Rear Admiral
- Intent: To create a pulse-energy based main armament for the Eternal Fleet.
- Image Source: Pinned from ‘outlander.solsector.net’ by Charles Woods. Original Artist Unknown | Headers by Kainan Wolfe
- Canon Link: N/A
- Permissions:
- Primary Source: N/A
- Manufacturer: Karavin Concern
- Affiliation: Eternal Empire
- Market Status: Closed-Market
- Model: KC-R73X 'Ripple' Pulse Cannon
- Modularity: N/A
- Production: Minor
- Material:
- Classification: Capital-sized Pulse Cannon
- Size: Very Large
- Weight: Extremely Heavy
- Ammunition Type: Tibanna Gas & Heavily Focused Energy From Ship-board Reactor.
- Ammunition Capacity: Large. Uses Tibanna Gas & Focused Reactor Energy
- Effective Range: Battlefield
- Rate of Fire: Very High
- Damage Output: Very High
- Recoil: High
The KC-R73X comes with a built in micro-computer and mechanical suite that allows it to perform a myriad of functions internal to the weapon, such as the following:
- Pulse Modulation: Normal energy weapon platforms (such as the turbolaser) experience energy dissipation over longer distances, rendering them at best only effective at long ranges. This weapon utilizes specially applied pulse modulation technology, which increases the density of the energy bolt while at the same time compacting its size. This results in a vastly reduced level of energy dissipation, allowing the bolt to maintain up to 85% of its mass and intensity once it reaches the limits of its range.
- Sensor Suite Integration and Amplification: Normal turbolaser batteries integrate and solely utilize a ship’s sensor suite to identify and track enemy targets. This weapons platform includes an integrated assembly that takes on some of the routine functions normally performed by the ship’s computer, easing the stress & strain (if only slightly) on the ship-board system as opposed to normal energy-based weapons.
- Long Reach (See Pulse Modulation above): Given the previously mentioned pulse modulation capability, the KC-R73X boasts far greater range and damage than your typical turbolaser platform.
- Ripple Fire: As indicated by its name, the Ripple Pulse Cannon is an energy based weapon - meaning that it has an increased rate of fire as opposed to its heavy ‘slug’ based counterparts. Both cannons fire alternatingly, with a seconds’ long delay that varies depending on its range. This provides a far superior rate of fire compared to other weapons of its class.
- Energy/Ion Resistant: The casing of this weapon is a quadanium & chromium alloy. The quadanium provides the durability one would expect of a weapon of its size and make, but the chromium provides added protection against ion and energy specific weaponry which may otherwise assault its sensitive internal mechanisms.
- Capital-sized: Although not abnormally sized compared to other capital sized weapons, such as the KC-T93S ‘Troika’ Rail Driver, this weapon is very large compared to other energy-based weapon systems. Due to this, it is only viable to equip this platform on capital-sized ships (Star Destroyers and up).
- Energy Intensive: Given the size and intricate operation of the KC-R73X, it is highly recommended that it only be used on ships equipped with advanced reactor systems, such as the HAPU | Hybrid Antimatter Power Unit, an Isotope-5 Reactor Variant, or a nano-reactor system. Failure to do so with all but the heaviest of ships (Dreadnoughts are the exception) could result in a decrease in functionality at best, or total reactor failure. (This should be listed under the weaknesses section of a ship if a special or dedicated reactor is not provided)
- Tedious: While not the most high maintenance of weapons systems, given the advanced nature of the KC-R73X’s pulse technology, it does have a somewhat tedious maintenance schedule compared to other platforms. While it does not require service after every engagement, its power modulation system does require calibration on a weekly basis at minimum. Otherwise one might experience a noted reduction in overall effectiveness and efficiency.
Pulse technology has existed for centuries; since the days of the Galactic Civil War. During those years, such technology primarily existed in the form of high powered blaster rifles. Yet, due to the extreme levels of damage inflicted through such technology, most planetary jurisdictions and regional armies banned the use of such weapons except by the most elite of special forces. Eventually, utilization of pulse technology fell by the wayside until very recently.
Due to the technological disparity between the Eternal Empire and her rivals, many within positions of authority in the Empire have adopted the mindset that desperate times call for desperate measures, and have thus far funded research and development initiatives to explore technologies that can bridge the gap. In short order, the Empire's brightest minds within the industrial and research conglomerate known as Karavin Concern bridged the gap left dormant for centuries, finding a viable way to harness the destructive potential of pulse technology for spatial warfare.
Through their efforts, the KC-R73X 'Ripple' Pulse Cannon was born. Utilizing revolutionary technology, the Empire can now lay claim to weaponry that serves as a noted upgrade to standard turbolasers, although not without limitations. While the KC-R73X has devastating damage vs rate of fire potential, it comes under the constraints of massive power requirements on any ship designed to house it. Even still, this weapon platform is quickly becoming a mainstay within the Eternal Fleet, and for good reason.
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