Design Monologue 19: Tech Talk
Being a listing of primary and secondary ship systems.
Primary Systems
- Helm
- Drives the ship. Dependencies:
- CCS
- RCS
- MDS
- Weapons
- For shooting down bad guys. Dependencies:
- AMMO
- CCS
- TAARS
- Shields
- For shielding. Dependencies:
- CAP
- SES
- IAWS
- Screen
- Network of weapons and countermeasures: Dependencies:
- IAWS
- AMMO
Secondary Systems
- Command and Control System (CCS)
- This software allows the captain and crew to command the vessel. It is a distributed application with complex and robust security protocols. Each CCS cluster is connected to others by secure wireless or conventional wire link. Any CCS cluster can become the primary, with the right authorization.
- Reaction Control System (RCS)
- A network of thrusters, supported by a fuel distribution system, which allow the helmsman to alter the attitude of the vessel, and make minor adjustments to velocity.
- Main Drive System (MDS)
- The engines and thrusters which provide the motive force for major velocity adjustments.
- Ammunition supply subsystem (AMMO)
- Supplies ammunition to the various weapons on the ship.
- Tactical Analysis, Acquisition and Response System (TAARS)
- The software which tracks all ships and hazards in the battlefield, allowing for target acquisition and retaliatory response.
- Capacitor (CAP)
- Most ships have a much higher peak power usage than their reactors can output, so they use a capacitor. Shields put a steady drain on the capacitor when at full power, limiting the amount of time they can be fully raised. Energy weapons and some high-energy projectile launchers (such as railguns and plasma cannons) sometimes use this system, though they usually also have their own capacitors.
- Shield Emission System (SES)
- This is a network of condensers and distribution channels which enable the shield system. This system is usually divided geometrically; a small ship might have 3-6 shield segments, while a capital ship could have dozens or hundreds.
- Imminent Attack Warning System (IAWS)
- This software analyzes spectrum data to identify incoming projectiles and imminent high-speed (at or near light speed) attacks. It is essential for guiding the weapons screen and shield systems.