GDW missed something very important with respect to solar power; it produces electricity. An odd statement to be sure, but all the solar arrays in SotFA etc. are stated to be there for fuel cracking. Well, why not use it directly?
Even correcting for GDW being out an order of magnitude for the power gained from an array (100 sq m should produce 0.2 MW in the life zone, not 2 MW) a deployed solar array is an incredible thing. It gives the starship unlimited power (in duration). Thus any non-nuclear starship insystem can turn off the fuel consuming MHD turbine and "sail".
This means starships operating insystem have effectively infinite range. A transport running from 16 Psyche to Earth and back might occasionally run the turbine briefly to keep it working, but it would rarely need it. This also has some military ramifications. Once insystem a warship (be it a fighter, corvette or cruiser) can deploy a solar array and "sail" around the system forever, only pulling in the sails and warming up the turbines when a threat is detected.
On another point, for interstellar crossings there is no need to go full speed. Remembering that doubling speed increases fuel consumption eightfold, if you go half as fast you'll use a quarter of the fuel for the same interstellar journey. A vessel like the Aconit could cruise on 2 MW (i.e. full engines, weapons powered down) for 7 weeks, or at 1 MW for 14 weeks, or even 0.5 MW for 28 weeks. Even at 0.5 MW warp efficiency is still 63% that of 2 MW, and speeds of greater than 1 ly/day are typically if not fully loaded.
Food for thought.
Wednesday 31 December 2014
Tuesday 30 December 2014
French Bufer class Fighter
French Bufer class Fighter
Original Date of Design: August 3, 2289
First Example Laid Down: October 12, 2291
First Example Completed: December 3, 2293
Fleets of Service: France
Number in Service:12 (Bufer, Barineau, Giraud, Hasbrouck, Ducat, Dodier, Morace, Nugent, Pepin, Rosier, Senesac and Segur - named after previous fighter captains)
The Bufer is the a French fighter design which uses carried ordnance as its only offensive weapons. Originally the design called for four magnetically harnessed LL-2 submunitions launchers, then the most common submunition in the French arsenal. Now, however, most Bufers have been refitted to accept the updated LL-5 (Type 2285 or Big Clip), LL-7 (Type-2286) or LL-8 (Type 2290) designs which boast more powerful warheads.
In order to carry several launchers, the Bufer design had to be somewhat on the large side. The ship itself is 20 meters from nose to tail and has a wingspan of just over 15 meters on a 8m diameter hull. The four launchers are carried magnetically on the underside of the wings and the launchers can be dropped. The weapons are limited all controlled by one fire control system and may all fire in a single turn.
The hull is streamlined and is composed of advanced composites. Sufficient material has been added to the hull to give it noticeable armor resistance. Masking the hull has made the ship virtually invisible to enemy passive detection, and the design is not so large that the ship suffers from having too great a profile.
Bufers are currently deployed sparingly along the French Arm. Their numbers are rumored to be somewhat low, but actual figures have never been released by the French government. To date there
have been no Bufers sold to any other nation.
It lacks a solar array and medic, and thus is not suitable for extended cruising. Deployments are mainly to carriers in the strike role.
Crew: Commander and XO, nav and 2nd, helm and 2nd, comm and 2nd, comp and 2nd, passive operator, gunner, and 6 engineers.
Streamlining: as spaceplane, external droptanks used for lift
Warp efficiency: 3.75-3.98 on full military power (depending on fuel)
Power Plant: 10 MW MHD Turbine
Turbine Fuel: 96 tons (16 hours at full military power)
Range: 7.7 ly
Mass: 497.8 tons unfueled and unloaded with ordnance
Cargo Capacity:minimal
Crew: 18
Passengers: nil
Comfort: -2
Total Life Support: 90 days
Cost: MLv 16.83
Original Date of Design: August 3, 2289
First Example Laid Down: October 12, 2291
First Example Completed: December 3, 2293
Fleets of Service: France
Number in Service:12 (Bufer, Barineau, Giraud, Hasbrouck, Ducat, Dodier, Morace, Nugent, Pepin, Rosier, Senesac and Segur - named after previous fighter captains)
The Bufer is the a French fighter design which uses carried ordnance as its only offensive weapons. Originally the design called for four magnetically harnessed LL-2 submunitions launchers, then the most common submunition in the French arsenal. Now, however, most Bufers have been refitted to accept the updated LL-5 (Type 2285 or Big Clip), LL-7 (Type-2286) or LL-8 (Type 2290) designs which boast more powerful warheads.
In order to carry several launchers, the Bufer design had to be somewhat on the large side. The ship itself is 20 meters from nose to tail and has a wingspan of just over 15 meters on a 8m diameter hull. The four launchers are carried magnetically on the underside of the wings and the launchers can be dropped. The weapons are limited all controlled by one fire control system and may all fire in a single turn.
The hull is streamlined and is composed of advanced composites. Sufficient material has been added to the hull to give it noticeable armor resistance. Masking the hull has made the ship virtually invisible to enemy passive detection, and the design is not so large that the ship suffers from having too great a profile.
Bufers are currently deployed sparingly along the French Arm. Their numbers are rumored to be somewhat low, but actual figures have never been released by the French government. To date there
have been no Bufers sold to any other nation.
It lacks a solar array and medic, and thus is not suitable for extended cruising. Deployments are mainly to carriers in the strike role.
Crew: Commander and XO, nav and 2nd, helm and 2nd, comm and 2nd, comp and 2nd, passive operator, gunner, and 6 engineers.
Streamlining: as spaceplane, external droptanks used for lift
Performance
Warp efficiency: 3.75-3.98 on full military power (depending on fuel)
Power Plant: 10 MW MHD Turbine
Turbine Fuel: 96 tons (16 hours at full military power)
Range: 7.7 ly
Mass: 497.8 tons unfueled and unloaded with ordnance
Cargo Capacity:minimal
Crew: 18
Passengers: nil
Comfort: -2
Total Life Support: 90 days
Cost: MLv 16.83
Ship Status Sheet
- Move: 8
- Screens: 0
- Radiated Signature: 1(4) (down to -2 when powered down to 1 MW)
- Radial Reflected: 4
- Lateral Reflected: 5
- Target Computer:0
- Radial Profile: -2
- Lateral Profile: -2
- Armour: 5
- Hull hits: 50/10
- Power Plant Hits: 20/4
- Active: nil
- Passive: 6
- Weapons
- Ordnance Load: 4 Submunitions Launchers of any type (usually Big Clip)
- Sensors and Electronics: Navigation Radar and Passive-6
- Crew Hits: Bridge (Commander, Helm, Navigator, Comms, Comp), TAC (passive operator and gunner)
- Damage Control:8 (3 teams)
Mistral class Fighter
Notes on Fighters
The fighter here is roughly the equivalent of what in WW1 would be called a torpedo boat or destroyer. They are relatively short ranged ships, but true starships. This contrasts with the GDW fighter which are supposed to be one or two man "aircraft".
Here the fighter is the answer to the problem of delivering submunitions attacks. Tactically the fighter is deployed in squadrons of several vessels capable of making high speed attack runs against enemy ships and delivering a heavy load of submunitions.
Fighters are typically based on planetary surfaces, space stations or carried by major ships.
Mistral class Fighter
Original Date of Design: August 3, 2280
First Example Laid Down: March 5, 2285
First Example Completed: March 23, 2286
Fleets of Service: France
Currently in Service: currently 28 Mistrals are in service (Mistral, Dixmunde, Tonnerre, Foudre, Siroco, Ouragan, Pluie, Zéphyr, Tourbillon, Tempête, Tornade, Éclair, Météore, Volcan, Téméraire, Audacieux, Superbe, Généreux, Fougueux, Impétueux, Tyrannicide, Intrepide, Opiniatre, Aventurier, Adroit, Gloire, Astrée, Concorde)
After several successful fighter designs, Mileaux and his team of architects were charged with the design of a fighter which took advantage of the latest space technology, especially
in the area of submunitions delivery. Two prototype designs were submitted which were turned down. The final design, however, met everyone's expectations and was dubbed the Mistral-IIIbis.
The Mistral-lllbis is the first French warship to be constructed solely from advanced composite materials. The streamlined design takes advantage of the greatest stealth technology. There is one
magnetic sling mounted atop the vessel which when not in use does not interfere with the ability of the fighter to make atmospheric landings or attacks. The magnetic sling mount is available to allow the Mistral-lllbis to carry a external fuel tank for interface operations. The thrusters will allow a single planetary approach with the missile in its slung position.
The four LL-7 submunitions dispensers—having proved themselves effective their mechanics have not been altered to fit onto the Mistral-IIIbis. The relatively large MHD plant installed provides sufficient power for the drives, sensors, and weapons to operate simultaneously. There is an internal solar array which may be deployed for insystem operations, generating 5 MW in the life zone.
Considering its advanced technology, the Mistral-IIIbis is a rather inexpensive design. French allies have requested copying the design for themselves, or outright purchase of fighters built by the
French, but have thus far been refused. Details of the design have never been released.
The Mistral-IIIbis has seen considerable action, both against German and Kafer ships on the French Arm. From the German perspective, the Mistral-lllbis has proven itself to be an effective warship capable of delivering significant punch. Of course, only the Kafers know what they think of this excellent French fighter.
Crew: Commander and XO, nav and 2nd, helm and 2nd, comm and 2nd, comp and 2nd, passive operator, gunner, 6 engineers and medic
Streamlining: as spaceplane, external droptanks used for lift
Warp efficiency: 3.97-4.47 on full military power (depending on fuel), 2.75-3.10 on solar in life zone, 1.61-1.81 cruising at 1 MW
Power Plant: 15 MW MHD Turbine and 5 MW folding solar array
Turbine Fuel: 216 tons (24 hours at full military power, 15 days at 1 MW)
Range: 7.7 ly
Mass: 510.8 tons unfueled and unloaded with ordnance
Cargo Capacity: 100 cubic meters
Crew: 19
Passengers: one
Comfort: -2
Total Life Support: 90 days
Cost: MLv 18.47
The fighter here is roughly the equivalent of what in WW1 would be called a torpedo boat or destroyer. They are relatively short ranged ships, but true starships. This contrasts with the GDW fighter which are supposed to be one or two man "aircraft".
Here the fighter is the answer to the problem of delivering submunitions attacks. Tactically the fighter is deployed in squadrons of several vessels capable of making high speed attack runs against enemy ships and delivering a heavy load of submunitions.
Fighters are typically based on planetary surfaces, space stations or carried by major ships.
Mistral class Fighter
Original Date of Design: August 3, 2280
First Example Laid Down: March 5, 2285
First Example Completed: March 23, 2286
Fleets of Service: France
Currently in Service: currently 28 Mistrals are in service (Mistral, Dixmunde, Tonnerre, Foudre, Siroco, Ouragan, Pluie, Zéphyr, Tourbillon, Tempête, Tornade, Éclair, Météore, Volcan, Téméraire, Audacieux, Superbe, Généreux, Fougueux, Impétueux, Tyrannicide, Intrepide, Opiniatre, Aventurier, Adroit, Gloire, Astrée, Concorde)
After several successful fighter designs, Mileaux and his team of architects were charged with the design of a fighter which took advantage of the latest space technology, especially
in the area of submunitions delivery. Two prototype designs were submitted which were turned down. The final design, however, met everyone's expectations and was dubbed the Mistral-IIIbis.
The Mistral-lllbis is the first French warship to be constructed solely from advanced composite materials. The streamlined design takes advantage of the greatest stealth technology. There is one
magnetic sling mounted atop the vessel which when not in use does not interfere with the ability of the fighter to make atmospheric landings or attacks. The magnetic sling mount is available to allow the Mistral-lllbis to carry a external fuel tank for interface operations. The thrusters will allow a single planetary approach with the missile in its slung position.
The four LL-7 submunitions dispensers—having proved themselves effective their mechanics have not been altered to fit onto the Mistral-IIIbis. The relatively large MHD plant installed provides sufficient power for the drives, sensors, and weapons to operate simultaneously. There is an internal solar array which may be deployed for insystem operations, generating 5 MW in the life zone.
Considering its advanced technology, the Mistral-IIIbis is a rather inexpensive design. French allies have requested copying the design for themselves, or outright purchase of fighters built by the
French, but have thus far been refused. Details of the design have never been released.
The Mistral-IIIbis has seen considerable action, both against German and Kafer ships on the French Arm. From the German perspective, the Mistral-lllbis has proven itself to be an effective warship capable of delivering significant punch. Of course, only the Kafers know what they think of this excellent French fighter.
Crew: Commander and XO, nav and 2nd, helm and 2nd, comm and 2nd, comp and 2nd, passive operator, gunner, 6 engineers and medic
Streamlining: as spaceplane, external droptanks used for lift
Performance
Warp efficiency: 3.97-4.47 on full military power (depending on fuel), 2.75-3.10 on solar in life zone, 1.61-1.81 cruising at 1 MW
Power Plant: 15 MW MHD Turbine and 5 MW folding solar array
Turbine Fuel: 216 tons (24 hours at full military power, 15 days at 1 MW)
Range: 7.7 ly
Mass: 510.8 tons unfueled and unloaded with ordnance
Cargo Capacity: 100 cubic meters
Crew: 19
Passengers: one
Comfort: -2
Total Life Support: 90 days
Cost: MLv 18.47
Ship Status Sheet
- Move: 8-9
- Screens: 0
- Radiated Signature: 2(5) (down to -2 when powered down to 1 MW)
- Radial Reflected: 3
- Lateral Reflected: 4
- Target Computer: +1
- Radial Profile: -3
- Lateral Profile: -1
- Armour: 0
- Hull hits: 10/2
- Power Plant Hits: 30/6
- Active: nil
- Passive: 10
- Weapons
- Ordnance Load: 4 Submunitions Launchers (2 shots each, 10x2 warhead)
- Sensors and Electronics: Navigation Radar and Passive-10
- Crew Hits: Bridge (Commander, Helm, Navigator, Comms, Comp), TAC (passive operator and gunner)
- Damage Control:8 (3 teams)
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