LRDFC and PDS modes (was: Re: anti fighter missiles)

With the increase in Fighter and fighter defense discussion, and in particular
after reading Jeff Lyon's comments on antifighter use of
submunitions (wigh I think I like), I'm going to re-raise the concept
Long Range Defense Fire Control.

> From the Skunkworks (http://members.xoom.com/gzg_l/ni/Skunkworks.htm)

Long Range Defense FireCon (LRDFC) -  Cost/Mass as ADFC. Allows higher
level
batteries to be used in anti-missile/anti-fighter roles the same way as
Class 1 batts can. Each size battery larger than class 1 requires a normal
firecon in addition to the LRDFC to be used in this mode (class 2 batts
require LRDFC + 1 firecon, class 3 require LRDFC + 2 firecons. Firecons
and weapons used with LRDFC cannot be used in normal modes that turn.
Effective range bands are half normal, and, due to fighter maneuverability and
slow weapon bearing, higher class batteries can only target fighters in the
outer
range bands: i.e. class 2 beams can target fighters at range 6"-12",
class 3
at ranges 12"-18", etc. Each die rolled is as for the class 1-as-PDS
rule.
Other weapon types can be used in anti-fighter/missile mode if an extra
firecon is dedicated to them. Range bands are halved and damage dice are the
same as above.

Other anti-fighter adaptations:
Scenario specific PDS reprogramming. Assume PDS can be set 3 different ways
between scenarios.
- The basic PDS is "multirole".
- "Anitmissile" mode converts the PDS into something morelike Jeff's
vision of the antifiighter submunition. PSB is that the PDS gets set to "fast
wide dispersion" raking the firezone with shots designed to maximize SM
attrition. Effect is as Nathan Pttigrew's "Missile Defense System". Vs.
missiles: 1-3: no effect, 4: 1 missile destroyed, 5: 2 destroyed, 6: 3
detroyed + reroll. Vs. Fighters, same as Class-1 as-PDS.
- "Antifighter" mode is the converse - it reduces rate of fire, but
increases targeting precision to combat dodging and weaving fighters.Vs.
fighters: 1-3: no effect, 4: 1 fighter hit, 5: 2 hit, 6: 3 hit + reroll.
Vs.
missiles, same as Class-1 as-PDS.
- vs. MT missiles, both antifighter and antimissile mode act as class
1-as-PDS

Given that these three modes would be inherent in any PDS system, you'd have
to adjust NPV upward (+1 or 2) if, say, your antifighter-mode PDS are
going
against all fighters, and downward (-1 or 2) if you got caught in
antifighter mode when facing an SM armed opponent.

> Long Range Defense FireCon (LRDFC) - Cost/Mass as ADFC. Allows

How about "each individual weapon requires 1 firecon"? I can't see why a Beam3
would require 2 FC.

(snip)

> Other weapon types

ie PTorps? Needles? I can see needles, but not torps.

> can be used in anti-fighter/missile mode if an extra

> Other anti-fighter adaptations:

A good idea but a) wouldn't you usually know what types of threat you'll
usually face? b) wouldn't the PDS programming automatically take threat type
into account? Remember, this is a couple hundred years in the future, even if
we're mapping it from a WW2 paradigm.

> Class 1 batts can. Each size battery larger than class 1 requires a

> How about "each individual weapon requires 1 firecon"? I can't see

Seems reasonable.

> ie PTorps? Needles? I can see needles, but not torps.

Why not? Set them on proximity detonation and lauch them into the midst of a
fighter group. COnsider the PDS effect a blast effect.

> Scenario specific PDS reprogramming. Assume PDS can be set 3

> A good idea but a) wouldn't you usually know what types of threat

a) not necessarily, FSE isn't always missiles, and NAC isn't always fighters.
Heck, even NSL has some missiles. b) then assume its a moderalte hardware
swap. Rapid firecontrols for missiles, precision targeting for fighters, all
purpose electronics for multirole. Takes a couple hours to set up and
calibrate effectively.

As usual, though, this whole system may be a splitting of hairs beneath FT
granulariy.