Approved Starship Orbital Defense/Ground Assault Mine

[Jak Sandrow]

Image Source: http://eq2wire.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/nuke_from_orbit-660x367.jpg

Affiliation: Techno Union

Manufacturer: Techno Union

Model: OD-GAM-P (plasma, shown), OD-GAM-M (missiles), OD-GAM-A (Assault, tungsten rods)

Modularity: There are two different mines, a plasma cannon, and a missile battery. Each has its own merits and drawbacks.

Production: Mass-Produced, but only for Techno Union and any buyers.

Material: Durasteel; blaster, missile components; engines, thrusters

Classification: Orbital Defense Platform/Orbital Bombardment Weapons

Length: 100 m
Width: 10 m
Height: 10 m

Armament: Each OD-GAM is equipped with one weapon:

OD-GAM-Plasma: A large, ordinary, capital-ship-scaled plasma cannon is the prominent weapon. The weapon has the approximate power of a corvette - Armament scale of 10. The mine is filled with fuel for the gun, enough for a long siege, but not indefinite. This is the cheapest model.

OD-GAM-Missiles: Slightly shorter than the OD-GAM-P, this mine is stockpiled with a variety of conc missiles, proton torpedos, and EMP shells.

OD-GAM-Assault: This mine has an assortment of tungsten rods within it. With only a small laser battery on top for defense, it drops its tungsten rods onto marked locations on the planet's surface, using only gravity. The rod is shaped in order to produce maximum terminal velocity, and this will bury the rod in the ground. See Description.

Each OD-GAM is equipped with thrusters, to have complete movement in all three axes. Of course OD-GAM-A doesn't need them, as its weapon is SOLELY space-to-ground. The other two can be space-to-space OR space-to-ground.
Hangar: None

Special Features: Relatively weak shield generators, OD-GAM-A has a slightly more powerful one (due to lack of other fuel requirements)

Capital Gun Rating: 2

Maneuverability: 2 (able to rotate on a single point, it simply has to turn on a point to aim anywhere)

Speed Rating: 15 (able to use thrusters to move itself to a new position in orbit, but that's it)

Hyperdrive Class: None (must be deployed from a carrier ship)

Strengths:

• Powerful weapons, with long range

1. Range on the OD-GAM-P and OD-GAM-M is standard for cannons and missile batteries of that size
2. Accuracy is greater, as they are 100% autotargeting
3. OD-GAM-A can drop a tungsten rod on the 1/3 of the planet's surface closest to it, landing the rod as precisely as +/- 1 km from targeted point.

• Large ammunition capacity
• Zero recoil

Weaknesses:

• So much ammo, and so little shielding. An X-wing would have a field day with these, lighting them up like the 1st of July. The shields are for small non-hostile objects like asteroids, not attacking ships. Their defense is pure numbers.
• These are not artillery. As such, artillery will take them out with ease.
• Can only fire on one target at a time.
• Can be reprogrammed to fire on allies, as they are fully automated.

Description:

These mines, or defense platforms, are stationary (though adjustable) turrets, which provide a layer of defense between an invading fleet, and a harmless little planet. Or, can be turned around and deployed as a siege weapon against enemy planets, to destroy ground targets below.

Admittedly, the first option has more accuracy; the plasma batteries and missile systems only fire when the target is within range, and must be manually controlled to aim at the ground. However, despite their lack of shielding, these pesky little mines could be the difference between life and death. Providing a tight security net against smaller ships like evil nasty smugglers, and a fairly powerful defense against larger fleets, these weapons can be almost invaluable for both offense and defense.

However, due to a lack of general protection, these mines are no more than cannon fodder to small aircraft. In large numbers, though, they could buy enough time for larger, sentient-operated ships to arrive.

Tungsten rods, from the OD-GAM-A, are launched from geostationary orbit; the rods accelerate to terminal velocity, slamming into the ground. The rod drives itself into the ground, sending the resulting shockwaves out like a localized earthquake, capable of leveling a city. If the rod is dropped on a critical fault line of a planet, the result will not trigger a natural earthquake.

The benefit of this system is its ability to be activated with little or no advance warning, and without risking air units to deliver a bomb of equivalent magnitude. Furthermore, when swarms of these mines combine forces, they can completely decimate large swaths of ground. The only issue, in essence, is its extreme cost-ineffectiveness. This is more expensive than a bomb, and not quite as precise... but is still much safer in general.

Development Thread: None (but will provide upon request)

Intent: To give the Techno Union some measure of defense, greater than that of just a bunch of alarm systems.

Who Can Use This: Those who buy it, and the Techno Union.

Primary Source: None

 

[ADM. Reshmar]

RESEARCH REVIEW

Star Wars Canon:
Pending initial review

Starwars Chaos:
Pending initial review

WITHOUT DEV THREADS
Pending initial review

WITH DEV THREADS
Pending Initial review

SUGGESTIONS
Pending Inital review

 

[ADM. Reshmar]

Hello [member="Jak Sandrow"] I will be working on this with you. There are a few issues that we need to cover.

Manufacturer: Techno Union [I don't know the exact manufacturer]

When this is the case just list the faction as the manufacturer.

OD-GAM-Plasma: A large, ordinary, capital-ship-scaled plasma cannon is the prominent weapon. The mine is filled with fuel for the gun, enough for a long siege, but not indefinite. This is the cheapest model.

What scale is this weapon? Plasma cannons can be anything from Heavy Blaster scale to massive Axial mounted weapons. Base the scale on how many turbolasers they are equal to.

OD-GAM-Assault: This mine has an assortment of tungsten rods within it. With only a small laser battery on top for defense, it drops its tungsten rods onto marked locations on the planet's surface, using only gravity. Each rod has the equivalent destructive force of a nuclear bomb, but with zero fallout (radiation).

Nuclear scale weapons are not allowed because they realistically do not allow an opponent the ability to access damage. They would be far to Over powered and do not give the writer the chance to write surviving. Damage has to be up to your opponent and listing this as a nuclear scale weapon does not give them the ability to do this. Again base this on how many turbolasers they are equal to.

Accuracy is greater, as they are completely stationary

A star ship can sit in stationary orbit so this being more accurate because it is stationary is not a valid strength.

OD-GAM-A can drop a tungsten rod on the 1/3 of the planet's surface closest to it

Again not a valid strength, anything in orbit can do this.

You're approaching a Techno Union planet, bent on destroying it utterly with your many starfighters and ships. With your long-range scanners, you espy that the planet in question appears to be glittering, with tens of thousands of tiny particles covering the atmosphere. Putting it off as simple satellites, you send your starfighters forward... only to be met with a hail of missiles and lasers. Upon closer inspection, those glittery satellites are, in fact, fully armed and operational defense turrets. You curse the day you forgot to update yourself on the Factory's prestigious assortment of spaceships.

Can you remove this section as it dictates an ability to have tens of thousands of these in orbit when that is just not practical in a role play environment. A fleet engagement is built on length of forces in meters and I am sure any battle you try to use these in you will be asked to include them in that total. It is not always the case but prepare for the inevitability of that.

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Edited Manufacturer to just Techno Union.

What is the scale of an Axial-mounted weapon? (in turbolasers, and in SWRPC physical size - dimensions and such)

Refixed the description of the rods to somewhat more accurate detail:

"
Tungsten rods, from the OD-GAM-A, are launched from geostationary orbit; the rods accelerate to terminal velocity, slamming into the ground and creating a destructive force approximately equivalent to that of 120 tons of TNT. The rod drives itself into the ground, sending the resulting shockwaves out like a localized earthquake, capable of leveling a city. If the rod is dropped on a critical fault line of a planet, the result will not trigger a natural earthquake.

The benefit of this system is its ability to be activated with little or no advance warning, and without risking air units to deliver a bomb of equivalent magnitude. Furthermore, when swarms of these mines combine forces, they can completely decimate large swaths of ground. The only issue, in essence, is its extreme cost-ineffectiveness. This is more expensive than a bomb, and not quite as precise... but is still much safer in general.

"

Edited strengths:

"

1. Range on the OD-GAM-P and OD-GAM-M is standard for cannons and missile batteries of that size
2. Accuracy is greater, as they are 100% autotargeting
3. OD-GAM-A can drop a tungsten rod on the 1/3 of the planet's surface closest to it, landing the rod as precisely as +/- 1 km from targeted point.

"

Removed requested section of description.

[member="Reshmar"]

 

[ADM. Reshmar]

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

I need an approximation of the weapons strength IN a reference to how many turbolasers it would be comparable to.

This is a 100 meter battle station for all practical purposes and would have a set limit as to how powerful a weapon system can be affixed to it based on the rules of station creation found here. For something this size it would roughly equate to a corvette in terms or power. As it is a station it would be about 150% as powerful in regards to a normal corvette.

Those are not hard numbers just a reference to assist you in working out the power.

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Edited:

"
OD-GAM-Plasma: A large, ordinary, capital-ship-scaled plasma cannon is the prominent weapon. The weapon has the approximate power of a corvette - Armament scale of 10. The mine is filled with fuel for the gun, enough for a long siege, but not indefinite. This is the cheapest model.
"

I hope this is sufficient!

[member="Reshmar"]

 

[ADM. Reshmar]

The plasma works

The rods are still too high yield to not be considered a super weapon. They need to be something comparable to say a hypervelocity canon. The comparability of the two is not a stretch as one uses mass over velocity and the other velocity over mass.

The rating of TNT equivalency can be abused in its principle and used to kill a writers character. Rating this as an equivalent to a canon source such as a hypervelocity canon limits the degree in which it can be abused.

It too needs a rating such as the plasma cannon please.

 

[Jak Sandrow]

The rods are actually less powerful than a hypervelocity cannon (henceforth HVC).

While a HVC is able to shoot incredibly rapidly both towards a planet, and away from it, the rods are only able to be dropped onto a planet - and even then, they have a much slower velocity than a plasma bolt or a HVC slug. In fact, it would take 10+ minutes for it to reach the ground once it is launched; plenty of early warning to get out of the way.

Furthermore, the rod is not an explosive - it would only kill someone if they were in the very close proximity of the landing, due to the shockwave of it travelling through the air. The purpose of the rod is to disrupt and destroy stationary ground targets, such as cities or enemy bases. It is completely impractical for killing anything.

[member="Reshmar"]

 

[ADM. Reshmar]

I was using the HVC as a for instance as it is the closest weapon system to the rods. Listing the strength of the rods in tons of tnt is misleading and could be abused. Please remove this and list it as a rating in firepower or a gun count equivalent.

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

The problem is, it's an unconventional weapon, in that it doesn't use explosives or anything anywhere close to it. It simply has the force of 120 tons of TNT, as an explosive.

The rods would not kill anyone who is more than 5 meters away from it landing. The area of deadly effect is actually incredibly small. It's the surrounding area that gets a localized earthquake, which has the potential to level buildings and demolish major structures, possibly causing a few ground upheavals, but no more. If you have earthquake training, you have an incredible chance of survival.

The rods are used exclusively for stationary targets. They would be completely impractical for anything else, such as ground units or infantry. The intent of these is to disrupt and demolish, not destroy outright.

[member="Reshmar"]

 

[ADM. Reshmar]

Unconventional or not we need some sort of guage of power comparable to a gun count.

[member="B.I.A.N.C.A MK VII"]

 

[Ellie Mors]

The problem is, it's an unconventional weapon, in that it doesn't use explosives or anything anywhere close to it. It simply has the force of 120 tons of TNT, as an explosive.

The rods would not kill anyone who is more than 5 meters away from it landing. The area of deadly effect is actually incredibly small. It's the surrounding area that gets a localized earthquake, which has the potential to level buildings and demolish major structures, possibly causing a few ground upheavals, but no more. If you have earthquake training, you have an incredible chance of survival.

The rods are used exclusively for stationary targets. They would be completely impractical for anything else, such as ground units or infantry. The intent of these is to disrupt and demolish, not destroy outright.

[member="Reshmar"]

Firstly, I need to address the notion that dropping anything from above the atmosphere at terminal velocity would not effect anyone farther than 5 meters from impact, especially when it is essentially carrying the force of 120 tons of TNT. The impact is going to create a shockwave not dissimilar to that of a bomb going off that will be more than lethal well within a ten to thirty meter radius, if not farther, just judging by the blast radius of 120 tons of TnT minus the fireball.

What I see being done here, basically, is orbital bombardment, and what is described is something capable of leveling a city. That, alone, should give a clear picture that this is not non-lethal further than 5 meters from the initial point of contact, if this is used on a heavily populated city it will kill far more than just the few people who were unfortunate to be right where it slammed into the ground. Here's an accurate assessment of what you should expect from dropping 120 tons (.12 kTons) of force onto a given location:

Crater inside radius: 10 m (0 m²)
↓ Crater depth: 0 ft
Crater lip radius: 20 m (0 m²)
Air blast radius (200 psi): 40 m (0 m²)
Approximately the pressure felt inside of a steam boiler on a locomotive.
Air blast radius (20 psi): 110 m (0.04 km²)
At 20 psi overpressure, heavily built concrete buildings are severely damaged or demolished; fatalities approach 100%.
Air blast radius (5 psi): 230 m (0.16 km²)
At 5 psi overpressure, most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread.

Roughly 110 meters, or about four tenths of a square kilometer, is what is the fatality zone for this sort of thing, the area where damage is going to cause the most deaths outside of the impact zone (which alone would be ten meters, double the size of five). If you want to equate this to something that only effects that five meters while still being heavily damaging to the surrounding area we can work that out, but with 120 tons of TNT you are going to be killing a lot more than the people inside of that 5 meter radius.

As for how it aligns with a capital gun, I'm going to go ahead and say this is basically a heavy railgun, or a capital gun count of 2. I don't see this being incredibly accurate, but the impact of this weapon will cause a significant explosive force, which is why kinetic bombardment is compared to the force of TnT.

The only issue, in essence, is its extreme cost-ineffectiveness. This is more expensive than a bomb, and not quite as precise... but is still much safer in general.

What is contained in this mine that makes it cost more than the conventional bomb? The whole idea of using kinetic bombardment is that it costs less than a regular bomb, being made of just a blend of metals that are dropped from the orbiting satellite.

All in all, I need the following:

• Acknowledgement that the "mines" are orbital bombardment weapons, which have a large surface damage (you can scale back the power of this if you want less of a lethal hit). I would suggest simply removing the portion pertaining to TNT tonnage, as that actually varies on area of impact as it isn't carrying 120 tons of explosive force so much as causing it upon impact with certain types of terrain.
• A capital gun rating on this kinetic bombardment weapon, which 2-4 seems appropriate.

Not following this will result in this submission being denied.

You can assess the damage of explosive force utilizing this simulator and tweaking the settings to remove the fireball, fallout, and so on, to get just the shockwave and crater.

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Thank you very much for this, [member="B.I.A.N.C.A MK VII"]. I will make this edit immediately.


Done: edited out all references to TNT, mentioned in Description that it is also an orbital bombardment weapon, and gave it a capital gun rating of 2.

[member="Reshmar"]

 

[ADM. Reshmar]

[member="B.I.A.N.C.A MK VII"]

Pending approval

 

[Ellie Mors]

Awesome. Pending Admin Approval. Thanks!

 

[Allyson Locke]

Approved.