Bombshell Genius
A Kaeshana in maintenance
Image Source: NavWeaps
Intent: To provide a multi-use, small-scale hypervelocity cannon
Development Thread: N/A
Manufacturer: Ringovinda Systems
Model: Kaeshana 20mm hypervelocity cannon
Affiliation: Open Market
Modularity: Can be turreted in either single or dual turrets if used on the ground or on capital ships
Production: Mass-Produced.
Material: Quadanium, standard hypervelocity cannon components
Classification: Hypervelocity cannon
Size: Starfighter-mounted (but can also be turret-mounted on capital ships or on the ground for point-defense)
Length: 2m
Weight: 60kg
Ammunition Type: High-explosive armor-piercing 20x139mm shells
Ammunition Capacity: 1500 rounds
Effective Range: Standard quad-laser range
Rate of Fire: 120 shots/minute (in 2-second bursts or 5-second bursts)
Special Features:
- Automatic reloader
- Standard targeting system (can be automated if turreted)
Strengths:
- Can be mounted on a wide array of applications
- Can bypass ray shields
- High muzzle velocity (3 km/s)
- High penetration; can penetrate up to 100mm of duracrete
Weaknesses:
- Requires shells made from magnetic materials
- Particle shields must be lowered to fire
- Must have external power sources
- Ground-based versions must have a drivetrain to move it around
- Turreted cannot be mounted on attack craft smaller than 20m
- High maintenance requirements
- Requires a cooldown period
Description: The Kaeshana is a hypervelocity cannon capable of firing 20mm rounds; it was found to be the best caliber to be able to shoot down lightly armored vehicles, attack craft, as well as missiles, and still be able to get good tracking ability. For this reason, it can be used as a CIWS as well as an anti-aircraft ground-based gun, as the main armament of a fighter and also as a point-defense emplacement onboard a capital ship. It features a high muzzle velocity (3 km/s), which enables it to penetrate up to 150mm of armor with sheer kinetic impact. Its light weight allows it to have a good tracking capability and a fast traverse, enabling it to target low-flying aircraft. However its effective range renders it unable to target aircraft at high altitude. As with most hypervelocity cannons, the Kaeshana fires its shots in bursts: this weapon can shoot in 2-second bursts or in 5-second bursts, requiring 2 and 5 seconds of cooldown respectively. Utilizing gast gun principles and belt-fed ammunition, the Kaeshana can achieve 120 rounds per minute when fired in bursts. Of course, due to the fragility of the internal components, it requires regular maintenance outside of battle. Turreted versions, ground or space-borne, come with sensor-guided systems so that it can be automated.
Notes:
- If used on an attack craft, counts for 2 laser cannons
- If used on capital ships, each tube counts for two point-defense quad-lasers
