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Originally posted by StoryReader:
Isnt New Japan a Confederation Planetoid?
That was a particularly funny joke (read up on Japanese economic history during the 1970s and 1980s).
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Originally posted by StoryReader:
Also, if the thing had been developed they wouldnt put missiles and other such things in EV unless they'd already found a way to counter it. And if that's been countered, no point in using it.
Currently, numerous platforms exist that can provide point defense (and long range defense) against missiles. The navy's (url="http://"http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/weapons/wep-phal.html")Phalanx system(/url) is one example. The (url="http://"http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/missiles/wep-stnd.html")Standard(/url) and (url="http://"http://www.army-technology.com/projects/arrow2/index.html")Arrow(/url) missiles are others. All are extremely effective at shooting down other missiles. The Standard and Arrow, however, are (generally speaking, and I don't want to debate this) only viable against targets with a known, fixed flight path (otherwise, a precise intercept course cannot be calculated). The Phalanx is more applicable here. It throws up a literal wall of steel in the direction of the missile, usually striking the target at least somewhere. The system has proved effective against limited ( a few missiles) attacks, and uncoordinated attacks. However, it does have weaknesses. First, missiles have been developed that fly so close to the sea they're called sea skimming missiles. Acquiring and attacking these missiles is particularly difficult, although it is theoretically possible. Second, the systems are vulnerable to a saturation attack (many missiles hitting the ship at once). The Russians perfected this tactic by planning to fire dozens of missiles into the fleet at the same time. Finally, the system isn't 100% effective. A few missiles can sometimes get through. The navy still mounts the system on ships (four on many carriers), and continues to develop more advanced (though imperfect) systems (such as electromagnetic and electrically fired platforms).
The point is, simply because there are vulnerabilities in a system does not preclude its deployment. Point defense missile systems are imperfect. They are vulnerable to saturation attacks, and other (more innovative) countermeasures. But for limited and uncoordinated attacks, they are invaluable. Plus, when a saturation attack does occur, they often reduce the damage done to the fleet significantly.
My one critique of the system, which I noted to Cadet online yesterday, is the way in which it works. Projectiles are fired so rapidly that it's nearly impossible to create a wall of steel (as this system seems designed to do). Instead, the system will be trying to hit a maneuverable bullet with a bullet, a nearly impossible task that only the greatest sensory-computation package ever conceived could hope to accomplish. In any other circumstance, this would be impossible. So, when Cadet said he was researching the Thor array, you must understand that he is creating the ultimate sensor-computational package. The sheer resolution and computational power in the array would be enough to (if slaved) make every single guided munition 100% accurate to the centimeter. He could create precise torpedo and missile formations aimed at exactly exploited the vulnerabilities of your fleet posture. A more conventional, "wall of steel" system, with a slower firing rate and higher inaccuracy, would not entail these problems, and would be technically possible (albeit somewhat less effective).
Oh, and Spl: This system is definitely not based on the original Bofors. It's an entirely new concept and definitely a implementation.
The Javelin anti-missile system would probably only be viable against heavy rockets, space bombs, and other unguided munitions.
The wide-spectrum jammer could also be defeated, but it would take one research slot.
U.E. Admiral: Although Cadet seriously overpowered the ODP concept, it is a viable design. It just needs to be built in a more realistic, modular way, and it does have vulnerabilities (when I originally designed it for "EV Webstory" I thought of several good ones).
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"I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestioned ability of a man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor." - Henry David Thoreau
(This message has been edited by General Rak (edited 08-23-2004).)
