Saera Willamina Savan
~+--- Skaidra ---+~ Beskarsmith, Alchemist
Image Source: HAWKEN
Intent: I want an engine that isn't purely ion-based. I also think these would sell pretty well.
Development Thread: None
Manufacturer: Ri'ess-Emeritus Inc.
Model: Blackmist GPE Drive / Blackmist-XS
Affiliation: Open Market for PC ships
Modularity: It, in itself, is a modular component.
Production: Minor
Material: Durasteel, Alusteel, Adamithium, Agrinium, Ostrine, Synthetic Diamond, Misc.
Description: A simple concept taken from one of the company's earlier assault starfighter designs. The Blackmist Drive system does not solely utilize ionic propulsion. Instead, it combines a series of plasma-based systems to generate thrust via matter propulsion as well as. Fuel scoops lead to super-cooled ostrine compressors that force-induce scooped matter into plasma conduits. When in operation, the matter (a variety of viable gasses) is processed into fuels which become ionized into dense plasma in a miniature plasma rotor. The plasma is then re-compressed through a solid-carbon-reinforced turbine and directed through a series of magnetic and heating coils before intersecting an ion afterburner that may channel excess ions from the main rotor as thrust when activated. The exhaust plasma (and/or ions) is finally channeled through a three-way adamithium thrust-vectoring exhaust manifold to augment maneuvering and exhaust pressure.
((Relevant stuff about plasma propulsion and VASIMRs))
The Blackmist Drive has a very low ionic yield, making it exceedingly difficult for ion-based sensors to track, though it generates heat in excess and leaves behind a huge thermal emission trail via the ejected plasma. This, in effect, dampens the usefulness of long-range tracking. It is also able to refuel and power itself where viable fuels are able to be cultivated, and requires minimal output from a reactor in order to operate at any capacity. However, it generates a low thrust speed which hampers acceleration compared to standard Ion and SRB engines by a considerable amount (not factoring in use of the afterburner). As it is a sort of two-stage system, the drive is able to have its thrust output moderately increased by activating its ion afterburners, though ion pollution increases exponentially, voiding the emissions advantage.
The Blackmist Drive comes in two variants: the Blackmist, which is suitable for ships ranging between 30-100 meters (or as secondaries/back-ups en-masse for ships up to 200 meters); and the Blackmist-XS, designed to fit in starfighters, personal shuttles and light freighters up to the 30-meter mark.
Strengths:
- +0.5 permanent increase to base speed rating for fighters / +1.0 for freighters (up to 100m)
- +1.0 to speed rating when afterburners are used
- Useful in helping to avoid long-range sensors (disclaimer: there are 101 other ways to still detect you)
- Mostly self-sufficient with minimal reactor power draw
- Your exhaust tails will look amazing!
- -1.0 to maneuverability rating when afterburners are used, plus a massive ion trail
- Substantial thermal emissions
- Roughly a 30 to 50% reduction in acceleration compared to standard (depending on the vessel)
- Replacement or reconstruction of parts is high-maintenance (exhaust manifold in particular requires full prefabricated replacement)
Primary Source: n/a
