[Lusis]

Is it possible to effectively turn a firearm into a drone? By this I mean give it programs, sensors and such so that instead of using the firer's Firearms skills you are using their Sensor skills augmented by drone programs?

I was thinking about the possibility of a character who is an assassin with some light Rigging to add an edge in combat.

[Number 2]

In the 4e Arsenal book, a weapon mod can be given called a "Pilot Upgrade"

"Pilot Upgrade (Smartguns Only): Normal smart systems
are quite smart—hence the name—but not capable of thinking
on their own. For this to occur requires an upgrade to more advanced
hard- and soft ware. Heard the old saying that guns don’t
kill people, people kill people? Not with this modification. A
weapon with a pilot upgrade is equipped with a customized
Pilot program (see p. 213, SR4) and becomes a drone in all
respects (though with the downside of immovability unless you
also install a propulsion system). Pistols become minidrones
(Body 1, Armor 1, Sensor 1), Longarms become small drones
(Body 2, Armor 2, Sensor 1)."
-Quoted from p.152 Arsenal

So technically yes.

[Lusis]

In the 4e Arsenal book, a weapon mod can be given called a "Pilot Upgrade"

"Pilot Upgrade (Smartguns Only): Normal smart systems
are quite smart—hence the name—but not capable of thinking
on their own. For this to occur requires an upgrade to more advanced
hard- and soft ware. Heard the old saying that guns don’t
kill people, people kill people? Not with this modification. A
weapon with a pilot upgrade is equipped with a customized
Pilot program (see p. 213, SR4) and becomes a drone in all
respects (though with the downside of immovability unless you
also install a propulsion system). Pistols become minidrones
(Body 1, Armor 1, Sensor 1), Longarms become small drones
(Body 2, Armor 2, Sensor 1)."
-Quoted from p.152 Arsenal

So technically yes.

There it is, but dammit, they forgot to include it in R&G.

One thing though, do those bonuses apply to weapons in the Rigger's hands?

[Number 2]

Hmmm, I don't think so. I guess the sensors could be used as a bonus to finding and shooting the bad guys, but the main point of the pilot upgrade is for a gun to be a drone and be presumably given a propulsion system. Which in turn would make it a flying/crawling/limping gun of death, which if used correctly could give you a HUGE advantage in combat.

My point being, it isn't said anywhere in the books but my guess would be no. The smartgun capabilities are used as the "Hardware" of the gun with the pilot being the "Software".

[Xenon]

SR5 p. 433 Smart Firing Platform
Smart firing platform: This is a non-mobile robotic tripod equipped with a remote control pivot that allows for a 180-degree firing arc and a 60-degree inclination. You can mount one smartgun-equipped weapon to the platform, and it will be fired by the device’s onboard Pilot (Device Rating 3). The platform is equipped with a Targeting Autosoft (Rating 3) and can be upgraded with additional autosofts, usually a Clearsight program. You need to set the parameters of who exactly the platform should and shouldn’t shoot at, which are followed by the platform’s pilot (Pilot Programs, p. 269). The platform provides 5 points of Recoil Compensation. It has an Initiative attribute of Pilot x 2 and 4D6 Initiative Dice when acting autonomously (see Drone Initiative, p. 270).
Wireless:
You can fire the mounted weapon remotely (Control Device, p. 238), like a drone with no rigger interface. You can use an implanted smartlink with the smartgun if you’re in VR.


(It is an under barrel firearm accessory with an availability code of 12F and a cost of 2,500¥)

[Number 2]

Oh yeah, I remember seeing that.

[KarmaInferno]

I'm hoping the Arachne drone makes it into 5th ed.

Think the Smart Firing Platform, but with actual working spider legs and gecko grip to let the walking gun crawl around on walls and ceilings.

Had a 4th edition character that had several assault rifles equipped with Arachne legs, used them as instant toss down firepower that could follow him around. Even had some perch on the resident troll's shoulders to serve as turrets.


-k