TNE, DES
James Kundert [email removed] &
"Les Howie" [email removed]
write about heavily armored ships.
I also don't get the 'Fisher' reference.
>Overloading point-defenses and scrubbing surface features. The
>standard missile in TNE is capable of a lot of mayhem, and will scrub
>surface bits off of _any_ ship. The more ships (of any size) you've
>got firing these things at the enemy, the less capable the enemy will
>be to respond.
An improved method of achieving this objective, IMHO, would seem to be a
carrier/tended equiped with a number of remotely-piloted vehicles guided
from the mother ship. This would allow the delivery systems to carry
the same punch with better maneuver performance as space for crew and
life-support would not be needed.
Regarding the ship classifications I like the proposed scheme that
battleships carry the heaviest weapons available at a given tech level
but modified to include armor in sufficient quantity to prevent turret
(& possibly bay) weapon penetration. Cruisers would be armed similar to
battleships but without the full armor. Lighter ships (destroyers,
frigates) would probably suffice with bay weapons and escorts and
cutters might only be expected to carry turreted weapons.
To add my Cr2's worth to the SDB argument - ships are tough to come by,
and they are expensive. TNE pirate ships typically are modified
merchants and warships valued around MCr200-225. As such one SDB coming
to the aid of a merchant harassed by one or two pirates is a definite
threat. Also in the post re. protection of shipping lanes while the SDB
must maneuver to the location of the pirate the victim should be running
to the SDB and unless grappled and thrust applied in a different
direction will continue to do so thus decreasing the time until the
cavalry arrives on the scene.
PBJuzyk | 'Most plans don't even survive
Reading, PA | contact with Reality'
Terra/Solomani Rim (1827 G867975-8) | -Hammer Lanthrop, *Smash & Grab*