmet is completely compatible with pressurized exosuits, although a special carbon nano-fiber mesh balaclava must be worn underneath the helmet to provide a full seal. With two external buttons, the entire visor can be lifted up to allow use of the mark 1 eyeballs, although if the suit is pressurized, the buttons must be held simultaneously for at least 30 seconds to begin depressurizing the suit.
The Class 1M/SG helmet is fully compatible with the TR-240 even without an accompanying armor suit. Power is provided by high-density plasma batteries in the back the helmet, which are fully protected by Class 1M tritanium hard armor, with a special density agent added to serve additionally as a counterweight for the forward-mounted systems. Solas Tempus R&D expects to be able to ship functional Class 1M/SG helmets to smartgunners within the next month, providing a device that better enhances the TR-240's effectiveness.
TRX-240A Microtransporter Unit
The TRX-240A, referred to informally as just the Smartgun kit like it's predecessor, is a modification to the original TR-240 kit that serves to "trim the fat" by simplifying the design and removing unused or otherwise useless features. Key improvements include a radical redesign of the microtransporter unit, going for a proprietary design with a fitted flash suppressor, and the relocation of all external components to the Class 1M/SG helmet.
Due to the varying effective range, the transporter has only been designed to project items out to 500 meters, making it a relatively smaller attachment than the original's, which had a range that could transport the bullet across DS9 and then some.
M240 ST/A/B
The M240 ST/A/B variants are specialized derivatives of the M240 ST designed specifically for use with smartgun kits. The first variant, the A, is a gas-operated, open-bolt machine gun similar to the original M240 ST, firing it's own 7.62x33mm Caseless rounds. This variant was entirely experimental, and was phased out upon introduction of the B variant, which takes the operating system from the PDW-30/C, beefs it up, and allows for full ammunition commonality with the 30/C platform. Major differences include an internal gas coolant system, which fires in event of a detected ammunition cookoff, and a significant weight reduction from the standard M240 ST - the weapon only weighs 11 pounds unloaded, while ammunition weighs 55% less than standard cased M118 ammunition. The barrel is made from a specialized composite alloy, practically eliminating the need for additional barrels in the field and making up for the larger, microtransporter tipped barrels that assistant gunners had to carry if the original fluted design overheated. Like the PDW-30/C, the M240 ST/B features an ammo counter and HUD-uplinked temperature sensors, as well as an action locking mechanism to prevent cookoffs.
Class 1M Ammunition Backpack
While not an integral component of the TR-240 package, all kits come with a 500-round, plasticized tritanium mesh-reinforced ammunition backpack, consisting of a hardened, armored backpack and a long feed chute that attaches to the weapon, allowing for up to 500 rounds to be stored safely and in one continuous disintegrating metal belt. The feed chute has slits cut along it for flexibility, and does not have to be attached to the weapon to function. As such, some gunners take a larger ammo load of 550 rounds, using the first 50 rounds to establish fire superiority and moving to short bursts afterwards once the drooping belt catches up to the feed chute.
Integrally Suppressed Barrel
After noise complaints during prolonged combat on Nimbus Station, plans were drafted to create an integrally suppressed barrel for use with all M240 STs. Taking an existing 7.62x51mm suppressor and elongating it, the suppressor features an added microtransporter unit built into the barrel end, and reduces firing noise by a factor of ~30 dB. These are fully interchangeable with regular barrels, and add an additional 4 pounds onto the weapon's already hefty weight.
Class 1M Motor Assistance Arm
Created from more of an accident than anything else, the Class 1M MAA is a cannibalized tritanium mesh "third arm" exoskeleton device designed to attach to an armor plate at any angle by means of an interference-resistant magnetic clamp. It features three motor assistance unit "joints", and has an overall length of roughly a meter fully extended. It feeds from a high-endurance power cell attached to the magnetic clamp on the armor, and attaches where the carrying handle normally would be.
When used, it takes more than half of the weight of the weapon off of the operator's arms, allowing them to move it at will without difficulty. Additionally, it helps absorb the recoil impulses, allowing for accurate fire while moving rapidly. The gun-end of the harness features a gyroscopic stabilizer, helping to keep the weapon upright, while a magclamp strip can be attached along the arm closest to the body in order to attach the weapon physically to the operator. However, it is a relatively clunky, power cell-reliant tool, meaning that it's not a replacement for a sling nor is it intended to be a crutch for a less-skilled weapon operator.