Approved Ranged Weapon Hedgehog-type Counter-Ordnance System

[Ethanael Halscott]

Hedgehog-type Counter-Ordnance System
​

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To create a short-range, high-volume counter-ordnance flak system optimized for final-phase defense on Commonwealth vessels. Inspired by real-world M2 90mm AA guns and Bofors 40mm autocannons, the Hedgehog fills a gap between CIWS and smart counter-missiles like the Ovmar II.
• Image Source: N/A
• Canon Link: N/A
• Permissions: N/A
• Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: Imperial Commonwealth of Dosuun
• Affiliation: Imperial Commonwealth of Dosuun
• Market Status: Closed-Market
• Model: CDS-HCWS-X1 “Hedgehog”
• Modularity: Yes
• Production:Minor
• Material: Durasteel housing, composite recoil compensators, Canarocrite-reinforced breech seals

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Flak Defense Gun
• Size: Average
• Weight: Average
• Ammunition Type: 90mm & 40mm alternating HE-flak shells (Depleted Baradium Shells)
• Ammunition Capacity: Large
• Effective Range: Personal to Average
• Rate of Fire: High
• Damage Output: High
• Recoil: Average

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Quad-Barrel Alternating Pattern: 2x 90mm + 2x 40mm barrels in alternating ring
  
  • Ammo Types [90mm]:
    
    • HB-F90/HE-FRAG: High-Explosive Fragmentation
      
      • Default 90mm load. Wide shrapnel bloom. Timed and proximity fused.
    • HB-F90/ION: Ion Disruption Core
      
      • Delivers an ion-burst detonation. Effective against shields, drones, and electronics.
    • HB-F90/PLAS: Plasma Bloom
      
      • Plasma charge detonates mid-air, creating short-lived molten shrapnel clouds. Area denial tool.
    • HB-F90/EMP: Electromagnetic Pulse
      
      • Localized EMP blast disables sensors and active missile tracking systems in 20m radius.
    • HB-F90/FLECH: Flechette Canister
      
      • Releases kinetic darts to shred light armor on drones or strike pods. No explosive signature.
  • Ammo Types [40mm]:
    
    • HB-F40/HE-FRAG: High-Explosive Fragmentation
      
      • Rapid fire explosive shell for missile and drone interception.
    • HB-F40/PHOS: Phosphor Airburst
      
      • Flashburst charge releases intense light and thermal pulse. Used to blind sensor pods or disrupt IR seekers.
    • HB-F40/ION-MIN: Miniature Ion Charge
      
      • Small-scale ion warhead. Often fired in rapid bursts to scatter shield cover.
    • HB-F40/FLARE: Proximity Flareburst
      
      • Lures missile seekers mid-approach. Can mimic ship heat profiles.
    • HB-F40/CHOKE: Dense Air-Shard Shell
      
      • Fires a tight cone of baradium shards. Close-range final shield for critical zones.
• Typical Outload Cycles:
  
  • Default Loadout: HE-FRAG (90mm) + PHOS (40mm)
  • Shield-Break Loadout: ION (90mm) + ION-MIN (40mm)
  • Swarm Defense: FLECH (90mm) + CHOKE (40mm)
  • Sensor Denial: EMP (90mm) + FLARE (40mm)
  • Area Denial: PLAS (90mm) + PHOS (40mm)
• Staggered Fire Cycling: Prevents overheating and creates overlapping fragmentation fields
• Programmable Fuses: Burst, proximity, or time-delay detonation options
  
  • Timed Detonation
  • Proximity Fuse (1–30m adjustable)
  • Pattern Modulation (directed burst vs omni bloom)
  • Ammo Cycling Logic (via Eralam AI)
• Anti-Ordnance Tuning: Specifically calibrated to intercept torpedoes, missiles, or strike pods
• Eralam/NATASI Integration: Auto-prioritizes interceptable threats; fleet-linked targeting
• Canarocrite Seals: Reduce thermal stress and improve reload cycling

STRENGTHS

• Multi-Caliber Defense: High rate 40mm rounds for saturation; 90mm for punch and range
• Last-Ditch Intercept: Meant to catch anything that slips past Ovmar or CIWS
• Low Profile, Fast-Cycle: Small turret size makes it ideal for frigates and escorts
• Flexible Ammo Types: EMP burst, ion flak, or plasma-shard variants possible

WEAKNESSES

• Limited Range: Too short to engage at standoff distances; overlaps only with CIWS
• No Guidance: Relies on volume + timing, not lock-on
• Ammo-Intensive: Requires constant resupply in sustained defense
• Not Effective Against Armor: Designed for ordnance, not ships

DESCRIPTION
The Hedgehog Counter-Ordnance System is a quad-barrel, short-range flak defense platform designed to intercept incoming torpedoes, missiles, and fast-approaching strike craft in their final approach phase. Inspired by the layered flak networks of 20th-century naval warfare, the Hedgehog combines two 90mm high-fragmentation barrels with two 40mm rapid-fire support guns in a staggered, alternating fire pattern.

Each barrel is fed from an internal drum system and pre-loaded with depleted baradium-cased munitions, ensuring maximum penetration resistance and explosive consistency. When active, the Hedgehog creates a dense, cross-patterned flak wall intended to saturate a local kill zone within 1–3 kilometers of the ship’s hull.

Unlike guided defense systems, the Hedgehog relies on timed and proximity-fused shells, creating a kinetic solution to threats that have evaded earlier interception layers like missiles or CIWS. Modular ammo configurations allow the system to fire ion bursts, EMP shells, or specialized shrapnel charges depending on mission parameters.

While it lacks range and smart guidance, the Hedgehog excels as a last-ditch hard-kill defense system, forming the final line of protection for ships operating in high-risk torpedo envelopes or dense swarms of strike craft.

 

[MANIAC]

Ethanael Halscott

As usual, amazing. I think you probably want to edit out that emoji from the materials before I accept the sub.

Materialurasteel housing, composite recoil compensators, Canarocrite-reinforced breech seals

 

[Ethanael Halscott]

MANIAC done

 

[MANIAC]

Ethanael Halscott

Thank you!

Approved.