[FT] Efficient Designs (PDS vs C-1)

There are a lot of variables on this, the one you forgot is whether fighter
morale is being used.

Against std fighters and missiles, PDS are twice as effective as C-1
(0.8 vs 0.4), the gap closes a little against heavy fighters (0.6 vs 0.4). For
full coverage, you really need 1 PDS per fighter to prevent them getting any
attacks at all, but 3 PDS per std squadron is just enough when fighter
morale is in effect (note that most of the FB1 designs have 3-4 PDS;
enough to defend against 1 squadron or SML on their own). Also note that each
level of screen adds effectively 0.2 per fighter to your defences.

12 C-1 will kill 5 fighters on average & 12 PDS will kill 10 fighters on
average; however against ships, 12 C-1 will inflict 10 pts of damage at
range 12 & 12 PDS will inflict 2 points of damage at range 6. It really
becomes a case of plot against a bell curve and pick the efficiency rating you
want. Personally, if I was applying 12 mass to active defences, I'd fit 6 PDS,
4
C-1 & an ADFC.  This balances your offensive and defensive requirements.

Fighters are not cheaper than 12 mass of defences (36 pts). 1 bay of
standard fighters use 9 mass, cost 27 for the bay + 18 for the squadron
(45 pts) NOT including the cost of the ship carrying them. The fighters
advantage come from being a longe ranged, multiturn offensive weapon; but they
need overwhelming superiority or to face weak PDS nets to be truly effective
on their own.

Neath Southern Skies -http://home.pacific.net.au/~southernskies/
[Pirates] Dame Captain Washalot
[MKW2] Admiral Peter Rollins - Task Force Zulu-Beta
[Firestorm] Battletech PBeM GM

> -----Original Message-----

That was what I was looking for.  3-2-1 ratio there between
PDS/C-1/ADFC.

Your comments on the fighter bay mass and cost are also well heeded. With 6
endurence only, fighters also are more expensive in longer operations in

that they don't have 100% operational life of the battle.

High priority vessels should have 6 PDS, and escorts should have similar

numbers plus an ADFC.

I am reminded of a naval game I once played in which I played the Soviet

Union (Nasty 1985 version, not nice 1995 version) and my friend, a naval

officer played the US. The game was in the med. On turn one my friend decided
to get aggressive and used his aircraft off of the Nimitz to spend most of
their time on strike missions. With a weakened CAP I was able to launch Bear
(I think) out of Sevastopol, got within 300 miles of the group and put a
Kingfisher ASM into the Nimitz. She became so disabled there was not hope of
recovery during the game. He conceded right there!

The point is that defense against magic bullets like fighters and missiles is
key which is why I was interested in this.