- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Caseless ammunition is lighter while performing just like cased ammunition. It's been proven to jam less and allow soldiers to carry more ammunition. Why wouldn't they use it 500 years from now?
If you'd like to really give some thought to realism and what might be in use 500 years from now you'll first have to look at basic technologies that are in development today.
Caseless ammunition, nano-computing and laser targeting for example and start from there. Computing is a key component to warfare by then and every weapon and vehicle carries some form of computer, all networked together wirelessly as you will see.
--The Helmet: Similar to the helmets worn by Apache Pilots the helmet would scan just like the rifle. It would have several different means of scanning (thermal, starlight etc.) allowing it to see through most smokes and in total darkness.
Better still it would communicate with the Mule(s) (next up) and receive the combined data from every overhead satellite and every helmet and weapon on the field. In this manner it could show targets under cover, behind walls and inside buildings superimposed over the soldier's vision. A color coding or icon system would likely indicate type of threat.
--An Assault rifle. The standard weapon of every marine. I'd imagine it as a variable fire rifle with scope, laser, optical camera and onboard computer with an Bio-metric security lock (checks your identity by quickly scanning your palm for fingerprints, skin conductivity and heart rate), IFF(Identify Friend or Foe).
The weapon would use cartridges much like Metal Storm technology's caseless electronic gun, allowing it to use different ammunition types on the fly. This technology also allows you to vary your rate of fire however you wish, from three round burst to fully automatic. (Super Armour Piercing bullets would be very inadequate against unarmoured flesh) (see Metal Storm.com for their new prototype)
The onboard computer would work to reveal your exact position by GPS (either by disposable satellite or from an orbitting starship) including a map via a 2 inch by 3 inch display atop the rifle(In case the helmet fails or is lost). The laser and optical camera would be very useful for target designation. Anytime the weapon swept an area it would note the position of friends and enemys and instantly transmit locations and troop types (recognized by the camera) to the command center. This gives unparallelled Command & Control to the generals.
At any time, an air strike could be called in by nearly anyone using the designator. Or say the entire group was locked under cover by a vehicle laying down fire against them. If, amazingly none of the marines could see through the rock by benefit of an overhead satellite then any of the marines could hold up their rifle from out of cover, find the target and transmit it's exact position to another member of his group who would fire his rocket straight up into the air without sticking his head out. The rocket would then slam down on the enemy.
--The Mule: A robotic pack horse with a low profile that moves along behind the marines. It's silent, camouflaged and as inobtrusive as possible. Carries food, medical supplies and extra ammunition leaving the marines unburdened and better fighters. Responds to voice command and most likely monitors the health of each marine. It could then either bring medecine to the injured groups or, drag the injured to safety or, if all else fails, sacrifice itself as mobile cover.
--Rocket Launcher: Generall similar to current rockets except with varying power, and able to shape charges on the fly. (Charge shaping concerns how the force is directed. It could be directed in a single line for piercing armour, fully spherical against large areas (like bases) and across the ground at knee high to incapacitate as many enemies as possible) The rockets would be fully maneuverable with multiple means of tracking and integrated into the combat network.
--Robotic Reconissance: Of course, unmanned robotic air vehicles no larger then your hand can sweep an area using it's nano computers and cameras to identify enemies which show up in your HUDs.
Now, that looks much more realistic.... but then... how much fun would that be? It's all organized, no chaos at all. It'd be so boring....