A Steel Hide

[Popo]

Got the reports from Tenloss R&D and Incom. Long and short, it's super tough armor plating, but too heavy for me to use.

I fixed the program with help from Alyesa and ran the ratios through, just in case. The ship with that armor plating would move about as fast as a planetoid. Maybe a little slower. It would be nigh invulnerable, but when a moon can outmaneuver it, we have a problem.

The latest numbers have the compression at 26.77% and the weight increase at 230.19%. This sounds a bit better than the alternative, but I'm not sure if it's as durable as I need it to be. Again, sent the numbers to Tenloss R&D and Incom. Hopefully, they'll make a few samples and test them. I need to know how durable they are. Gotta find that sweet spot.

[member="Alyesa Praxon-Organa"]

 

[Writer]

I groaned as the numbers came back.

I crunched and crunched, for another four hours. The Supreme Chancellor owes me some overtime for this!

Finally, I had some figures that looked about right, they were modest and of course they were in the ranges that the Supreme Chancellor might be willing to accept. I quickly sent over the figures.

I was looking at a compression rate of around 63.4% with a weight increase of about 578.3%. Not sure how I managed to manipulate those numbers but I ran it again to be sure and threw it a few dozen variables. Same numbers. I was very satisfied as it took a few good and long hours to get that right, now hopefully the Chancellor would like it.

[member="Popo"]

 

[Popo]

I got the reports back from Incom, which is good. Downside is, they crunched the numbers but didn't do much physical testing. I can take the data and do it myself, though.

The compression of 26.77% was tested and the results sent back. It's tougher and more resilient than standard, armor-grade durasteel. It even out-performs Alusteel. It's far lighter than the previous test samples as well. It performed well against most weapons used on it in the testing range. At least, until they brought out the heavier weapons.

The previous test sample shrugged off anything thrown at it. The impacts abraded the armor and, eventually broke through the plate, but it took an hour of bombarding the same plate at the same place with a composite beam laser. Even the Creespa warhead we make didn't do much except scorch it. Problem was, it was just too heavy to use.

This sample shrugged off standard turbolaser, ion, and kinetic fire. It even shrugged off a direct hit from a standard concussion missile. When hit by a heavy turbolaser, it cratered. The heavy mass driver bent the plate on the first shot. Heavy ion weapons had no effect aside from burn marks on the metal. Anything over that, and we started seeing immediate full or partial penetration. Even a composite beam was able to punch through on the second shot. The P2-CA1 system cut through it with no problems.

I shot [member="Alyesa Praxon-Organa"]'s data off. I should have those test back soon.

 

[Popo]

The droid brains have tossed another number at me. A ratio of 41.19% compression of Alusteel with a 399.78% increase in weight. It seems that Alusteel's lighter weight and higher durability against Durasteel might win through. It's both lighter, even when compressed, and tougher in general. I'll make sure all further tests are done with Alusteel for now.

The tests I requested earlier using Alyesa's data came back. We haven't found the sweet spot, but we're close. The weight ratio numbers were a bit off. It weight increase with a 63.4% compression are closer to 613.04% increase. That said, she never stated if she used Durasteel or Alusteel. I'll have Tenloss R&D run tests on Alusteel, just in case.

The plate tested held up very well. Standard mass drivers and ion weapons have little effect and barely scratch the surface of the metal. There's even a report that a standard turbolaser ricocheted off the plate when fired. Heavier weapons do more damage, but the plate holds up well. Repeated barrages will warp and bend the plate, though it took a long time to penetrate the armor with heavy weapons.

Composite beam weapons gouge the metal, but they appear like surface scratches. One of the staff brought out a heavier composite beam laser and it seemed to do more damage, gouging deeper into the steel. The P2-CA1 Weapon System cut a trench through the armor plating on the first shot, but it took, on average, five to six shots to penetrate the armor plating.

I'm waiting on the test results from the missile weapons, lightsaber, and miscellaneous weapon tests for the moment.

 

[Popo]

The Lightsaber tests were interesting. The blades had a great deal of trouble cutting through the material, but could do so. It just took longer. A lot longer. The droid we used took about ten minutes to cut a hole big enough to fit through when told to breach an armor plate the thickness planned for the ships' plating. This means that breaching will be difficult for anything, even Force users, though we'll still have to be wary.

Missiles came back with stellar marks. Standard missile weapons failed to penetrate, even with sustained bombardments. I'm assuming that joints in the armor or more vulnerable areas will risk damage, but for basic plating, this is excellent. Assault grade weapons fared better against the armor. Approximately three or so to the same area of plating will begin to bend the metal. Any more risks damage and penetration. Cluster missiles on standard warheads barely scratched the paint while the assault variants, strangely, did far, far more damage than we thought. At least, the potential is there. The missiles themselves did little to the armor plate, but revealed something very interesting... and dangerous. I'll explain this more in my next entry. I want to wait on the appropriate test results first.

Lastly, the miscellaneous testing went well. Asteroid and debris impact tests were almost unnecessary. Ship collisions showed that the armor plate could be damaged, but short of something assault cruiser sized or heavier, the ship had little to worry about. Various laser and ion weapons have little to no effect on the armor, though obviously they can do damage to areas the armor is weakest like sensor nodes and the like.

All in all, testing has done very well. The only snag being that... problem.

 

[Popo]

The tests I wanted came back and they're not... good.

Long and short, the problem with compressing atoms, aside from increased weight, has been discovered. Resonance. The assault cluster missiles showed that problem to the Tenloss R&D techs during testing. One or two cluster assault missiles impacting did more or less little to no damage. Around the fifth missile, during a sustained barrage, sensors measuring the vibration patterns and other data from the armor plate during the tests went off. The techs took a look at the plate and discovered...

A crack.

Apparently, the metals under the right resonance, or enough vibration, seems to crack. My scientists theorize that it might be the near crystalline structure of the metal or perhaps a strange, unknown fault yet unseen by Alusteel. Either way, this isn't good. I don't need armor plating shattering like glass in combat.

 

[Popo]

I had more tests done on the metal and, honestly, it seems to be an issue with any and all compressed materials short of 100% compression.

Sustained barrages with cluster munitions over the same area with more or less regular intensity may crack the armor plating, rendering it vulnerable to damage. At first, my thoughts were to immediately scrap this avenue and search for another, but I know it's only a matter of time before we face another Sith assault and, honestly, this is the best viable option.

My tacticians within the Republic as well as shipbuilders withing Tenloss, plus my own experience, tell me that cluster assault missiles are uncommon, even rare, and that a sustained barrage of them is even less likely. So, for now, we'll have to deal with that possibility.

I've ordered all data of the resonance problem purged from the records and all staff involved have signed non-disclosure agreements on the subject. Short of outrageous luck or a karking miracle, no one should be able to find out about this. I hope.

 

[Popo]

I arranged for more testing to be done. The samples that are working are still a little on the heavy side. If I can find the perfect compression rate, the weight will be marginally reduced. It doesn't sound like much, but when you're talking armor plating designed to cover a ship this size, then you're looking at saving dozens, if not hundreds or thousands, of tonnes.

On a side note, lost more money to the blasted Class One today. That little droid brain has cost me at least a few thousand credits. I'm half tempted to unplug the karking machine. I need to sit down with the Class Twos. Maybe figure out a battle plan.

 

[Popo]

One of the tests came back, the other two are still in progress. Lowering the compression rate to 59.41% yielded a weight increase of about 588.11%. This is more manageable with the weight, but the durability is lacking somewhat.

The plating holds up well, just like the first test at 63.4% compression. In fact, with the exception of not quite being able to handle a P2-CA1 as well as the first test, it performs similarly enough that it appears to be the ratio I need. The problem is that the vibration problem evident on the first test occurs with both standard and assault grade cluster munitions. Normally, I wouldn't be too worried about it, except that it took a shorter time period to do so and less of a sustained firing period.

So, in short, the ratio won't work for what I need it to do. I've had the records purged and more non-disclosure agreements handed out and signed. Hopefully the next two tests will return with better results.

 

[Popo]

Next results are in from Tenloss R&D. I've got mixed feelings on this one.

The test was done at a 61.09% compression with a weight increase of 593.6%. The upside is that it performs just as well as the 63.4% compression ratio. The downside is that it still finds that resonance weakness against standard and assault cluster munitions. I can cope with the assault cluster munitions as those are very uncommon or even rare. I know of a few ships that carry standard cluster munitions, though, which means this armor will be vulnerable to them. The bright side is that it's less vulnerable to standard cluster munitions than the 59.41% compression ratio, so at least I have somewhere to go from here. I'll see what the next test has in store, then move on from there.

In other, better news, one of the Class Twos almost beat the Class One. There's a chance I might be able to recoup my losses in this blasted game.

 

[Popo]

The last test is in from Tenloss R&D. This one looks somewhat promising to me.

This compression rate is at 62% even with a weight increase of 598.55%. The durability tests fare just as well as the 63.4% compression ratio and is light enough to fit in the sweet spot I need. The downside is that it still finds that vibration issue. Granted, it seems far, far less susceptible to standard cluster munitions, but an extended barrage of fire did crack the plate. I've asked Tenloss R&D to find two more compression ratios between the 62% and the 63.4% ratios to do final testing on. Whichever holds out against the standard cluster munitions entirely will have to be the ratio we go with.

 

[Popo]

It's been about half a week and the first test is in. The test results are good, but I'm not sure if this is the ratio needed.

This test was done at 62.71% compression with a 599.99% weight increase. For the sake of accuracy, that .99 is a repeating .99, I just have no idea how to do the little repeat sign above the numbers with this terminal. I tried figuring it out, but each time I did I kept erasing the data I had just written and almost deleted the test result files. Karking computers.

Anyways, the armor performed similarly to the 63.4% compression rate. It also featured the same resonance issue against assault cluster munitions as the other armor samples. However, it still has an issue with long, sustained fire from standard cluster munitions. It almost passed, but at the last possible second - and I do mean that literally, it cracked at the exact last second - it failed against the standard munitions used. I'm hoping that the next and final sample does the trick, because I can't afford any more delays.

 

[Popo]

The last test results are in and, I must admit, I think I can finally relax a bit.

The compression ratio of 62.99% (again, .99 repeating) with a 600.0188% weight increase seems to have pulled through. It holds up similarly to the 63.4% compression ratio in all tests. It does feature the same weakness against assault cluster munitions, but we knew that would happen. In the test against standard cluster munitions, it passed with flying colors. No cracks from the long, sustained rate of fire from standard cluster munitions, though the plate did seem to chip in areas towards the end. I can live with a few chips.

I've informed Tenloss R&D and [member="Alyesa Praxon-Organa"]'s Incom scientists to begin production of this type of armor. With luck, we can both start cranking out the stuff.

In other news, I think the Class Twos and I have a plan that will work on the Class One. Here's to hoping.

 

[Popo]

Production was easier said than done. I've switched assets over to manufacture of the plates and doubled ore mining for this project. More Molecular Furnaces and gravitic equipment have been ordered, most delivered so far. I've asked Incom to do the same in as much as they can as they're hosting the actual shipyards.

I figured the best place to start is the stern of the ship. Tenloss is producing the first few panels to plate the engines. It was settled on inch thick plates with another foot or two of reinforced alusteel behind. The idea is that the thin plating will hold up to the punishment and, if it eventually gives, the Alusteel behind should hold up long enough to either disengage or win the fight.

 

[Popo]

Still receiving reports from Tenloss assets. Mining is still going, the rest of the needed equipment is on site and working, and we're hiring more trained staff to operate the machines. Right now we're stockpiling the things until the actual hull is completed, though I've ordered the stockpiles split up between a few worlds. No idea when the Sith will hit and I'd rather not lose the whole thing to one attack.

The engine plates are halfway done, almost. I've got my people working around the clock for this project and I've had to double staff at the very least in some areas. If this doesn't pay off... I may have to liquidate some assets.

 

[Popo]

Engine plating is almost complete. At the moment, they're finishing up the last few plates for the actual standard plating. The more complex plates are taking longer. Mostly the ones that have to be molded. I'm told those will be done soon, thankfully.

The armor isn't cheap, unfortunately, neither is the amount of money needed to pay for the staff, equipment, and materials. I've shifted revenue to this project from other areas and put a few projects on hold for now. I'm hoping this will alleviate some of the financial strain. I'm sure Incom is having similar issues. I'd arrange for more funding from the Republic's coffers, but I've already pulled enough from there. I really don't want to rely solely on taxpayer credits for any snags we hit. At least, not right now. If something big comes up, though, I may have to.

 

[Popo]

The engine plating is done, thankfully. My people have moved on to the next area of the ship's armor. Work began on plating the aft of the ship ahead of the engines yesterday. With luck, it'll be a fast job as time is slipping away here. Thankfully, the actual chassis of the ship is rather... boxy. Shouldn't be too much contouring and molding needed.

I shot a comm message to Incom today. I need to see where they're plating first and working towards. I told them at the start that we'd armor the aft first and that they should start at the bow. I'm hoping they've started.

 

[Writer]

I sent over the figures that [member="Popo"] requested.

We had about 76% of the bow completed by the days end, but we were running low on resources and personnel because of other projects, such as Project Dark Tide.

I was hoping to get that project completed soon, so I could flip more resources, money and effort into the Capital Class Modernization Program. It was my newest baby. My pride and joy past Project Dark Tide. I would smile to myself everytime I thought of it. It would be something of beauty everytime that I would look out the windows of Ranklinge and Commenor. To see those beautiful, bristling, weapons of the Republic.

I would be able to sleep better, knowing that the Republic had amicable means to defend herself.

 

[Popo]

Word from Incom. They started the other day on the bow plating. They're behind schedule, but assure me they'll catch up. I'm hoping they can, because if they can't it'll set this whole project back. We can't afford any more delays.

The aft plating goes on. There's little molding to do, thankfully, but it's still a slow process. Sales in some of Tenloss' products went up and I've routed the revenue to the armor production. I may route more money that way from other projects, but I really hope I won't have to. This is becoming very expensive, honestly. I knew it would be, but this is already reaching the lower end of the cost projections and we're not even half done. I'll see what else I can shift around.

 

[Popo]

Aft plating is almost done. My techs and engineers estimate it's around 83% complete. Well, when I say "aft" I mean "the rearmost section of the aft section." There are four aft sections, five sections amidships, and another four bow sections.

Tenloss is slightly ahead of schedule, which is wonderful. I hear Incom is catching up, so we might be on time for the deadline. I'm not going to even jinx anything by saying we'll be done early, but it's a thought.

I've ordered a smaller section of Tenloss to begin producing more plates. The section in question isn't of high importance and isn't actually for the main production line. I figure we might need replacement plates as time goes on, so it makes sense to start making a few.