Difference between revisions of "Hydrashock Launchers"
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===Firing Sequence=== | ===Firing Sequence=== | ||
| − | Upon detecting an incoming attack, the vessel’s command systems delegate a | + | Upon detecting an incoming attack, the vessel’s command systems delegate a '''Hydrashock''' battery to counter. The tube assembly emerges from the hull, aligns on the target using the main vessel’s targeting data, and volleys a set number of underwater munitions at the incoming vector. (The '''Hydrashock''' can fire all eight tubes in less than five seconds, though this is not advisable in a multi-target environment.) As the munitions travel on their course, the ""Hydrashock Launcher"" can retract, or remain in the armed position, being auto-loaded in either status, a process which takes approximately twenty seven seconds. |
| − | The fired high explosives are only marginally guided, and they form a “screen” between the target and the vessel. In most cases, the munitions are set to proximity detonate, but they can be set to a fixed time or depth as needed. Once detonated, the shockwave generated can crush hulls of enemy submarines, or to mission-kill incoming torpedoes. The original, and most valuable application of the | + | The fired high explosives are only marginally guided, and they form a “screen” between the target and the vessel. In most cases, the munitions are set to proximity detonate, but they can be set to a fixed time or depth as needed. Once detonated, the shockwave generated can crush hulls of enemy submarines, or to mission-kill incoming torpedoes. The original, and most valuable application of the '''Hydrashock''' is to remove the threat of [[Supercavitating Torpedoes]]. Since these weapons rely on a “bubble” of air in which to “fly”, the concussion of the '''Hydrashock''' strips the cavitations, causing the torpedo to sheer into a wall of water, stripping control planes and detonating the warhead, killing or mission-killing the offending torpedo. |
===Doctrine and Application=== | ===Doctrine and Application=== | ||
Revision as of 16:16, 14 February 2005
Overview
The Hydrashock Launcher is a defensive weapons system fitted onto most Kaukolastani Fleet Vessels. Originally conceived as a means to stop incoming Supercavitating Torpedoes, it has found a secondary use as an anti-submersible weapon, particularly against an enemy utilization of Barracuda-type micro-submarines. The Hydrashock is designed around an eight-tube projector, similar to the archaic Nebelwerfer in appearance. The tube assembly emerges from the hull through a moving plate, and rotates into the incoming vector of the attack. Firing underwater, the tubes are flooded, and a microcharge hurls a small high explosive munition into the path of interception. The concussion of the detonation can crumple the enemy, or strip the Supercavitating bubble from a torpedo, forcing it to sheer in the water.
Firing Sequence
Upon detecting an incoming attack, the vessel’s command systems delegate a Hydrashock battery to counter. The tube assembly emerges from the hull, aligns on the target using the main vessel’s targeting data, and volleys a set number of underwater munitions at the incoming vector. (The Hydrashock can fire all eight tubes in less than five seconds, though this is not advisable in a multi-target environment.) As the munitions travel on their course, the ""Hydrashock Launcher"" can retract, or remain in the armed position, being auto-loaded in either status, a process which takes approximately twenty seven seconds.
The fired high explosives are only marginally guided, and they form a “screen” between the target and the vessel. In most cases, the munitions are set to proximity detonate, but they can be set to a fixed time or depth as needed. Once detonated, the shockwave generated can crush hulls of enemy submarines, or to mission-kill incoming torpedoes. The original, and most valuable application of the Hydrashock is to remove the threat of Supercavitating Torpedoes. Since these weapons rely on a “bubble” of air in which to “fly”, the concussion of the Hydrashock strips the cavitations, causing the torpedo to sheer into a wall of water, stripping control planes and detonating the warhead, killing or mission-killing the offending torpedo.
Doctrine and Application
""Hydrashock Launchers"" are fitted onto most Ships of the Line, from Destroyer on up the chain. Destroyers normally mount a pair of launchers, Cruisers and Frigates a quad, and Dominators and Carriers mount three pairs or more. Attack Submarines maintain a pair, ballistic submarines a quad.
These weapons can be moved into “active mode” at any time, although they increase the vessel’s signature with their protrusion and tracking activity.
With the advent of the BattleNet System, the ""Hydrashock"" became even more valuable. Through the fire-control linking of the Fleets, the defense of individual ships became a unified and automated concern of the entire BattleNet, usually based in a Dominator Class Super Dreadnought. Used inside of BattleNet, an incoming torpedo, aimed at a Carrier, can be targeted by a Frigate on the outskirts of the Fleet, the data relayed instantly to the BattleNet Node, and any ""Hydrashock Launcher"" in range could fire upon the torpedo, allowing a massing of overlapping firepower far beyond any individual vessel’s means.
Varying Munitions
- Timed
- Proximity
- Guided
- Swarm
- Limpet Anti-Submarine
