SKA Apex Grenade Launcher

The SKA Apex Grenade Launcher is a low-velocity, shoulder-fired semiautomatic grenade launcher manufactured and sold by Saphiel-Kalanhuma Armoury. Intended to significantly increase the firepower of small mercenary squads, the Apex’s design is rudimentary but has proven rugged and reliable. Although modern energy shielding technology can neuter fragmentation weaponry to an extent, the launcher’s high rate of fire allows it to exploit slow shield recharge times and deal multiple concussive attacks in quick succession. This has made it an invaluable asset for mercenary squads who must incapacitate shielded opponents when conventional kinetic firearms might prove ineffective.

One of the key selling points of the Apex is that it is compatible with Saphiel-Kalanhuma’s wide variety of specialised grenade rounds. Although intended primarily for lethal use with high-explosive rounds, with the appropriate ammunition the launcher can be adapted for anti-riot and other non-lethal security operations. In typical Saphiel-Kalanhuma style, it can also be loaded with extra-lethal rounds which carry biochemical, radioactive or incendiary payloads.

Despite its initial meagre sales, the Apex Grenade Launcher was subject to a surge in popularity after its lethality was amply demonstrated during the infamous Intrepid Frontiers F530 hijacking. Round the clock news coverage reported on a gang of only three pirates successfully taking control of the private passenger cruiser with minimal difficulty; a feat many professional commentators attributed to the criminals’ use of an Apex that fired polonium warheads. In spite of accusations of poor taste, Saphiel-Kalanhuma embraced the publicity and no amount of public media criticism was enough to stop them tripling their profit margins in the aftermath.