Ad Astra! ... an Aurora Forum Game, run by blue emu

[blue emu]

Our science team has finished their theoretical study on applying our recent breakthrough in Magnetic Confinement Fusion Theory to create practical spacecraft engines, and we have now begun applications research on new designs for Magnetic Confinement Fusion Engines suitable for military ships, civilian ships, Fast Attack Craft, Fighters and Missiles.

It is expected that when these designs are translated into hardware, we will finally be at par in engine technology with the hated Prix.

 

[blue emu]

Our new Fighter engines are ready.

Which design would our Carrier commanders prefer...

A) Same as our current Super-Streak but with improved speed. Firing range 90 m-km (54 m-km vs ECM-4 opponents). Fits 51 Fighters into a Carrier :

Photon class Fighter 155 tons 4 Crew 72.2 BP TCS 3.1 TH 30.1 EM 0
27741 km/s Armour 1-2 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0.9
Annual Failure Rate: 1% IFR: 0% Maint Capacity 29 MSP Max Repair 32 MSP Est Time: 9.22 Years
Magazine 6

FTR Magnetic Confinement Fusion Drive E780 (1) Power 86.25 Fuel Use 7800% Signature 30.1875 Armour 0 Exp 60%
Fuel Capacity 10,000 Litres Range 1.5 billion km (14 hours at full power)

Size 6 Box Launcher (1) Missile Size 6 Hangar Reload 45 minutes MF Reload 7.5 hours
Missile Fire Control FTR 2053 FC90-R100 (50%) (1) Range 90.7m km Resolution 100
Size 6-G 2053 ASM (1) Speed: 44,700 km/s End: 22.5m Range: 60.3m km WH: 9 Size: 6 TH: 313 / 187 / 93

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes

B) A compromise between A) and C). Slower and larger than A), but Faster and smaller than B). Firing range 136 m-km (81 m-km va ECM-4 opponents). Fits 47 Fighters into a Carrier :

Photon class Fighter 170 tons 4 Crew 89.2 BP TCS 3.4 TH 30.1 EM 0
25294 km/s Armour 1-2 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0.9
Annual Failure Rate: 2% IFR: 0% Maint Capacity 33 MSP Max Repair 49 MSP Est Time: 7.14 Years
Magazine 6

FTR Magnetic Confinement Fusion Drive E780 (1) Power 86.25 Fuel Use 7800% Signature 30.1875 Armour 0 Exp 60%
Fuel Capacity 10,000 Litres Range 1.4 billion km (14 hours at full power)

Size 6 Box Launcher (1) Missile Size 6 Hangar Reload 45 minutes MF Reload 7.5 hours
Missile Fire Control 2055 FC136-R100 (50%) (1) Range 136.1m km Resolution 100
Size 6-G 2053 ASM (1) Speed: 44,700 km/s End: 22.5m Range: 60.3m km WH: 9 Size: 6 TH: 313 / 187 / 93

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes

C) Slowest version, but still faster than our current Fighters. Firing range 151 m-km (90 m-km vs ECM-4 opponents). Fits 45 Fighters into a Carrier :

Photon class Fighter 175 tons 5 Crew 76.2 BP TCS 3.5 TH 30.1 EM 0
24571 km/s Armour 1-2 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0.9
Annual Failure Rate: 2% IFR: 0% Maint Capacity 27 MSP Max Repair 36 MSP Est Time: 7.33 Years
Magazine 6

FTR Magnetic Confinement Fusion Drive E780 (1) Power 86.25 Fuel Use 7800% Signature 30.1875 Armour 0 Exp 60%
Fuel Capacity 10,000 Litres Range 1.3 billion km (14 hours at full power)

Size 6 Box Launcher (1) Missile Size 6 Hangar Reload 45 minutes MF Reload 7.5 hours
Missile Fire Control 2059 FC151-R100 (1) Range 151.2m km Resolution 100
Size 6-G 2053 ASM (1) Speed: 44,700 km/s End: 22.5m Range: 60.3m km WH: 9 Size: 6 TH: 313 / 187 / 93

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes

Note that the missiles will be upgraded with new engines soon, probably to about 90-100 m-km firing range.

 

[Capt. Kiwi]

Do we still need to worry about hostile PD fire killing our fighters? Because it may be time to up the payload again, given that any of those would probably have enough range to fire before they entered the kill zone.

 

[blue emu]

Do we still need to worry about hostile PD fire killing our fighters? Because it may be time to up the payload again, given that any of those would probably have enough range to fire before they entered the kill zone.

The PD that we've encountered seems to be limited to about 38 m-km (based on wreck analysis).

The main problem with upping the payload again is that it reduces the number of Fighters per Carrier. Naturally, the total weight of the salvo increases faster than the number of firing platforms drops. We did run into a situation in our most recent large battle (the assault on the PDCs at Gliese 250) where about half of our salvos were shot down by point defense before the remainder got through and smashed the PDC.

 

[Capt. Kiwi]

How many PD missiles have they got in each of their salvos, if you can tell? That might affect whether it's better to go one way or the other.

 

[blue emu]

How many PD missiles have they got in each of their salvos, if you can tell? That might affect whether it's better to go one way or the other.

It varies. We never recover all of the PD tubes or PD fire controls from a wreck, so it's very difficult to say... especially since we have so far kept our Fighter's missiles divided into one-missile salvos.

Given enough incoming targets to make comparisons, the largest PD salvo we've seen is 19 missiles per shot. The smallest was 5 missiles per shot.

 

[Capt. Kiwi]

In that case, it wouldn't be worth up-gunning unless we could get at least 6 tubes in. Probably better sticking to one, then.

Personally I'd go with the last one or the first, in that order. Less build points, for starters. Given that our next gen missiles might be able to get to warhead 16, or failing that have a much better PD penetration, the drop in numbers for the last option probably won't matter. In fact, it'll probably help us conserve ammunition. The range on the other hand significantly helps, and it's a question of whether you want firing range or fighter range high.

 

[TheLoneGunman]

I'd stick with the "speed is king" theory and get as many super-streaks in our carriers as possible.

 

[Quift]

So the fastest one would go 10.8% the speed of light!

If we were to engage in hostile fleets which were larger than the few random ships the Prix use, the much longer range would actually make the slower fighters hit their targets faster, reload faster (since they would be closer to the mothership), and thus bring out a second salvo faster. The difference in speed and size feel less relevant at this point. There is a point where other matters should start to matter more than speed. I for one would lie to wait with this design til the new missiles are designed as well. Might be better to design a weapons platform around the actual weapon, instead of the other way around. Not to mention that the possibility to add more weapons. How would it look with 2 box launchers, and long range?

 

[Dewirix]

I'd stick with the "speed is king" theory and get as many super-streaks in our carriers as possible.

I'd go with this design philosophy too. The extra fire-control range is nice-to-have, but the extra speed will add survivability if they ever come under attack and constitutes a tactical advantage to boot.

 

[unmerged(105596)]

So the fastest one would go 10.8% the speed of light!

Whoa. :wacko: Does the game model relativistic speeds?

 

[blue emu]

Our research project for Magnetic Confinement Fusion Drives for military vessels has completed.

Here's a first-cut of our Constellation-II rebuild for our Fleet Carriers:

Constellation II class Carrier 20,000 tons 1352 Crew 5313 BP TCS 400 TH 1358.35 EM 540
9702 km/s Armour 1-65 Shields 18-225 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 22 PPV 6
Annual Failure Rate: 148% IFR: 2.1% Maint Capacity 3570 MSP Max Repair 126 MSP Est Time: 5.67 Years
Hangar Deck Capacity 8000 tons Magazine 504

Magnetic Confinement Fusion Drive E7.8 (27) Power 143.75 Fuel Use 78% Signature 50.3125 Armour 0 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 1,350,000 Litres Range 155.8 billion km (185 days at full power)
Epsilon R225/18 Shields (6) Total Fuel Cost 108 Litres per day

Size 1 Missile Launcher R6 (6) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 5
Missile PD Fire Control 2053 FC24-R1 (50%) (2) Range 24.2m km Resolution 1
Size 6-G 2053 ASM (74) Speed: 44,700 km/s End: 22.5m Range: 60.3m km WH: 9 Size: 6 TH: 313 / 187 / 93
Size 1-G 2053 AAM (60) Speed: 66,500 km/s End: 2.2m Range: 9m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 487 / 292 / 146

Strike Group
51x Photon Fighter Speed: 27741 km/s Size: 3.1

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

It's faster than a speeding Prix and has the Magazine capacity expanded from 422 to 504, at the expense of losing its CIWS. Improved shields, cruising range, fire control range, and doubled firing rate for its PD missiles.

For comparison, our current Constellation class Fleet Carrier specs:

Constellation class Carrier 20,000 tons 1292 Crew 4372 BP TCS 400 TH 1046.5 EM 450
7475 km/s Armour 1-65 Shields 15-250 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 21 PPV 6
Annual Failure Rate: 152% IFR: 2.1% Maint Capacity 2869 MSP Max Repair 101 MSP Est Time: 5.61 Years
Hangar Deck Capacity 8000 tons Magazine 422

Internal Confinement Fusion Drive E7.8 (26) Power 115 Fuel Use 78% Signature 40.25 Armour 0 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 1,000,000 Litres Range 115.4 billion km (178 days at full power)
Delta R250/17.5 Shields (6) Total Fuel Cost 105 Litres per day

CIWS-200 (1x6) Range 1000 km TS: 20000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Size 1 Missile Launcher (6) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 10
Missile PD Fire Control 2046 FC14-R1 (70%) (2) Range 14.8m km Resolution 1
Size 6-G 2053 ASM (60) Speed: 44,700 km/s End: 22.5m Range: 60.3m km WH: 9 Size: 6 TH: 313 / 187 / 93
Size 1-G 2053 AAM (62) Speed: 66,500 km/s End: 2.2m Range: 9m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 487 / 292 / 146

Strike Group
51x Super-Streak Fighter Speed: 22258 km/s Size: 3.1

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

Alternatively... rather than a 20,000-ton rebuild we could lay down a completely new 30,000-ton class of Fleet Carriers, with proper armor and close defense weapons.

 

[blue emu]

... and our Hero-III jump-capable Battlecruiser rebuild: faster than a speeding Prix, improved armor, greatly expanded magazine stowage (from 422 to 582) and fuel stowage, improved shields and CIWS, faster-firing missile tubes (doubled for PD missiles, fifteen seconds faster for main armament).

Hero III class Battlecruiser 20,000 tons 2027 Crew 6721.85 BP TCS 400 TH 1358.35 EM 540
9702 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 8-65 Shields 18-225 Sensors 1/28/0/0 Damage Control Rating 24 PPV 54
Annual Failure Rate: 130% IFR: 1.8% Maint Capacity 5146 MSP Max Repair 625 MSP Est Time: 3.08 Years
Magazine 582

J20000(3-50) 2058 Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 20000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Magnetic Confinement Fusion Drive E7.8 (27) Power 143.75 Fuel Use 78% Signature 50.3125 Armour 0 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 1,275,000 Litres Range 147.1 billion km (175 days at full power)
Epsilon R225/18 Shields (6) Total Fuel Cost 108 Litres per day

CIWS-250 (1x8) Range 1000 km TS: 25000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Size 6 Missile Launcher R6 (8) Missile Size 6 Rate of Fire 30
Size 1 Missile Launcher R6 (6) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 5
Missile Fire Control 2055 FC136-R100 (50%) (2) Range 136.1m km Resolution 100
Missile PD Fire Control 2053 FC24-R1 (50%) (2) Range 24.2m km Resolution 1
Size 6-G 2053 ASM (83) Speed: 44,700 km/s End: 22.5m Range: 60.3m km WH: 9 Size: 6 TH: 313 / 187 / 93
Size 1-G 2053 AAM (84) Speed: 66,500 km/s End: 2.2m Range: 9m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 487 / 292 / 146

Active PD Search Sensor 2055 MR25-R1 (50%) (1) GPS 180 Range 25.2m km Resolution 1
Active Search Sensor 2053 MR113-R100 (50%) (1) GPS 8100 Range 113.4m km Resolution 100
EM Detection Sensor EM2-28 (1) Sensitivity 28 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 28m km

ECCM-3 (2) Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

For comparison, the current Hero:

Hero class Battlecruiser 20,000 tons 2051 Crew 6153.6 BP TCS 400 TH 1046.5 EM 450
7475 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 7-65 Shields 15-250 Sensors 1/16/0/0 Damage Control Rating 24 PPV 54
Annual Failure Rate: 133% IFR: 1.9% Maint Capacity 4615 MSP Max Repair 1225 MSP Est Time: 1.91 Years
Magazine 422

J21000(3-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 21000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Internal Confinement Fusion Drive E7.8 (26) Power 115 Fuel Use 78% Signature 40.25 Armour 0 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 870,000 Litres Range 100.4 billion km (155 days at full power)
Delta R250/17.5 Shields (6) Total Fuel Cost 105 Litres per day

CIWS-200 (1x6) Range 1000 km TS: 20000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Size 1 Missile Launcher (6) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 10
Size 6 Missile Launcher (8) Missile Size 6 Rate of Fire 45
Missile PD Fire Control 2053 FC24-R1 (50%) (2) Range 24.2m km Resolution 1
Missile Fire Control 2055 FC136-R100 (50%) (2) Range 136.1m km Resolution 100
Size 6-G 2053 ASM (56) Speed: 44,700 km/s End: 22.5m Range: 60.3m km WH: 9 Size: 6 TH: 313 / 187 / 93
Size 1-G 2053 AAM (86) Speed: 66,500 km/s End: 2.2m Range: 9m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 487 / 292 / 146

Active PD Search Sensor 2055 MR25-R1 (50%) (1) GPS 180 Range 25.2m km Resolution 1
Active Search Sensor 2053 MR113-R100 (50%) (1) GPS 8100 Range 113.4m km Resolution 100
EM Detection Sensor EM2-16 (1) Sensitivity 16 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 16m km

ECCM-1 (2) Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

 

[blue emu]

... and the non-jump version:

Hero III NJ class Battlecruiser 20,000 tons 2227 Crew 6802.85 BP TCS 400 TH 1358.35 EM 540
9702 km/s Armour 8-65 Shields 18-225 Sensors 1/28/0/0 Damage Control Rating 22 PPV 102
Annual Failure Rate: 145% IFR: 2% Maint Capacity 4677 MSP Max Repair 540 MSP Est Time: 2.98 Years
Magazine 728

Magnetic Confinement Fusion Drive E7.8 (27) Power 143.75 Fuel Use 78% Signature 50.3125 Armour 0 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 1,125,000 Litres Range 129.8 billion km (154 days at full power)
Epsilon R225/18 Shields (6) Total Fuel Cost 108 Litres per day

CIWS-250 (1x8) Range 1000 km TS: 25000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Size 6 Missile Launcher R6 (16) Missile Size 6 Rate of Fire 30
Size 1 Missile Launcher R6 (6) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 5
Missile Fire Control 2055 FC136-R100 (50%) (2) Range 136.1m km Resolution 100
Missile AFTR Fire Control 2053 FC105-R4 (50%) (2) Range 105.8m km Resolution 4
Size 6-G 2053 ASM (107) Speed: 44,700 km/s End: 22.5m Range: 60.3m km WH: 9 Size: 6 TH: 313 / 187 / 93
Size 1-G 2053 AAM (86) Speed: 66,500 km/s End: 2.2m Range: 9m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 487 / 292 / 146

Active anti-FTR Search Sensor 2053 MR100-R4 (50%) (1) GPS 1440 Range 100.8m km Resolution 4
EM Detection Sensor EM2-28 (1) Sensitivity 28 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 28m km

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

Improved speed, faster missile reloads, better CIWS. Fewer upgrades than the other ships, because the Hero-NJ is a more recent design anyway.

For comparison, the current Hero-II NJ model:

Hero II NJ class Battlecruiser 20,000 tons 2242 Crew 5946.9 BP TCS 400 TH 1046.5 EM 540
7475 km/s Armour 8-65 Shields 18-225 Sensors 1/28/0/0 Damage Control Rating 26 PPV 102
Annual Failure Rate: 123% IFR: 1.7% Maint Capacity 4832 MSP Max Repair 540 MSP Est Time: 3.32 Years
Magazine 728

Internal Confinement Fusion Drive E7.8 (26) Power 115 Fuel Use 78% Signature 40.25 Armour 0 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 1,125,000 Litres Range 129.8 billion km (200 days at full power)
Epsilon R225/18 Shields (6) Total Fuel Cost 108 Litres per day

CIWS-250 (1x6) Range 1000 km TS: 25000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Size 1 Missile Launcher (6) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 10
Size 6 2055 Missile Launcher (16) Missile Size 6 Rate of Fire 40
Missile Fire Control 2055 FC136-R100 (50%) (2) Range 136.1m km Resolution 100
Missile AFTR Fire Control 2053 FC105-R4 (50%) (2) Range 105.8m km Resolution 4
Size 6-G 2053 ASM (107) Speed: 44,700 km/s End: 22.5m Range: 60.3m km WH: 9 Size: 6 TH: 313 / 187 / 93
Size 1-G 2053 AAM (86) Speed: 66,500 km/s End: 2.2m Range: 9m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 487 / 292 / 146

Active anti-FTR Search Sensor 2053 MR100-R4 (50%) (1) GPS 1440 Range 100.8m km Resolution 4
EM Detection Sensor EM2-28 (1) Sensitivity 28 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 28m km

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

 

[Capt. Kiwi]

So the fastest one would go 10.8% the speed of light!

If we were to engage in hostile fleets which were larger than the few random ships the Prix use, the much longer range would actually make the slower fighters hit their targets faster, reload faster (since they would be closer to the mothership), and thus bring out a second salvo faster. The difference in speed and size feel less relevant at this point. There is a point where other matters should start to matter more than speed. I for one would lie to wait with this design til the new missiles are designed as well. Might be better to design a weapons platform around the actual weapon, instead of the other way around. Not to mention that the possibility to add more weapons. How would it look with 2 box launchers, and long range?

2 box launchers wouldn't improve the damage much, perhaps counter-intuitively. Point defence targets salvos, not individual missiles. At the moment they're firing five missiles at each one missile salvo, which is massive overkill. If we went to two missile salvos, they'd still be firing five at each, which is still massive overkill, but we'd be losing more missiles and firing less salvos.

 

[blue emu]

A tentative design for a Quality class 30,000-ton Battleship:

Quality class Battleship 30,000 tons 3245 Crew 10481 BP TCS 600 TH 2062.9 EM 900
9823 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 9-86 Shields 30-225 Sensors 1/28/0/0 Damage Control Rating 42 PPV 102
Annual Failure Rate: 171% IFR: 2.4% Maint Capacity 9171 MSP Max Repair 1406 MSP Est Time: 2.27 Years
Magazine 810

J30000(3-50) 2058 Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 30000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Magnetic Confinement Fusion Drive E7.8 (41) Power 143.75 Fuel Use 78% Signature 50.3125 Armour 0 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 1,800,000 Litres Range 138.5 billion km (163 days at full power)
Epsilon R225/18 Shields (10) Total Fuel Cost 180 Litres per day

Size 6 Missile Launcher R6 (16) Missile Size 6 Rate of Fire 30
Size 1 Missile Launcher R6 (6) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 5
Missile Fire Control 2059 FC181-R100 (50%) (2) Range 181.4m km Resolution 100
Missile PD Fire Control 2053 FC24-R1 (50%) (2) Range 24.2m km Resolution 1

Active Search Sensor 2053 MR189-R100 (50%) (1) GPS 13500 Range 189.0m km Resolution 100
Active PD Search Sensor 2055 MR25-R1 (50%) (1) GPS 180 Range 25.2m km Resolution 1
EM Detection Sensor EM2-28 (1) Sensitivity 28 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 28m km

Compact ECCM-2 (2) ECM 20

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

Same armament as our Hero-III NJ Battlecruiser (16 size-6, 6 size-1), but thicker armor, double-strength shields, double CIWS, longer firing range (181 m-km with two-stage missiles), both ECM and ECCM, and much deeper pockets (810 Magazine).

EDIT:

Tentative names for Quality class Battleships are Enterprise, Invincible, Resolution, Valiant, Formidable...

 

[The_Shepherd]

Out of curiosity, how much could you gain by exchanging all the PD missiles for size 6s? and I still ask that we have a Battleship named Dreadnought.

 

[blue emu]

Out of curiosity, how much could you gain by exchanging all the PD missiles for size 6s?

We could trade the six size-1 tubes for one additional size-6 tube. Plus, of course, we could junk the PD fire control and PD sensor, and use that tonnage for another one or two size-6 tubes. I hate to leave any ship without an anti-missile defense, though. One of the keys to our early success was our interlocking PD fire.

... and I still ask that we have a Battleship named Dreadnought.

Your suggestion has been taken on-board.

 

[unmerged(105596)]

and I still ask that we have a Battleship named Dreadnought.

I'd like to reserve the Dreadnought-class for the huge beam-armed monstrosities firing full broadsides.... which I have not yet seen

 

[Raaritsgozilla]

I'd like to reserve the Dreadnought-class for the huge beam-armed monstrosities firing full broadsides.... which I have not yet seen

Me too. Space broadsides are awesome!