AmaroqStarwind
03/27/18 11:27 PM
174.235.19.144
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Given the minimum mass of the Compact KF Drive (2.1 million kilograms, or something like that) and the maximum mass of Aerodyne and Spherical DropShips (60 million and 100 million kilograms respectively like), the existence of Sub-Compact KF Drives (detailed in Tactical Operations), etc...
Does anybody else think it would be feasible to construct a Jump-capable DropShip? Obviously it couldn't jump while in a gravity well, let alone in an atmosphere, so it would still be kind of limited, but would it work?.
(And no, I'm not going to suggest using a Germanium-rich variant of Endo Steel to build the hull, or some kind of Lithium Fusion engine, both of those concepts are ludicrous.)
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ghostrider
03/27/18 11:44 PM
66.74.61.223
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The original bug eyes seemed to come close. I want to say it was before they came out with the compact jump drive. But they kind of left that out new printings of the 2750 tro, from what I hear.
I would think it would be done for the elite spec ops for suicide missions. One that may well allow the unit to jump out with a piece of a station or maybe even ship. No recovery, just jump with as much of the enemy into the darkness.
And use of pirate points near planets is possible, though I think you have to be stationary to even try.
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AmaroqStarwind
03/28/18 01:09 AM
174.235.19.144
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There is another issue with having a Jump-capable DropShip... Besides having to devote a significant portion of its mass to the KF Drive (even a Sub-Compact one), would it even be able to safely dock onto another JumpShip?
And even if everything works just fine, with no problems... How would it change the balance of power, or the scope of politics and warfare, could you push technology even further, where could you go next, that sort of stuff.
I definitely don't think building a BattleMech Skeleton into a KF Drive would be possible, though...
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Frabby
03/28/18 09:10 AM
79.224.109.142
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You can dock any two BattleTech spacecraft to each other just fine, even two JumpShips. All spacecraft are supposed to possess maneuvering thrusters and built-in generic docking adapters.
However, a jump drive can only jump if no other jump drive is nearby. Think of them as magnets; the second drive nearby (or even simply a heap of processed Germanium, or an otherwise damaged jump core) does something to the KF field that will prevent a safe jump.
Which means a jump is only possible of the JumpShip has (only) properly secured DropShips attached to its collars via KF booms, and may also carry fighters or small craft in internal bays with the implied assumption that these are also somehow accounted for in jump field creation.
A broken KF boom, or another nearby jump drive/germanium mass, will prevent a jump. Or cause severe damage in the attempt.
As for constructing a JumpShip/DropShip combo... it may be possible but it doesn't make any sense whatsoever. Even a sub-compact jump drive is very big relative to the overall mass of the vessel, and thus reduces the amount of cargo that can be carried. Whereas a standard docking collar is 1000 tons but can dock a 100,000 ton DropShip. That's why those cheap, large "standard" KF cores absolutely rule the field - you can't beat their efficiency, both cost and capacity wise. Even dedicated WarShips are too expensive for their performance when compared to a regular JumpShip carrying assault DropShips or Pocket WarShips.
In-universe, there is no jump capable vessel that can actually land. The rules explicitly state that JumpShips and WarShips entering planetary atmosphere are considered destroyed. (Let's disregard docking to asteroid bases with no atmosphere for now.)
The writeup for Monitors in XTRO:Boondocks and many official comments from Herb as Line Developer establish that the KF drive core doubles as the ship's internal structure. Given its inherent fragility, perhaps a Drive Core is per se unsuitable for "bumpy" atmospheric operation, even when armored (and its ability to withstand multiple-g maneuvering in space combat nonwithstanding - this can be handwaved as being more gradual, less bumpy acceleration).
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AmaroqStarwind
03/28/18 02:22 PM
174.235.19.144
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I always thought that JumpShips being destroyed when they entered an atmosphere was due to them being aerodynamically unsound, combined with being so heavy that they would snap under their own weight. There isn't anything explicitly stating that a KF Drive can't survive being in a gravity well period, just that it can't safely operate in one.
Discord: Amaroq the Kitsune#1092
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Frabby
03/28/18 04:31 PM
79.224.109.142
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That's right. But turning the fact on its head, nobody ever tried to build an atmosphere-proof KF drive - which seems to indicate the concept is either technically unsound/impossible, or otherwise economically not viable. I tried to derive possible explanations for why it apparently doesn't work, or isn't worth doing.
Out of character, of course, there's the fact that the BattleTech universe has JumpShips and DropShips as part of its aesthetics. You keep them around just like you keep BattleMechs around even when regular tanks should perform better at the same tasks.
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Cray
03/28/18 06:02 PM
97.101.136.19
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Quote:
Does anybody else think it would be feasible to construct a Jump-capable DropShip? Obviously it couldn't jump while in a gravity well, let alone in an atmosphere, so it would still be kind of limited, but would it work?
The rules for large spacecraft construction (DropShips in Tech Manual, JumpShips and WarShips in Strategic Operations, sub-compact cores in...I think Tactical Operations) carefully kept DropShips and KF drives separated. Some thought was given to the question, especially in light of the sub-compact drive, and the in-house conclusion was "not in canon."
However, the subcompact core could certainly fit within the mass limits of a DropShip. It'd be a no-brainer for your home game if you want to give PCs a single, do-all DropJumpShip.
Mike Miller, Materials Engineer
Disclaimer: Anything stated in this post is unofficial and non-canon unless directly quoted from a published book. Random internet musings of a BattleTech writer are not canon.
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AmaroqStarwind
03/28/18 06:41 PM
174.235.19.144
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So, a JumpShuttle. That would be good for a MechAssault 3 April Fool's gag.
Discord: Amaroq the Kitsune#1092
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