Another thought for something that could do this is the target drones. These were used on Abgail's middie cruise. If all you are trying to do is block a laserhead attack that will overload the active defenses something smaller might be better. I am remembering the difficult time on target computations that were used in that due to the rapid rotation. The target drones would be cheap fast to block an area then open it back up for when you need to communicate.
T2M
lyonheart wrote:Howdy all,
Its been quite a while since I suggested a new weapon (as in "and now for something completely different"), if I have; I don't recall what it was, but it was probably stupid or ignorant in some way, but here goes...
This is something I've been considering since ToF, using in tandem with heavily modified BCP's for hostile wormhole assaults, since the pearls make it plain DW considers BCP's a tactical dead end, and SDP's are too valuable to risk, etc.
It started with using a tractored pod to generate sidewalls, which could be carried in hyper or as needed, then detached and recovered when no longer required.
But given that missiles generate impeller bands that are impenetrable, and these are around a kilometer on a side (or is it ten km on a side?), that 'tame' missile drives could be used to provide the extra layers of close to distant 'sidewalls' for a ship.
These are not Ghost Rider drones, they have a simple military role to block laserheads.
Their acceleration need generally only match the warship they are in formation with, either above or below the wedges until incoming missiles are close, so drone drives might all that's needed, though I'm mainly considering 'just' modified missile drives.
Given the brevity of pod engagements, only a few minutes of power might be all that's needed to be effective (a second launch might be needed for extended engagements), while an RD drive could be recoverable, to be refueled and refurbished, expendibility is a major consideration.
Given the smarts drones and Apollo Command Missiles have demonstrated, the on board AI's ought to be able to handle the mission parameters.
They should be rather smaller than RD's or missiles since they don't need the recon sensor suites or warheads, so more can be carried in each dedicated pod.
Depending on cost, they could use either capacitor or fusion power, as they're not expected to last long.
They could operate from just beyond the ship's wedge, coordinating with the ships defensive fire, before turning perpendicular to the wedge (parallel to the sidewalls) to interdict any laserhead, and possibly out to the "CM-PDC gap"; ~100,000-200,000 km out.
Depending on the numbers launched these might form 'walls' or barriers to incoming missiles that didn't see them because of their stealth, or their proximity to the far more powerful ship's wedge.
The outer group might be launched with attack missiles, so their wedges are lost in the attack wave's clutter, so when they slow to 'stealth cruise' speed, no one notices, even if they have good RD's nearby, etc.
If RD drives are used, their extra time (~45seconds) to get on station could be a limitation, but pre-planning is the answer.
They might eventually carry ECM to suck missiles in before making their abrupt turns or rolls to use their wedges; but their primary purpose is to prevent laserheads from getting any hits through to the ship.
Granted any collision between missile wedges will vaporize both missiles, but it is the neutralization of laserheads that is the object of this system.
The potential to ruin missile attacks would push better AI's and sensors for standard attack missiles, until such were available, attacks themselves might be deterred.
The 'block' pods or individual units could be tractored to the ship's hull or stern hammerhead, and launched or released immediately upon emergence from a wormhole (while taking severe evasive action), in conjunction with other missile pod and RD launches...
Of course that means a return to energy weapons... :-)
Can anyone recommend a good name ?
Best wishes,
L