A new firearms company just popped up in our radar yesterday as soon as we received a tip from our reader, Pistol Pete. LLARMS is still very much new, having been established in the second half of 2011 with the objective of creating something unique in the firearms market as the founder noticed that a number of existing firearms companies nowadays have been copying each other. He wants a company that can be considered a maverick, that goes against the grain. With this idea, Project Titan was born.

Titan is not just precision rifle since its inception as based on feedback as it started to take form. It will be long range rifle system that will also have characteristics of a statically positioned weapon. Thus, apart from being able to give precise shots a long distances, Titan can also provide fire support as a suppression weapon when its mated with a 100-round drum magazine. It promises quick target acquisition and easy deployment by a single operator.

What is very much distinct about the Titan is the "Titan Shroud", a free float shroud which serves to protect the barrel and its components. It is also a heavy system with the shroud's weight designed to "absorb recoil, diminish barrel torque, and eliminates muzzle rise" --- all of these a requirement for a precision shooting weapon. An integrated muzzle break can also be built into the shroud and it can be removed just by two thumb screws for maintenance or when the operator needs a lighter configuration. The Titan Shroud will come in 18", 20", 22", or 24" x 4 1/2" x 3 versions.

Since it's a modular weapons system, Titan how the following components:

• Titan Shroud
• Titan Front Shroud Plate
• Titan Rear Shroud Locking Plate
• Titan Muzzle Brake Locking Block (if applicable)
• Modified DPMS Style Barrel Nut (Free Float)

Whilst you may just grimace at imagining that it will be a heavy weapons system, it basically has its peers in the weight category such as the Barrett .50 and Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW), thus, it is still portable is conceived by LLARMS.

.308 will be its primary cartridges with plans to support .223, .300, and even the .50. They are expecting a release at the earliest in the last quarter 2012, but it's very optimistic estimate as they're still doing a lot of R&D work for this new system.

Will the Titan be accepted by the market? Design-wise, it is really unique and its promise of stability, being able to provide suppressive fire, multi-calibre capability, and seemingly indestructible design, Titan holds a lot of potential. But since it's also very different animal what might worry users will compatibility with other existing weapons systems. If they will aim for the military as a client, then it's always a must that its components can be compatible with other weapons systems unless it offers a really unique proposition of giving that distinct tactical advantage for the soldier which the Barrett and other precision rifles give. Perhaps being dual-purpose in design and concept will be its main unique selling proposition.

Personally, I like it, and it's indeed a badass looking rifle and futuristic at that reminding me that it might have taken inspiration from some sci-fi assault rifles and enlarged (just imagine an Alien M4A1 Colonial Marines Rifle that is enlarged). Performance-wise, judgment can still be reserved as there has been no demonstration of the rifle's over all capabilities. But the video below shows the stability when shooting with it:

If we think in airsoft terms, Titan holds a lot of promise. I have to admit that I was never enamored by the airsoft Barrett M99 rifle in AEG form with its auto feature. An airsoft version of Titan makes having a full auto feature more plausible given its dual-purpose of being a precision rifle and as a support weapon. Just imagine having something this big that's full auto and also precise that will keep the OPFOR at bay at a distance whilst your team mates move towards the objective in a milsim game.  If LLARMS will need some additional funds for its R&D having this licensed to an airsoft manufacturer might help, even if the real steel version is not yet ready for prime time.

It's worth watching the development of Project Titan due to is promising concept and unique design. Hopefully, it gets released late this year so we can feast our eyes on what it aims  to deliver.