Athiesism
11-11-2005, 16:20
I started a previous storefront and it was a total failure. I get the impression that it's all in the name. So here's the "new and improved" one, with a sexier title.
Terms
1 mark= 1% the speed of light or 6,696,000 miles/hour
1 lightyear= 5,865,696,000,000 miles or about 5,865,695,000 times the diameter of the solar system (diameter of the solar system is about 3 billion miles)
Note: Prices do not include maintenance costs, which are about one-tenth of the vessel's price per year. All ships have artificial gravity. Unless otherwise noted, my nation owns one factory per each ship class. All ships larger than 300 meters plus the Explorer class have hyperdrives.
TALON-CLASS SPACE SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
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Speed: Mk. 1 (1,860 miles/second)
Propulsion: 2 Cartanae Aerospace J-45 plasma acceleration devices; in order to decelerate, the engine mounts are swiveled around to the front and fired. The acceleration devices are intended to be used in short bursts to manuever and pick up speed.
Armament: Two plasma Sniper models, range 100 miles+; four plasma Dogfight models, range 10 miles+
Approximate rate of fire: Sniper, 60 rounds/min; Dogfight, 768 rounds/min
Ammunition: Enough plasma gas to produce either 52 Sniper rounds, 2345 Dogfight rounds, or a combination of both
Fusion reactor endurance: 6.4 hours, after which it explodes if not returned to a docking facility and properly powered down
Max. Length: 22 meters
Max. Width: 2.4 meters
Mass: 167.5 metric tons
Manueverability: Maximum of 552 deg/sec.
Crew: One
Cost: $400 million
Production rate: 30 per month per factory
The Talon is the premier space superiority fighter of the Merkar Republic. Able to travel at 1% the speed of light, to pilot it requires a genetically modified human able of surviving extreme g-loads and having about 10 times the reaction speed of an unmodified human during a combat situation. However, at that speed it is incapable of rapid manouvering and should be decelerated to mark .01 (1,800 meters per second) before any combat to ensure maximum turning capability.
The twin "Sniper" cannons, designed by Cartanae Aerospace, are very powerful but their rate of fire is too slow to use them in a close-in dogfight. At ranges under 10 km., it is recommended that the pilot switch to the less powerful but much quicker-firing "Dogfight" cannons, designed by Harten Aerospace. The "Sniper" cannons are somewhat overkill; their extreme power is intended not to make them more lethal, as they could easily pierce any space fighter armor, but to ensure long-range accuracy. Even then, it is likely that, factoring in evasive movement and countermeasures, they would only be able to achieve a 10% chance of hitting their target before the range closed into the dogfight sphere. They are mainly intended to scatter the enemy formation by causing it to take evasive action. The Dogfight cannons function by overwhelming the enemy craft with heat energy to the point that it explodes, in addition to whatever damage the plasma energy itself causes. At such dogfight ranges, accuracy would be as high as the pilot's marksmanship.
For defence, the Talon is equipped with multiple missile decoys, rendering missile weapons virtually useless. These include image replicators to confuse the hostile weapon, laser devices intended to incinerate missile seeker heads, chaff, flares, radar-absorbent paint, small decoy dispensers, electronic, infrared, and x-ray jammers, plus some classified devices. At the same time, the Talon's large onboard computer and sensors cannot be fooled by most of these decoy devices. Very few missiles are large enough to mount such a large computer, and are therefore extremely susceptible to deception. This is why all of the Talon's armament is unguided.
In addition, the hull is constructed of lightweight high-durability Karmaline. What appears to be the cockpit window is also constructed of this material, although it is overlayed with a display system that shows what is going on inside the cockpit (this allows wing commanders to give orders using hand signals if the radios are jammed or malfunction). Karmaline adjusts with chemical impulses applied by the Talon's computer when it detects a threat that cause it to change shape. The craft morphs extremely rapidly to avoid or glance off kinetic energy projectiles, although in modern space combat encountering such primitive weapons is rare. The exterior is shielded against recieving such chemical impulses from outside to prevent enemy action from crippling the morphing action. If hit by such a projectile, it would be have to be moving at approximately 25% of the speed of light to hit with enough velocity to pierce the rubberlike substance without glancing off- accelerating weapons to such speed would require an impractical ammount of energy. For the most part the only weapon capable of damaging such an agile craft are laser and plasma cannons. Karmaline is designed to dissapate electrical and plasma energy, although repeated hits will still overwhelm the armor and cause the fighter to explode.
The Talon's primary sensor is the LogiCorp SXT-4 visual scanning device. In modern space combat, radar and infrared signatures are easy to hide, leaving only light and radiation as a trackable emission. The SXT-4 uses optical scanners to locate threats. As modern fighters are usually well-camoflauged, the computer is only able to sort them out from visual clutter when they approach 250 km. They are then displayed as a larger-than-life image on the pilot's helmet-mounted sight, and an aiming point is also displayed that takes into account deflection, gravity, electromagentic fields, etc. in calculating where the pilot should fire in order to hit the target. Talon's onboard computer is massively powerful, although the human brain has shown to be more effective in making unorthodox judgements needed in combat. In case of emergency, the cockpit can separate from the ship and act as an escape pod.
HAWKEYE SPACEBORNE EARLY WARNING (S.E.W.)
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Speed: Mk. .9 (1,674 miles/second)
Propulsion: One Merkar Military Industries Mark Point Nine plasma acceleration device
Armament: None; equipped with visual scanning device and sensor suite along with decoy system similar to the Talon
Endurance: 23 hours before fusion reactor becomes unstable; after that point, it must either dock and properly power down the reactor or explode
Max. Length: 30 meters
Max. Width: 10 meters
Mass: 55.1 metric tons
Manueverability; 25 degrees/ second
Crew: Automated, can carry two humans
Cost: $900 million
Production rate: 5 per month per factory
The Hawkeye is specifically designed to scout out enemy forces and direct friendly forces to intercept them. Equipped with sophisticated sensor equipment, it can spot large enemy warships up to 3 million miles away and smaller fighters at one-tenth of that. The vessel's armor is insufficient to stop most contemporary spacecraft weapons.
SUPPLY-CLASS CARGO VESSEL
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Typical Speed: Mk. .3 (558 miles/second)
Propulsion: None; recieves initial velocity from electromagnetic railgun and proceeds in straight line
Armament: None
Battery power: Lasts 21 days between reacharging; used to refrigerate, heat, or otherwise maintain cargo
Max. Length: 1000 meters
Max. Width: 1000 meters
Mass: 458 metric tons, plus however much cargo can be fitted into the container
Manueverability: None
Crew: Automated, cargo bay can hold humans
Cost: $2 million
Production rate: 1,000 per month per factory; three factories currently operational
A giant cube, the Supply class is intended for short-range transport. Totally lacking any engines, it is loaded with goods by opening its rear door, propelled by an electromagentic railgun toward its destination, floats through space, then arrives at its target location, is declerated by a space tug, and then guided into a docking bay to unload. Protected by twelve inches of Osman(C) brand fibers, its sole purpose is to ensure safe deceleration of its cargo and protect it from the harshness of open space. The armor is insufficient to withstand most military weapons. Onboard automation keeps the cargo intact by handling such things as temperature and providing it with electrical power, if necessary. Excellent for maintaining outposts in a large empire.
SCOTT-CLASS SPACE TUG
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Speed: Mk. .5 (930 miles/second)
Propulsion: One Scott Space Technologies RT-9 plamsa acceleration device; plasma stored separately from battery power.
Plasma supplies: 3 hours at maximum speed
Armament: Two light lasers
Approximate rate of fire: 31 rounds/minute
Ammunition: Depends on battery state; can fire 150+ rounds with full battery
Battery endurance: 3 hours, can be decreased by use of lasers; emergency life-support auxiliary lasts over 1 hour
Max. Length: 17 meters
Max. Width: 8 meters
Mass: 4 metric tons
Manueverability: Maximum of 45 degrees/sec.
Crew: Automated; can fit two pilots and be operated manually, if necessary.
Cost: $3 million
Production rate: 50 per month per factory
Designed by Scott Space Technologies Corporation, the Scott-Class Space Tug was adapted from the civilian Scott Space Tug. Equipped with electromagnetic suction devices, it can attach to and maneuver cargo.
KATANGA CLASS FREIGHTER
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Speed: Mk. .1 (186 miles/second)
Propulsion: 4 Harten F6 plasma acceleration devices; thrust can be redirected using electromagnets, enabling the craft to declerate by having them direct its thrust forward
Plasma supplies: 40+ days
Armament: None
Power source: Harten E32 Fusion Reactor; indefinite endurance
Max. Length: 303 meters
Max. Width: 22 meters
Mass: 3,000 metric tons; can be fitted with as much cargo as hold space permits
Manueverability: Maximum of 6 degrees/sec.
Crew: Automated; can fit six pilots and be operated manually, if necessary. Humans can occupy cargo hold.
Cost: $32 million
Production rate: 2 per month per factory
The Supply class is also adapted from a civilian design, this time the Harten Aerospace Incorporated Katanga Freighter. The military version is equipped with 12 feet of high-durability fibers to ensure the protection of its contents, but not intended to be sufficient to protect it from prolonged fire from military-grade weapons. Although slow, it has an exceptional range.
EXPLORER-CLASS SCIENCE VESSEL
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Speed: Mk. 20 (37,200 miles/second)
Propulsion: 1 Carden Super 2000 antimatter/matter storage and combination unit; Merkar Engineering Class Four thrust direction unit
Endurance: Carries enough antimatter for perhaps 2 months of manuevering, and the antimatter generation device's ability to refuel the craft depends on the materials it is able to harvest from space; typically equipped with 6 months worth of food and medical supplies, although much more can be carried.
Armament: None; several hull fittings for research equiptment can potentially be fitted with weapons
Max. Length: 61 meters
Max. Width: 10 meters
Mass: 45 metric tons
Manueverability: Maximum of 50 degrees/sec.
Crew: Can be automated, altough 2 pilots are usually carried. Accomodations for 18 humans, usually scientists.
Cost: $3 billion
The Explorer class is designed for space exploration, as its name implies. Using advanced antimatter generation equipment, it is exhorbiantly expensive for its size, but is packed with sophisticated research and sensor equiptment. The antimatter generation equipment uses certain types of matter that can be harvested by the crew as they fly through certain portions of space, such as near stars or mineral-rich planets, and converts it into highly potent antimatter fuel. Able to travel at 99% the speed of light, it is also equipped with anti-gravity devices that prevent its crew from dying during periods of extreme acceleration and high-speed, high-g manuevers. Equipped with only enough protection to shield its occupants from the extremes of radiation, temperature and electrical power found in space, it is not a military vessel. Officially, the Republic Fleet owns a few for prospecting asteriods. However, the government denies rumors that it has been using their excellent sensors to spy on foreign empires under the guise of peaceful scientific research missions.
INVINCIBLE-CLASS CARRIER
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Speed: Mk. 20 (37,200 miles/second)
Propulsion: Two Merkar Military Industries Mark 99 Turbo plasma acceleration devices; thrust can be directed electrmagnetically toward the front of the ship to allow it to decelerate
Plasma supplies: Indefinite; dependent on reactor life
Reactor endurance: 15 years between refittings
Armament: 2,000 Mark One plasma cannons, range 2,000 km.; maximum of 55 antimatter torpedoes, range over 500 million km before disintegration; 371 Talon-class fighters can be carried but are not included in cost. 500 ground bombardment missiles, each with 2,000 pound warheads; smaller missiles can be fitted inside them. Each of the two docking bays has an electromagnetic railgun used to launch fighters and Supply-class cargo vessels, but could potentially lauch some kind of weapon.
Approximate rate of fire: 42 rounds/minute for Mark One laser cannons; full torpedo barrage can be released in five seconds, although it takes a few minutes to supply them with target data.
Ammunition: Indefinite for plasma cannons; 55 antimatter torpedoes
Max. Length: 2,356 meters
Max. Width: 354 meters
Mass: 633,745 metric tons
Manueverability: Maximum of 5 degrees/sec.
Crew: 12,648
Construction time: 6 years
Cost: $19.5 billion with escape pods ($1.5 billion); extra $7 billion for 55 antimatter torpedoes at $127,272,727,273 per torpedo.
The most powerful ship of the Merkar Fleet, the Invincible class is a good mix between small-nation budget needs and large-nation firepower. Its 371 Talon-class space superiority fighters are intended to escort all antimatter torpedoes fired by the carrier and ensure that they are not destoryed by enemy interceptors. Once the antimatter torpedo approaches within 3,000 kilometers of its target as it speeds along at Mark .1, it releases its warhead, causing a large swathe of antimatter to destroy anything in its path for about 50,000 kilometers distant. This means that it is likely to bring down its target in addition to many nearby enemy vessels. The fairly big, 100-meter long torpedo is equipped with a large signal processor, making it immune to decoys and able to adapt to changing situations. As long as enemy reconassaince vessels do not detect the torpedoes, they will be unable to shoot at it with their own missiles, and even then these will have to avoid getting shot down by the escort screen. However, it is essential to maintain space superiority with your fighters to ensure that the torpedoes can find their target. This is why the Fleet has sucessfuly argued for the introduction of the Invincible-class carrier.
As in all ships larger than small fighters, the Invincible is equipped with antigravity systems to lessen the effects of deceleration on its occupants and ensure that they survive high-speed maneuvers. This is especially important considering that the vessel travels at 99% the speed of light. Frequently, smaller ships will enter its docking bays to take advantage of its speed in order to be capable of interstellar travel.
The main sensor on the ship is a powerful large visual scanning device, although countless other sensors are also carried. This is in normal conditions capable of detecting warship-sized targets at a distance of five million kilometers, and fighter-sized targets at one-tenth of that. This allows it sufficient time to scramble its fighters currently stationed on alert. However, a competent commander will attempt to scout past that area in order to have more warning time.
Defensively, the Invincible carriers the same basic missile countermeasures suite as found on the Talon, except in larger quantities. The armor ammounts to 20 feet of composite diamond fibers, dramatically increasing the mass but making it impervious to kinetic-energy weapons. The composite material in the diamonds distributes the shock of plasma and laser weapons throughout the entire hull, making it difficult to destroy such a ship.
For defense against fighters and enemy vessels that get too close, the Invincible is covered with a total of two thousand plasma cannons. They are extremely accurate and powerful, and is simply impossible for a small enemy fighter to come within 2,000 kilometers of such a carrier without being vaporised. Warships are more stubborn targets, but the Invincible is not designed to battle ships of its own size in gun battles. It was suggested that the class be equipped with a directed black hole that would consume the enemy ship and feed its matter into the carrier to enable it to grow larger, but that technology is currently only in the prototype stages. If all else fails, the starcraft are equipped with 500 escape pods.
For operations against enemy land and sea units, 500 ground bombardment missiles are carried; anything can be fitted inside their warheads, which usually carry 2,000 pounds of explosive but can also launch smaller missiles or torpedoes, for example. The Talon fighters can also pound these targets.
AR-23 PLASMA ASSAULT RIFLE
Caliber: 5.56mm
Range: 600 yards effective; 2,000 yards maximum
Rate of Fire: 10.3 rounds/second; can be toggled between semi-auto, or set to fire bursts of 15, 10 or 5 rounds
Price: $240
Production rate: 1,000 per month per factory
The AR-23 is a simple plasma rifle, the design made with reliability as the main concern. Lasers can easily be deflected by adapting materials so that they reflect the impact, in the same way that a mirror reflects light. All laser beams are are concentrated bursts of light, after all. Not so with plasma. Able to penetrate 3 inches of steel from 600 yards and twice that at point-blank range, the AR-23 is as capable as any plasma blaster, and cheaper, too. Can be refueled using hydrogen, helium, and a power source. Can hold 10 rounds worth of plasma at a time. For an additional $350, a grenade launcher can be fitted below the barrel to fire $15 grenades.
M2 ARBANANE INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE
Speed: 40 MPH on road; 20 MPH on open terrain
Range: 400 km. in normal combat before fusion reactor must be refueled
Armament: 1 105mm plasma cannon; 1 30mm plasma autocannon; 4 anti-missile lasers plus chaff and flare dispensers and electronic and infrared jammers, along with a smoke screen; ammount of ammunition in plasma weapons depends on ammount produced by fusion reactor.
Passengers: 12 plus one driver and one gunner
Price: $2 million
Production rate: 45 per month per factory
Intended to provide mobility for infantry, the M2 Arbanane (named after a hero of our Civil War) was not designed to be resistant to anything larger than a plasma round and is equipped with energy-dissapating material to enable it to survive small-calibre plasma hits. On the modern battlefield, anything as large as a tank is redundant as anything could be easily destroyed by space bombardment. Mobility is more important. Equipped with laser communication devices in case radio is jammed.
M1 SOLDIER EXOSKELETON
Weight: 68.6 kg.
Armor: 1 inch of Osman (C) fibers
Dimensions: [/i]Standard set is 5' 10" with height adjustments at kneecap and abdomen to increase it to 6' 5". Special versions can be made on request. 5' 10" set can fit 5' 5" soldiers.[/i]
Price: $2,000
Production rate: 500 per month per factory; Merkar currently has four such factories in its space station
Designed to support the high-tech modern warrior, the M1 Soldier Exoskeleton is a lightweight, high-performance alternative to ridiculously heavy sets currently on the market. Tests have shown that troops using the M1 have over 25% more endurance on long marches than those less fortunate ones overburdened with unecessary equipment. Using lightweight Osman (C) diamond-weave fibers, this exoskeleton actually assists a soldier's movement, doubling his strength using mechanical muscles built into the suit's joints as they monitor the soldier's nerve impulses, while still providing excellent agility. A voice-activated helmet display, able to detect whispers in dangerous combat situations, is capable of providing a visual overlay of the tactical situation, along with medium-range radio, laser, and ultrasound communication. A backpack-type mount, plus pockets in the front of the suit, allow for storage of battlefield essentials such as pistols, maps, and food. Fully airtight and air-conditioned, it protects against all chemical and biological weapons plus all but the most extreme radiation. The basic personal sensor suite includes an infrared scanner plus room for adding updated hardware.
M3 AERIAL RESUPPLY VEHICLE
Speed: 811 km./hour
Propulsion: Fossil fuels; four J67 tiltrotors.
Range: 1,000 km. with 6 tons of cargo; can be plus or minus by 50% depending on weight of cargo
Weight: 8 metric tons; can carry 12 metric tons of cargo maximum
Max. Length: 50 meters
Width: 10 meters
Wingspan: 28 meters
Armor: None
Price: $30 million
Production rate: 25 per month per factory; Merkar currently has six such factories
Absolutely essential on the modern battlefield, the M3 is an unpiloted tiltrotor helicopter that provides supplies to your troops. As long as your fighters maintain air superiority, it will be capable of flying to your troops and providing them with ample supplies. Trucks and ships are too slow for modern needs. These supply vehicles are simply a must-have for a contemporary army, giving them food, fuel, ammunition and orders. Communicating by radio today is difficult and easy to jam- often you will need M3s to fly instructions to your men. Don't be caught without them. We recommend one for every 250 soldiers that you plan to put into combat.
Merkar Military Industries (MMI) has just completed research, design and testing work on the Hercules-class Space Superiority Fighter. MMI invites all nations to view this fine example of Merkari ingenuity, efficiency and design prowess.
SECOND GENERATION
These recently-designed spacecraft have just entered service. The second generation of Merkari spacecraft, they are some of the best in the galaxy.
Hercules class Space Superiority Fighter
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Speed (point above which manuevering becomes impractical): Mk 1 (1 mark= 1% the speed of light) or 1,860 miles per second
Propulsion: 4 Mekar Military Industries CF-100 Plasma Acelleration Devices, rated at 453 MGI (Merkar Gravity Increments). Manuever is accomplished by structural morphing.
Armament: Six Merkar Military Industries M-8 Plasma Destruction Devices, range 3,000 miles
Approximate rate of fire: High power, 70-80 rounds per minute; low power, constant stream; variations between high and low power
Ammunition: Plasma, produced by onboard reactor
Endurance: 16 hours before fusion reactor meltdown; must return to base to stage controlled reactor shutdown.
Max. Length: 39.3 meters
Max. Width: 11.05 meters
Mass: 300+ tons; depends on variant
Manueverability: Dependent on speed; at cruise speed approximately 772 degrees/second.
Crew: One
Cost: $1.4 billion
Production rate: 30 per year per factory; Merkar currently has three such factories
The superb Hercules class space superiority fighter builds upon the sucess of the Talon class, more than thirty years its junior. During the War with Joint Conglomerates, barely more than two hundred Talons held off hordes of National Commonwealth fighters, taking almost 50% casualties but preventing the destruction of all but one Bastion Prime star destroyer it flew anti-torpedo and anti-bomber escort for. The Hercules itself embodies the same principles behind all Merkari craft- stealth, indirectness and firepower. It carries an updated form of the Talon's elastic Karmaline armor, which encases any incoming kinetic-energy projectiles in a surrounding of high-friction material. This new armor, designated Schythium, is not only markedly more effective against solid shot but also versus the more common heat energy attacks- plasma and lasers. It dissipates almost all energy that impacts it into space, spreading the rest out evenly among the hull to minimize its impact. The potent Talon, the former fighter of Merkar, was already noted for its thick skin. Still, technology was only in its early stages at the time of its construction. Incorporating modern knowlege, Hercules is a giant leap forward.
For combat, it is required that the craft be flown by a genetically-engineered pilot posessing ten times the reflex speed of an unmodified human. Pilots in the Merkar Space Force recieve eight years of flight training, and it is recommended that you put equal emphasis on pilot training to equip a fleet of these high-quality craft. In addition, the craft must decelerate to Mark .01 (186 miles per second) in order to manuever most effectively in a dogfight. Still, the craft is capable of opening fire at a range of 3,000 miles, or approximately 1-2 seconds before passing the enemy target taking into account closing speed. Herein lies the Hercule's main advantage. Equipped with an outstanding six high-accuracy, adjustable-fire plasma rifles, a competent pilot can easily destroy half the targets presented to him at this distance. High power mode offers the best accuracy, damage and range, but also the lowest rate of fire for the guns. They can be adjusted in power to suit the situation, from point-blank dogfight to long-range sniping. Whatever the case, they are more than enough to make short work of the most potent enemy with a handful of shots.
For defence, the vessel is equipped with multiple missile decoys, rendering missile weapons virtually useless. These include image replicators to confuse the hostile weapon, laser devices intended to incinerate missile seeker heads, chaff, flares, radar-absorbent paint, small decoy dispensers, electronic, infrared, and x-ray jammers, plus some classified devices. At the same time, Hercules' large onboard computer and sensors cannot be fooled by most of these decoy devices. Very few missiles are large enough to mount such a large computer, and are therefore extremely susceptible to deception. This is why all of the ship's armament is unguided.
All of this comes at a price in bulk, not to mention cost- at $1.3 billion outstripping all but the most expensive fighters for sale today. During the War with Joint Conglomerates, it was found that the Talon was often too heavy to operate from smaller Bastion Prime vessels, and the Hercules, with almost twice the mass, can only operate from specialized capital ships. All in all, though, if experience against National Commonwealth fighters proves anything, an excellent fighter is needed to counter today's sophisticated torpedo and bomber environment.
Several variants are currently for sale:
Hercules Vijanta (Merkari for "Duelist")- Standard fighter. Has a mass of 302.4534 tons and posses all specs as mentioned at the beginning of this entry. Uses a variety of systems to assist in evading detection.
Hercules Riyunin ("Hunter")- Reconassaince variant with mass of about 314 tons. Sophisticated sensor and communication equiptment, able to detect large enemy warships millions of miles away. Has only two plasma blasters.
Hercules Fahr'antu ("Deciever")- Emissions deception (EMDEP) craft. Mass of 322 tons. Equipped with extensive transmission, coding and decoding equipment. Useful for psychological warfare, military feints, or other creative uses. Full armament, but less manueverability, speed and sensors.
Hercules Nivinmotre ("Concealer")- Special stealth variant. Costs $4 billion and has mass of 324 tons but is equipped with cloaking equipment. Armament: Two light lasers.
Hercules Sharta ("Nimble)- High-speed intercetpor/messenger. Carries significantly less armor but has antimatter engines, propelling it to five percent the speed of light (500,000 miles per second +). Mass 131 tons, cost $2 billion.
See also...
Nomenclatur'a class carrier
Speed: Mk. 15 (15% the speed of light)
Propulsion: Six Hunt Aerospace Yt98 Plasma Acceleration Devices; variable-direction thrust
Plasma supplies: Indefinite; dependent on reactor life
Reactor endurance: 35 years between refittings
Armament: 2,332 Mark One plasma cannons, range 4,000 miles; maximum of 110 antimatter torpedoes, range over 500 million km before disintegration; 553 Talon-class fighters or 182 Hercules-class fighters can be carried but are not included in cost. 500 ground bombardment missiles, each with 2,000 pound warheads; smaller missiles can be fitted inside them. Each of the three docking bays has an electromagnetic railgun used to launch fighters and Supply-class cargo vessels, but could potentially lauch some kind of weapon.
Approximate rate of fire: 42 rounds/minute for Mark One laser cannons; full torpedo barrage can be released in five seconds, although it takes a few minutes to supply them with target data. Two Durtan ramming spikes can be deployed from the bow.
Ammunition: Indefinite for plasma cannons; 110 antimatter torpedoes
Max. Length: 3,045 meters
Max. Width: 400.7 meters
Mass: 845,234 metric tons
Manueverability: Maximum of 30 degrees/sec.
Crew: 17,213
Construction time: 4 years
Cost: $31.5 billion with escape pods ($1.5 billion); extra $14 billion for 110 antimatter torpedoes at $127,272,727,273 per torpedo.
The Nomenclatur'a is an enlarged and updated Invincible-class carrrier. Its onboard space superiority fighters are intended to escort all antimatter torpedoes fired by the carrier and ensure that they are not destoryed by enemy interceptors. Once the antimatter torpedo approaches within 3,000 kilometers of its target as it speeds along at Mark .1, it releases its warhead, causing a large swathe of antimatter to destroy anything in its path for about 50,000 kilometers distant. This means that it is likely to bring down its target in addition to many nearby enemy vessels. The fairly big, 100-meter long torpedo is equipped with a large signal processor, making it immune to decoys and able to adapt to changing situations. As long as enemy reconassaince vessels do not detect the torpedoes, they will be unable to shoot at it with their own missiles, and even then these will have to avoid getting shot down by the escort screen. However, it is essential to maintain space superiority with your fighters to ensure that the torpedoes can find their target. This is why the Fleet has sucessfuly argued for the introduction of the carrier class.
The main sensor on the ship is a powerful large visual scanning device, although countless other sensors are also carried. This is in normal conditions capable of detecting warship-sized targets at a distance of five million kilometers, and fighter-sized targets at one-tenth of that. This allows it sufficient time to scramble its fighters currently stationed on alert. However, a competent commander will attempt to scout past that area in order to have more warning time.
Defensively, the Nomenclatur'a carries the same basic missile countermeasures suite as found on the Talon, except in larger quantities. The armor ammounts to 20 feet of pressure- and freeze-treated composite diamond fibers, dramatically increasing the mass but making it impervious to kinetic-energy weapons. The composite material in the diamonds distributes the shock of plasma and laser weapons throughout the entire hull, making it difficult to destroy such a ship.
With over 2,000 plasma batteries, the vessel is practically impervious to attack by fighters and bombers. During the War with Joint Conglomerates, the National Commonwealth bomber fleet kept a healthy distance from this fearsome warship. The batteries are relatively short-ranged, however, and enemy warships of any significant size are intended to be taken out with torpedoes. Two ramming spikes, constructed of Durtan (the hardest manufactureable material known to Merkar), can be deployed to devastate enemy vessels. However, use them only as a last resort as part of a shock-tactic strategy, as this class relies mainly on stealth and speed to stay alive. Being signifcantly smaller than almost any other carrier on the market today, its emissions signature is minimal, and it will be able to fire off its antimatter missiles before it is even detected. This is the same tactical concept embodied in the earlier Invincible class. One such vessel has seen combat. It proved highly effective against the National Commonwealth fleet, ramming two destroyers to dust and anihalating the enemy flagship, NCS Olympique, with antimatter torpedoes (not to mention a number of smaller vessels). Although heavily damaged, the lone Merkari carrier was able to retreat to safety after doing damage out of all proportion to its small cost. This is what makes it perhaps the best buy in the galaxy.
Orion class frigate
Max. speed before disintegration: Mark 30 (30% the speed of light)
Propulsion: One Cartanae Aerospace J78 antimatter/plasma reactor, variable-direction thrust
Endurance: Indefinite; food stores for 200 years, but may need maintenance every 6 months or so
Armament: 10 Mark Two plasma cannons, range 130,000 miles; bow is hardened for ramming
Rate of fire: 12 rounds/minute
Max. Length: 295 meters
Max. Width: 35 meters
Mass: Approximately 30,000 tons
Crew: 3,478
Construction time: 1 year
Cost: $5.4 billion
Designed for scouting and police work, the Orion is perfect for smaller empires needing a cost-effective way to equip their defence force, or larger ones needing fast "fire brigades" to deal with arising issues in their vast territory. The armament is designed mainly for use against enemy warships, and this vessel needs some kind of protection against fighters. Signficant space is available for installing upgrades, such as an enlarged docking bay or anti-bomber missiles. Still, this armament is only for destroying other ships of comparable size during, for example, reconassaince or counter-reconassaince engagements.
It would be far too expensive to fuel a full antimatter reactor, so the craft's great speed is provided by a fusion reactor mixed with small ammounts of antimatter. This is enough to propel it to 35% the speed of light. As the ammount of fuel required to accelerate increases exponentially at high percentages of lightspeed (also called "c"), this is no mean feat. The Orion class is technically capable of going slightly faster, but it has never been tried as this would probably cause the craft to disintegrate.
Armor is provided by three feet of metal alloy. Although relatively light, it was decided that increasing armor any more would cause the ship to become too expensive for a scouting vessel.
Terms
1 mark= 1% the speed of light or 6,696,000 miles/hour
1 lightyear= 5,865,696,000,000 miles or about 5,865,695,000 times the diameter of the solar system (diameter of the solar system is about 3 billion miles)
Note: Prices do not include maintenance costs, which are about one-tenth of the vessel's price per year. All ships have artificial gravity. Unless otherwise noted, my nation owns one factory per each ship class. All ships larger than 300 meters plus the Explorer class have hyperdrives.
TALON-CLASS SPACE SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
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Speed: Mk. 1 (1,860 miles/second)
Propulsion: 2 Cartanae Aerospace J-45 plasma acceleration devices; in order to decelerate, the engine mounts are swiveled around to the front and fired. The acceleration devices are intended to be used in short bursts to manuever and pick up speed.
Armament: Two plasma Sniper models, range 100 miles+; four plasma Dogfight models, range 10 miles+
Approximate rate of fire: Sniper, 60 rounds/min; Dogfight, 768 rounds/min
Ammunition: Enough plasma gas to produce either 52 Sniper rounds, 2345 Dogfight rounds, or a combination of both
Fusion reactor endurance: 6.4 hours, after which it explodes if not returned to a docking facility and properly powered down
Max. Length: 22 meters
Max. Width: 2.4 meters
Mass: 167.5 metric tons
Manueverability: Maximum of 552 deg/sec.
Crew: One
Cost: $400 million
Production rate: 30 per month per factory
The Talon is the premier space superiority fighter of the Merkar Republic. Able to travel at 1% the speed of light, to pilot it requires a genetically modified human able of surviving extreme g-loads and having about 10 times the reaction speed of an unmodified human during a combat situation. However, at that speed it is incapable of rapid manouvering and should be decelerated to mark .01 (1,800 meters per second) before any combat to ensure maximum turning capability.
The twin "Sniper" cannons, designed by Cartanae Aerospace, are very powerful but their rate of fire is too slow to use them in a close-in dogfight. At ranges under 10 km., it is recommended that the pilot switch to the less powerful but much quicker-firing "Dogfight" cannons, designed by Harten Aerospace. The "Sniper" cannons are somewhat overkill; their extreme power is intended not to make them more lethal, as they could easily pierce any space fighter armor, but to ensure long-range accuracy. Even then, it is likely that, factoring in evasive movement and countermeasures, they would only be able to achieve a 10% chance of hitting their target before the range closed into the dogfight sphere. They are mainly intended to scatter the enemy formation by causing it to take evasive action. The Dogfight cannons function by overwhelming the enemy craft with heat energy to the point that it explodes, in addition to whatever damage the plasma energy itself causes. At such dogfight ranges, accuracy would be as high as the pilot's marksmanship.
For defence, the Talon is equipped with multiple missile decoys, rendering missile weapons virtually useless. These include image replicators to confuse the hostile weapon, laser devices intended to incinerate missile seeker heads, chaff, flares, radar-absorbent paint, small decoy dispensers, electronic, infrared, and x-ray jammers, plus some classified devices. At the same time, the Talon's large onboard computer and sensors cannot be fooled by most of these decoy devices. Very few missiles are large enough to mount such a large computer, and are therefore extremely susceptible to deception. This is why all of the Talon's armament is unguided.
In addition, the hull is constructed of lightweight high-durability Karmaline. What appears to be the cockpit window is also constructed of this material, although it is overlayed with a display system that shows what is going on inside the cockpit (this allows wing commanders to give orders using hand signals if the radios are jammed or malfunction). Karmaline adjusts with chemical impulses applied by the Talon's computer when it detects a threat that cause it to change shape. The craft morphs extremely rapidly to avoid or glance off kinetic energy projectiles, although in modern space combat encountering such primitive weapons is rare. The exterior is shielded against recieving such chemical impulses from outside to prevent enemy action from crippling the morphing action. If hit by such a projectile, it would be have to be moving at approximately 25% of the speed of light to hit with enough velocity to pierce the rubberlike substance without glancing off- accelerating weapons to such speed would require an impractical ammount of energy. For the most part the only weapon capable of damaging such an agile craft are laser and plasma cannons. Karmaline is designed to dissapate electrical and plasma energy, although repeated hits will still overwhelm the armor and cause the fighter to explode.
The Talon's primary sensor is the LogiCorp SXT-4 visual scanning device. In modern space combat, radar and infrared signatures are easy to hide, leaving only light and radiation as a trackable emission. The SXT-4 uses optical scanners to locate threats. As modern fighters are usually well-camoflauged, the computer is only able to sort them out from visual clutter when they approach 250 km. They are then displayed as a larger-than-life image on the pilot's helmet-mounted sight, and an aiming point is also displayed that takes into account deflection, gravity, electromagentic fields, etc. in calculating where the pilot should fire in order to hit the target. Talon's onboard computer is massively powerful, although the human brain has shown to be more effective in making unorthodox judgements needed in combat. In case of emergency, the cockpit can separate from the ship and act as an escape pod.
HAWKEYE SPACEBORNE EARLY WARNING (S.E.W.)
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Speed: Mk. .9 (1,674 miles/second)
Propulsion: One Merkar Military Industries Mark Point Nine plasma acceleration device
Armament: None; equipped with visual scanning device and sensor suite along with decoy system similar to the Talon
Endurance: 23 hours before fusion reactor becomes unstable; after that point, it must either dock and properly power down the reactor or explode
Max. Length: 30 meters
Max. Width: 10 meters
Mass: 55.1 metric tons
Manueverability; 25 degrees/ second
Crew: Automated, can carry two humans
Cost: $900 million
Production rate: 5 per month per factory
The Hawkeye is specifically designed to scout out enemy forces and direct friendly forces to intercept them. Equipped with sophisticated sensor equipment, it can spot large enemy warships up to 3 million miles away and smaller fighters at one-tenth of that. The vessel's armor is insufficient to stop most contemporary spacecraft weapons.
SUPPLY-CLASS CARGO VESSEL
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Typical Speed: Mk. .3 (558 miles/second)
Propulsion: None; recieves initial velocity from electromagnetic railgun and proceeds in straight line
Armament: None
Battery power: Lasts 21 days between reacharging; used to refrigerate, heat, or otherwise maintain cargo
Max. Length: 1000 meters
Max. Width: 1000 meters
Mass: 458 metric tons, plus however much cargo can be fitted into the container
Manueverability: None
Crew: Automated, cargo bay can hold humans
Cost: $2 million
Production rate: 1,000 per month per factory; three factories currently operational
A giant cube, the Supply class is intended for short-range transport. Totally lacking any engines, it is loaded with goods by opening its rear door, propelled by an electromagentic railgun toward its destination, floats through space, then arrives at its target location, is declerated by a space tug, and then guided into a docking bay to unload. Protected by twelve inches of Osman(C) brand fibers, its sole purpose is to ensure safe deceleration of its cargo and protect it from the harshness of open space. The armor is insufficient to withstand most military weapons. Onboard automation keeps the cargo intact by handling such things as temperature and providing it with electrical power, if necessary. Excellent for maintaining outposts in a large empire.
SCOTT-CLASS SPACE TUG
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Speed: Mk. .5 (930 miles/second)
Propulsion: One Scott Space Technologies RT-9 plamsa acceleration device; plasma stored separately from battery power.
Plasma supplies: 3 hours at maximum speed
Armament: Two light lasers
Approximate rate of fire: 31 rounds/minute
Ammunition: Depends on battery state; can fire 150+ rounds with full battery
Battery endurance: 3 hours, can be decreased by use of lasers; emergency life-support auxiliary lasts over 1 hour
Max. Length: 17 meters
Max. Width: 8 meters
Mass: 4 metric tons
Manueverability: Maximum of 45 degrees/sec.
Crew: Automated; can fit two pilots and be operated manually, if necessary.
Cost: $3 million
Production rate: 50 per month per factory
Designed by Scott Space Technologies Corporation, the Scott-Class Space Tug was adapted from the civilian Scott Space Tug. Equipped with electromagnetic suction devices, it can attach to and maneuver cargo.
KATANGA CLASS FREIGHTER
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Speed: Mk. .1 (186 miles/second)
Propulsion: 4 Harten F6 plasma acceleration devices; thrust can be redirected using electromagnets, enabling the craft to declerate by having them direct its thrust forward
Plasma supplies: 40+ days
Armament: None
Power source: Harten E32 Fusion Reactor; indefinite endurance
Max. Length: 303 meters
Max. Width: 22 meters
Mass: 3,000 metric tons; can be fitted with as much cargo as hold space permits
Manueverability: Maximum of 6 degrees/sec.
Crew: Automated; can fit six pilots and be operated manually, if necessary. Humans can occupy cargo hold.
Cost: $32 million
Production rate: 2 per month per factory
The Supply class is also adapted from a civilian design, this time the Harten Aerospace Incorporated Katanga Freighter. The military version is equipped with 12 feet of high-durability fibers to ensure the protection of its contents, but not intended to be sufficient to protect it from prolonged fire from military-grade weapons. Although slow, it has an exceptional range.
EXPLORER-CLASS SCIENCE VESSEL
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Speed: Mk. 20 (37,200 miles/second)
Propulsion: 1 Carden Super 2000 antimatter/matter storage and combination unit; Merkar Engineering Class Four thrust direction unit
Endurance: Carries enough antimatter for perhaps 2 months of manuevering, and the antimatter generation device's ability to refuel the craft depends on the materials it is able to harvest from space; typically equipped with 6 months worth of food and medical supplies, although much more can be carried.
Armament: None; several hull fittings for research equiptment can potentially be fitted with weapons
Max. Length: 61 meters
Max. Width: 10 meters
Mass: 45 metric tons
Manueverability: Maximum of 50 degrees/sec.
Crew: Can be automated, altough 2 pilots are usually carried. Accomodations for 18 humans, usually scientists.
Cost: $3 billion
The Explorer class is designed for space exploration, as its name implies. Using advanced antimatter generation equipment, it is exhorbiantly expensive for its size, but is packed with sophisticated research and sensor equiptment. The antimatter generation equipment uses certain types of matter that can be harvested by the crew as they fly through certain portions of space, such as near stars or mineral-rich planets, and converts it into highly potent antimatter fuel. Able to travel at 99% the speed of light, it is also equipped with anti-gravity devices that prevent its crew from dying during periods of extreme acceleration and high-speed, high-g manuevers. Equipped with only enough protection to shield its occupants from the extremes of radiation, temperature and electrical power found in space, it is not a military vessel. Officially, the Republic Fleet owns a few for prospecting asteriods. However, the government denies rumors that it has been using their excellent sensors to spy on foreign empires under the guise of peaceful scientific research missions.
INVINCIBLE-CLASS CARRIER
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Speed: Mk. 20 (37,200 miles/second)
Propulsion: Two Merkar Military Industries Mark 99 Turbo plasma acceleration devices; thrust can be directed electrmagnetically toward the front of the ship to allow it to decelerate
Plasma supplies: Indefinite; dependent on reactor life
Reactor endurance: 15 years between refittings
Armament: 2,000 Mark One plasma cannons, range 2,000 km.; maximum of 55 antimatter torpedoes, range over 500 million km before disintegration; 371 Talon-class fighters can be carried but are not included in cost. 500 ground bombardment missiles, each with 2,000 pound warheads; smaller missiles can be fitted inside them. Each of the two docking bays has an electromagnetic railgun used to launch fighters and Supply-class cargo vessels, but could potentially lauch some kind of weapon.
Approximate rate of fire: 42 rounds/minute for Mark One laser cannons; full torpedo barrage can be released in five seconds, although it takes a few minutes to supply them with target data.
Ammunition: Indefinite for plasma cannons; 55 antimatter torpedoes
Max. Length: 2,356 meters
Max. Width: 354 meters
Mass: 633,745 metric tons
Manueverability: Maximum of 5 degrees/sec.
Crew: 12,648
Construction time: 6 years
Cost: $19.5 billion with escape pods ($1.5 billion); extra $7 billion for 55 antimatter torpedoes at $127,272,727,273 per torpedo.
The most powerful ship of the Merkar Fleet, the Invincible class is a good mix between small-nation budget needs and large-nation firepower. Its 371 Talon-class space superiority fighters are intended to escort all antimatter torpedoes fired by the carrier and ensure that they are not destoryed by enemy interceptors. Once the antimatter torpedo approaches within 3,000 kilometers of its target as it speeds along at Mark .1, it releases its warhead, causing a large swathe of antimatter to destroy anything in its path for about 50,000 kilometers distant. This means that it is likely to bring down its target in addition to many nearby enemy vessels. The fairly big, 100-meter long torpedo is equipped with a large signal processor, making it immune to decoys and able to adapt to changing situations. As long as enemy reconassaince vessels do not detect the torpedoes, they will be unable to shoot at it with their own missiles, and even then these will have to avoid getting shot down by the escort screen. However, it is essential to maintain space superiority with your fighters to ensure that the torpedoes can find their target. This is why the Fleet has sucessfuly argued for the introduction of the Invincible-class carrier.
As in all ships larger than small fighters, the Invincible is equipped with antigravity systems to lessen the effects of deceleration on its occupants and ensure that they survive high-speed maneuvers. This is especially important considering that the vessel travels at 99% the speed of light. Frequently, smaller ships will enter its docking bays to take advantage of its speed in order to be capable of interstellar travel.
The main sensor on the ship is a powerful large visual scanning device, although countless other sensors are also carried. This is in normal conditions capable of detecting warship-sized targets at a distance of five million kilometers, and fighter-sized targets at one-tenth of that. This allows it sufficient time to scramble its fighters currently stationed on alert. However, a competent commander will attempt to scout past that area in order to have more warning time.
Defensively, the Invincible carriers the same basic missile countermeasures suite as found on the Talon, except in larger quantities. The armor ammounts to 20 feet of composite diamond fibers, dramatically increasing the mass but making it impervious to kinetic-energy weapons. The composite material in the diamonds distributes the shock of plasma and laser weapons throughout the entire hull, making it difficult to destroy such a ship.
For defense against fighters and enemy vessels that get too close, the Invincible is covered with a total of two thousand plasma cannons. They are extremely accurate and powerful, and is simply impossible for a small enemy fighter to come within 2,000 kilometers of such a carrier without being vaporised. Warships are more stubborn targets, but the Invincible is not designed to battle ships of its own size in gun battles. It was suggested that the class be equipped with a directed black hole that would consume the enemy ship and feed its matter into the carrier to enable it to grow larger, but that technology is currently only in the prototype stages. If all else fails, the starcraft are equipped with 500 escape pods.
For operations against enemy land and sea units, 500 ground bombardment missiles are carried; anything can be fitted inside their warheads, which usually carry 2,000 pounds of explosive but can also launch smaller missiles or torpedoes, for example. The Talon fighters can also pound these targets.
AR-23 PLASMA ASSAULT RIFLE
Caliber: 5.56mm
Range: 600 yards effective; 2,000 yards maximum
Rate of Fire: 10.3 rounds/second; can be toggled between semi-auto, or set to fire bursts of 15, 10 or 5 rounds
Price: $240
Production rate: 1,000 per month per factory
The AR-23 is a simple plasma rifle, the design made with reliability as the main concern. Lasers can easily be deflected by adapting materials so that they reflect the impact, in the same way that a mirror reflects light. All laser beams are are concentrated bursts of light, after all. Not so with plasma. Able to penetrate 3 inches of steel from 600 yards and twice that at point-blank range, the AR-23 is as capable as any plasma blaster, and cheaper, too. Can be refueled using hydrogen, helium, and a power source. Can hold 10 rounds worth of plasma at a time. For an additional $350, a grenade launcher can be fitted below the barrel to fire $15 grenades.
M2 ARBANANE INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE
Speed: 40 MPH on road; 20 MPH on open terrain
Range: 400 km. in normal combat before fusion reactor must be refueled
Armament: 1 105mm plasma cannon; 1 30mm plasma autocannon; 4 anti-missile lasers plus chaff and flare dispensers and electronic and infrared jammers, along with a smoke screen; ammount of ammunition in plasma weapons depends on ammount produced by fusion reactor.
Passengers: 12 plus one driver and one gunner
Price: $2 million
Production rate: 45 per month per factory
Intended to provide mobility for infantry, the M2 Arbanane (named after a hero of our Civil War) was not designed to be resistant to anything larger than a plasma round and is equipped with energy-dissapating material to enable it to survive small-calibre plasma hits. On the modern battlefield, anything as large as a tank is redundant as anything could be easily destroyed by space bombardment. Mobility is more important. Equipped with laser communication devices in case radio is jammed.
M1 SOLDIER EXOSKELETON
Weight: 68.6 kg.
Armor: 1 inch of Osman (C) fibers
Dimensions: [/i]Standard set is 5' 10" with height adjustments at kneecap and abdomen to increase it to 6' 5". Special versions can be made on request. 5' 10" set can fit 5' 5" soldiers.[/i]
Price: $2,000
Production rate: 500 per month per factory; Merkar currently has four such factories in its space station
Designed to support the high-tech modern warrior, the M1 Soldier Exoskeleton is a lightweight, high-performance alternative to ridiculously heavy sets currently on the market. Tests have shown that troops using the M1 have over 25% more endurance on long marches than those less fortunate ones overburdened with unecessary equipment. Using lightweight Osman (C) diamond-weave fibers, this exoskeleton actually assists a soldier's movement, doubling his strength using mechanical muscles built into the suit's joints as they monitor the soldier's nerve impulses, while still providing excellent agility. A voice-activated helmet display, able to detect whispers in dangerous combat situations, is capable of providing a visual overlay of the tactical situation, along with medium-range radio, laser, and ultrasound communication. A backpack-type mount, plus pockets in the front of the suit, allow for storage of battlefield essentials such as pistols, maps, and food. Fully airtight and air-conditioned, it protects against all chemical and biological weapons plus all but the most extreme radiation. The basic personal sensor suite includes an infrared scanner plus room for adding updated hardware.
M3 AERIAL RESUPPLY VEHICLE
Speed: 811 km./hour
Propulsion: Fossil fuels; four J67 tiltrotors.
Range: 1,000 km. with 6 tons of cargo; can be plus or minus by 50% depending on weight of cargo
Weight: 8 metric tons; can carry 12 metric tons of cargo maximum
Max. Length: 50 meters
Width: 10 meters
Wingspan: 28 meters
Armor: None
Price: $30 million
Production rate: 25 per month per factory; Merkar currently has six such factories
Absolutely essential on the modern battlefield, the M3 is an unpiloted tiltrotor helicopter that provides supplies to your troops. As long as your fighters maintain air superiority, it will be capable of flying to your troops and providing them with ample supplies. Trucks and ships are too slow for modern needs. These supply vehicles are simply a must-have for a contemporary army, giving them food, fuel, ammunition and orders. Communicating by radio today is difficult and easy to jam- often you will need M3s to fly instructions to your men. Don't be caught without them. We recommend one for every 250 soldiers that you plan to put into combat.
Merkar Military Industries (MMI) has just completed research, design and testing work on the Hercules-class Space Superiority Fighter. MMI invites all nations to view this fine example of Merkari ingenuity, efficiency and design prowess.
SECOND GENERATION
These recently-designed spacecraft have just entered service. The second generation of Merkari spacecraft, they are some of the best in the galaxy.
Hercules class Space Superiority Fighter
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Speed (point above which manuevering becomes impractical): Mk 1 (1 mark= 1% the speed of light) or 1,860 miles per second
Propulsion: 4 Mekar Military Industries CF-100 Plasma Acelleration Devices, rated at 453 MGI (Merkar Gravity Increments). Manuever is accomplished by structural morphing.
Armament: Six Merkar Military Industries M-8 Plasma Destruction Devices, range 3,000 miles
Approximate rate of fire: High power, 70-80 rounds per minute; low power, constant stream; variations between high and low power
Ammunition: Plasma, produced by onboard reactor
Endurance: 16 hours before fusion reactor meltdown; must return to base to stage controlled reactor shutdown.
Max. Length: 39.3 meters
Max. Width: 11.05 meters
Mass: 300+ tons; depends on variant
Manueverability: Dependent on speed; at cruise speed approximately 772 degrees/second.
Crew: One
Cost: $1.4 billion
Production rate: 30 per year per factory; Merkar currently has three such factories
The superb Hercules class space superiority fighter builds upon the sucess of the Talon class, more than thirty years its junior. During the War with Joint Conglomerates, barely more than two hundred Talons held off hordes of National Commonwealth fighters, taking almost 50% casualties but preventing the destruction of all but one Bastion Prime star destroyer it flew anti-torpedo and anti-bomber escort for. The Hercules itself embodies the same principles behind all Merkari craft- stealth, indirectness and firepower. It carries an updated form of the Talon's elastic Karmaline armor, which encases any incoming kinetic-energy projectiles in a surrounding of high-friction material. This new armor, designated Schythium, is not only markedly more effective against solid shot but also versus the more common heat energy attacks- plasma and lasers. It dissipates almost all energy that impacts it into space, spreading the rest out evenly among the hull to minimize its impact. The potent Talon, the former fighter of Merkar, was already noted for its thick skin. Still, technology was only in its early stages at the time of its construction. Incorporating modern knowlege, Hercules is a giant leap forward.
For combat, it is required that the craft be flown by a genetically-engineered pilot posessing ten times the reflex speed of an unmodified human. Pilots in the Merkar Space Force recieve eight years of flight training, and it is recommended that you put equal emphasis on pilot training to equip a fleet of these high-quality craft. In addition, the craft must decelerate to Mark .01 (186 miles per second) in order to manuever most effectively in a dogfight. Still, the craft is capable of opening fire at a range of 3,000 miles, or approximately 1-2 seconds before passing the enemy target taking into account closing speed. Herein lies the Hercule's main advantage. Equipped with an outstanding six high-accuracy, adjustable-fire plasma rifles, a competent pilot can easily destroy half the targets presented to him at this distance. High power mode offers the best accuracy, damage and range, but also the lowest rate of fire for the guns. They can be adjusted in power to suit the situation, from point-blank dogfight to long-range sniping. Whatever the case, they are more than enough to make short work of the most potent enemy with a handful of shots.
For defence, the vessel is equipped with multiple missile decoys, rendering missile weapons virtually useless. These include image replicators to confuse the hostile weapon, laser devices intended to incinerate missile seeker heads, chaff, flares, radar-absorbent paint, small decoy dispensers, electronic, infrared, and x-ray jammers, plus some classified devices. At the same time, Hercules' large onboard computer and sensors cannot be fooled by most of these decoy devices. Very few missiles are large enough to mount such a large computer, and are therefore extremely susceptible to deception. This is why all of the ship's armament is unguided.
All of this comes at a price in bulk, not to mention cost- at $1.3 billion outstripping all but the most expensive fighters for sale today. During the War with Joint Conglomerates, it was found that the Talon was often too heavy to operate from smaller Bastion Prime vessels, and the Hercules, with almost twice the mass, can only operate from specialized capital ships. All in all, though, if experience against National Commonwealth fighters proves anything, an excellent fighter is needed to counter today's sophisticated torpedo and bomber environment.
Several variants are currently for sale:
Hercules Vijanta (Merkari for "Duelist")- Standard fighter. Has a mass of 302.4534 tons and posses all specs as mentioned at the beginning of this entry. Uses a variety of systems to assist in evading detection.
Hercules Riyunin ("Hunter")- Reconassaince variant with mass of about 314 tons. Sophisticated sensor and communication equiptment, able to detect large enemy warships millions of miles away. Has only two plasma blasters.
Hercules Fahr'antu ("Deciever")- Emissions deception (EMDEP) craft. Mass of 322 tons. Equipped with extensive transmission, coding and decoding equipment. Useful for psychological warfare, military feints, or other creative uses. Full armament, but less manueverability, speed and sensors.
Hercules Nivinmotre ("Concealer")- Special stealth variant. Costs $4 billion and has mass of 324 tons but is equipped with cloaking equipment. Armament: Two light lasers.
Hercules Sharta ("Nimble)- High-speed intercetpor/messenger. Carries significantly less armor but has antimatter engines, propelling it to five percent the speed of light (500,000 miles per second +). Mass 131 tons, cost $2 billion.
See also...
Nomenclatur'a class carrier
Speed: Mk. 15 (15% the speed of light)
Propulsion: Six Hunt Aerospace Yt98 Plasma Acceleration Devices; variable-direction thrust
Plasma supplies: Indefinite; dependent on reactor life
Reactor endurance: 35 years between refittings
Armament: 2,332 Mark One plasma cannons, range 4,000 miles; maximum of 110 antimatter torpedoes, range over 500 million km before disintegration; 553 Talon-class fighters or 182 Hercules-class fighters can be carried but are not included in cost. 500 ground bombardment missiles, each with 2,000 pound warheads; smaller missiles can be fitted inside them. Each of the three docking bays has an electromagnetic railgun used to launch fighters and Supply-class cargo vessels, but could potentially lauch some kind of weapon.
Approximate rate of fire: 42 rounds/minute for Mark One laser cannons; full torpedo barrage can be released in five seconds, although it takes a few minutes to supply them with target data. Two Durtan ramming spikes can be deployed from the bow.
Ammunition: Indefinite for plasma cannons; 110 antimatter torpedoes
Max. Length: 3,045 meters
Max. Width: 400.7 meters
Mass: 845,234 metric tons
Manueverability: Maximum of 30 degrees/sec.
Crew: 17,213
Construction time: 4 years
Cost: $31.5 billion with escape pods ($1.5 billion); extra $14 billion for 110 antimatter torpedoes at $127,272,727,273 per torpedo.
The Nomenclatur'a is an enlarged and updated Invincible-class carrrier. Its onboard space superiority fighters are intended to escort all antimatter torpedoes fired by the carrier and ensure that they are not destoryed by enemy interceptors. Once the antimatter torpedo approaches within 3,000 kilometers of its target as it speeds along at Mark .1, it releases its warhead, causing a large swathe of antimatter to destroy anything in its path for about 50,000 kilometers distant. This means that it is likely to bring down its target in addition to many nearby enemy vessels. The fairly big, 100-meter long torpedo is equipped with a large signal processor, making it immune to decoys and able to adapt to changing situations. As long as enemy reconassaince vessels do not detect the torpedoes, they will be unable to shoot at it with their own missiles, and even then these will have to avoid getting shot down by the escort screen. However, it is essential to maintain space superiority with your fighters to ensure that the torpedoes can find their target. This is why the Fleet has sucessfuly argued for the introduction of the carrier class.
The main sensor on the ship is a powerful large visual scanning device, although countless other sensors are also carried. This is in normal conditions capable of detecting warship-sized targets at a distance of five million kilometers, and fighter-sized targets at one-tenth of that. This allows it sufficient time to scramble its fighters currently stationed on alert. However, a competent commander will attempt to scout past that area in order to have more warning time.
Defensively, the Nomenclatur'a carries the same basic missile countermeasures suite as found on the Talon, except in larger quantities. The armor ammounts to 20 feet of pressure- and freeze-treated composite diamond fibers, dramatically increasing the mass but making it impervious to kinetic-energy weapons. The composite material in the diamonds distributes the shock of plasma and laser weapons throughout the entire hull, making it difficult to destroy such a ship.
With over 2,000 plasma batteries, the vessel is practically impervious to attack by fighters and bombers. During the War with Joint Conglomerates, the National Commonwealth bomber fleet kept a healthy distance from this fearsome warship. The batteries are relatively short-ranged, however, and enemy warships of any significant size are intended to be taken out with torpedoes. Two ramming spikes, constructed of Durtan (the hardest manufactureable material known to Merkar), can be deployed to devastate enemy vessels. However, use them only as a last resort as part of a shock-tactic strategy, as this class relies mainly on stealth and speed to stay alive. Being signifcantly smaller than almost any other carrier on the market today, its emissions signature is minimal, and it will be able to fire off its antimatter missiles before it is even detected. This is the same tactical concept embodied in the earlier Invincible class. One such vessel has seen combat. It proved highly effective against the National Commonwealth fleet, ramming two destroyers to dust and anihalating the enemy flagship, NCS Olympique, with antimatter torpedoes (not to mention a number of smaller vessels). Although heavily damaged, the lone Merkari carrier was able to retreat to safety after doing damage out of all proportion to its small cost. This is what makes it perhaps the best buy in the galaxy.
Orion class frigate
Max. speed before disintegration: Mark 30 (30% the speed of light)
Propulsion: One Cartanae Aerospace J78 antimatter/plasma reactor, variable-direction thrust
Endurance: Indefinite; food stores for 200 years, but may need maintenance every 6 months or so
Armament: 10 Mark Two plasma cannons, range 130,000 miles; bow is hardened for ramming
Rate of fire: 12 rounds/minute
Max. Length: 295 meters
Max. Width: 35 meters
Mass: Approximately 30,000 tons
Crew: 3,478
Construction time: 1 year
Cost: $5.4 billion
Designed for scouting and police work, the Orion is perfect for smaller empires needing a cost-effective way to equip their defence force, or larger ones needing fast "fire brigades" to deal with arising issues in their vast territory. The armament is designed mainly for use against enemy warships, and this vessel needs some kind of protection against fighters. Signficant space is available for installing upgrades, such as an enlarged docking bay or anti-bomber missiles. Still, this armament is only for destroying other ships of comparable size during, for example, reconassaince or counter-reconassaince engagements.
It would be far too expensive to fuel a full antimatter reactor, so the craft's great speed is provided by a fusion reactor mixed with small ammounts of antimatter. This is enough to propel it to 35% the speed of light. As the ammount of fuel required to accelerate increases exponentially at high percentages of lightspeed (also called "c"), this is no mean feat. The Orion class is technically capable of going slightly faster, but it has never been tried as this would probably cause the craft to disintegrate.
Armor is provided by three feet of metal alloy. Although relatively light, it was decided that increasing armor any more would cause the ship to become too expensive for a scouting vessel.