Post by: Blood_Librarian on November 06, 2019, 10:08:08 pm
See the core Thread for more information. If you are participating on the other team, please od not peek further than the OP.
Our homes are among the spires of District 7, we live in the Arcologies that had survived the initial bombardment, and continue to stand as a beacon for the future for all Yaerians. For a long time, the only way to get between spires was haphazardly made bridges, where we kept in contact with another through cable or through messenger These Spires are the homes of the Elorious Dynast, and on the tallest spire which only had half of its massive structure torn off is the newly assembled R&D Team. Among the cracked and spartan walls of this ancient hall are dozens of Crates, baskets, and clutter that is all we had recovered of the cache’s Pre-Collapse Technology, freshly stripped and ready for technological evolution.
Crates of salvaged equipment--- mostly broken, damaged artifacts of a bygone era-- are yours for the picking. No conclusive technology can be gleaned from anyone bit, but together, the possibilities are endless.
Your team, the first and only Elorius Militarized R&D Team has been given a very serious task, to create a military arms industrial complex from the cloth. There is no previous system to rely upon, no model or experts to gain inspiration from, and it all must run perfectly or our entire military will crumble before foreign legions.
We are in Cycle -1.25 of this as of yet unnamed conflict, around the star of Cadar, on the world Niria. Analysts predict that the first conflict against the Phoziris Shard will begin at Cycle 0, Giving us 5 turns to assemble anything and everything we need to fight a war.
We have 1 Mineral, 2 Energy.
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
Post by: UristMcRiley on November 07, 2019, 07:37:02 am
Helios 1000 (salvaged)
A common civilian hovercraft from before the Fall, coming in many different variants, colors and models they are far from standardized. However they were initially designed with ease of maintenance in mind which is the largest reason for us actually being able to reactivate these particular hover craft compared to others we’ve found. Capable of carrying personal and equipment between spires these craft as rare as they are have drawn out scattered people together once again and will now help us defeat our enemies. Well hopefully at least
Post by: Rockeater on November 07, 2019, 04:07:38 pm
Post by: Madman198237 on November 07, 2019, 04:27:33 pm
Basically, if we accept some tradeoffs, we can use nonliquid hydrogen plus atmospheric oxygen in a rocket engine's preburner, and utilize the turbine of the preburner to produce electricity, or direct motive power to things that need to spin, like wheels. The only thing you need to do in order to create the fuel for such a device is electrolyze water, and the preburner itself, when not working with rocket fuels, is a relatively simple piece of equipment.
This could quite reasonable get us access to another point of energy, as while fuel cells fill the low-energy needs, such a system could conceivably fill the very high-energy needs of our forces, like driving an MBT/other heavy vehicle around. Problem is, that usually in order to provide hydrogen you need a more stationary form of powerplant....which luckily IIRC we already have in the form of geothermal plants?
Anyway, more immediate concerns...we've got an unspecified amount of industrial power available to us. I've left a bunch of questions in Discord waiting for GM reply before I begin my plotting and planning.
Post by: Madman198237 on November 13, 2019, 11:25:50 pm
Quote
Reliable Energy Storage Unit
Based on a material with some really unusually strong electrical properties, this replacement for protobatteries utilizes a capacitor packed with salvaged materials with very high permittivities and high breakdown voltages, making them excellent at constructing capacitors capable of storing a great deal of charge at high voltages, allowing us to replace protobatteries with easily produced, more widely available, and simpler alternatives that are reliable and store a serviceable amount of electrical energy per unit mass and unit volume, with the added bonus of being a capacitor, allowing for high-draw applications to be more easily integrated without needing to utilize large battery banks in series and parallel to get the required currents and voltages.
Well, that's exceedingly lame. Inspiration has abandoned me today.
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on November 14, 2019, 10:45:48 am
Post by: Taricus on November 14, 2019, 07:22:38 pm
Quote from: Votebox
RESU (3): Madman, BMM, Taricus
Post by: Blood_Librarian on November 15, 2019, 03:43:01 pm
Quote
Reliable Energy Storage Unit
Based on a material with some really unusually strong electrical properties, this replacement for protobatteries utilizes a capacitor packed with salvaged materials with very high permittivities and high breakdown voltages, making them excellent at constructing capacitors capable of storing a great deal of charge at high voltages, allowing us to replace protobatteries with easily produced, more widely available, and simpler alternatives that are reliable and store a serviceable amount of electrical energy per unit mass and unit volume, with the added bonus of being a capacitor, allowing for high-draw applications to be more easily integrated without needing to utilize large battery banks in series and parallel to get the required currents and voltages.
Difficulty: Easy
Results: 2 2 + 1→ 5
The RESU is a series of standardizations and industrial development for the production of industrial, military and economical applications of capacitive energy systems. This is largely done by hacking into and reclaiming production blueprints for Protobatteries and substituting the complex hyper-capacitive systems that require advanced materials with merely “super” capacitive designs.
In succinct terms, we have RESU systems for every situation from theoretical hand-held energy weapons to cargo-bed sized banks for moving electricity to the battlefield.
+1 Energy, requires one Transport Capacity
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
It is now the Revision Phase
Post by: Doubloon-Seven on November 16, 2019, 02:22:00 pm
Quote from: Skycloth Uniforms
The number one cause of death for our militia is... well, tunnel collapses actually, but bullets are up there. While trying to think of a way to solve this problem, an intrepid engineer came across a fallen section of the sky-thread being picked over by tribals for their bows. One absolutely riveting firefight later, she realized that its immense tensile strength would lend itself to stopping bullets.
While really annoying to have to cut and sew with, overcoats produced of "Skycloth" provide impressive protection for the wearer against conventional weapons. By switching over the production line of our uniforms to use scavenged sky-thread material, we can expect significant increases in survivability.
Quote from: Votes
Skycloth Uniforms (1): DoubloonSevenMay as well get things started.
Post by: Doubloon-Seven on November 17, 2019, 03:53:13 pm
Quote from: Pressganged Cargoloaders
As the primary spaceport for ourfairplanet, the Sky-Thread base still has a variety of shuttles and loaders lying around. By directing a portion of our forces to clearing paths that the vehicles can safely traverse, we can improve our ability to transport both militia and resources.
Of course, to use such slapdash and understandably thin sections of cleared roads, we're only expecting to be able to power, maintain, and deploy some of the smaller vehicles. Baggage carriers and the like.
Quote from: Votes
Skycloth Uniforms (0):After some clarification of how there wouldn't be enough material left to produce any uniforms out of, here's another idea.
Pressganged Cargoloaders (1): DoubloonSeven
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on November 17, 2019, 10:10:01 pm
Quote from: Votes
Skycloth Uniforms (0):
Pressganged Cargoloaders (2): DoubloonSeven, BMM42
I think it'd be nice to update our armor/uniforms, but it seems like something we could do with a design rather than a revision at the moment.
Post by: Taricus on November 18, 2019, 12:45:11 am
Quote from: Votes
Skycloth Uniforms (0):Let's get these balls rolling.
Pressganged Cargoloaders (3): DoubloonSeven, BMM42, Taricus
Post by: Blood_Librarian on November 20, 2019, 02:13:17 pm
Quote from: Pressganged Cargoloaders
As the primary spaceport for ourDifficulty: Easyfairplanet, the Sky-Thread base still has a variety of shuttles and loaders lying around. By directing a portion of our forces to clearing paths that the vehicles can safely traverse, we can improve our ability to transport both militia and resources.
Of course, to use such slapdash and understandably thin sections of cleared roads, we're only expecting to be able to power, maintain, and deploy some of the smaller vehicles. Baggage carriers and the like.
Result: [4+4 +1] → 4 Unexpected Boon
Our forces were immeasurably angry and being directed towards what was essentially infrastructure work. How dare our superiors put us to menial work? We are better than this, they told themselves. We are the Elorious, not a bunch of dirt sniveling ditch diggers who live in holes.
They were tasked to start from the spaceport, and immediately, a small mutiny had occurred coincidentally as the first plans for the press ganged cargo systems arrived to the construction yards at the spaceport.
It took three long days of fighting, but the end result is a newly formed and rebelling engineering division on site that has been incorporated to the R&D team, rather than summarily executed.
The rebellious sort had used the construction plans and modified them into heavier equipment, welding together a functional craft that is well beyond original or modified specs. Rather than forcing Yaerians with shovels and explosives to clear the way for them, they clear the way for the soldiers to move forward with devastating flanking strikes. The plating they have is thick, sloppy and overlapping, making for a vehicle with incredible inertia and a dizzying maintenance profile-- if it wasn't disposable.
We simply have so many old chassis ready to be re-hauled that it is completely possible to use a couple press-ganged vehicles to clear a road and then gut and mothball them once the frame is too damaged for continued use. Actual combat use is a different story, as projections put them as lasting about one engagement before being rendered inoperative, so using the pressganged vehicles as technicals is discouraged.
[Expensive, 3 Minerals, 2 Energy]
Transportation Capacity: 2 (Land) (note that LAND TC is different from UNDERGROUND TC, which represents rail ways.)
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
It is now the Design of Cycle -1.00. Next phase will be Revision.
Post by: Doubloon-Seven on November 23, 2019, 02:43:59 pm
Quote from: Anti-Materiel Coil Accelerator (AMCA)
Our present armory is sadly lacking in heavy weapons, stocking only a few specimens of pre-war energy weaponry to fulfil that role. Even with our great advances in battery technology, we have nothing close to what it would take to field equivalents to their power. However, we can find some use for the RESU.
The AMCA is a large weapon, tall as a Yaerian and powered by a battery pack carried on the operator's back. The coils lining its barrel are hungry for energy, such that the designers are encouraged to focus primarily on those related systems while the rest of the gun is made as simply as possible. Resting on a tripod--the recoil would be too destructive with anything else--a gunner has to load projectiles individually, be they the officially made tungsten-tipped steel slugs or a hastily-cut chunk of ancient rebar. The barrel is made to the size of the aforementioned 18mm diameter slugs, but, as implied, can fire any piece of ferromagnetic material capable of fitting down the barrel.
Quote from: Votes
AMCA (1): D7
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on November 28, 2019, 09:17:35 pm
Quote from: Votes
AMCA (2): D7, BMM42
Post by: Madman198237 on November 28, 2019, 09:24:33 pm
Quote from: Votes
AMCA (3): D7, BMM42, Madman
I actually kind of like the idea, we could conceivably use it to develop a Star Wars Verpine Rifle-esque "this will shoot anything you can put in the barrel" infantry weapon, admittedly with the caveat that our ammo has to be exclusively metal junk instead of just literally anything.
Post by: Taricus on November 28, 2019, 09:39:56 pm
Quote from: Votes
AMCA (4): D7, BMM42, Madman, Taricus
Post by: Blood_Librarian on December 06, 2019, 06:12:26 pm
Anti-Materiel Coil Accelerator (AMCA)
Our present armory is sadly lacking in heavy weapons, stocking only a few specimens of pre-war energy weaponry to fulfil that role. Even with our great advances in battery technology, we have nothing close to what it would take to field equivalents to their power. However, we can find some use for the RESU.
The AMCA is a large weapon, tall as a Yaerian and powered by a battery pack carried on the operator's back. The coils lining its barrel are hungry for energy, such that the designers are encouraged to focus primarily on those related systems while the rest of the gun is made as simply as possible. Resting on a tripod--the recoil would be too destructive with anything else--a gunner has to load projectiles individually, be they the officially made tungsten-tipped steel slugs or a hastily-cut chunk of ancient rebar. The barrel is made to the size of the aforementioned 18mm diameter slugs, but, as implied, can fire any piece of ferromagnetic material capable of fitting down the barrel.
Difficulty: Hard
Result: [3 + 4] - 1 → 6 Above average
18mmx1.V(Variable) Anti-Material Coil Accelerator can strictly be defined as a heavy weapon, being both large and transportable. The methodology behind it’s firing mechanism is simple: A specialized, high-durability electromagnet is formed into an effective coil gun mechanism. An aluminum sheet line the internal of the coil’s barrel forged such that the coil guns coils will not be damaged from the magnetic forces in play. Two sets of 4 capacitors line the sides of the weapon, providing the high voltage required to run the coil for the split second required to launch the slug.
A built-in, primitive set of circuits is salvaged from consumer electronics to monitor the variance in resistance that the projectile will provide in terms of magnetic fields. This is necessitated, as the variance of resistance can brick the coils if it is not tuned exactly, and it required a full second to test the munition if it is not a standard from the factory. However, this means that soldiers can field-prepare munition for the weapon, so long as they have power, they have ammo. The battery pack holds enough juice to fire 40 rounds, or about 30 rounds if using sub-optimal munitions.
Its role in combat is most similar to an anti-tank rifle, able to put slugs through armor plates unparalleled among post-war equipment, but exact statistics have not yet been provided. The gun is reloaded by sliding a bolt down the front and using a plastic or wooden stick to push it to the end of the barrel. A simple spring-operated tripod allows for mounting in many conditions. The battery-cells on the back weigh just enough to make this weapon heavy indeed, but operators of the 18mmx1.V AMCA carry roughly the same amount of weight as an average un-assisted Heavy weapon operator of the Pre-Collapse era.
Field tests of this weapon reveal one notable fact: The weapon is unflinchingly durable. It has no moving parts. The simplistic nature of its mechanisms (or more accurately the lack thereof) along with its focus on rugged, durable construction and highly designed firing solution means that the weapon can be jury-rigged on the field quickly and easily, as long as the firing coils are at least 80% intact. It is also possible to field this weapon as a rifle by soldiers wearing augmentative exoskeletons. The weapon is
The slugs of this weapon require a resource-intensive process to make, requiring 4 Minerals to reliably equip every weapon, but the weapon itself is comparatively simpler requiring only 2 Minerals to manufacture. We are pushing the limit of our electrical infrastructure to keep these batteries recharged in a war-scale, requiring 3 Energy.
[Expensive/Very Expensive, 2+2 Minerals, 3 Energy]
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
It is now the Revision of Cycle -1.00. Next phase will be Design. Event is going to happen in the next Design Phase.
Post by: Doubloon-Seven on December 06, 2019, 11:29:56 pm
Quote from: Breech-Loaded AMCA
As it stands, there's not much to improve with the AMCA that doesn't require overhauling infrastructure we don't have. What is rather clear, though, is that having our soldiers need to shift around the gun to load it like an ancient musket.
Thus has been added a relatively thin, locking breech at the back of the weapon. It doesn't need to be very strong, considering that the recoil is moreso directed into the body of the AMCA than the actual back of the chamber. Hopefully not a significant issue for production, it will still significantly increase the usability of the AMCA.
Quote from: Votes
Breech-Loaded AMCA (1): DoubloonSeven
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on December 10, 2019, 05:38:43 pm
Quote from: Votes
Breech-Loaded AMCA (2): DoubloonSeven, BMM42
Post by: Madman198237 on December 10, 2019, 06:24:28 pm
Quote from: Votes
Breech-Loaded AMCA (3): DoubloonSeven, BMM42, Madman
Post by: Blood_Librarian on December 21, 2019, 12:54:28 am
Quote from: Breech-Loaded AMCA
As it stands, there's not much to improve with the AMCA that doesn't require overhauling infrastructure we don't have. What is rather clear, though, is that having our soldiers need to shift around the gun to load it like an ancient musket.
Thus has been added a relatively thin, locking breech at the back of the weapon. It doesn't need to be very strong, considering that the recoil is moreso directed into the body of the AMCA than the actual back of the chamber. Hopefully not a significant issue for production, it will still significantly increase the usability of the AMCA.
Difficulty: Normal
Result: [1 + 3] → 4 Below average
We have ruined the perfectly good AMCA through the addition of a breech-loading mechanism. It’s… It’s just a little iffy. It only sometimes correctly loads the round, and sometimes must be corrected with a lot of fiddling. It’s still miles faster than breech-loading, but it's a frustrating experience. The breech-loading system was relatively crudely added, due to the simple fact that the weapon simply cannot be lengthened infinitely without becoming too bulky for use, but with only an extra inch of length, the weapon is still serviceable for all combat operations.
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
Event: Machines of the Ancients
In the depths of the Arcology, there are only two constants.
Everyone is surrounded by the detritus of a building that had once encompassed an entire land, and walls, ceilings and trappings of a crumbled civilization are always present.
Everyone avoids Battle-Frames.
They are silent, varied in purpose and always merciless.
Sometimes, they take on the form of a massive, byzantine war-machine, with counter-measure after countermeasure on top of a mountain of guns and armor, which walks the land and burns anything that dares to stir.
Other times, they are the knives that gleam in the darkness.
Regardless, Their presence often signals the beginning and end of combat.
Your respective hierarchies have politely, firmly requested that the development of equipment that subvert this, and too keep combat going regardless of the presence of these horrific machines.
You are given one [1] additional design to create something to battle the Battle-Frames influence on the battle-field. There are quite a few types of BattleFrames, from gigantic killing machines, flying drones of both RECON and lethal varieties, “Infantry” units, automated turrets, as well as other more obscure systems.
Hacking of any form will not work. Disabling a Battle-Frame usually results in reinforcements being called. In a few cases, there has been the deployment of either over-the-horizon munitions or orbital weapons being deployed for when major conflicts occur. They usually patrol the same routes, although they sometimes dynamically route around obstacles or call in for engineering support if it requires it. The Metro Authority has its own brand of battle-frames which it uses to keep its slice of pie in the city running.
Sometimes, they sing a curious little melody on tinny speakers, with words entirely of the old language.
The winner, the best design for avoiding these machines will get a design credit for [Exosuits & Robots]. Both designs will be deployed to military and "civilian" personnel, and as such will be revealed to the respective enemy through observation with reconnaissance forces, unless such a design is made for purely military operations, then it will have a disadvantage in completing the requisites required to get the research credit. Winners will be decided by the beginning of the next Design Phase, The Design that is with the most votes will be entered.
It is now the Design of Cycle -.75. Next phase will be Revision.
Post by: Doubloon-Seven on December 22, 2019, 07:29:02 pm
Quote from: IFF Ping Emitter
It is noted that, despite their generally omnicidal tendencies, Battleframes will not attack certain others. Our limited radio capabilities have partially revealed why. A pair of "friendly" BFs are constantly emitting signals in the electromagnetic spectrum to each other, a "call" signal, and a "response" one. It is thought that this communication prevents fighting between forces that, long ago, were on the same side.
Through thecourageousaction of some scouts armed with scavenged radios and recording devices, we've started to collate a library of these call and response signals. To use these, we've scavenged a supply of what are thought to be pre-conflict entertainment devices, which have been carefully modified to passively listen for our registered BF "calls". If one should be received, a corresponding response will be transmitted over a short-range transmitter.
In this manner, a BF can be fooled into not shooting at a soldier, though this is dependent on the BF's particular "call" being registered.
Quote from: Botkiller Pulse Bomb
Magnets screw with machines. This is known. However, it's not as if we can have some mook run up to a BF clutching a bar magnet, so we've had to be creative. Through application of yelling upon "researchers", we've discovered that, in the most grossly basic of terms, exploding an electromagnet causes weirdness with machines.
The Botkiller is an explosive device measuring about 12x12x4 inches and fitting in a satchel with attached strap to ease throwing. It consists of an electromagnet within a hollow tube--powered by a small RESU--which is surrounded by high explosives. A soldier using it pulls a pin to activate the battery, and then presses a button to start the timer for the explosives.
If the resulting EMP doesn't kill the Battleframe, the explosives probably will.
Post by: Taricus on December 22, 2019, 10:33:54 pm
Quote from: Votebox
IFF Ping Emitter (1): Taricus
Botkiller Pulse Bomb (0):
Post by: Madman198237 on December 23, 2019, 10:32:55 am
Post by: Doubloon-Seven on December 23, 2019, 08:56:15 pm
Quote from: Iona ICA
Iona II of the House of Elorius is perhaps the farthest back known Regent of the Elorii People, back when the title of Regent was an elected position from among the early post-Fall Yaerians that banded together to form our modern polity. From the stories and writings we have of her, her reign is notable as the first time that the Elorii put together a standing army, the Elorian Guard. While later strife set the Elorii back, it is still an important milestone in our people's history.
To honor this legacy, we are designing a standardized weapons platform, intended to be distributed to every soldier. This, as is implied, is the Iona Infantry Coil Accelerator. Similar in its firing mechanism to the AMCA, the Iona feeds its rounds from a magazine and into a functioning, recoil operated bolt.
Said rounds are in fact 3mm triangle-tipped "needles", filling up a single magazine with 60 of its kind. While resembling a conventional SMG, the Iona packs energy equivalent to a higher-power assault rifle, while maintaining a quick-firing capability. Power for the accelerator coils is provided by a battery port in the stock, and can also go towards a flashlight mounted beneath the barrel.
Quote from: Votebox
Regular
Iona ICA (1): D7
Battleframe
IFF Ping Emitter (2): Taricus, D7
Botkiller Pulse Bomb (0):
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on December 28, 2019, 08:33:18 am
Quote from: Votebox
Regular
Iona ICA (2): D7, BMM42
Battleframe
IFF Ping Emitter (3): Taricus, D7, BMM42
Botkiller Pulse Bomb (0):
Post by: Taricus on December 28, 2019, 10:44:31 am
Quote from: Votebox
Regular
Iona ICA (3): D7, BMM42, Taricus
Battleframe
IFF Ping Emitter (3): Taricus, D7, BMM42
Botkiller Pulse Bomb (0):
Post by: Blood_Librarian on December 30, 2019, 04:29:20 pm
Iona ICA
Iona II of the House of Elorius is perhaps the farthest back known Regent of the Elorii People, back when the title of Regent was an elected position from among the early post-Fall Yaerians that banded together to form our modern polity. From the stories and writings we have of her, her reign is notable as the first time that the Elorii put together a standing army, the Elorian Guard. While later strife set the Elorii back, it is still an important milestone in our people's history.
To honor this legacy, we are designing a standardized weapons platform, intended to be distributed to every soldier. This, as is implied, is the Iona Infantry Coil Accelerator. Similar in its firing mechanism to the AMCA, the Iona feeds its rounds from a magazine and into a functioning, recoil operated bolt.
Said rounds are in fact 3mm triangle-tipped "needles", filling up a single magazine with 60 of its kind. While resembling a conventional SMG, the Iona packs energy equivalent to a higher-power assault rifle, while maintaining a quick-firing capability. Power for the accelerator coils is provided by a battery port in the stock, and can also go towards a flashlight mounted beneath the barrel.
Difficulty: Hard
Result: [2+3] - 1 → 4 Below Average
We’ve had every intention of creating a functional, mass-producible Coil accelerator.
And we did, in fact, create the Iona ICA. The weapons minuscule Recoil just barely allows the weapon to cycle a needle into the firing chamber at around 700 rounds per minute. A 3-stage Coil (that is, 3 separate sets of coils activate in a sequence) controlled by a microprocessor does the heavy-duty work of firing the projectile downrange. The magazine holds 60 70mmx3mm Needles in a side-mounted hopper style construction. Care must be taken, as a bent round could damage or destroy the weapon.
There are a few issues with this weapon, mainly due to the fact that the original specifications was a 5 stage coiled system that did not have a microprocessor but instead a mechanical switching system.
The stages were reduced as a compromise to put a gun in every person's hand. We simply did not have the manufacturing capability to manufacture a full five coils, and by the time the adjustment was made, it was too late to design a three-stage mechanical switch system for the gun, so a microprocessor salvaged from a communicator was installed in place. This was purely by luck that an engineer managed to figure out how to rewire a locked microprocessor into a firing mechanism for a coil gun.
The weapons armor-piercing capabilities are little to none. It is perfect against unarmored targets, as it’s rapid-fire capabilities means that it can spray with pinpoint accuracy into someone and almost assuredly maim them with tiny, tiny needles.
The Microprocessor system is vulnerable to simple wear and tear: it is not a military-grade system and is prone to failure in hard conditions. Users of the weapon are advised against using the buttstock as a club, as this could dislodge the pins of the battery and microprocessor. Exposure to rain or heavy ash in its air-cooling system can cause the coils to fuse if it fires, rendering the weapon useless until the coils are field swapped. This weapon should not be fired in difficult conditions.
The batteries are easily the heaviest part of the weapon next to the coil system, and they are just reliable enough to be used in a military setting and to fire exactly 60 rounds from the weapon, provided the battery is fresh on its charge cycles. Older batteries may not provide the power to empty the magazine.
Despite its flaws, it's an effective weapon, if the target is not wearing any type of armor. It is effective up to medium ranges. Don’t even talk about how tiny the damn thing is or you will be shot.
[Cheap, 1 Minerals, 3 Energy]
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
It is now the Revision of Cycle -.75. Next phase will be Design. Remember to finalize your vote for the Event.
Post by: Madman198237 on December 31, 2019, 09:39:40 am
Quote
Iona II ICA
Because the Iona is a completely unmitigated failure, 100% useless in almost all combat conditions due to its fragility and low power, we've reworked the design. The three-coil system and microprocessor are removed and the original five-coil system and mechanical switch setup are replaced, why the mechanical system was unusable is beyond us. It's OK if two remaining coils don't exist (and thus don't fire) so long as the system "thinks" they fired, after all. Regardless, between these alterations and the addition of more battery space along the barrel (giving the weapon less of a puny, tiny feeling), we should be able to produce a rugged and reliable firearm, even if not presently cheap enough for widespread deployment.
Quote from: Votebox
Iona II ICA: (1) Madman
Post by: Doubloon-Seven on January 02, 2020, 01:49:32 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Iona II ICA: (2) Madman, D7
Post by: Taricus on January 02, 2020, 02:03:51 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Iona II ICA: (3) Madman, D7, Taricus
Post by: Madman198237 on January 02, 2020, 02:33:29 pm
I resent that. "Unmitigated failure", "totally useless". Nyeh.
That has nothing to do with the writeup and everything to do with the results. A gun that can't pierce armor (or even so much as a skull), can't survive dirt or mud, and which has ammunition that can be easily damaged beyond use? Not a functional field weapon, at all.
Post by: Blood_Librarian on January 09, 2020, 11:27:59 pm
Iona II ICA
Because the Iona is a completely unmitigated failure, 100% useless in almost all combat conditions due to its fragility and low power, we've reworked the design. The three-coil system and microprocessor are removed and the original five-coil system and mechanical switch setup are replaced, why the mechanical system was unusable is beyond us. It's OK if two remaining coils don't exist (and thus don't fire) so long as the system "thinks" they fired, after all. Regardless, between these alterations and the addition of more battery space along the barrel (giving the weapon less of a puny, tiny feeling), we should be able to produce a rugged and reliable firearm, even if not presently cheap enough for widespread deployment.
Difficulty: Normal
Result: [3 + 2] → 5 Average
The five-stage mechanical switch system was re-introduced to the Iona. The original plans for the system was either lost or stolen by Phoziris Saboteurs, so the system was re-made. It’s… Much larger than what we intended, due to the configuration of salvaged parts, and takes up the vast majority of the stock, so much so that the original battery systems in the stock had to be replaced with a stick that jutted out the side or bottom. Military Commanders quickly, hastily demand that a cable system be utilized in it place. To clarify, Pre-Collapse Military designers never put electrical storage systems into their weapons if it made the weapon bulkier, and preferred to have universal Power Systems (essentially batteries designed to be attached to a limb or body by strap or webbing hook) that hooked to the weapon.
Dozens upon dozens of meetings where they basically requested the same damn thing over and over occurred over this period, and as our world enters its summer months, more than one assistant has assaulted or been assaulted by Military command personnel. Morale has plummeted.
The five-stage Interlocked Coil System and its associated mechanical switch system (to clarify, it is a system which uses several simple electronic pieces of hardware to mechanically connect the circuits to fire the weapon at /exactly/ the right time instead of a general-purpose microprocessor.) was completed within deadlines, but it does not meet the mandate of a weapon that could be delivered to every soldier on the ground.
As stated before, we do not have enough resources to create five coils for each weapon, and they are by far the most expensive part of the weapon. Production up-scaling by 66% of the coils has begun rapidly consumed both our stockpiled magnetic resonance coils as well as the vast majority of our scavenging resources: even the most conservative estimates guess that our projection will collapse in approximately 3 years barring no changes.
The weapon is dangerous. It is large enough to be considered a main-weapon of the forces. It is every bit of 4 kilograms its known for, with just enough of a power increase to penetrate most or all scavenged armor examples if it is a direct hit.. Efficiency increases are not as high as expected, but the power consumption and efficiency ratios are just enough to get an equivalent battery from the previous design and fire a full magazine down range with the effectiveness of a nominal assault rifle lovingly crafted from scrap: It fires a hose of sixty rounds down range at 700 rounds a minute, using very easy to make ammunition.
It has exactly one flaw: Soldiers are complaining that the thing is too heavy. Four whole kilograms and a cable attachment to a UPS system means that this weapon is a pox upon our soldiers endurance.
[Expensive, 3 Minerals, 3 Energy]
It is noted that, despite their generally omnicidal tendencies, Battleframes will not attack certain others. Our limited radio capabilities have partially revealed why. A pair of "friendly" BFs are constantly emitting signals in the electromagnetic spectrum to each other, a "call" signal, and a "response" one. It is thought that this communication prevents fighting between forces that, long ago, were on the same side.Difficulty: Normal
Through thecourageousaction of some scouts armed with scavenged radios and recording devices, we've started to collate a library of these call and response signals. To use these, we've scavenged a supply of what are thought to be pre-conflict entertainment devices, which have been carefully modified to passively listen for our registered BF "calls". If one should be received, a corresponding response will be transmitted over a short-range transmitter.
In this manner, a BF can be fooled into not shooting at a soldier, though this is dependent on the BF's particular "call" being registered.
Result: [2+3] → 5 Average (Not a repeat.)
A last ditch gadget, and the Best Friend of our personnel, the IFF Ping Emitter is simply a salvaged receiver radio attached to a transmitter, and programmed with the most modern variation of the IFF pings that the Battle-Frames emit. While standard Yaerian Doctrine insists that the IFF signals and digital encryptions are constantly updated by Yaerian Command Elements and later Grave-Mind Command Systems, it seems that particular structure has collapsed, and has reverted to tried and true mutating broadband call signals that propagate throughout the network about a dozen times over a period of a cycle.
In simple terms: we can mimic a “true” frequency call using our radios and a Battle-Frame will not shoot at us, provided it is not actively commiting a reprisal action on our troops or doing anything warranting an in depth scan. It’s not particularly complicated to deploy, but the difficulty of replicating \ the emissions of a Battle-Frames IFF signal is hard, and stars help you if you send a Battle-Frames own IFF ping at it. The signal division that haunts Battle-Frames to copy their IFFs hasn't come up with a name, and operations command is hounding them for one right now, which you can probably provide, seeing as you are their direct superior.
[Expensive, Complex]
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
It is now the Design of Cycle -0.5 Next phase will be Revision. Final results for the Event will be posted on the Core Thread.
You have one Research Credit for [Exosuits and Robotics] which allow you to roll 4d4 for one roll, taking the two best.
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on January 10, 2020, 08:43:56 am
Quote from: Type 1 Exoframe
In response to our rising need for materials with a static supply of workers, our scientists have proposed measures to improve the capacity of our existing gatherers. The Type 1 Exoframe is a metal, lightly powered exoskeleton meant to reduce pressure on the joints and limbs of the wearer to allow them to carry much heavier loads for a greater period of time, greatly increasing their productivity.
Quote from: Votebox
Type 1 Exoframe: (1) BMM42
Post by: Taricus on January 10, 2020, 10:16:29 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Type 1 Exoframe: (2) BMM42, Taricus
Post by: Madman198237 on January 12, 2020, 01:44:09 am
Quote from: Votebox
Type 1 Exoframe: (3) BMM42, Taricus, Madman
Post by: Blood_Librarian on January 20, 2020, 04:41:39 pm
Type 1 Exoframe
In response to our rising need for materials with a static supply of workers, our scientists have proposed measures to improve the capacity of our existing gatherers. The Type 1 Exoframe is a metal, lightly powered exoskeleton meant to reduce pressure on the joints and limbs of the wearer to allow them to carry much heavier loads for a greater period of time, greatly increasing their productivity.
Difficulty: Hard
Result: [1 + 3] - 1 → 3 Buggy mess
Too lightly powered.
Cheap?
The Type-1 Exosuit is a 60 pound kit of salvaged electrical motors, high-yield computational microprocessors and modern manufactured battery systems designed to reduce the metabolic load put on an individual in carrying heavy weights on their backs.
The complexities of the structural set up mean that for a variety of reason (resistance in movement, weak motors, heavy batteries, odd/wrong bodily proportions, etc), treadmill trials have shown that the Type 1 Exoframe causes its wearer to expend more energy wearing the suit then without. It has not been deployed in a field capacity due to such, and analysts project a ground-up rework with custom-jobbed or higher yield parts in order for the system to function. In addition, users report anxiety and frustration in wearing the device, as the system doesn't quite properly respond to a user's kinetic movement and makes them walk in a stilted, odd and curious manner that encourages falling over and nauseating movements.
The motors and equipment themselves are incredibly expensive material-wise to source (although cheaper than an equivalent ground vehicle), but this is to be expected for high precision robotics and is of no fault of the engineer, and the cost below represents what is possible, a fully functional suit will cost for our economy before any benefits it may provide to our nation.
[Very Expensive, 4 Minerals, 2 Energy]
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
It is now the Revision of Cycle -0.5 Next phase will be Design.
You have one Research Credit for [Exosuits and Robotics] which allows you to roll 4d4 for one roll, taking the two best.
Post by: Taricus on January 20, 2020, 06:57:13 pm
In an effort to get some use out of the Type 1 exosuit, The power supplies are upgraded on the suit in order to actually ensure the suit is capable of moving more efficiently, and the ergonomics of the suit are redesigned from lessons learnt in developing the suit so that the wearer is able to comfortably walk without tipping over, with work being done on the kinetic feedback system if there is time to provide a smoother translation and impact of motion for the suit.
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on January 22, 2020, 03:03:39 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Type 1a Exosuit: (1) BMM42
Post by: Taricus on January 22, 2020, 06:31:58 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Type 1a Exosuit: (2) BMM42, Taricus
Post by: Madman198237 on January 23, 2020, 11:08:44 am
Quote from: Votebox
Type 1a Exosuit: (3) BMM42, Taricus, Madman
Post by: Blood_Librarian on January 26, 2020, 03:50:19 am
Type 1a Exosuit
In an effort to get some use out of the Type 1 exosuit, The power supplies are upgraded on the suit in order to actually ensure the suit is capable of moving more efficiently, and the ergonomics of the suit are redesigned from lessons learned in developing the suit so that the wearer is able to comfortably walk without tipping over, with work being done on the kinetic feedback system if there is time to provide a smoother translation and impact of motion for the suit.
Difficulty: Normal
Result: [2 + 2] → 4 Below Average
The revamping of the Type 1-A has been successful. Powered movement systems using several pneumatic systems for the largest movement parts allow individuals to use the exoskeleton to carry large loadd a great distance where vehicles would fail, as well as applying force where other ways would fail, such as prying open closed crates with their bare hands.
The complexity of the frame means that it is totally irreparable outside of a large mechanics lab, and soldiers who would normally welcome such a boon to their operations refuse the frame both because it restricts movement and its inability to be repaired, and generals do not deploy it outside of rear guard logistics operations.
But it does its job.
And, more importantly, they are dirt cheap to manufacture for their purpose as logistical systems We produce more than enough of them without current material stocks to equip every veteran logistics and scavenging personnel with one, and already bottlenecks is being relieved.
it would be difficult to acquire minerals without stepping up to manufacturing or untouched space, however.
+1 Minerals
[Expensive, 4 Minerals, 2 Energy] Provides +1 Minerals
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
It is now the Design of Cycle -0.25 Next phase will be Revision. BattleReport will be written at the end of turn 0.00.
You have one Research Credit for [Exosuits and Robotics] which allows you to roll 4d4 for one roll, taking the two best.
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on January 29, 2020, 08:00:18 pm
Quote from: Alpha Foundry
The time for our people to pick through the ruins and garbage for every widget and googaw we require must come to an end. To that goal, we must begin rebuilding in our secure sectors. The first and most important question is that of material. The Alpha Foundry is tantamount to a simple ironworks, where we will bring in reclaimed scrap and and melt it down It will be formed into fresh ingots of metal, and we will use this standardized material to build more efficiently, quickly, and consistently.
Quote from: Votebox
Alpha Foundry: (1) BMM42
Post by: Taricus on January 31, 2020, 10:35:47 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Alpha Foundry: (2) BMM42, Taricus
Post by: Madman198237 on February 01, 2020, 03:11:35 pm
Quote
Magnetized Reclamation Works
At present, a lot of different materials are all mixed together in piles of scrap spread across our city. Separating these materials must at present largely be done by hand, which can be quite difficult when dealing with similar-looking materials. Metal, however, is easy to sort out from nonmetallic components, which still leaves us with the problem of sorting different metals from each other.
Enter the Magnetized Reclamation Works. Building on our work with magnets, we heat large vats of metallic scrap until they melt, then funnel them down a large trough inclined to one side, exposed to a very powerful magnetic field. The various magnetic materials will be pulled up the incline by the field, their magnetic properties dictating how far up they go, allowing us to quickly sort those materials out. The remaining metals are filtered out by means of their differing density or melting points as necessary, depending on what metals are commonly found in scrap piles (meaning I don't know what sort of space magic metal we're using and I don't think anyone else is that concerned with the minutiae of how metals can be separated).
This rapid processing of metals on an industrial level will hopefully allow us to more readily utilize metal components that are actually engineered to some industrial standard, rather than picked up off the ground and hammered into roughly the correctish shape.
Quote from: Votebox
Alpha Foundry: (2) BMM42, Taricus
Magnetized Reclamation Works: (1) Madman
Yeah, I know. I just really didn't want to go with something so bland.
Post by: Blood_Librarian on February 08, 2020, 04:12:41 pm
The time for our people to pick through the ruins and garbage for every widget and googaw we require must come to an end. To achieve that goal, we must begin rebuilding in our secure sectors. The first and most important question is that of material. The Alpha Foundry is tantamount to a simple ironworks, where we will bring in reclaimed scrap and and melt it down It will be formed into fresh ingots of metal, and we will use this standardized material to build more efficiently, quickly, and consistently.[/quote]
Difficulty: Easy
Result: [3 + 1] +1 → 5 Average
Any questions regarding mass-scale production of mixed-steel alloy for the express usage of vehicular systems as well most applications where hearty and hale materials are required is put to rest. We now have the capability to systematically armor and produce vehicle systems with crude mixed steel armor for very little production cost. Frames for weapon systems are a little more tricky, but industrial molds means that overall, our weapon systems are more advantageous in terms of durability.
However, the sheer variety at which the steel we bring in means that specialty applications such as machining, gun-barrels or electronics far more difficult in application. Our refined technique and extended time focusing on this project means that it isn't strictly an impossibility, but it is a bottleneck. As a rule of thumb, until we are able to separate contaminants and impurities on an economic scale, it will not provide a mineral benefit. However, it will reduce the cost of all nonspecialist applications of materials: most notably the munitions for the 18mmx1.V(Variable) Anti-Material Coil Accelerator- Breech Loader as well as the cost for creating the metal armor for the PressGanged Cargo Loaders. All future designs will have their cost reduced to take into account the effectiveness of the Foundry.
The 18mmx1.V(Variable) Anti-Material Coil Accelerator- Breech Loader is now Cheap / Expensive. It is deployed in all theaters, homeguard reservists and even in civilian applications. Fixed mountings and its ubiquity are its reasons for being touted as "the Scavengers Gun."
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
It is now the Revision Phase of Cycle -0.25 Next phase will be Combat.
You have one Research Credit for [Exosuits and Robotics] which allows you to roll 4d4 for one roll, taking the two best.
Post by: Madman198237 on February 08, 2020, 10:29:32 pm
Quote
Magnetized Reclamation Works
The "Alpha Foundry" is presently not capable of separating out different metals, and is thus incapable of starting up meaningful modern industry. However, we have a (relatively) simple solution.
Enter the Magnetized Reclamation Works. Building on our work with magnets, we heat large vats of metallic scrap until they melt, then funnel them down a large trough inclined to one side, exposed to a very powerful magnetic field gradient. The various magnetic materials will be pulled up the incline by the field, their magnetic properties dictating how far up they go, allowing us to quickly sort those materials out. The remaining metals are filtered out by means of their differing density or melting points as necessary, depending on what metals are commonly found in scrap piles (meaning I don't know what sort of space magic metal we're using and I don't think anyone else is that concerned with the minutiae of how metals can be separated).
Full recycling of metals, instead of mere reuse, should allow us to extract meaningfully large amounts of metal for general use, instead of edge cases that don't really care about the precise contents of whatever alloy they've been stuck with today.
Quote from: Votebox
Magnetized Reclamation Works: (1) Madman
Well, luckily this was REALLY easy to recycle into a revision.
Post by: Taricus on February 08, 2020, 10:38:31 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Magnetized Reclamation Works: (2) Madman, Taricus
Post by: Happerry on February 08, 2020, 11:09:40 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Magnetized Reclamation Works: (3) Madman, Taricus, Happerry
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on February 09, 2020, 03:18:56 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Magnetized Reclamation Works: (4) Madman, Taricus, Happerry, BMM42
Post by: Blood_Librarian on February 19, 2020, 12:03:53 am
Magnetized Reclamation Works
The "Alpha Foundry" is presently not capable of separating out different metals, and is thus incapable of starting up meaningful modern industry. However, we have a (relatively) simple solution.
Enter the Magnetized Reclamation Works. Building on our work with magnets, we heat large vats of metallic scrap until they melt, then funnel them down a large trough inclined to one side, exposed to a very powerful magnetic field gradient. The various magnetic materials will be pulled up the incline by the field, their magnetic properties dictating how far up they go, allowing us to quickly sort those materials out. The remaining metals are filtered out by means of their differing density or melting points as necessary, depending on what metals are commonly found in scrap piles (meaning I don't know what sort of space magic metal we're using and I don't think anyone else is that concerned with the minutiae of how metals can be separated).
Full recycling of metals, instead of mere reuse, should allow us to extract meaningfully large amounts of metal for general use, instead of edge cases that don't really care about the precise contents of whatever alloy they've been stuck with today.
Difficulty: Easy
Result: [1+ 4] +1 → 6 Above Average
With the addition of industrial reclamation efforts as well as a multi-step process towards turning rust and scrap into immutable, perfect metal for operations, Elorious Industries are ready to produce examples of metal equipment that may even hold a candle to the simpler Pre-Collapse Hardware.
As always, this industry thrives on bulk applications, as no matter what happens, it is still very difficult to turn the spines of fallen spires into a steel that can function in finer application en masses no matter how we refine it, but we have just enough to not only keep our industrial advantage regarding large metal objects but gain +1 Minerals. Further expansion down this path will be more energy-intensive then our geothermal systems can provide barring unique circumstances.
It is a curious affair to go through the industrial sectors of Elorious. The Massive EM systems required to metallurgically crack the Alloys of the Directorate require constant efforts by our military and the Science teams to both prevent failure by way of intervention by Battle-Frames and simple wear and tear. The massive forces in play require large, stable structures. Paved Roads of granite tiling surround poured concrete bases where our machines churn. Cargo Loaders Ride in with the debris of a forgotten Era, sometimes never returning from our processing plants as they join the fires of our forges, in a cycle of life and death for the simple machinations.
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
It is now the Combat Phase of Cycle -0.25. Next phase will be Design.
You have one Research Credit for [Exosuits and Robotics] which allows you to roll 4d4 for one roll, taking the two best.
From the jagged, lonely and broken spires of the sky, Elorius Soldiers march forward. Are they terrified of the enemy? Do they pity them? The Armies are not lead by just Generals that play at being the demiurges of Fire that the Directors of the last era held. Describe onto me how your legions are organized.
Records are slim and few, but Directorate standard was simple: There was no doctrinal army standard. Each army was organized according to the preference of the Auxiliaries patterning as long as it fit into the battle plans of the Navarchs who plotted from the stars.
All the Navarchs are long dead, their fleets shattered into dust in their finest hour far away from here, so feel free to create your army to your people's strengths, people of lonely spires.
Post by: Blood_Librarian on February 23, 2020, 03:35:47 pm
We’re pushing them back. Keep the momentum up Design Team.
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
It is now the Design Phase of Cycle 0.00 Next phase will be Revision.
You have one Research Credit for [Exosuits and Robotics] which allows you to roll 4d4 for one roll, taking the two best.
From the jagged, lonely and broken spires of the sky, Elorius Soldiers march forward. Are they terrified of the enemy? Do they pity them? The Armies are not lead by just Generals that play at being the demiurges of Fire that the Directors of the last era held. Describe onto me how your legions are organized.
Records are slim and few, but Directorate standard was simple: There was no doctrinal army standard. Each army was organized according to the preference of the Auxiliaries patterning as long as it fit into the battle plans of the Navarchs who plotted from the stars.
All the Navarchs are long dead, their fleets shattered into dust in their finest hour far away from here, so feel free to create your army to your people's strengths, people of lonely spires.
Post by: Madman198237 on February 25, 2020, 12:57:42 pm
Quote
Type-21 Assault Exosuit
The Type-11 civilian exosuit is a useful tool, but it really needs some improvement and could be a valuable piece of combat equipment. First up, then, is to refine the design to make it much easier to maintain while retaining the low price of construction for the exoskeleton itself. Once we've refined the exoskeleton we're going to increase the speed with which the user can move, and add reinforcements to the user's hands to provide for enhanced climbing and close-quarters combat when necessary. A standardized full-face helmet with radio system and simple air filter is included, functioning as a way to stop things like flashbangs and medium-distance explosions from doing damage to a user's face or eyes, while also protecting them (briefly) from various types of contaminants in the air.
We've also included a grapple hook system, which allows the user unparalleled ability to maneuver across the battlefield in almost any direction. The system can also be used as an offensive tool, as the fast-moving "hook" is actually a set of small spikes and barbs meant to successfully catch on anything it's fired at, which makes it a very dangerous weapon that can also be used to drag around and throw enemy soldiers.
The Assault Suit has much, much better maneuverability than a regular human due to the incredible speed with which it moves, and retains just enough enhanced strength to physically pick up and throw adversaries when necessary. They are capable of outpacing any cargo loader regardless of its condition and can jump much higher than a regular soldier. The vertical maneuverability should allow our soldiers to sometimes dare operations into the Black Zone, as well.
Quote
Type-22 Armored Exosuit
The Type-11 civilian exosuit is a useful tool, but it really needs some improvement and could be a valuable piece of combat equipment. First up, then, is to refine the design to make it much easier to maintain while retaining the low price of construction for the exoskeleton itself. Once we've refined the exoskeleton we're going to make it even more durable and resistant to damage, and add reinforcements to the user's hands to provide for enhanced climbing and close-quarters combat when necessary. A standardized full-face helmet with radio system and simple air filter is included, functioning as a way to stop things like flashbangs and medium-distance explosions from doing damage to a user's face or eyes, while also protecting them (briefly) from various types of contaminants in the air.
The suit includes a serious amount of high-grade titanium armor to stop incoming projectiles, the outer layer of which is actually a Whipple shield to stop small high-velocity projectiles, like magnetically-accelerated bullets (or needles). The suit is environmentally sealed as well, providing some protection against the CBRN threats present in the Black Zone.
The Armored Exosuit is uprated to allow the user to move as fast as a regular human despite their armor and weaponry, and has massively increased strength. An average PressGanged Cargoloader can be disassembled in just a couple hits from an Armored Exosuit, while the suit itself will generally not be damaged by breaking things such as vehicles, enemy soldiers, and small buildings.
Not sure which one would be better. Personally I prefer the Armored Exosuit as it'd allow us to wreak some serious havoc *and* possibly also start using the Black Zone as a flanking route.
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on February 25, 2020, 06:18:35 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Type-21 Assault Exosuit: 1 (BMM42)
Type-22 Armored Exosuit: 0
Usage of the research credit for the winning design: 1 (BMM42)
Post by: Madman198237 on February 25, 2020, 07:02:03 pm
Quote
Type-23 Combat Exosuit
The Type-11 civilian exosuit is a useful tool, but it really needs some improvement and could be a valuable piece of combat equipment. First up, then, is to refine the design to make it much easier to maintain while retaining the low price of construction for the exoskeleton itself. Once we've refined the exoskeleton we're going to increase the speed with which the user can move, and add reinforcements to the user's hands to provide for enhanced climbing and close-quarters combat when necessary.
A very well protected full-face helmet with radio system and simple air filter is included, functioning as a way to stop things like flashbangs and fragments from doing damage to a user's face or eyes, while also protecting them (briefly) from various types of contaminants in the air. The suit is entirely enclosed to protect the user from the surrounding environment, including chemical and biological threats. Radiation threats are generally best defended against by heading in the other direction when the Geiger counter starts to click really fast. Nano-scale protection is not included. Don't enter parts of the Black Zone with nanoscale threats. Just don't.
The key part of the militarization process is introducing some serious modularity, through the very simple process of "rotate into place and swivel the clip", i.e., purely mechanical means. The basic exoskeleton carries only a minimal level of protection across the body, to keep fragments and long-range gunfire from injuring the user. However, the skeleton has points to attach additional armor plates, of varying thickness, and the limbs can be augmented with additional mechanical "muscles" to increase speed or lifting capacity. Finally, various devices can also be mounted on standardized mounts to multiple points on the body, such as forearms, shins, and the back.
The only extra piece included so far is a grapple hook system, which allows the user unparalleled ability to maneuver across the battlefield in almost any direction. The system can also be used as an offensive tool, as the fast-moving "hook" is actually a set of small spikes and barbs meant to successfully catch on anything it's fired at, which makes it a very dangerous weapon that can also be used to drag around and throw enemy soldiers.
Quote from: Votebox
Type-21 Assault Exosuit: 1 (BMM42)
Type-22 Armored Exosuit: (0)
Type-23 Combat Exosuit: (1) Madman
Usage of the research credit for the winning design: (2) BMM42, Madman
Post by: Happerry on March 04, 2020, 09:09:49 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Type-21 Assault Exosuit: 1 (BMM42)
Type-22 Armored Exosuit: (0)
Type-23 Combat Exosuit: (2) Madman, Happerry
Usage of the research credit for the winning design: (2) BMM42, Madman
Post by: Taricus on March 04, 2020, 10:34:50 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Type-21 Assault Exosuit: 1 (BMM42)
Type-22 Armored Exosuit: (0)
Type-23 Combat Exosuit: (3) Madman, Happerry, Taricus
Usage of the research credit for the winning design: (3) BMM42, Madman, Taricus
Post by: Blood_Librarian on March 13, 2020, 10:09:45 pm
Type-23 Combat Exosuit
The Type-11 civilian exosuit is a useful tool, but it really needs some improvement and could be a valuable piece of combat equipment. First up, then, is to refine the design to make it much easier to maintain while retaining the low price of construction for the exoskeleton itself. Once we've refined the exoskeleton we're going to increase the speed with which the user can move, and add reinforcements to the user's hands to provide for enhanced climbing and close-quarters combat when necessary.
A very well protected full-face helmet with radio system and simple air filter is included, functioning as a way to stop things like flashbangs and fragments from doing damage to a user's face or eyes, while also protecting them (briefly) from various types of contaminants in the air. The suit is entirely enclosed to protect the user from the surrounding environment, including chemical and biological threats. Radiation threats are generally best defended against by heading in the other direction when the Geiger counter starts to click really fast. Nano-scale protection is not included. Don't enter parts of the Black Zone with nanoscale threats. Just don't.
The key part of the militarization process is introducing some serious modularity, through the very simple process of "rotate into place and swivel the clip", i.e., purely mechanical means. The basic exoskeleton carries only a minimal level of protection across the body, to keep fragments and long-range gunfire from injuring the user. However, the skeleton has points to attach additional armor plates, of varying thickness, and the limbs can be augmented with additional mechanical "muscles" to increase speed or lifting capacity. Finally, various devices can also be mounted on standardized mounts to multiple points on the body, such as forearms, shins, and the back.
The only extra piece included so far is a grapple hook system, which allows the user unparalleled ability to maneuver across the battlefield in almost any direction. The system can also be used as an offensive tool, as the fast-moving "hook" is actually a set of small spikes and barbs meant to successfully catch on anything it's fired at, which makes it a very dangerous weapon that can also be used to drag around and throw enemy soldiers.
RESEARCH CREDIT USED: ROLL 4D4 DROP 2 LOWEST!
Difficulty: Normal
Result: [1 + 1 + 3 + 3] → 6 Above Average
The battlefield provides very unique challenges to the operation of actively infantry, and their equipment will face the same risks that our tip of the spear will.
The original exosuit designs have been cut up and redone from the ground up with the goal of achieving several milestones. Exosuits are now custom-built for each user: size and dimensions are taken in account for an optimal system.
The first goal was retaining its relatively cheap production cost: This is mostly kept, but the maintenance times have only become more daunting as the system is now expected to be essentially replaced piece by piece over its operational lifetime as parts go bad. The parts are reinforced, however, and could feasibly handle multiple combat operations without needing to refurbish.
The second goal was speed: This exosuit gives its operators the hellish freight-train locomotive power that allows a person to burst through a soft-wood door with only a minor set back. Fine dexterous tasks are severely inhibited by the imprecision that the machine has when the active strength-enhancing gloves are on: they can be removed for finer tasks such as accurately firing a small arm or operating a computer terminal. With the gloves on, the solid mass of steel with specialized graspers allows for very excellent climbing, provided the structure is sturdy: An individual could climb a solid concrete wall for vantage points. Not to mention that the sheer force that a makeshift weapon propelled by an exoskeleton is disquietingly brutal: A individual wearing an exosuit is on average five times stronger, and the average soldier can now rip the head off a Yaerian with ease.
It is by no means a stealth device, however, as the systems walk cycle can't help but make bellowing stomps.
The third goal was to allow the enduring heart of the Elorius to show: Our soldiers can requisition varying armor plates from the forges to cover their entire body. Crafty individuals can clip on bolts of kevlar or more advanced materials as they go, headless of weight, bulk is the only thing that matters. Most of the time, it is crude homogeneously rolled steel. Thick, but heavy. The helmet is a different story, it comes with environmental control and self-sealing: when combined with the undersuit, the individual is protected from biological and chemical hazards provided the suit isn't punctured or sprayed with dangerous things. This allows insertion into the Black Zone reliably, if only into the lightly contaminated zones.
The undersuit is sewn in with thin layers of kevlar, more a deterrent to shrapnel then anything else, but the real protection is in the harness and connection points that allow our engineers to add armor, as mentioned earlier.
The grappling hook was mostly a marginal success. Care has to be taken for the weight of the individual, and it is sometimes removed as the super heavy variants of the suit simply can't even walk up to the second story without causing a roof collapse, but on the few who opt for a more maneuverable system, they are able to scale up urban terrain with approximately a third of the speed and none of the subtlety of a Phoziris 3d maneuver gear equipped individual. Most of the time, it’s used for spearing infantryman with impunity.
The logistical train behind the EXO-23 is an order of magnitude more severe than anything we have fielded so far. We don't have to just field the thousand parts and ingots of armor plating into the battlefield, but maintenance personnel, armory tools as well as a hundred different operating systems that the energy demand has skyrocketed. We simply cannot keep the trucks going all day without either an improvement in energy generation or an increase in power density storage systems.
With current-generation power systems, a rechargeable battery cell 50 pounds in weight (22.6 kg), provides power for the EXO-23 to last for 5 days in the field. Air filter technology requires replacement after a day and a half of operation or after a Black Zone insertion.
On the battlefield, the EXO-23 is sure to make an impact. Also, it can hip-fire the AMCA.
[Very Expensive, 5 Minerals, 6 Energy]
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
It is now the Revision Phase of Cycle 0.00 The Next phase will be Combat.
From the jagged, lonely and broken spires of the sky, Elorius Soldiers march forward. Are they terrified of the enemy? Do they pity them? The Armies are not lead by just Generals that play at being the demiurges of Fire that the Directors of the last era held. Describe to me how your legions are organized.
Records are slim and few, but the Directorate standard was simple: There was no doctrinal army standard. Each army was organized according to the preference of the Auxiliaries patterning as long as it fit into the battle plans of the Navarchs who plotted from the stars.
All the Navarchs are long dead, their fleets shattered into dust in their finest hour far away from here, so feel free to create your army to your people's strengths, people of lonely spires.
Post by: Madman198237 on March 20, 2020, 10:42:43 am
Quote
Type-24 Combat Exosuit
An evolution of the Type-23, the T24 is reengineered so individual parts have a militarily useful service life where possible. Continuous part replacement is not acceptable for any military part and can easily be avoided by ensuring that the pieces are better protected against dirt and water, assembled properly, and forces endured by the exoskeleton is exclusively inflicted on the structural elements capable of taking it.
In short, we're not sure what's been done poorly to require constant replacement of pieces of the exoskeleton, but we're going to fix that so it's not such a nightmare to maintain.
Quote from: Vox o' Botes
Type-24 Combat Exosuit: (1) Madman
Post by: Taricus on March 20, 2020, 10:44:35 am
Quote from: Vox o' Botes
Type-24 Combat Exosuit: (2) Madman, Taricus
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on March 20, 2020, 05:15:52 pm
Quote from: Voxel Bots
Type-24 Combat Exosuit: (3) Madman, Taricus, BMM42
Post by: Blood_Librarian on March 28, 2020, 08:37:04 pm
Type-24 Combat Exosuit
An evolution of the Type-23, the T24 is reengineered so individual parts have a militarily useful service life where possible. Continuous part replacement is not acceptable for any military part and can easily be avoided by ensuring that the pieces are better protected against dirt and water, assembled properly, and forces endured by the exoskeleton is exclusively inflicted on the structural elements capable of taking it.
In short, we're not sure what's been done poorly to require constant replacement of pieces of the exoskeleton, but we're going to fix that so it's not such a nightmare to maintain.
Difficulty: Normal
Result: [4 + 4] → 8 Unexpected boon
Part replacement issues fixed - More expensive but long lasting parts to reduce logisticla burden
Introduction of a Standard armor plating
THe Type-23 Exosuit had several faults, the most notable was the aforementioned logistical supply train required to keep it functioning. While to some degree, this burden will always follow the high-yield exclusive systems that are part of our Combat Exosuit series, the Type 24 has two distinct advantages over the Type-23. Metal parts are now created using a hammer forge system that ensures very tight tolerances in terms of composition and structure for the small mechanical parts that are in the Type-23.
Hermetic sealing is utilized on a large scale to ensure delicate control elements and motorized systems will stay uncompromised under the hardest of conditions. Mechanical wear and tear was also an issue, but primitive motorized systems are replaced with solutions that use frictionless ball bearings and magnetic ferric fluid. Militarized Engineers are provided with the tools to set up portable clean rooms to safely maintain these systems, meaning our effective half-life of our equipment is expanded by a significant margin, to the point where only battlefield damage or ruptured casings are an issue.
In addition, battlefield experience as well as examination has given us the insight to create Armor configurations that are optimal for our figure for non-gene modded troops. There were several key insights to ballistic and thermal energy projection protection that we were missing to replicate the look (and protection) of Pre-Collapse Yaerian Standard Infantry, while making key improvements on theoretical faults that would occur with our inferior materials science. Soldiers configured for any operation now are both protected by a significantly increased margin from the T-23 as well as capturing the awe inspiring look and the hundreds of years of ergonomic improvements that the YSI had held in the remaining cultural artifacts that depicted them.
Our troops can fight day and night in their armor, only stopped by the perishability of their flesh or the simple needs of a soldier. The armor they wear will not hold them back, certainly not by being in the maintenance bay all day.
[Very Expensive, 4 Minerals, 6 Energy]
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
It is now the Combat Phase of Cycle 0.00 Next phase will be Design.
Post by: Blood_Librarian on April 12, 2020, 09:00:21 pm
Design Phase
The war council is pleased at the state of affairs, but vigilance and continued advancedment is required to keep the march ongoing. Progress must not be stalled, Citizens of Elorius.
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
It is now the Design Phase of Cycle 0.25, The next phase will be Revision.
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on April 17, 2020, 08:36:18 pm
Quote from: 'Seer' Tactical Communications Platform
The Seer, as our engineers have taken to calling it, is a combat visor with over ear placement. The Seer performs one primary function, as well as several secondary functions. First, and most importantly, the Seer allows our soldiers to more easily communicate between themselves and command, relaying intel to where it can best be put to use with lightning speed. Enemy troop movements picked up by scouts can be quickly relayed to command, with accompanying photographs by cameras in the main housing that follow the wearer's line of sight. Additionally, the visor is equipped with rudimentary Augmented Reality technology, allowing squadmates to direct each others attention to areas within their line of sight without the need for words or even to catch one another's eye.
Post by: Taricus on April 18, 2020, 08:46:33 am
Quote from: Votebox
'Seer' Tactical Communications Platform (2): BMM42, Taricus
Post by: Madman198237 on April 19, 2020, 02:25:10 pm
Quote
Charger Assault Cannon
A very large rework of the Iona firing from a belt and powered from the exoskeleton that must be paired with the weapon, the Charger Assault Cannon is a 20mm five-coil magnetic accelerator which works on a computer system rather than a switching system. The computers are tied to the user's exoskeleton, along with the power connection, to offload much of the work of target acquisition and rangefinding and reduce the need for computer systems in the weapons themselves. The computers can take a range from the user designating a target, set a detonation distance from firing for certain projectiles, and also tell the user whether or not they're running out of ammo. The projectiles used include common ones such as shotgun-like sabots filled with Iona II 3mm needles, solid slugs meant for armor-piercing, and fragmentation/explosive rounds meant to detonate on impact or airburst depending on the settings the computer loads into the rounds.
And basically a scaled-down version for infantry.
Quote
Iona III Hardened Multirole Weapon
Similar to an upsized Iona II, the Iona III is a three-coil, belt fed design capable of firing a 12mm projectile or sabot-cased set of the Iona's 3mm needles. The system is optimized for firing at relatively low velocities and close ranges, so that the 12mm projectiles can be fired from a bipod or other braced condition while the shotgun bursts can be fired in any position due to its lower mass and consequently lower recoil. Whatever computer systems evidently remain in the mechanical fire control system we designed are adjusted to be resistant to EMP effects, and a grounding system is added so that if the weapon does get EMP'd it can just be tapped against the ground or a building or something to drain extraneous charge out of the mechanical system to prevent any residual effects or whatever it is that fouls a mechanical switch setup in an EMP.
And I just...kept writing, so here's an attempt to reduce the cost of the Type-24 to something approaching reasonable for mass deployment if at all possible. Re-reading the Type-23 results, however, suggests that really, we need to do something about energy...so now to write something about that.
Quote
Type-25 Light Exoskeletal Combat Array
The Type-24 exoskeleton is a wonderful combat device, but its heavy armor and sealed frame make it far too expensive and energy-intensive to produce for common deployment. In order to reduce these issues, we've taken a Type-24, removed the seals, reduced the weight and carrying/hitting/motive power of the suit substantially, and compensated for the power reduction by removing most of the armor. Armor is only retained on the torso and head, and only enough to stop small arms fire from close(ish) range. The new exoskeleton is optimized for fast movement rather than durability and melee destruction, and everything about the systems is once again simplified as much as we can to ease production. Where corners can be cut, they are cut, to produce a generally-deployable exoskeleton if possible, even if that exoskeleton is going to be a pale imitation of the seriously destructive Type 24 rigs.
Quote
Mobile Nuclear Power Stations
We've had some very serious issues with power needs: We simply don't have enough energy to field enough vehicles or enough exoskeletons for our army, which is not ideal in a world filled with dangers such as Battleframes. Oh, and those other guys, the ones that go "squish" when you hit them. In order to provide our front-line troops with some more useful things, we've decided to try and restart some serious power generation here on our planet. Solar isn't exactly combat effective, however unpleasantly radioactive materials are relatively plentiful. By throwing some of these together into a liquid fuel and generating steam from the heat, we can conceivably produce relatively simple fission reactors in small packages, limited only by our capability to safely collective radioactive materials. Perhaps lead "armor" covered Type-24s could be of assistance in this regard? Irrespective of this problem, we will utilize chemical means to sort out radioactive materials and produce the liquid fuels. Then the fuel can be pumped into a reactor vessel, control rods installed, and a turbine assembly attached.
These fission reactors are then built into the casings of the broken-down cargo lifters whose powerplants have failed but whose wheels or treads or whatever are still intact, and a direct geared drive is set up on the end of the steam turbine to run the vehicle when necessary. When not running the vehicle around, the reactor is set up to provide energy direct to forces or infrastructure that is far from our geothermal plants. No masses of battery-laden vehicles are required to provide power to forces with one or more of these in the rear lines.
Quote from: Votebox
'Seer' Tactical Communications Platform (2): BMM42, Taricus
Mobile Nuclear Power Stations (1): Madman
Post by: Blood_Librarian on May 10, 2020, 02:29:31 pm
Quote from: 'Seer' Tactical Communications PlatformThe Seer, as our engineers have taken to calling it, is a combat visor with over ear placement. The Seer performs one primary function, as well as several secondary functions. First, and most importantly, the Seer allows our soldiers to more easily communicate between themselves and command, relaying intel to where it can best be put to use with lightning speed. Enemy troop movements picked up by scouts can be quickly relayed to command, with accompanying photographs by cameras in the main housing that follow the wearer's line of sight. Additionally, the visor is equipped with rudimentary Augmented Reality technology, allowing squadmates to direct each others attention to areas within their line of sight without the need for words or even to catch one another's eye.
Difficulty: Very Hard
Result: [3 + 3] - 1 → 4 Below Average
The Seer is a success with unforeseen consequences.
The Visor systems allows for visors to be created with minimal impact on the users peripheral vision and endurance. The communication systems are robust enough to survive battlefield conditions, and the camera’s guts was easily gutted from one system or another. It does have virtual vision augmentations, but it is more focussed on very basic elements like allowing pre-coded signals between connected elements of networked Seers to cause lights to come up on the hud or electronic integration of ammo counters with some pre-collapse weapons. This is done mainly by utilizing a matrix of lasers that bounces light off the lense of the visors. They are mostly salvaged from civilian systems.
As it turns out, the most critical part of the enemy communication systems was the towers, relays and encoding, not the actual head system, which we’ve begun to suspect that they put a not entirely reasonable amount of effort in making. Right now, we can handily communicate from command to leader and with team mates, the only issue is that there is a not insignificant chance that a BattleFrame will leave its patrol to triangulate the position of the signal and shoot it dead.
Building sized mechatronics are usually good at locating radio signals.
Furthermore, ours doesn't quite replicate the enemies uncanny ability to navigate terrain, likely due to the fact that we don't have the computer-based mapping systems with complex sensors that Phoziris systems have. But regardless, it is a capable replacement, if only our soldiers are not so terrified in using it all the time.
[Cheap, 2 Minerals, 3 Energy]
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
It is now the Revision Phase of Cycle 0.25 Next phase will be Combat.
Post by: Madman198237 on May 10, 2020, 03:24:24 pm
Quote
Type-25 Light Exoskeletal Combat ArrayHopefully much cheaper version of the exoskeleton to get armor to more of our troops, same as from the previous design-phase proposal but I think it's really simple enough to be a revision. It might, maybe, hopefully, get us something that could at least become common enough for all our troops to be armored with it.
The Type-24 exoskeleton is a wonderful combat device, but its heavy armor and sealed frame make it far too expensive and energy-intensive to produce for common deployment. In order to reduce these issues, we've taken a Type-24, removed the seals, reduced the weight and carrying/hitting/motive power of the suit substantially, and compensated for the power reduction by removing most of the armor. Armor is only retained on the torso and head, and only enough to stop small arms fire from close(ish) range. The new exoskeleton is optimized for fast movement rather than durability and melee destruction, and everything about the systems is once again simplified as much as we can to ease production. Where corners can be cut, they are cut, to produce a generally-deployable exoskeleton if possible, even if that exoskeleton is going to be a pale imitation of the seriously destructive Type 24 rigs.
Quote
Standardized Combat UniformWe do need a better standardized uniform. This includes some basic level of protection and wound mitigation (i.e., getting hit is not less likely to injure you, but the injury will be less severe) and camo more effective than "vaguely purple" or whatever our standard color is.
We've got more than enough production capacity now to produce some simple uniforms for our soldiers to wear. Uniforms are issued in a standard grey urban camouflage pattern, covered with an armor vest, made of (thin) ballistic fiber, built to hold insert plates made of either scavenged ceramics or metals from the Magnetized Reclamation Works, which is itself covered by a large array of pockets and attachment points for extra gear, weapons, and ammo. A combat knife is likewise issued with the soldiers' equipment, for close combat and utility work. A gas mask and a camouflage outer cloak which serves both as protection from the elements and as a sort of urban ghillie suit rounds out the basic equipment. Specialist soldiers might carry a backpack or additional plates on other parts of the body, as the basic plate carrier rig extends across the torso and shoulders, but extended variants might include additional ballistics fiber padding on the legs, underneath the carrier rig, and on the arms. These add protection against some weapons or against splinters, for example a grenadier may want maximum coverage to protect himself from any damage due to his own grenades' fragmentation.
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on May 11, 2020, 10:25:28 am
Quote from: Votebox
Standardized Combat Uniform: 1 (BMM42)
Post by: Madman198237 on May 11, 2020, 10:53:16 am
Quote from: Votebox
Standardized Combat Uniform: (2) BMM42, Madman
Post by: Blood_Librarian on May 22, 2020, 11:50:37 pm
Standardized Combat Uniform
We've got more than enough production capacity now to produce some simple uniforms for our soldiers to wear. Uniforms are issued in a standard grey urban camouflage pattern, covered with an armor vest, made of (thin) ballistic fiber, built to hold insert plates made of either scavenged ceramics or metals from the Magnetized Reclamation Works, which is itself covered by a large array of pockets and attachment points for extra gear, weapons, and ammo. A combat knife is likewise issued with the soldiers' equipment, for close combat and utility work. A gas mask and a camouflage outer cloak which serves both as protection from the elements and as a sort of urban ghillie suit rounds out the basic equipment. Specialist soldiers might carry a backpack or additional plates on other parts of the body, as the basic plate carrier rig extends across the torso and shoulders, but extended variants might include additional ballistics fiber padding on the legs, underneath the carrier rig, and on the arms. These add protection against some weapons or against splinters, for example a grenadier may want maximum coverage to protect himself from any damage due to his own grenades' fragmentation.
Difficulty: Normal
Result: [4 + 4]→ 8 Unexpected boon
The SCU is simple in theory: a standard set of webbing, uniform, armor plates along with a grab back of goodies including but not limited to: Knives, camo, gasmask, backpack, Trauma plates. The details for making it an effective part of our armed forces is another matter. Excepting the armor plating, none of this is particularly exciting for the design team, but the task is done. All our forces are now reasonably equipped with such.
A massive system of graft and corruption in one of the sub-levels of our logistics and manufacturing divisions came up with an idea of sorts with the assets we had earmarked for this project. Part of the testing of the armor for our soldiers was actual live-fire weapons testing against it. This particular aspect was abused and took quite a bit of our resource stipend for this quarter in the quest for ultimate firepower.
A single prototype was built before the project was ended. The military armed forces were very cagey about what exactly this project was trying to build, but our best guess was that thing was supposed to be attached to a gigantic turret as if it were going to be attached to the side of a massive piece of equipment.
The monstrosity in question is a 100mm railgun, with support equipment and heat dispersal systems weighing in at almost exactly 2.25 tons. With its autoloader, it could fire a 40 lb shaped slug of magnetic alloy about once every five seconds, but its prestigious power consumption is so far above our ability to provide that it’s being relegated to a fixture in our core districts, next to a Geothermal tap.
After it was confiscated from the black-marked “project” it was born from, the series of tests it went through as well as the notes on the progressively larger iterations it went through in its blueprinting phase provides a wealth of inspiration for our magnetic engineering team. It is powerful enough to not only finely mince anyone wearing a SCU, but also mission-kill an industrial blast furnace as well as a deep-freeze metal cooler a mile away. It could probably destroy a smaller battle-frame as well as the building behind it.
In short, the railgun is a very impressive piece of kit, but it utilizes several Pre-Collapse technologies in its supporting systems that we have not reliably replicated. a mass-produced system will likely have to be downscaled if it were to be produced, but the experience is there, and it proves that large scale railguns are technically possible.
Standard Combat Uniform
[Cheap, 2 Minerals, 1 Energy]
Unnamed 100mm Railgun
[Theoretical]
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
It is now the Combat Phase of Cycle 0.25. The next phase will be Design.
I am going to belay the contest until such time I feel like more enough turns have passed since the last contest, as it feels a bit premature for when I did it.
Post by: Blood_Librarian on May 28, 2020, 06:48:59 pm
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
It is now the Design Phase of Cycle 0.50. The next phase will be Revision.
Post by: Madman198237 on May 28, 2020, 08:42:57 pm
Quote
Hailfire Hardened Squad Support Weapon
Similar to an upsized Iona II, the Hailfire is a sleeker design using a 100-round drum magazine (think Gamma-C mag, except smaller because our bullets are just the bullets and have no cases to speak of) and a new, standardized back-mounted or stationary power supply to lighten the weapon proper, and is capable of firing a 7mm projectile or sabot-cased set of the Iona's 3mm needles using an identical mechanical switching system to the original Iona. Whatever computer systems evidently remain in the mechanical fire control system we designed are adjusted to be resistant to EMP effects, and a grounding system is added so that if the weapon does get EMP'd it can just be tapped against the ground or a building or something to drain extraneous charge out of the mechanical system to prevent any residual effects or whatever it is that fouls a mechanical switch setup exposed to an EMP. The larger coils of this new weapon are capable of throwing the lightweight sabot and handful of Iona needles at even more dangerous velocities, filling streets with a deadly hail of high-velocity needles.
It is intended to be used as a medium machinegun, capable of moving with troops but more often deployed in defensive roles where its fire rate, ammunition supply, and killing power allow it to stop advances in their tracks.
Quote
Mobile Nuclear Power Stations
We've had some very serious issues with power needs: We simply don't have enough energy to field enough vehicles or enough exoskeletons for our army, which is not ideal in a world filled with dangers such as Battleframes, razor rain, and radioactive dust-filled air. Oh, and those other guys, the ones that go "squish" when you hit them. In order to provide our front-line troops with some more useful things, we've decided to try and restart some serious power generation here on our planet. Solar isn't exactly combat effective, however unpleasantly radioactive materials are relatively plentiful. We should be able to build small molten-salt nuclear reactors using our supplies of dangerous materials, which are unfortunately plentiful. The principle limitation might be the relative scarcity of radioactive materials in our typical working zones, at least compared to the really nasty areas which would be easy to get this stuff from. Perhaps lead "armor" covered Type-24s operating near the radioactive regions could be of assistance in this regard? Irrespective of this problem, we will utilize chemical means as well as the production of the Alpha Foundry (whose magnetic sorting system should be separating heavy elements from light ones anyway) to sort out the heavy, radioactive materials we need. Then we combine it with some fluorine or a comparable material, again acquirable from many interesting forms of toxic material and things burned by non-oxygen means, and away we go with the reactors.
These fission reactors are built into the casings of the broken-down cargo lifters whose powerplants have failed but whose wheels or treads or whatever are still intact, and a direct geared drive is set up on the end of the steam turbine to run the vehicle when necessary. When not running the vehicle around, the reactor is set up to provide energy direct to forces or infrastructure that is far from our geothermal plants. No masses of battery-laden vehicles are required to provide power to forces with one or more of these in the rear lines.
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on May 28, 2020, 09:10:49 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Hailfire Hardened Squad Support Weapon: (1) BMM42
Post by: Madman198237 on May 28, 2020, 09:15:01 pm
Quote from: Votebox
Hailfire Hardened Squad Support Weapon: (1) BMM42
Mobile Nuclear Power Stations: (1) Madman
In the name of exosuits for everyone
Post by: Blood_Librarian on June 17, 2020, 11:28:12 pm
Mobile Nuclear Power Stations
We've had some very serious issues with power needs: We simply don't have enough energy to field enough vehicles or enough exoskeletons for our army, which is not ideal in a world filled with dangers such as Battleframes, razor rain, and radioactive dust-filled air. Oh, and those other guys, the ones that go "squish" when you hit them. In order to provide our front-line troops with some more useful things, we've decided to try and restart some serious power generation here on our planet. Solar isn't exactly combat effective, however unpleasantly radioactive materials are relatively plentiful. We should be able to build small molten-salt nuclear reactors using our supplies of dangerous materials, which are unfortunately plentiful. The principle limitation might be the relative scarcity of radioactive materials in our typical working zones, at least compared to the really nasty areas which would be easy to get this stuff from. Perhaps lead "armor" covered Type-24s operating near the radioactive regions could be of assistance in this regard? Irrespective of this problem, we will utilize chemical means as well as the production of the Alpha Foundry (whose magnetic sorting system should be separating heavy elements from light ones anyway) to sort out the heavy, radioactive materials we need. Then we combine it with some fluorine or a comparable material, again acquirable from many interesting forms of toxic material and things burned by non-oxygen means, and away we go with the reactors.
These fission reactors are built into the casings of the broken-down cargo lifters whose powerplants have failed but whose wheels or treads or whatever are still intact, and a direct geared drive is set up on the end of the steam turbine to run the vehicle when necessary. When not running the vehicle around, the reactor is set up to provide energy direct to forces or infrastructure that is far from our geothermal plants. No masses of battery-laden vehicles are required to provide power to forces with one or more of these in the rear lines.
Difficulty: Hard
Result: [3 + 3] - 1→ 5 Average
In the ruins of the thread, Elorius Engineers and Mechanics have a philosophy that too much is never a bad thing. With that in mind, the R&D division has been given the task of working together with them to fashion a series of frameworks, prototypes, as well as production lines to fabricate mobile molten salt fission reactors to provide the front with the power they need. A sizable minority of the design team pointed out a large amount of underground metro infrastructure ready to be utilized: With the absolutely gigantic maglev rails designed to support behemoth engines two or three stories tall, they argued it would’ve been a perfect fit for the nuclear systems we can fabricate. This was not within the scope of the infrastructure program but was put away for later discussion among logistical planners.
The infrastructure project has resulted in a production pipeline for the Volcanic Mobile Power Unit. In the first step of fabrication, newly developed Fission Reactors are assembled in customized casings from production lines close to the core of the city and carefully hauled to production yards among the spire. From the hallowed graves of precollapse vehicles, the Myrmidon freight haulers are returned from the dead. These vehicles were not deployed to the front as they ran on high-performance radiothermal generators that utilize exotic, volatile isotopes with approximately three years of operational lifetime. Left unattended, they had melted their perfectly engineered cores and then went cold long ago. However, they are perfect for the project at hand. The compact engine housing in the center is ripped out and thrown far away, along with the personnel cabin and a almost all of the cargo space that these behemoths once held
In its place is what can only be described as a sprawling nightmare of a nuclear chamber haphazardly hooked up to closed-cycle steam turbines. Tests are conducted to figure out the exact draw-weight the vehicle can support, and corresponding layers of armor are put around the reactor and turbine before it is shipped out with a rough idea of what its carry limits are. Each one represents a singularly massive investment of resources, and more than one has been allocated to military parades to improve morale due to their rather imposing size. Some of them even have pintle-mounted Iona II ICA’s welded on, but they are more or less fixtures to look pretty as logistics would rather run the other direction then risk their nuclear reactor (they’re welded on the rear). On top, a 3 man cabin is welded on to the top of the vehicle with multiple layers of glass sheets and metal reinforcements so as to allow maximum safety while maneuvering the craft.
In the field, it is very slow. It handles like a crippled sporeship, but the low-geared driveshaft and pre-collapse suspension and only partly rotted smart-wheels means that it can go over hell and high-water. The power it provides allows for high-energy battlefield applications to be viably deployed across all theaters. This manifests as a bonus to power.
However, it opens up a vulnerability in our logistical supply chain. Far-reach teams had scoured the local area for relatively pure fission stocks, and the only viable deposits are on the outer edge of the Blackzone. Type-11 suits and makeshift mining vehicles strip topsoil and move it towards the home city for refining by the Alpha Foundry, but it is a delicate process, and if we lose control of the Blackzone and a footing in the Arcology, we will no longer be able to supply the Volcanic’s constant need for radioactive barring a unique solution. If fission reactors were to be deployed in the home sector, it will not have this issue due to civilian efforts for providing the necessary resources.
Volcanic MPU
Provides 1 Energy, requires 1 Transportation Capacity
[Cheap, 2 Minerals, 1 Energy]
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
It is now the Revision Phase of Cycle 0.50. The next phase will be Combat.
Post by: Madman198237 on June 19, 2020, 09:07:09 pm
Quote
"Logistics Express" Nuclear Maglev Train
Well, given that the previous assumption about the damage to the underground infrastructure was apparently incorrect, evidently we should be working on using our nuclear power to make a functioning maglev network. This requires the use of a Mobile Nuclear Power Station reactor in a train body, and the repair of any damaged maglev components. Luckily, with the Alpha Foundry/Magnetized Reclamation Works up and running we have plenty of simple metals available for use in the electromagnets and probably some regular magnets as well should the system use them for some reason or another.
After extensive examinations of the magnetic levitation tracks themselves, we've managed to replicate the levitation equipment. With our experience in magnetic weaponry figuring out magnetic levitation based on many different extant examples wasn't too terrible. Most importantly, during the (presumably extensive) repairs to the train system we've also gone ahead and added an additional component to the magnetic levitation system, a non-load-bearing stability component that makes physical contact with part of the "rail" system (it's a magnetic levitation system it doesn't necessarily have rails) to prevent the vehicle from drifting from side to side or otherwise risking collision. This would reduce the efficiency of the system and its service lifetime if we were sending these trains hurtling around at the speeds a maglev system can reach, but since we've stuck a nuclear reactor in the front of this train it's generally best not to go hurtling around at patently unsafe speeds down potentially damaged tunnels and tracks.
The trains are meant to be used for transportation of goods as well as soldiers, and so the engine compartments are heavily armored with simple bolt-on metal plates to protect the crew and the reactor. The immense power of a nuclear reactor should compensate for the increased weight, and if it doesn't, well, we don't need to go all that fast to outdo all our other transportation options. Surface travel is a lot less direct and a lot more full of murder-bots, after all.
And of course the alternative, cheap(er) exos.
Quote
Type-25 Light Exoskeletal Combat Array
The Type-24 exoskeleton is a wonderful combat device, but its heavy armor and sealed frame make it far too expensive and energy-intensive to produce for common deployment. In order to reduce these issues, we've taken a Type-24, removed the seals, reduced the weight and carrying/hitting/motive power of the suit substantially, and compensated for the power reduction by removing most of the armor. Armor is only retained on the torso and head, and only enough to stop small arms fire from close(ish) range. The new exoskeleton is optimized for fast movement rather than durability and melee destruction, and everything about the systems is once again simplified as much as we can to ease production. Where corners can be cut, they are cut, to produce a generally-deployable exoskeleton if possible, even if that exoskeleton is going to be a pale imitation of the seriously destructive Type 24 rigs.
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on June 20, 2020, 08:46:55 am
Quote from: Votebox
"Logistics Express" Nuclear Maglev Train: (1) BMM42
Post by: Madman198237 on June 20, 2020, 11:19:07 am
Quote from: Votebox
"Logistics Express" Nuclear Maglev Train: (2) BMM42, Madman
Post by: Blood_Librarian on August 11, 2020, 01:54:49 pm
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"Logistics Express" Nuclear Maglev Train
Well, given that the previous assumption about the damage to the underground infrastructure was apparently incorrect, evidently we should be working on using our nuclear power to make a functioning maglev network. This requires the use of a Mobile Nuclear Power Station reactor in a train body, and the repair of any damaged maglev components. Luckily, with the Alpha Foundry/Magnetized Reclamation Works up and running we have plenty of simple metals available for use in the electromagnets and probably some regular magnets as well should the system use them for some reason or another.
After extensive examinations of the magnetic levitation tracks themselves, we've managed to replicate the levitation equipment. With our experience in magnetic weaponry figuring out magnetic levitation based on many different extant examples wasn't too terrible. Most importantly, during the (presumably extensive) repairs to the train system, we've also gone ahead and added an additional component to the magnetic levitation system, a non-load-bearing stability component that makes physical contact with part of the "rail" system (it's a magnetic levitation system it doesn't necessarily have rails) to prevent the vehicle from drifting from side to side or otherwise risking a collision. This would reduce the efficiency of the system and its service lifetime if we were sending these trains hurtling around at the speeds a maglev system can reach, but since we've stuck a nuclear reactor in the front of this train it's generally best not to go hurtling around at patently unsafe speeds down potentially damaged tunnels and tracks.
The trains are meant to be used for transportation of goods as well as soldiers, and so the engine compartments are heavily armored with simple bolt-on metal plates to protect the crew and the reactor. The immense power of a nuclear reactor should compensate for the increased weight, and if it doesn't, well, we don't need to go all that fast to outdo all our other transportation options. Surface travel is a lot less direct and a lot more full of murder-bots, after all.
Difficulty: Hard
Result: [1 + 1] - 1→ 1 Utter failure
Everyone is dying of radiation poisoning. Thick plumes of smoke hazily rise from the grave of the “Logistics Express” lay-yard, which leaves a chalky white residue on everything it touches. An unmitigated humanitarian crisis that affects thousands of our people has occurred early and crisp morning, unlike the usual 0.5 summer heat. Suits of powered armor desperately battle all the way until the evening to contain the radioactive fires and succeed after three days of constant activity. An oily tar-like rain falls over the next few days, and miles of (abandoned)cityscape becomes slightly more radioactive than normal.
What was the cause of this rather large issue? Investigations conclude that it originated in a stockpile of fissionable material that was being inserted into the new reactor for the maglev engine: the first piece of technology to be designed before anything else. During the loading of fissionable materials, one of the casings of nuclear rods had cracked, leaking radioactive particles into the air. Very few radiation detecting equipments was installed at the facility. Only after two hours had a Dosimeter going off had alerted plant operation staff of the issue, resulting in a stop-work order being issued. An evacuation began, and several safety standards set in place for the handling of nuclear material were violated: common sense safety handling for these reactors were not in place, and over a ton of RESU battery stock was stored near to the reactor assembly. This battery stock detonated due to abandoned heavy equipment slowly crushing the casings of these batteries over a period of three hours before a spark occurred and instigating detonation that initiated a chain reaction. The electrical transformers of the Mag-lev train were still intact and charged at the time: Pre-collapse deteriorated energy systems that detonated spectacularly with the chemical explosion, adding to the terrible ruin in the facility.
Two more explosions occurred over a period of ten minutes, their cause unknown. The facility was flatly leveled, the maglev train mostly a distant memory. Resources for the rest of the project went towards handling the crisis and preventing the R&D staff present from dying of radiation poisoning with the best medication available: We will probably not lose the experience we gained from the MPU. Thankfully, the wind is blowing the radioactive dust towards the Black zone, or else we might have some very real problems.
Our engineering teams are once again starkly reminded of the perils of nuclear engineering: The new safety rules are written in the blood of the dead and dying.
Train related Ecological Disaster
Provides 1 nuclear crisis, black rain, and a trail of radioactive dust that is blown towards the Blackzone by wind.
["Cheap"]
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
It is now the Combat Phase of Cycle 0.50. The next phase will be Design.
Post by: Blood_Librarian on August 23, 2020, 12:03:54 pm
The attache military advisors are requesting heavy equipment that can utilize the power afforded by the Volcanic MPU to support the type 24 Exoskeletons and infantry.
Designs
Spoiler: Elorius Designs (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)
It is now the Design Phase of Cycle 0.75. The next phase will be Revision.
Post by: Madman198237 on August 23, 2020, 02:57:05 pm
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Myrmidon Armored Assault Train
Built from the failure of the Logistics Express, the Myrmidon is a properly nuclear-powered train that runs on rails laid by our engineers or in the metro system. This new train roughly follows the pattern of the Logistics Express, and does also serve as a transportation and energy-providing system. The reactor is an upsized MPU reactor, modular enough to be put in train cars (which can then be left in forwards positions to provide energy while the actual train goes back and forth delivering physical supplies) or in the engine. The rail system from the Logistics Express program is copied, where a physical point of contact is added to correct any stability problems that might remain with the maglev system after we've worked it over substantially in this better-funded program.
The reason this is an "armored assault train" rather than a "nuclear maglev train" is because this nuclear maglev train is in fact covered in guns and armor. The forwards-facing armor on the engine car is a purpose-forged single monolithic piece for resisting even high-caliber kinetic strikes, aided by a thin ablative outer layer for resisting energy fire and a ballistics-fiber-based inner layer to absorb spalling or fragmentation. The rest of the engine, as well as the cars carrying nuclear material, are armored against medium-caliber weaponry. Cars carrying munitions or troops receive protection against man-portable antiarmor weaponry, cars carrying things that don't explode or die horribly when punctured are unarmored. Since we are lacking in heavy weapons at present, the train is instead left with a wide assortment of salvaged weapons if available, or our other standardized options in many mounts across the vehicle. It possesses mounting points for heavy weapons, particularly pointing forwards, as well as some high-elevation mounts for lighter weapons to deal with buildings or the possibility of flyers being developed.
We could ask the age-old question, "what if we drove an armored train out there and killed everything?".
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Mountaineer Urban Mech
We are presently having some issues with enemy mobility in the cityscape. They're capable of some impressive vertical maneuvers using their equipment. We're going to need to deal with that somehow. The solution is to upsize the Type-24 Armored Exosuit while not increasing the armor thickness, giving a small mech armor suitable for armored infantry but the "musculature" necessary to move a substantially more heavily armored machine. This allows for incredible mobility, and the use of hands and an integrated thruster system allow for vertical maneuvering by climbing buildings. The thruster system is not capable of flight but functions more as a jump-height-increasing mechanism allowing higher and/or longer jumps and softer landings. The mechs are big enough that contemporary weapon systems really aren't suitable for a "main" weapon, but the mech also is supposed to generally use its hands for climbing or beating the living daylights out of anything enemy, so that's mostly alright. A pair of Iona II ICAs with extended internal magazines are mounted in each arm above the wrist, and a metal """sword""" (AKA bar of metal with handle magnetized to the mech's thigh for storage) is provided for those times that punching something isn't enough. Mounting points are provided for a heavy weapon on the mech's back, fired over a shoulder, and the Ionas could be swapped out for other ordinance, but for now it's just not an option. The mech does, however, retain the Type-24's grappling hook assembly, with the firing mechanism improved to bury the hook deep enough to actually haul the mech around a battlefield. It's powered by RESU batteries and typically fed from the new MPUs.
Or we could hilariously make a bigger exosuit thing to go climbing around buildings and punching things.
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Man-Portable Multiple-Purpose Munitions Propeller (MP3)
Our infantry need a little more firepower sometimes, and as we develop vehicles they likewise require more firepower. So we're going to give them the firepower they need, in the form of a missile launcher. The MP3 is a guided launcher, and has both an IR-guided mode (to home in on things that are hot) and a laser-guided mode (using an IR laser so the sensors are the same) to fire at things that are either not warm or are warm but are also hiding behind a wall. The launcher is also capable of programming limited instructions into the warhead, such as a "detonate at X distance from launcher" command or a "detonate X far from laser marker/target" command, the former useful for hitting things cowering behind walls and the latter useful when firing at aircraft and needing only a near miss to kill the thing.
The munitions are also fairly simple, though several types are available. The most basic is an HE warhead that carries as much high explosives as it is possible to put in the warhead, plus a contact detonator. The next is a thermobaric warhead, an explosive that creates a huge and dangerous pressure differential that is intended mostly to kill in confined spaces but also works wonders on targets hiding behind a wall or wearing armor that isn't completely airtight around the mouth or nose. There's also a fragmentation option where the casing disintegrates into lethal shrapnel when the weapon detonates, and also some of the explosives are replaced with ball bearing-sized metal spheres to kill things with direct impact. Finally there is of course an anti-tank option, specifically a HEAT/shaped charge explosive capable of piercing a moderate amount of armor.
An alternative launcher is also available, a box launcher carrying 4 missiles that can be set up on a tripod in the field or mounted to a large enough hardpoint on vehicles or whatever.
Post by: Happerry on August 23, 2020, 06:58:16 pm
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(1) "Mountaineer" Urban Mech : Happerry
(1) Madman's Rocket Launcher he said he'd do : Happerry
Well, here's my votes.
Post by: Madman198237 on August 23, 2020, 07:07:59 pm
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(2) "Mountaineer" Urban Mech : Happerry, Madman
(2) MP3 : Happerry, Madman
Fine, but only because the Myrmidon would at present be a little short of heavy weapons to bring along.
Post by: Blade Master Model 42 on August 24, 2020, 06:55:38 am
Quote(3) "Mountaineer" Urban Mech : Happerry, Madman, BMM42
3) MP3 : Happerry, Madman, BMM42