((I didn't follow any real sort of form with this, at least not a form that could be followed universally.
If I were you, I wouldn't want to read through all this crap, so I'll just let you know that the only ones probably worth reading about are the IQRA-2A, which is the most widely used variant of the IQRA, and possibly the later service variants, which are used by some, but not very frequently due to costs.
As an added bonus, there are lots of Wikipedia references, because I'm too lazy to do real research.
xd Oh, and because this might be helpful to know: This information only applies to
Drasil.))
IQRA (Incendiary Quadruplicate Radioactive Arm) Chemical Laser Details (
Accurate and complete as of 2032)
Overview: The IQRA personal-sized chemical laser weapon has had an extremely varied history, starting as a clumsy and unreliable weapon the size and shape of an RPG launcher, and currently about the size and shape of a handgun. (This refers to the most recent model, which is not yet widely used due to cost considerations.) It utilizes chemical fuels and various focusing methods to concentrate a chemical-powered laser on a target, which is heated to the point of destruction. The current most widely-used variant is the IQRA-2A, being one of the main weapons of choice for the Dachrean military, but other variants are used all over Drasil, and hence, all will be described here. The IQRA is classified in versions and variants, the version denoted by a number, and the variant denoted by a letter.
HISTORY:IQRA-1A (Prototype)
First recorded test: 1998
First official use in combat: N/A
This weapon began as a Dachrean military experiment, and was not looked upon favorably by the higher-ups with its first observed tests. After nearly four years of secretive and expensive work, two scientists were killed when their prototypes overheated and combusted during the test, while the third managed to ignite his target, an inch-think plank of wood, at a distance of one hundred meters. Immediately afterward, however, the weapon overheated like the other two, and, while it did not combust, certain internal structures melted, and it was rendered useless. The project was then abandoned by the military, but a private Dachrean organization known as PED (Primary Equipment Developers) stepped in and funded the project.
Structurally, this variant was largely comprised of a large, cylindrical barrel, and a hand-grip action protruding from the side of the barrel. A small scope was attached. The appearance of the weapons could be compared to a
Blowpipe missile launcher. The fuel, a series of chemical compounds, had to be carried in a tank on the wielder's back.
The laser itself was fired in a continual beam, controlled by the application or release of a trigger.
IQRA-1B (Prototype)
First recorded test: 2000
First official use in combat: N/A
The B variant of the IQRA-1 had a much more favorable development, though there was a single incident in which a weapon spontaneously combusted during diagnostics. If the reason for the accident has been discovered, it has not been officially stated. However, two years after PED began funding the project, a second test was conducted, and despite reservations, the top scientific minds of the Dachrean military once again attended. This time, no weapons combusted, though one did overheat and had to be scrapped. It is not officially stated what was changed between the A and B variants, as the outward design was identical, but the test results were much more favorable; all of the weapons functioned properly, with the exception of the one that overheated, which, nevertheless, ignited its target, making it, too, a success. The military was not impressed by the weapon's capacity: The fuel tank, roughly the size of two 15-liter
diving cylinders, held only enough fuel for about fifteen seconds of sustained fire, which they did not see as being practical in a combat setting. However, all other aspects of the weapon seemed favorable, so the military of Dachrea once again lent tentative financial support to the project. PED continued to fund the IQRA project.
The B variant retained the outward structure of the A variant, and the laser was fired in a continual beam.
IQRA-1C (Service)
First recorded test: 2003
First official use in combat: 2003
The C variant of the IQRA-1 was the first to be used in combat. Its design introduced a system of internal mirrors that served to intensify the laser beam, and thus, cut down severely on the amount of fuel needed for a practical output. Once the mirror system was stabilized and put into use, the same size of fuel tank held enough fuel for up to a minute of sustained fire. There were no serious difficulties during the first recorded test, which the Dachrean military as well as PED officials attended, and the project pleased all involved. The military increased funding, but PED continued to fund the bulk of the project. Later the same year of the test, PED began to market the IQRA-1C to certain warring factions in Athrop, with the motive that Athrop's guerrillas were not in the least interested in killing anyone but themselves, and hence, they may as well help PED make a profit while they did so. No one protested.
The outward structure of the C variant did not change, nor did its functionality.
IQRA-1D (Prototype)
First recorded test: 2004
First official use in combat: N/A
The last variant of the IQRA-1, the IQRA-1D once again cut down on the amount of fuel required, this time via the use of a series of internal lenses, once again increasing the power output of the weapon. The fuel tank could now sustain for up to three minutes of sustained fire. However, the lenses had a tendency to melt if exposed to the laser for prolonged periods, so it was not possible to fire the weapon for more than five seconds at a time, with a fifteen-second cooldown period in between bursts. For this reason, the D variant was not received as well as it might have been, though the military was impressed with its fuel capacity. The IQRA-1D was never put into widespread service.
The outward structure of the C variant did not change, nor did its functionality.
IQRA-2A (Service)
First recorded test: 2009
First official use in combat: 2010
After more than twenty years, the IQRA-2A remains the most widely-used variant of the IQRA. The five years between the revealing of the IQRA-1D and the IQRA-2A were not spent idle; many new and innovative features were added, making the weapon both versatile and reliable. The most recognizable difference is the outward structure of the weapon. It is no longer a shoulder-mounted cylinder; instead, it has been remade into the structure of something like a rifle, and is fired the same way. Structurally, it resembles an
M16 assault rifle. Myriad design changes were made, and instead of a prolonged beam, the weapon now fires single-shot laser bursts. It is now virtually impossible for the weapon to overheat, and it is also much more accurate. The fuel storage, which has been reduced to a single 15-liter tank, holds enough fuel for up to one hundred shots. It functions as a semi-automatic weapon, but carries a function to enable sustained fire, though this is not as reliable as the primary method.
The IQRA-2A is currently the most widely used variant of the IQRA, being the primary weapon of the Dachrean military, as well as being widely marketed in Athrop. It can also be purchased by civilians, given that they have proper documentation and permits for owning the weapon.
IQRA-2B (Prototype)
First recorded test: 2012
First official use in combat: N/A
The IQRA-2B was an unfortunate setback in the development of the personal-sized chemical laser weapon. The introduction of a gyro-powered stabilizer, which should have made the weapon easier to aim along with a computerized targeting system, merely made it bulkier. What should have been a technological marvel instead presented itself as a lot of frills with not much function. Several new functions were added, not the least of which was a battery-powered accelerator which once again decreased fuel consumption, but unfortunately, none of this was enough to save the weapon, and it was consigned to failure. However, it paved the way for many advancements in the IQRA series.
IQRA-2C (Service)
First recorded test: 2013
First official use in combat: 2014
The IQRA-2C was revealed not long after the failed IQRA-2B, and it had a much more favorable reception. The military briefly entertained ideas of using it to replace the IQRA-2A, but this idea was scrapped because the weapon was simply too expensive to mass-produce.
The gyro-stabilizer and computerized targeting system of the previous variant were, of course, scrapped. The most notable advancements included yet another reduction in fuel consumption, which resulted in the fuel now being carried in single-shot containers much like bullets. The bullets were loaded into the weapon in the form of clips, which could then be fired as a semi-automatic weapon. Each bullet, roughly the size and shape of a
.22 WMR cartridge, provided enough fuel for a single burst of laser fire, and a clip held twenty bullets.
The weapon was never mass-produced for military usage, but PED marketed the weapon to Harch's military. The weapon is not Harch's primary weapon of choice, due to cost, but it is widely used in Harch's military nonetheless.
IQRA-3A (Prototype)
First recorded test: 2020
First official use in combat: N/A
Once again, the prototype testing of the latest IQRA variant was not promising. The Version 3 IQRA was characterized by its structural design, which now resembled a
Spectre M4 submachine gun, and which greatly reduced its weight. The weapon retained its system of storing fuel in the form of bullets, and its fuel consumption neither not increased nor decreased. A major change in the functionality of the weapon came in the fact that the Version 3 was a fully-automatic weapon, firing sustained rapid-fire laser bursts as long as the trigger was depressed and there was ammunition in the clip. However, the accuracy was greatly decreased, and the military was not enthused at the idea of a fully-automatic chemical laser weapon that could not be trusted to hit its target. In addition, though there were no fatal accidents, two of the ten prototypes did overheat during testing. The Dachrean military seemed about ready to withdraw financial support for the program, being satisfied with the IQRA-2A, but they postponed this decision until the next observed test. PED's funding, of course, did not waver.
IQRA-3B (Service)
First recorded test: 2022
First official use in combat: 2025
The IQRA-3B brought the IQRA back into favor, despite its costly production. In fact, even after the tests, which were nothing short of spectacular, it took PED three years to find someone to whom they could market the weapon. The main advancement in this variant was the re-introduction of the gyro-stabilizer system, this time greatly reduced in size due to the existence of much more efficient technologies that had not existed ten years ago. This time, the IQRA was a much more reliable and efficient weapon; there were no accidents during testing, and the weapon was no less accurate than any other submachine gun. The Dachrean military was still wary about it, but ultimately (three years later) decided to purchase several hundred. They have since purchased more, but it is still not their primary weapon of choice. The Harch military purchased the same number in 2027, but have not purchased any since. They still use it in combat, and rumors abound that they are working on their own chemical laser weapon, or perhaps something similar.
IQRA-4A (Service)
First recorded test: 2030
First official use in combat: 2031
The IQRA-4A is thus far the only variant of the Version 4 IQRA, and though it is exceedingly useful in combat, it is nevertheless an exceedingly expensive weapon. The Version 4 is characterized by its structure, which is virtually identical to a
WIST-94 semi-automatic pistol. All aspects of the weapon have been improved and practically perfected, with the sole drawback of cost. The weapon is as accurate as its wielder, and has never been known to overheat. Technical difficulties in the IQRA-4A have been virtually eliminated. The fully-automatic design of previous variants caused a great deal of problems, so that feature was scrapped in favor of the semi-automatic functionality, which was very well-liked in the popular 2A variant. Therefore, the IQRA-4A is comparable to the 2A, but in the size and shape of a handgun rather than a rifle, as well as being much more practical in terms of fuel consumption, weight, accuracy, and maintenance. Once again, the only drawback is the cost. A single IQRA-4A costs approximately as much as seven IQRA-2As, making it the single most expensive infantry weapon in Drasilian history. Nevertheless, PED markets it as-is, and while there have as of yet been no bulk purchases, it is widely adored as a privately-owned firearm, and some elite military units in Dachrea and Harch do use them. There is also a Viretan unit which has pruchased several IQRA-4As.
As of right now, PED is providing approximately 70% of the IQRA development team's funding. Dachrea is providing approximately 25%, and Harch is providing the remaining 5%. Dachrea and Harch have little say in the specifics of the project, except to report problems with the purchased weapons; PED, however, is now officially conducting most of the research and development itself, rather than the privatized government organization that was spearheading the project until 2028, when PED officially conglomerated it. Now that PED runs the project, it is generally expected that the next development of the IQRA will be even more impressive than the last.
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