Viper Shotgun
Production information
Manufacturer:	Hahne-Kedar Shadow Works
Type:	Shotgun
Cost:	400,000 credits
Introduced:	13 September 2175 CE
Discontinued:	14 October 2184 CE
Technical information
Size:	Two-Handed
Damage per hit:	High
Maximum ammunition:	Unlimited
Fire mode:	Pump-action
Operation:	Gas operated
Rate of fire:	34RPM
Accuracy:	High (72)
Range:	100-300 meters
Usage
Era(s):	Asari Cycle Pax Galactica Era
Counterpart:	M-23 Katana N7 Crusader N7 Piranha
Affiliation:	Systems Alliance Numerous other governments, PMCs, corporations

The Viper shotgun was a pump-action heat sink-based block-fed light shotgun manufactured by Hahne-Kedar Shadow Works. Manufactured and entering service in 2175 CE, the Viper shotgun was designed for use by the Systems Alliance Armed Forces, namely their top special forces units. The Viper possessed good stopping power with high accuracy, its recoil dampening able to moderate most of the recoil so that the user can pop off shot after shot at a rapid pace, with only heat dissipation to worry about, which in itself allows five shots in quick succession before overheating. Largely used by the Black Jackals, Crimson Vampires, N7 and Blue Falcons, the Viper shotgun was considered the special forces shotgun of the entire Alliance military, utilized only by the best operatives. The weapon was, in design, succeeded by the M-23 Katana following the introduction of thermal clips in 2184 CE, which replaced block-fed weapons wholesale across the entire galaxy following the Battle of the Citadel. After this transition, the Viper was replaced by both the N7 Crusader and N7 Piranha in service with Alliance special forces units.