So, I've loved getting access to weird and obscure weapons as I've been doing the early game of the Files but I've not seen anything in game yet (or in the wiki) that refers to my favorite abandoned weapon design: The Gyrojet aka, the Bolter from warhammer 40k.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GyrojetGyrojet weapons were a new weapon system that was attempted in the 60s and then abandoned due to various technological constraints and budget concerns. Instead of firing a bullet (igniting the powder at the back of the barrel, creating a small explosion within the gun, and propelling a projectile from the force of the explosion driving it through rifling in order to impart spin and thus accuracy) Gyrojet weapons are basically model rocket engines with a pointy tip. The rocket is ignited within the barrel, once it exits the barrel diagonal vented ports start taking in air causing the rocket to spin gyroscopically, and the Gyrojet continues to increase in velocity during travel time until it hits its target.
The net result of this system is massively reduced recoil and an overall lighter weapon, the rocket engines don't cause anywhere near the kick of a similarly sized bullet and that allows you to slim down the gun because it suffers much less stress from firing the projectiles. Rifles, Carbines, and Pistols were manufactured, the rifles could theoretically fire at 60rpm but only had 6 round internal magazines. While not in development anymore, the pistols can still be found on the market (the rifles are much rarer)
The downsides of the system included unreliability, rushed development, long reload times given the small magazines, and relatively short effectuve range of 55 yards. The project was scrapped before the technology could be fully developed including scrapped variants for a Squad LMG, and an underwater variant designed to shoot flechettes.
Access to Xcom's team of researchers and engineers could allow for the Gyrojet to see the light of day, especially with the addition of Tritanium bullets, elerium rocket fuel, and potentially even see the develpoment of the 40k Bolter when all is said and done. They're one of my favorite "abandoned" technologies so I'd enjoy seeing them get added in, perhaps in the Revived Weapons research?
PS: I just did the Magma Reactor defense vs the syndicate, was I meant to be given an item to fix during that mission? A lot of things blew up during the defense just from large bullet impacts hitting pipelines and I didn't get anything special after completion. I'm not sure if that counts as a successful defense or not. If someone can confirm that for me, that would be great.
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