Source: APM Research Vessel Ailuros
Comm ID: Damien Mekal
Encryption: APM Standard
Establishing Feed
Following the completion of Dr. Strauss' expedition to planet Nauru, which revealed more than we ever could have hoped for regarding the alien society that once lived there, I've begun the next phase of Research & Development for the Core. WIth the Azurite reactor system onboard the Ailuros fully operational, and powered by IRG power cells procured from the Ingenuus Research Group, this ship is measuring far above its class in terms of power output and sustainability. The gunboat-class point defense turrets we have equipped, currently, hardly draw upon the power we're generating, and given that we operate almost exclusively in extremely hostile space surrounded by alien and terrorist entities wishing to prevent our progression, I think it is past time we upgrade our combat capabilities.
Newly recovered technology from the ancient manufacturing facility on Nauru has provided us with a plethora of equipment to reverse-engineer, but my interests lie in the unrecovered anti-orbital defense weapon that led to the downfall of the Naurian civilization. While the weapon itself has not been found, we know from the database files recovered by Dr. Strauss and her team that it was based largely on antimatter-based tunneling devices used by the Naurians to expand their subterranean habitats. Many such devices, some in pristine condition, have been recovered from the manufacturing facility at the excavation site and brought to Invicta Research Complex for reverse-engineering.
These devices are fairly simple, though masterfully constructed by the ancient Naurians; they utilize steady, focused blasts of antimatter contained within shaped magnetic fields and accelerated by rail coils. The system is quite similar to bomber-grade antimatter cannons, razor-series tachyon-antimatter launchers, and mortar-series antimatter siege guns. Key differences lie in the shaped magnetic field containing the antimatter blast, the efficiency of Naurian antimatter generators, and the charge focusing apparatus that controls dispersion rate.
I've worked with Marcus Greer, my engineer, to begin drawing up initial schematics for the weapon. Given the power requirements for antimatter generation, I believe a maximum of two of these weapons can be powered by our current reactor output. Our remaining three turret hardpoints will be downgraded to traditional APM gunboat-grade point defense batteries for dealing with smaller attackers.
Source: APM Research Vessel Ailuros
Comm ID: Damien Mekal
Encryption: APM Standard
Establishing Feed
The weapon itself is split into three primary components: the Mag-Rail Barrel, the Combination antimatter-generator and heat sink array, and the rotational base, which includes piping for plasma - or, in our case, charged azurite gas - to power the antimatter generator, as well as a rotational servo for omnidirectional aim and electrical supply for the servo and control boards.
The baseplate consists of three interconnecting disks. A central disc, containing the motorized servo and conduit for electrical input, mounts directly to the hull of the ship. The midplate, a freely-rotating disk attached to the central control servo, contains three dual-port inlets for charged plasma or azurite to be piped into the antimatter generator, providing adequate power to generate antimatter blasts at a rate of 1.33~ per second. The outer disk covers the assembly from above and acts as a mounting point for the weapon itself; a combination of the antimatter generator, heat sinks, and barrel.
The main component of the weapon is a combination antimatter generator and heatsink array, all controlled by linked capacitors wired to the fire control consoles within the ship. The antimatter generator itself is proprietary, and derived from relics found within the manufacturing facility on Nauru. Replicating these generators is nearly impossible on our own, and we've been forced to rely on re-activated machinery within the ruins to produce the antimatter cores. This reliance on ancient technology will, undoubtedly, make these weapons expensive and difficult to build en-masse.
Two heat sink arrays on the top and side of the containment unit radiate excess heat buildup from the weapon into space. The Naurian antimatter cores put off quite a bit of heat, and would melt the surrounding systems if not for constant active heat dissipation.
The barrel assembly, based heavily on currently-produced railguns - primarily designed in Bretonia - "compiles" an antimatter charge in the rear chamber, shaping it with magnetic fields. The shape of the charge, based on information from Naurian tunneling devices, is key to efficiency and impact. Once shaped and compressed, the antimatter bolt is propelled via railgun coils, through a tightened focusing array that further compresses the charge into a cohesive bolt, where it is emitted from an Iridium-shielded barrel.
This system maintains bolt compression over a moderate distance, and minimizes burnoff of the antimatter charge before it can impact the desired target. Once we can construct the initial prototypes, we will test and refine the bolt shape to maximize efficiency.
Source: APM Research Vessel Ailuros
Comm ID: Damien Mekal
Encryption: APM Standard
Establishing Feed
A full schematic has been completed, and we're awaiting manufacture of the first two prototypes at Invicta Research Complex. Currently no ETA on completion. Given that these are first-generation weapons without precedent, it stands to reason that manufacture will be a lengthy process. In the meantime, preparations for installation aboard the Ailuros are being made.
Source: APM Research Vessel Ailuros
Comm ID: Damien Mekal
Encryption: APM Standard
Establishing Feed
Progress on the weapon is advancing but we have run into unforseen circumstances regarding power supply and the interlinking for the azurite-plasma conduits, delaying the project significantly. Greele is going over the schematics again and looking into modifications for the Ailuros, but it's possible that we simply wont be able to modify the ship extensively enough to allow for these weapons, at least not without major overhauls to the infrastructure, bulkheads, and exterior plating, all of which would require an extended stay in drydock that we're not currently willing to afford.
Worst case scenario, we can procure an AP-430 "Thresher" fresh from the shipyards and interface the weapons with it directly. Due to the Thresher's design and weapon mounting points on the hull, it would require very little modification, internally, to integrate the turrets; though we would have to fabricate a new reactor core and install one of the spare IRG Power Cells to it in order to power the armaments. We'll hold that in reserve as a last-ditch effort for testing these prototypes.
Source: APM Research Vessel Ailuros
Comm ID: Damien Mekal
Encryption: APM Standard
Establishing Feed
Greele has confirmed the issues surrounding proper integration of the weapon's power systems into our own, a full rework of the Ailuros' spaceframe and panels will be necessary. For now, in the interests of continuing the project, I've instead received authorization from Jack Daniels to requisition a Thresher-class escort destroyer, which will be converted into a testbed platform for these weapons. Greele is confident the modifications will take little time, and additional IRG power cells and azurite piping systems necessary for the Thresher's reactor replacement are already in stock from previous projects.
Source: APM Escort Destroyer Leonine
Comm ID: Commander Marcus Mekal
Encryption: Core High-Sec
Establishing Feed
The Leonine has been deployed for one week now, and has undertaken numerous field tests of the prototype blasters both in friendly wargames with Core assets as well as in practical engagements with hostiles. Results have been mostly positive - while the Leonine, as a Thresher-Class Destroyer, is smaller and less heavily armed and armored compared to other destroyer and cruiser class vessels, the additional firepower provided by these weapons allows it to go toe-to-toe with larger, heavier vessels. Ultimately the most notable downside we've been faced with is limited range; other similarly-sized vessels are able to remain combat-effective at longer operational ranges than these weapons allow, which puts us at a disadvantage against fleeing targets, or those who are more skilled at maintaining distance.
If the issue of range can be resolved, these will surely become one of the most powerful weapons in the Core's arsenal. In the meantime, the Leonine has berthed at Alabama Shipyard for maintenance evaluations and resupply; the weapons are being offloaded for adjustment and improvement. Afterwards, field testing will continue.
Source: APM Research Vessel Ailuros
Comm ID: Overseer Damien Mekal
Encryption: APM Standard
Establishing Feed
Analysis of the Leonine's combat performance utilizing the generation-1 prototype blasters has been completed. The initial pair of prototypes had to be dismantled for examination, so I'm requisitioning a new pair of blasters - this time with more resilient materials and improved heat sinks as per feedback from the Leonine's gunnery officers - to replace them.
Additionally, the issue of limited range with the generation-1 prototypes was forseen, but unavoidable. Due to the weapon design, with a higher focus on efficiency and power at close range, extending maximum blast distance without severely hindering other aspects of performance is impossible. However, a generation-2 prototype has been in development with the goal of extending the range of the antimatter blast. A much larger housing is needed to contain enhanced energy field generators and acceleration coils, and these gen-2 cannons draw much more power than the original prototype, by our estimates more than twice as much energy is necessary to fire the weapon.
As a result, the generation-2 Naurian Prototype Breaker Turret will require a much larger vessel to mount; the Core's Bullhead-Class battlecruisers should be adequate, however we'll need to find a suitable vessel to field test the weapons. The order for four of these generation-2 prototypes has already been put in with the manufacturing floor.
Posts: 2,820
Threads: 165
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Incoming Video Feed
Source: APM Flagship Sagittarius, Dark Space
Comm ID: Jack Daniels
Encryption: B.S.S. Ver 8.9 Rev.2
APM ID Confirmed, message decrypted.
Displaying Contents
Mr. Mekal, let me just say, magnificent job. I've secured you a ship that'll serve as a guinea pig for those Breakers. The WV-Victoria needs a retrofit and I managed to convince some people up high that's it's a good idea to outfit it with experimental weapons. It will be arriving to Alabama in the next 24 hours. You have been assigned a total of 3 engineering teams. I expect that will suffice to get the job done relatively swiftly, yes? I'm sure it won't be a problem for a man with a skillset such as yours. Do have a productive day and if you need anything, please, let me know.
~Yours Truly, Jack Daniels, Director of the APM and STILL the most hated person in the Omicrons.
Source: APM Research Vessel Ailuros
Comm ID: Damien Mekal
Encryption: APM Standard
Establishing Feed
Excellent, Mr. Daniel's. I'll have a an order for two more gen-2 prototypes put in with manufacturing to keep our stocks up. Once the breakers have been installed, please send us any field test data you acquire via their use.
Posts: 2,820
Threads: 165
Joined: Nov 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
Incoming Video Feed
Source: APM Flagship Sagittarius, Dark Space
Comm ID: Jack Daniels
Encryption: B.S.S. Ver 8.9 Rev.2
APM ID Confirmed, message decrypted.
Displaying Contents
Oh, I'll personally make sure they are properly tested, you can count on that. Thank you, Mr. Mekal.
~Yours Truly, Jack Daniels, Director of the APM and STILL the most hated person in the Omicrons.