To: MajGen. Louise Barrman, GCMC LOGCOM

From: Col. Franchi Sparse, GCMC LOGCOM, Xeno-Acquisitions Division

Subject: "RTM1" Procurement 

Body:

Dear General Barrman,

The recent acquisition from our new supposed allies has left me puzzled, for lack of a better term. Three months prior, we had received communications from the Ithael's nationalized armory, Redtalon Armory stating that they wished to bestow a gift. When asked, we were informed by the Ithael couriers that armory personnel had learned some of Terran military history, and the leadership had decided to create something in honor of that history. Last week, we received a shipment from Redtalon Armory containing precisely 10,000 units of what the Ithael nationalized armory designated as "RTM1". The RTM1 specifications are as follows: 

• Mass: approximately 5 kg

• Length: Variable, 950 mm to 1,200 mm

• Barrel length: 610 mm

• Cartridge: 7.62x63mm

• Designated ammunition type: Boat-Tail, Semi-Armor Piercing, High-Explosive

• Action: Gas Operated, short-stroke piston, closed rotating bolt

• Optimal rate of fire: 50 rounds/min, semi-automatic

• Muzzle velocity: 975 m/s

• Effective firing range: 600 meters

• Feed system: 8-round internal box magazine, en-bloc clip

• Sights: rear adjustable aperture, front wing-protected post; tactical rail-mounted optics 

When questioned, the Ithael couriers informed us that the units in question were recreations of what they considered a "highly venerable" weapon from Terran history, upgraded to be as capable as possible in the modern day. The Ithael definition of "venerable weapon" in this case is a weapon that the Ithael say was "of elegant and ingenious design and used in the pursuit of vanquishing true evil in defense of those that needed it most." While I had not previously heard of the original weapon, research indicates that the original weapon was from ancient Terra, and carried the designation of "US Rifle, Caliber .30, M1".  The Ithael appear to have been enamored with this weapon, despite its - in my opinion - limited combat effectiveness. The ammunition capacity of the weapon is far surpassed by our current A2 assault carbines, and makes use of what many of our armorers consider to be antiquated cased ammunition. That being said, it should be noted that the Ithael utilize cased ammunition in many of the weapons currently in service with their warriors, and often to great effect. Among the modernized upgrades to the original design, the Ithael have included: 

• An alloyed chassis in place of the originally prescribed wooden stock,

• The inclusion of a pistol grip

• Conversion of the long-stroke piston to a short-stroke piston, modified to tolerate extreme pressure

• The inclusion of a buttstock with an adjustable length of pull

• The inclusion of a full tactical rail system, wired for data and power transfer with modern optics and attachments

• The inclusion of micro-harmonics tuners within the chassis to help modulate precision

• Updated cold-nanite-forged heavy barrels with sub-MOA cold-bore accuracy.

• Onboard micro-electronics suite for tracking weapon status 

Further, the "traditional" 7.62x63mm cartridge ammunition was recreated, but modified to fire with increased pressure and impart greater velocity. Additionally, the original "M2 ball" projectile has been upgraded to a "M443" semi-armor piercing, high-explosive 13 gram projectile designed to travel at approximately 975 meters per second, providing a muzzle energy of approximately 6180 joules. Per section 27 of the Xeno-Acquisitions Protocol, the XAD accepted the gifts and they are currently being stored at the Site-9 munitions depot. Respectfully, ma'am, I do not know what to do with these arms in the long run; please advise.