[FT] Sol SDN-X (3rd proposal)

Looking at the pictures, I don't see any obvious fighter bays (unless it is
the trapezoidal "scoops" on each side (port/starboard) of the main hull.
I think that the pod under the main hull is just screaming "Wave Gun", but I
understand the reservations of those who do not use them. But I agree with
your assessment on the role of the SDN. Perhaps, they would also send a medium
carrier along with the SDN.

The SDN-X is a little more problematic. Extended Range could mean a
number of things. I had taken it to mean that it was designed to work away
from a
support tail. Also, unless there are -X versions of cruisers and
escorts,
that it would be working on its own (or attached to a multi-national
force).
As an extended range platform, it would need to be more multi-role,
while still being able to operate on its own. It would probably have a shuttle
bay or hard points to lock onto (basic hull assumes one shuttle type craft).
It would probably avoid expendables (missiles, fighters*, mines,
sub-munitions
packs, etc.). Now that I think of it again, I would probably change the mix
to be a Beam/Torpedo mix.

Taking into account previous comments here are another set of statistics for
the UNSC SDN and SDN-X. Again, the size has been dropped somewhat.

Sol (Mod 3) class Superdreadnought Tech: Human (FB) Govt: USNC Mass: 192 Cost:
695 Clas: Superdreadnought (SDN) Hull: Weak Strm: None FTL: Std.
MD:   2
Armr: 15
Damg: 37; 10/9/9/9
Crew: 10 Sens: Enhanced Systems
  2 x Screen
  4 x FCS
  1 x ADFC
  6 x PDS
  1 x Class-4 beam (FP,F)
  1 x Class-4 beam (F,FS)
1 x Pulse Torpedo (FP,F) 1 x Pulse Torpedo (F,FS)
  4 x Class-3 beam (FP,F,FS)
  3 x Class-2 beam (AP,FP,F)
  3 x Class-2 beam (F,FS,AS)
1 x Hanger Bay (Mass 2 shuttle) Notes:

Sol (Mod 3) class Extended Range Superdreadnought
.
Tech: Human (FB) Govt: USNC Mass: 261 Cost: 893
Clas: Extended Range Superdreadnought (SDN-X)
Hull: Weak Strm: None FTL: Std.
MD:   4
Armr: 15
Damg: 52; 13/13/13/13
Crew: 14 Sens: Enhanced Systems
  2 x Screen
  4 x FCS
  1 x ADFC
  6 x PDS
  1 x Class-4 beam (FP,F)
  1 x Class-4 beam (F,FS)
1 x Pulse Torpedo (FP,F) 1 x Pulse Torpedo (F,FS)
  4 x Class-3 beam (FP,F,FS)
  3 x Class-2 beam (AP,FP,F)
  3 x Class-2 beam (F,FS,AS)
  8 x Cargo/Passenger Space
1 x Hanger Bay (Mass 2 Shuttle) Notes: Modification of the Sol SDN. It
increases the Main Drive to 4 and includes extra space for cargo (or in
emergencies, passengers).

* Please, no flames about fighters being expendable. My point is that they
_CAN_ disappear like popcorn due to PDS and other fighters. There can't
be
that many replacement fighters/pilots onboard.

-----
Brian Bell bkb@beol.net
http://members.xoom.com/rlyehable/ft/
-----

> -----Original Message-----
[snip]

> I'd agree with this one. The SDN and especially the SDN-X would be
[snip]

In general, I agree with Brian. However, I would probably avoid going to
Class-4 batteries.  Leave that to the ESU; instead, use a huge number of
Class-3's, 2's, pulse torpedoes, and redundancy.

Another thought... I agree with using pulse torpedoes as a big part of the UN
weapons loadout as well. They did invent them after all.

As much as I like the idea of MT missiles on these ships I haven't played with
them since the FB came out. What is the current take on their combat
effectiveness? Their ability to carry different warheads would be nice.

> On 25-Oct-99 at 14:24, Rob Pruden (rpruden@dakotacom.net) wrote:

Depends on how many you put on and what rules you use. If you give them
endurance like fighters (and combat moves) they become rather nasty. Remember,
while a PDS can take out several missiles from a salvo it can only take out
one MT missile.

I don't care what it turns out to be, as long as it's designed by a comittee.
:)

> Sol (Mod 3) class Superdreadnought

I have the same problem with the weak hull, even with the impressive spread of
armor.

> 1 x Class-4 beam (FP,F)

I still think you're trying to pack in too much weaponry at the expense of
hull strength.

My comments hold true for both designs.