- "Alphatech's first and most successful monopole assault rifle, the Astra provides a repeating 3–round burst of low caliber rounds with very tight grouping. The repeated burst cadence has a learning curve for some users, but the ease of use and large magazine have kept it popular through the years."
- ―Overview of the 4C2 Astra (from Aliens: Fireteam Elite)
The Alphatech Hardware 4C2 Astra was an Indian–made assault rifle used by Alphatech Hardware, the Independent Core System Colonies, and the United States Colonial Marine Corps during the 22nd century.
Development
Built at the Chennai Armory in India, the 4C2 Astra was Alphatech Hardware's first and most successful monopole assault rifle, bucking the trend of magnetic monopole weapons being relegated to the bracket of long–range precision weapons at the time.[1]
Overview
The 4C2 Astra fired 5.1mm high–velocity cased ammunition using an unusual hybrid firing mechanism combining monopole electromagnetic and conventional propellant, and had a rapid rate of fire, low recoil, and tight impact grouping. Despite having a lower caliber than its United Americas and Three World Empire counterparts, this allowed the weapon's magazine to stow a large capacity and the small but high–velocity rounds were known to penetrate armor and perforate targets while transferring little of their kinetic energy. The Astra had the tendency to misfire in high electromagnetic environments such as in the magnetosphere of a gas giant or near an operational stardrive, though the hybrid EM firing mechanism could be manually disabled, leaving only the propellant to avoid such a malfunction. However, this halved the weapon's effective range.[1]
Notable users
The first model of the 4C2 Astra was originally released in 2167 exclusively for Alphatech's Corporate Security. The most advanced C variant was manufactured in 2181 for submission to the Three World Empire's Third Generation Multipurpose Individual Firearm Solution procurement process; despite having lost out to the LEM StG24 Storm Rifle, the Astra caught the attention of the Independent Core System Colonies and several national armed services and law enforcement agencies from South Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim. The United States Colonial Marine Corps were unable to use the Astra until 2193, which saw the commission of the Tientsin-class assault ships and their onboard fabricators, allowing the USCM to manufacture non–standard ammunition and this utilize weapons such as the Astra.[1]
Behind the scenes
The 4C2 Astra appears in Aliens: Fireteam Elite as part of the Pathogen Expansion DLC and can be acquired from Staff Sergeant Han-jae Park for 9600 Requisition Points. It can be equipped by Gunner, Demolisher, Recon and Doc classes.
Appearances
Gallery
References
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