**** Incoming Transmission ****
From: Johnathan Sanders
To: Dr. Baskin
Subject: Research directorate appointment
Encryption: Guild/Internal
Miss Baskin,
First of all, congratulations. The department has been without a true dedicated leader for some time, although I've been keeping tabs on active projects. As the previous head of that department, feel free to inquire about existing projects. I'd like to draw your attention specifically to two areas:
The Himalayan project to generate a new line of defensive and worker craft specifically suited to IMG needs. This project is nearing completion with many of the prototypes in final testing stages. The fighter models are currently undergoing testing near Timor, using the asteroids for concealment. The civilian and capital craft are being designed partly at Jakarta and partly at Singapore. Progress has been... slower then anticipated, but the end result will be well worth it.
An overview:
IMGF-14B-Proto "Manaslu" Light fighter prototype, progress report: Adapted from a standard Eagle fuselage, the Manaslu does away with all the frivolties of the CTE line. Visually the resemblance is gone, but the internals still sport the same standard Liberty engine found in most civilian craft - with a few minor modifications. The hull has been compressed but hardened to suit the craft's role of operating inside asteroid fields.
Initial field tests suggest the craft is surpassing similar crafts in it's role. With a cost effective, agile, yet still sufficiently hard hitting design in our hands, we project this design to become the standard patrol and escort ship.
IMGF-18C-Proto "Lhotse" superfighter, progress report: It became clear in the late development of the Manaslu, that for dedicated combat purposes and sentry duty, the craft was underpowered. The Lhotse design is an adaptation of the Manaslu, using the same basic frame but expanding the engine array and power generation systems. The resulting ship is a Heavy Fighter comparable to that of the Nyx, capable of powering heavier weaponry and shielding. Maneuverability has suffered due to the added mass, and our projections are that this craft will perform adequately in it's assigned role, but no more then that.
IMGF-15A-Proto "Nanda Devi" bomber, progress report: A recent addition to the project, was the demand for a heavy bomber craft capable of surpressing the increased pressure from hardened targets raiding our mining operations. Fighters are often insufficient to quickly deal with such threats, and light bombers such as the Pytho do not have the capacity to quickly deal a decisive blow. The Nanda Devi has been designed from the ground up. The basic framework of the Manaslu was again expanded, to be able to house a power core normally used in the standard Pelican armored transports. This resulted in a craft that visually resembles the Lhotse, but is structurally very different from the fighter design. We are currently still working out several minor issues with the power distribution systems, but expect to be able to deliver a platform capable of powering two seperate torpedo systems, and a freighter-scale shield.
IMGC-24C-Proto "Gasherbrum" Gunboat, progress report: A replacement intended to fill the gap that departing from the "Hydra" design will leave. The Gasherbrum is neither inferior nor superior to the Hydra design, in it's current form. The current issue we are working on is the power core stability - utilising a standard transport reactor and running it above rated capacity results in greater wear and stability issues. Unless w can find a way to stabilise the reactor at a higher reaction rate then the core is intended to run at, we may need to abandon this and go with a Kusari design instead - or redesign the entire thing.
IMGC-104D-E-Proto, IMGC-104D-D-Proto "Sagarmatha" Exploration cruiser, progress report: An intended replacement for the legacy "Argus" long range explorer. While the design, Colonial in origin, is adequate for the task, adequate just won't do. It's main flaw are the primary engines. The craft is underpowered for the task it is intended to do.
The Sagarmatha resolves this rather radically, having at full power at least 200% additional thrust over the Atlas design. Of course, sustaining full power strains the engine array, so this can only be done for a short period. The main Explorer variant has it's engines rigged for an extended, continuous burn with extraheliospheric travel in mind. It also boasts improved EMP shielding to ward off the magnetic and gravitic rippling at the edge of a heliosphere. The main Defensive variant uses the engine array tactically, configured for maximum thrust in short bursts. This grants the craft a measure of maneuvering the Argus could never match.
IMGM-2C-Proto "Annapurna" Miner, progress report: Frequently, operational reports from Hegemon mining crews indicated their frustration with the lack of maneuverability in it's primary field of operations: Dense asteroid fields. An intermediate miner design was requested, bridging the gap between the Spatial in terms of evasiveness, and the Hegemon in terms of autonomy and cargo capacity. The result thus far is adequate.
The Annapurna is for all intents and purposes a mining freighter, although it can boast standard transport defenses and shielding. Cargo capacity requested was roughly one third of that of the Hegemon class miner, and will be met. Crew comfort however will have to suffer, as well as craft autonomy.
IMGT-5E-Proto "Nanga Parbat" Medium transport, progress report: Basically the Annapurna with it's mining equipment stripped and two extra cargo pods grafted to the superstructure. Structurally the craft is almost identical to the Annapurna, and any design issues will be resolved in that project instead. The only reason we chose to pursue this was that it would be more cost effective to work off of a single frame then utilize the standard Crane class transports in the deeper Tau and Omega regions.
IMGT-8C-Proto "Shishipangma" Heavy transport, progress report: Behind on schedule. We've hit a major obstacle in clamping the cargo payload to the main umbilical. The design is sound in theory, but the clamps just cannot bear the strain of maneuvers while the craft is fully loaded - the shearing force will cause the cargo pods to break away when a high-speed turn is performed. Higher tensile, flexible materials will be required to compensate. Adding additional struts and clamps may also be a solution, but we're going to have to go back to the drawing board on this one. On a good note, the engine synchronization issues have been resolved, meaning the craft can now bring it's full array of 7 standard engines to bear. A critical issue that had to be resolved if this craft was to be used as a support craft on the extrasolar expeditions, and carry initial supplies to new facilities there.
There is also an outsourced project which was deferred to the "Corona Battlegroup" research wing. This project, an atmospheric filter, will be critical in our attempts to purify the atmosphere of Tau-115-C1, and render it habitable. I cannot stress the potential benefits of having that planet terraformed. Tau-115 is a very resource-rich system, and it's relative position will cause no house to be able to lay claim on it. If we are able to establish a colony there, it would truly render us independent from any house needs. Manufacturing facilities, industry, a place for the families of our guildsmen - it could all be there.
I'm available if you wish to talk further. Good luck in your new position!
Regards,
- Johnathan Sanders
**** Transmission Closed ****
Wide awake in a world that sleeps, enduring thoughts, enduring scenes. The knowledge of what is yet to come.
From a time when all seems lost, from a dead man to a world, without restraint, unafraid and free.
Mostly retired Discovery member. May still visit from time to time.