Firearms (Superpowers)

A Firearm is a device which projects one or more projectiles at high velocity through a controlled explosion. This can be achieved through the use of gunpowder or other more modern explosive compounds. Recently, new methods for the creation of firearms have been developed and utilized by the world's more advanced nations. These include radionerva (OTL Laser) rifles and the slightly less advances electromagnetically accelerated rifles developed in the first half of the XXth century.

Since 1857, every nation of the world fielded a firearm of some sort in their military. Currently the Zulu, Khmer and Zulu empires and the UCC are not permitted to manufacture their own firearms, all weaponry must be provided for them by foreign suppliers under very strict conditions. This has made smuggling a serious problem in all four nations.

The disparity in firearm technology between the Alliance nations of Rome, Maya and Nippon to the Platonist block is a incredible gap unseen in any current situation OTL. The situation would be comparable to a force of US Marines fighting an equal force of Continental soldiers, such is the difference. The Mongols on the other hand have quite advanced weapons technology. Railguns have been used by their armed forces since 1988 and the use of robotics in firearms has recently taken a place in their weapon development industry.

The future of firearms seems firmly in the hands of the Roman Empire. They lead the field in laser and electromagnetic weaponry and are the furthest in research attempts trying to discover new types of guns. It is therefore the Latin world that everyone is watching for the next big leap.