The Spacepiress of Chaos
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..:: Out of Character Information ::..
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Intent: The creation of a Planetary based Defense Cannon for use to protect Sorenn-Syrush Industries Facilities, as well as to be used in a defensive application for the Free Worlds Coalition, Commenor Systems Alliance, and Metal Lords.
Image Source: Orbital Cannon by BlueRoseVyse - [HERE]
- Note: TinyEye attributed image to BlueRoseVyse; I was unable to find it in their gallery
Restricted Missions: N/a
Primary Source: N/a
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..:: Production Information ::..
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Manufacturer:
Model:
- SSI-Guardian EX MKI
- Sorenn-Syrush Industries
- Free Worlds Coalition
- Commenor Systems Alliance
- Metal Lords
- No
- Limited
- Railgun Components
- Durasteel
- Duracrete
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..:: Technical Specifications ::..
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Classification: Slugthrower
Size: Stationary
Length: 47.3 Meters
Barrel Length: 32.5 Meters
Weight: 1,350 Tonnes
Ammunition Type: Tungsten Carbide hardened Depleted Uranium Slugs
Ammunition Capacity: One Round
Effective Range: High Orbit
Rate of Fire: One Round every 30-45 Minutes
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..:: Special Features ::..
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- N/a
..:: Strengths ::..
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- Distance - The cannon is capable of firing its rounds into a vessel within High Orbit of the planet that it is defending. Anything beyond this range causes the round to become unreliable, or otherwise more easily manuevered around.
- Penetration - The sheer size of the round and the velocity at which it is projected ensures that it is more than capable of punching through the thick armor plating of most vessels. However it is still limited, with more armored vessels (such as Battlecruisers / Super Star Destroyers) requiring multiple rounds to disable / destroy.
..:: Weaknesses ::..
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- Cost - The sheer size of the weapon, as well as the production of its rounds, makes operating the cannon (even when its not firing) very costly. This also causes the weapons to only be fielded in limited quantities or by those organizations capable of scrapping together the funds required to just install the weapon.
- Defenseless - While much of the superstructure of the weapon is constructed underground to add to the defenses of the command center; the weapon itself is otherwise unprotected, sitting above ground. This means that in order to ensure the operation of the weapon and prevent it from being knocked out, additional defenses must be installed.
- Barrel Fatigue - While the weapon is capable of fulfilling its intended role, the major problem that plagues the cannon is that continued fire weakens its barrel. After the fourteenth round fired, the entire barrel must be replaced in order for the weapon to fire again; which further adds to the weapons operational costs.
- Operation - This emplacement isn't something that anyone can jump into the seat of, aim, and pull a trigger. Rather it takes years for an individual to be properly trained in just their assigned station.
- Crew Fire - It takes no less than 250 dedicated individuals to crew, operate, maintain, and fire the weapon.
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..:: Description ::..
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In a continued bid to ensure the safety and continued prosperity of those governments around the Recopia System, the development of a Planetary Defensive Cannon has become paramount in the eyes of Amelia Sorenn-Syrush.
Thus Sorenn-Syrush Industries has developed the Guardian EX Mark I, a colossal Planetary Defense Cannon for the sole purpose of providing protection to Sorenn-Syrush Industries sites; as well as providing protection for key planets within the Free Worlds Coalition, Commenor Systems Alliance, and the territory of the Metal Lords.
Each weapon is purposely constructed into the side of a mountain, or other such high natural landscape (such as a large hill, mesa, etc etc) to ensure that it is at the highest possible elevation. Once installed (though the cost of doing such means that only sizable organizations are capable of maintaining on of these cannons) the weapon must be crewed by no less than 250 individuals who are trained in its operation and maintenance. However the benefits of the weapon greatly outweigh its costs.
The Guardian EX is capable of firing a Tungsten Carbide reinforced Depleted Uranium round (roughly 800mm in size) into a target stationed in High Orbit around the planet that it is defending. The sheer size and velocity of these rounds often mean that they can easily punch through most vessels (though multiple rounds would be required for heavier armored targets). A prevailing thought behind the deployment of such a weapon is to deploy it in twin or even triple facilities to ensure an overlaying arch of fire between the facilities (though coming to planetary defense this can be difficult); thus they are often better deployed in closely orbiting moons.
