Actually, none of the books that describe the HVAR mention the said high velocity is
muzzle velocity. It's a guess from context.
QUOTE
Fields of Fire, page 34
ARES HIGH-VELOCITY ASSAULT RIFLE
At last-the assault rifle that fires as fast as a super-machinegun! Ares Arms' latest assault rifle combines the top performance you expect from Ares with minigun firing rates for a rock-and-roll beyond the pale and beyond belief!
The Ares Arms HVAR comes with patented Smartlink Level II™ technology that provides outstanding basic targeting and compensation algorithms designed to compensate for the weapon's unique features. The weapon package includes integral recoil reduction systems that offer enhanced stability even in full-fire mode! Suppression or covering fire with the HVAR lets the opposition know you mean business!
The Ares HVAR fires Light Pistol rounds. In burst mode it fires six-round bursts that do 12D damage at a maximum autofire rate of 15 rounds. The weapons comes with an integrated Smartlink II that offers the equivalent of 3 points of Recoil Reduction; apply recoil modifiers as for normal weapons. The HVAR accepts under-barrel and top-mounted accessories.
>>>>>>(Now we're talking. I was working down in South America (won't say where) not long ago, when I got to use my HVAR. Laid myself down a cover screen so tight I was popping caps as soon as the hopped up. Nasty work, chummers, but I get paid well to do it.)<<<<<<
- Whisper (02:30:20/9-26-54)
>>>>>>(Ya know, Whisper, I looked at the ballistic files on the HVAR after reading your comment about penetration. I got bad news for you: The HVAR don't penetrate much better than the SuperMach 100 you chucked a couple of screens back.)<<<<<<
- Steel Lynx (21:32:30/10-02-54)
>>>>>>(You looking for trouble, Lynx? Want to start something? Everywhere I look, I find you cracking on me. You wanna play, we'll play, but by my rules.)<<<<<<
- Whisper (03:03:20/10-03-54)
>>>>>>(Guess Morocco did wreck you after all.)<<<<<<
- Steel Lynx (10:20:14/10-05-54)
QUOTE
Cannon Companion, page 22
Ares HVAR
This high-velocity assault rifle earns a "super machine gun" label for its high rate of fire. Specially designed to incorporate an internal smartlink-2 system, the engineering also provides 3 points of recoil compensation. This weapon cannot accept barrel-mounted accessories.
In burst-fire mode, the HVAR fires 6-round bursts that inflict 12D damage. These bursts suffer recoil for each bullet in the same way as standard bursts; a single burst incurs a recoil modifier of +6 (+3 with compensation), a second burst in the same Combat Phase would suffer +12 (+9).
In full-auto mode, the HVAR fires at a maximum rate of 18 rounds per phase. This autofire can be directed in bursts at more than one target, but at least 6 rounds must be fired in each autofire bursts (see p. 115, SR3).
QUOTE
Arsenal, page 26
Tech Profile: High-Velocity Weapons
These special firearms (also called super machine guns) have a very high rate of fire, using specially designed barrels and cartridges to prevent overheating and excessive recoil. Only submachine guns and assault rifles can be constructed as high-velocity weapons.
When fired in full-auto mode, high-velocity weapons can only fire long bursts or full bursts (see Full-Auto Mode, p. 143, SR4). Unlike normal firearms, high-velocity weapons can fire two long bursts in a single Action Phase. All other rules for firing long bursts apply as noted on p. 143, SR4.
When used to fire full bursts, high-velocity weapons use 12 bullets instead of 10 and thus impose a –11 dice pool modifier instead of –9. When used to fire narrow bursts, a +11 DV modifier to the attack applies, while a wide burst applies a –11 dice pool modifier to the defender’s dice pool. When used to attack multiple targets, a high-velocity weapon can attack two targets with two long bursts, three targets with one long and two short bursts, or four targets with four short bursts (using a full burst to attack multiple targets is the only legal way to fire short bursts with a high-velocity weapon). All other rules for full bursts, as described on p. 144, SR4, apply. The rules for Suppressive Fire (see p. 144, SR4) remain unchanged.
Ares HVAR: The Ares HVAR (“high-velocity assault rifle”) is another example of high-velocity weapons (see sidebar, above), trading large calibers for a high rate of fire.
In addition to the special recoil-reduction design common to all Ares high-velocity weapons, providing 3 points of recoil compensation, the Ares HVAR includes an internal smartgun system and a rigid stock with shock pad. It cannot be equipped with barrel- or underbarrel-mounted accessories
Arsenal, page 152
High Velocity (Full Auto-Capable Weapons Only): This turns the firearm into a high velocity weapon (see High-Velocity Weapons, p. 26).