Approved Ranged Weapon KQ9 "Cloudburst" Electro-Flak Projector

[Helix]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To create a shipborne/emplaced point-defense weapon for the Helix Privateers
• Image Source: Link
• Canon Link: N/A
• Permissions: N/A
• Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: Helix Privateers
• Affiliation: Helix Privateers
• Market Status: Closed-Market
• Model: KQ9 Cloudburst
• Modularity: No
• Production: Minor
• Material: Helsteel, Helglass, Otherplasma, Storm Iron

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Plasma/Proximity-Fused Flak
• Size: Large
• Weight: Heavy
• Ammunition Type: Otherplasma-infused Storm Iron shrapnel
• Ammunition Capacity: Large
• Effective Range: Average
• Rate of Fire: High
• Damage Output: High
• Recoil: High

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Large explosive radius
• Can confuse/jam missile locks
• Integrated Aftershock software

STRENGTHS

• Missile Command: The Cloudburst provides particularly excellent defense against missiles and torpedoes, being capable of both confusing targeting systems and destroying such projectiles outright.
• Skyboxer: The Cloudburst's accuracy is noteworthy, as the system's integrated Aftershock targeting software enables it to nail fast-moving foes on the wing.
• Knockout Punch: The Cloudburst's dual-purpose ammunition can often stun anything too tough for it to kill, as it exposes the target to highly-disrupting energies.

WEAKNESSES

• Tough Crowd: The Cloudburst relies largely on the disruptive effect of its weaponry to destroy fighters. As such, ion-hardened strike craft can much more gracefully withstand its fire.
• Small Targets: While it excels at destroying fighters, missiles, or other small/quick targets, the Cloudburst cannot do more than inconvenience larger craft.

DESCRIPTION

A further refinement of the mobile electro-plasma technologies used in the Gossamer, the Cloudburst operates in much the same fashion.

The Cloudburst launches variable-fused canister shells, each of which are packed down with dozens of thousands of tiny Storm Iron ball bearings.

Under their normal proximity-sensitive settings, these shells detonate a small Otherplasma charge when close to hostile air or voidcraft, scattering their munitions across a vast area of effect.

The bearings themselves are too small and light to inflict much kinetic harm, at least against conventionally-armored starfighters. Against flying creatures or especially lightly-armored interceptors, they can potentially inflict terrible damage, shredding flesh and delicate systems alike with impunity.

These projectiles, however, are only the delivery system for the Cloudburst's real potential. Given Storm Iron's traumatic-electric properties, the scattered cloud of metal is highly energized.

This results in a large, expanding electro-plasma storm, as crackling arcs of ionic energy jump between the countless metal bearings in flight. This charge can inflict significant harm to delicate electronic systems, destroying firing mechanisms, prematurely detonating ammunition, knocking out life support systems, killing engines, or otherwise severely inconveniencing the numerous complex functions upon which space travel relies.

Unlike conventional Ion weaponry, however, this reaction can also inflict significant energy-based damage on a more permanent basis. The enormous heat generated by the electro-plasma reaction is more than sufficient to slag many metals, and can potentially damage or destroy frailer targets outright.

What's more, the storm of radiation, plasma, and physical shrapnel can be confusing to many conventional scanner systems, producing a displacing effect similar to conventional chaff pods. This lends it a particularly excellent capability against missiles and torpedoes.

Under normal circumstances, the Cloudburst is mounted on voidcraft, but can also be emplaced on the ground as a static AA battery.

 

[MANIAC]

Helix

Nicely made.

Approved.