XLR-8

The **XLR-8**, an experimental masterpiece birthed by MILITECH, heralds a new era in assault rifle technology. Unlicensed yet unparalleled, this assault rifle stands as the successor to the M6A1 series, outshining its predecessors and even surpassing the SCR 6.8 as the chosen weapon alongside the MK6H-AE. Its complex yet meticulously engineered design sets it apart, making it the preferred choice for the cybernetically enhanced soldiers within the Winslow Accord.

## Data Vault

*"The XLR-8, proudly manufactured by MILITECH, represents a fusion of precision and firepower designed to meet the challenges of the future battlefield. Chambered for the .300 MLT-BLK, this rifle offers operators the ideal balance of stopping power, range and manageable recoil. With select-fire capabilities and extended magazine options, the XLR-8 provides operators with the adaptability and firepower needed to excel in any combat scenario. Trust in MILITECH to provide the tools needed to achieve victory."*

## Design

    The XLR-8 draws inspiration from the civilian Rubicon MK39, featuring a robust thumbhole fixed stock that provides stability and control during sustained fire. The side-mounted charging handle adds a touch of familiarity for those accustomed to the M6 lineage. The rifle's exterior conceals the complexity within, making it a symbol of MILITECH's commitment to pushing the boundaries of firearm design.

Equipped with an integrated rail system, the XLR-8 embraces customization with open arms. Operators can enhance their rifles with a spectrum of accessories, from suppressors for covert operations to bipods for stabilized long-range shots. The rifle's adaptability ensures that it can seamlessly integrate into various combat scenarios, offering versatility unmatched by its predecessors.

In the heart of the XLR-8 lies the .300 MLT-BLK cartridge (7.62x35mm), a caliber designed for superior stopping power and manageable recoil. This larger caliber positions the XLR-8 as a force to be reckoned with, allowing operators to engage targets with precision at diverse ranges. The cartridge's potency reflects MILITECH's dedication to arming soldiers with the most effective tools available.

The XLR-8 boasts a select-fire mechanism, providing operators with the flexibility to choose between semi-automatic, fully automatic, and a unique 4-round burst mode. This level of adaptability empowers soldiers to navigate the complexities of the battlefield with precision, delivering controlled bursts for maximum impact or single shots for surgical accuracy.

During firing, the weapon's charging handle reciprocates; it doesn't actually reciprocate far enough to chamber anything much longer than a .22 short, indicating that the weapon has a needlessly complex partial linkup to the charging handle, which makes the maintenance so bad that it needs its proprietary repair kits when heavily damaged in the battlefield. However, this in return gives it very high accuracy and precision with proven reliability despite the unfinished, complex mechanism.

The XLR-8's internal mechanism, though needlessly intricate, has been fine-tuned for exceptional accuracy and precision. The reciprocating charging handle, while showcasing complexity, ensures high accuracy and precision. Despite its intricacies, the rifle has demonstrated outstanding reliability, earning the trust of soldiers on the front lines.

The XLR-8's 40-round straight magazine is a visual puzzle, appearing as a 20-round in size, due to the quad stack design. Its extended counterpart, however, extends its true capacity, accommodating an impressive 60 rounds while expanding the size. This ingenious design choice adds an element of surprise, giving operators extended firepower without compromising the rifle's sleek aesthetic.

### Specifications

* Length: 860mm
* Caliber: **7.62x35mm XBLK**/**.300 MLT-BLK**
* Effective Range: 600 Meters
* Weight: **5.1** kg

## Gallery

### First Person Perspective

First Person ViewIron SightsReloadingChambering the XLR-8 after an empty reload
## Trivia

### General

* The standard magazine capacity of the XLR-8 is 30 rounds, ensuring operators have ample ammunition for sustained engagements. An extended magazine option is available, doubling the capacity to 60 rounds, providing even greater firepower for protracted battles.
* In 2056, the XLR-8 emerged from the shadows, replacing the SCR 6.8 as the Winslow Accord's premier assault rifle.
* Oddly, it comes with a straight magazine that is slightly diagonal, rather than a curved magazine by default. It is a hilarious design quirk of the weapon.
* The XLR-8 is incredibly high maintenance, it comes with a repair kit whenever it is supplied to any organisation.
* The thumbhole patterned fixed stock was designed to apply simplicity on an already complex gun.
* The Stryke Blast Initiative appears to be doing some efforts on improving the weapon design.
* It loosely resembles a hybrid between the M6 and the MK37.

### Developmental Notes

* This weapon's name has been inevitably switched with the MK6H-AE, which would've been fitting as the futuristic iterator of its predecessor, the M6A1 assault rifle from Rubicon Corporation itself.
* It's originally intended to be chambered in the same caliber as the SCR, The 6.8x43mm WA-SDC.