Multiple Docking Collar System
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The Multiple Docking Collar System (MDCS) is a Kearny-Fuchida technology application for DropShips that aimed to increase the mass that could be carried in a single jump event, by better shaping the K-F field formation across the K-F Boom to effectively allow several DropShips to be carried on a single Hardpoint on a JumpShip. However, it was unsuccessful in this regard. The overall jump field could not be increased; changes to the K-F field would degrade it, potentially catastrophically, unless the JumpShip reduced the number of K-F Booms connected to the system.[1] In effect, the result was that two or three DropShips could be docked to a DropShip equipped with a MDCS (instead of docking directly to the JumpShip) and be carried through a jump, but required the same number of Hardpoints on the JumpShip to remain unused in the jump, for a net gain of zero; the MDCS allowed for the K-F field to be shaped differently but not increase its size.
Ultimately, the MDCS is arguably marginally useful to nullify the drawback of the Large DropShip Quirk.
The Argo class of DropShips featured a MDCS.[1] Context suggests it was Boeing Interstellar who developed the system, probably specifically for the Argo or otherwise using it as a testbed.
Contents
Canonicity[edit]
Although the ability of the Argo to carry other DropShips through a jump originated with an apocryphal source, the MDCS explaining that capability is fully canonical by virtue of being published in the House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition) sourcebook that also canonized the Argo (also see Notes below).
Rules[edit]
The MDCS allows a DropShip to install either two or three Docking Collars, at 1,800 tons each. These can each be used to carry one other DropShip through a jump, provided that the JumpShip has one free Hardpoint remaining for every DropShip attached via MDCS.
A critical hit to the K-F boom renders the entire system inoperable.
The Docking Collars are capable of keeping DropShips of up to 2,000 tons of mass docked while under up to 2g of acceleration. Any higher acceleration, or accelerating at all with DropShips heavier than 2,000 tons attached, will cause critical damage to the collars of both vessels.
Notes[edit]
- The Argo class of DropShips was created specifically for the (apocryphal) 2018 BattleTech video game over the course of the crowdfunding campaign, and fans were quick to point out that its capability to carry Leopard DropShips with it through a jump seemed to violate established rules for how jump drives worked (the DropShip/JumpShip dichotomy and ultimately, the entire BattleTech FTL space travel concept deriving from it). The MDCS was invented to reconcile the Argo with established canon.