Well-Known Member
Intent: Create a flexible but standardized starfighter-grade pylon for TGM
Image Source: Military Technology Twitter
Canon Link: N/A
Primary Source: Pylon - Wikipedia
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Manufacturer: TransGalMeg, Inc
Affiliation: Closed-market
Model: Edgaudaew
Modularity: N/A
Production: Mass-production
Material: Durasteel, electronic components, ejector cartridge
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Standardization - A pylon for mounting various types of equipment on starfighter external wing-style hardpoints for TGM.
- Aerodynamic - Minimizes drag in-atmosphere.
- Ejectable - Can be ejected if required.
- Ejectable - Capable of being ejected from the host vessel at need.
- Aerodynamic - When mounted on craft operating in-atmosphere, atmospheric drag is minimized.
- Flexibility as a standard - Capable of adapting multiple types of mounted item to a standardized hardpoint.
- EMP - The electronic components within the pylon are susceptible to EMP bursts and can prove unpredictable if hit with one.
- Drag - While aerodynamically designed, this equipment adds weight and drag to vehicles operating in atmosphere.
- Exposed - The unit is a link between a starfighter and the item it carries and thus is a target of opportunity for enemies.
Making a product flexible typically adds complexity. Complexity, in turn, increases costs and makes it more likely to fail. Mass production of fighters with failure-prone external hardpoints was not a good sales strategy, nor was drastically limiting the amount of devices capable of being mounted. A complex - but self-contained - adapter that allowed the flexibility would be useful.
Rather than complicating fighter mount points with different types of connections or severely limiting the kind of equipment that could be attached, TransGalMeg created a pylon that could accept a dozen of the most common connection types. This allowed devices with those connections to be used, or devices with adapters that accepted those connections. The results of statistical queries suggested that with the pylon, several hundred - or more - different types of devices could be utilized. Since the device could be used with vehicles capable of atmospheric flight, the designers added the option to safely eject the unit from the hardpoint. This would cut down on drag and weight when used, as well as minorly reduce sensor signature.
To save on costs, TGM built in no additional EMP shielding or armor. If an EMP hit, externally-mounted equipment was likely the least of the crew's worries, and the pylons are small enough to not be a significant target. The risks were minimal when compared with cost savings.
