Azanian Economic Bloc
02-08-2005, 19:33
OOC: OK, this is an RP related question.
Are there any 'hard' sci-fi fans out in this big place of Nationstates? I've heard on the Nationstates forum there are more than II... Is this true?
When I'm talking about hard sci-fi, I'm not talking science fantasy (like star trek or star wars or babylon five or whatever), but more like something out of a Ben Bova book, or if anyone is familiar with the RL project PERMANENT, that's kind of what I'm talking about.
I'm not saying it has to be down to the bone realism, but I guess PMT/Early FT kind of stuff, not 'planets destroyed in a single swipe' sort of things.
Anyway, if any of you are out there, and yer willing to RP with a little fish like me, that'd be cool.
And on that note, I'd like you to evaluate this ship design.
[SDD-1 Windhoek Class]
http://img279.imageshack.us/img279/4681/destroyer2oc.png
SDD-1 Windhoek with crew habitat extended, in Centrifuge over Earth.
[Design/Accomodations]
The SDD-1 Windhoek is classified as a Destroyer, a multirole vessel serving the AEB Space Force. It is roughly 140 meters long, massing about 10,000 tons on Earth Gravity (estimated, of course. The SDD-1 wouldn't last two seconds in atmosphere!), making it much smaller than the noncombat ships. The reasoning behind this is complex. The AEB cannot afford to operate many ships, and thus speed is of necessity when responding to a combat situation. Furthermore, as a warship it is necessary that the SDD-1 remain manuverable (in zero gravity, less inertia can be beneficial), and much of the massive cargo and passenger space on noncombat vessels like the Hermes is unecessary. The SDD-1 does not maintain a full centrifugal habitat, capable of .3 Earth Gravity at full spin. During combat, these four habitats enclose towards the hull, minimizing profile. Then all crew can be called to combat stations. Inside the ship, the way things are arranged is much different. It seems more like a skyscraper, so that during acceleration gravity is pulling you towards the ground rather than hitting you sideways. Overall, this is much more efficient in combat. In addition to that, the crew all have G-webs for work during manuvering, and special adhesive garments for working during zero or microgravity. There are small cargo bays rearward capable of storing unmanned vehicles or for deploying satellites.
[Sensors]
The SDD-1 relies primarily on its massive phased RADAR arrays, capable of acting in both active, passive, and semi-active (LPI/NPI modes). These have the longest range of detection against objects like missiles and ships. Also included is LIDAR, which is much more effective as a system for targeting once an enemy is acquired via other sensors. Other sensors include thermal cameras, and a specialized electromagnetic array. This can detect the trails of fusion-engines or reactors, as well as ion propulsion from some distance away, as well as nearby masses of magnetically reactive material (good for detection of incoming missiles or KE weapons).
[Powerplant]
The SDD-1 has a pair of fusion reactors that power nuclear fusion engines, with significant stores of deuterium and helium-3. These are the primary tools for acceleration. For adjustment of course and manuvering, smaller thrusters are mounted throughout the length of the ship. For accumulating extra power for more minor systems, solar panels can be unfurled from the rear of the ship.
[Armor]
The SDD-1 uses a heavy composite of space-mined metals, radiation shielding, thermally absorbent armor, and high-KE resistant material to defend itself from a variety of attacks. The SDD-1 does not mount shielding in the conventional sense, instead it relies on EM fields that can scramble the electronics of incoming missiles or slow down low-velocity projectiles. These are only activated when necessary as they increase sensor profile exceptionally. Also included are a variety of antimissile systems (see Weapons). Heavy radiation shielding for use against solar flares also doubles as help against directed energy weapons.
[Weapons]
The primary weapons of the SDD-1 are its missiles. It mounts 12 tubes for Long-Range, antiship missiles along the forward section (missiles to be described sometime later), and 60 tubes for Short-Medium range light interceptor missiles or anti-fighter missiles, along with extra reloads for these smaller weapons.
Also useful against ships are the Mk109 Hypervelocity railguns. Capable of hurling slugs at over 9 km/s at full charge, there are six Mk109 turrets around the ship, each with its own fire control.
Smaller Mk36 Defensive Turrets are placed around the vessel, 8 in all. Each mounts a smaller, faster firing railgun and a High Energy laser for use against fighters and missiles, as well as lightly armored targets.
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/326/destroyer25zh.png
The SDD-1 with centrifugal habitats retracted, ready for battle.
Are there any 'hard' sci-fi fans out in this big place of Nationstates? I've heard on the Nationstates forum there are more than II... Is this true?
When I'm talking about hard sci-fi, I'm not talking science fantasy (like star trek or star wars or babylon five or whatever), but more like something out of a Ben Bova book, or if anyone is familiar with the RL project PERMANENT, that's kind of what I'm talking about.
I'm not saying it has to be down to the bone realism, but I guess PMT/Early FT kind of stuff, not 'planets destroyed in a single swipe' sort of things.
Anyway, if any of you are out there, and yer willing to RP with a little fish like me, that'd be cool.
And on that note, I'd like you to evaluate this ship design.
[SDD-1 Windhoek Class]
http://img279.imageshack.us/img279/4681/destroyer2oc.png
SDD-1 Windhoek with crew habitat extended, in Centrifuge over Earth.
[Design/Accomodations]
The SDD-1 Windhoek is classified as a Destroyer, a multirole vessel serving the AEB Space Force. It is roughly 140 meters long, massing about 10,000 tons on Earth Gravity (estimated, of course. The SDD-1 wouldn't last two seconds in atmosphere!), making it much smaller than the noncombat ships. The reasoning behind this is complex. The AEB cannot afford to operate many ships, and thus speed is of necessity when responding to a combat situation. Furthermore, as a warship it is necessary that the SDD-1 remain manuverable (in zero gravity, less inertia can be beneficial), and much of the massive cargo and passenger space on noncombat vessels like the Hermes is unecessary. The SDD-1 does not maintain a full centrifugal habitat, capable of .3 Earth Gravity at full spin. During combat, these four habitats enclose towards the hull, minimizing profile. Then all crew can be called to combat stations. Inside the ship, the way things are arranged is much different. It seems more like a skyscraper, so that during acceleration gravity is pulling you towards the ground rather than hitting you sideways. Overall, this is much more efficient in combat. In addition to that, the crew all have G-webs for work during manuvering, and special adhesive garments for working during zero or microgravity. There are small cargo bays rearward capable of storing unmanned vehicles or for deploying satellites.
[Sensors]
The SDD-1 relies primarily on its massive phased RADAR arrays, capable of acting in both active, passive, and semi-active (LPI/NPI modes). These have the longest range of detection against objects like missiles and ships. Also included is LIDAR, which is much more effective as a system for targeting once an enemy is acquired via other sensors. Other sensors include thermal cameras, and a specialized electromagnetic array. This can detect the trails of fusion-engines or reactors, as well as ion propulsion from some distance away, as well as nearby masses of magnetically reactive material (good for detection of incoming missiles or KE weapons).
[Powerplant]
The SDD-1 has a pair of fusion reactors that power nuclear fusion engines, with significant stores of deuterium and helium-3. These are the primary tools for acceleration. For adjustment of course and manuvering, smaller thrusters are mounted throughout the length of the ship. For accumulating extra power for more minor systems, solar panels can be unfurled from the rear of the ship.
[Armor]
The SDD-1 uses a heavy composite of space-mined metals, radiation shielding, thermally absorbent armor, and high-KE resistant material to defend itself from a variety of attacks. The SDD-1 does not mount shielding in the conventional sense, instead it relies on EM fields that can scramble the electronics of incoming missiles or slow down low-velocity projectiles. These are only activated when necessary as they increase sensor profile exceptionally. Also included are a variety of antimissile systems (see Weapons). Heavy radiation shielding for use against solar flares also doubles as help against directed energy weapons.
[Weapons]
The primary weapons of the SDD-1 are its missiles. It mounts 12 tubes for Long-Range, antiship missiles along the forward section (missiles to be described sometime later), and 60 tubes for Short-Medium range light interceptor missiles or anti-fighter missiles, along with extra reloads for these smaller weapons.
Also useful against ships are the Mk109 Hypervelocity railguns. Capable of hurling slugs at over 9 km/s at full charge, there are six Mk109 turrets around the ship, each with its own fire control.
Smaller Mk36 Defensive Turrets are placed around the vessel, 8 in all. Each mounts a smaller, faster firing railgun and a High Energy laser for use against fighters and missiles, as well as lightly armored targets.
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/326/destroyer25zh.png
The SDD-1 with centrifugal habitats retracted, ready for battle.