Design Challenge: Ultimate Star League/IntroTech Air Superiority ASF

[FastConcentrate8]

Alright, today I'm shopping for a high performance ASF designed to dominate the skies and space.

As one of the primary contractors for the Joint Advanced Strike Technology Program in 2730, Lockheed-Martin Interplanetary was commissioned to develop the High Performance Air Superiority platform. When the Skunk Works received the requirements, they began work on the designs and prototypes and gave it the designation of Raptor-II as a nod to their last aircraft with a similar mission profile.

The Design was a joint program between a Great House and the SLDF that is being manufactured in both the House's territory and in the Hegemony. As such, there are two initially called for variants and two developed later. A standard tech Star League Era for the House and the regular SLDF and a highly upgraded Royal Variant or the King Raptor as it's been jokingly titled. Additionally, a downgraded but still capable variant was developed during the Succession Wars and after the SLDF took many Raptors and King Raptors on the Exodus, the Clans also fielded a IIC variant. All four variants would end up clashing first during the Clan Invasion and then again in the Jihad.

The exact requirements of the design were for a large medium ASF (60-70 Tones) designed to outclass anything else that flies. The Raptor-II is intended to be highly capable though this is recognized to be at the cost of being a pricey airframe so a high unit cost is a non-issue. Other than the size bracket, few other requirements have been given other than a preference for good atmospheric handling.

[acksed]

*crosses out Rapier RPR-101, writes in "Raptor II"*

Code: [Select]

King Raptor II

Mass: 70 tons
Frame: Unknown
Power Plant: 280 XL
Armor: Ferro-Aluminum
Armament:
     3 PPC
     3 Medium Pulse Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2750
Tech Rating/Availability: E/E-F(F*)-E-D
Cost: 9,783,945 C-bills

Type: Rapier
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 70
Battle Value: 1,955

Equipment                                          Mass
Engine                        280 XL                  8
Safe Thrust: 6
Max Thrust: 9
Structural Integrity:         7
Heat Sinks:                   19 [38]                 9
Fuel:                         400                   5.0
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor (Ferro)          322                    18

                           Armor   
                           Value   
     Nose                   101   
     Wings                 80/80   
     Aft                     61   


Weapons
and Ammo               Location   Tonnage  Heat   SRV  MRV  LRV
2 Medium Pulse Laser     NOS       4.0      4      6    0    0
PPC                      NOS       7.0      10    10   10    0
PPC                      RWG       7.0      10    10   10    0
PPC                      LWG       7.0      10    10   10    0
Medium Pulse Laser       AFT       2.0      4      6    0    0
I went for Extreme Chunkiness, because this is made to be a pain to take down, and have the accuracy to dogfight.

Introtech version is fighting me, as I will just create a Stingray. :-/

[FastConcentrate8]

*crosses out Rapier RPR-101, writes in "Raptor II"*

Code: [Select]

King Raptor II

Mass: 70 tons
Frame: Unknown
Power Plant: 280 XL
Armor: Ferro-Aluminum
Armament:
     3 PPC
     3 Medium Pulse Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2750
Tech Rating/Availability: E/E-F(F*)-E-D
Cost: 9,783,945 C-bills

Type: Rapier
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 70
Battle Value: 1,955

Equipment                                          Mass
Engine                        280 XL                  8
Safe Thrust: 6
Max Thrust: 9
Structural Integrity:         0                       
Heat Sinks:                   19 [38]                 9
Fuel:                         400                   5.0
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor (Ferro)          322                    18

                           Armor   
                           Value   
     Nose                   101   
     Wings                 80/80   
     Aft                     61   


Weapons
and Ammo               Location   Tonnage  Heat   SRV  MRV  LRV
2 Medium Pulse Laser     NOS       4.0      4      6    0    0
PPC                      NOS       7.0      10    10   10    0
PPC                      RWG       7.0      10    10   10    0
PPC                      LWG       7.0      10    10   10    0
Medium Pulse Laser       AFT       2.0      4      6    0    0
I went for Extreme Chunkiness, because this is made to be a pain to take down, and have the accuracy to dogfight.

Introtech version is fighting me, as I will just create a Stingray. :-/

Nice design, I like it though there is a problem. It says this has a structural integrity of zero.

[PuppyLikesLaserPointers]

So my design is similar as I did - maximize the armor to have enough damage threshold, then think later.

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Raptor II (Standard)

Mass: 70 tons
Frame: Unknown
Power Plant: 280 XL
Armor: Standard
Armament:
     2 Small Laser
     4 Small Pulse Laser
     2 PPC
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2750
Tech Rating/Availability: E/E-F(F*)-E-D
Cost: 9,279,720 C-bills

Type: Raptor II
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 70
Battle Value: 2,123

Equipment                                          Mass
Engine                        280 XL                  8
Safe Thrust: 6
Max Thrust: 9
Structural Integrity:         7                       
Heat Sinks:                   14 [28]                 4
Fuel:                         400                   5.0
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor                  496                    31

                           Armor   
                           Value   
     Nose                   142   
     Wings                141/141 
     Aft                     72   


Weapons
and Ammo              Location   Tonnage  Heat   SRV  MRV  LRV  ERV
3 Small Pulse Laser     NOS       3.0      2      3    0    0    0 
2 PPC                   NOS       14.0     10    10   10    0    0 
Small Laser             RWG       0.5      1      3    0    0    0 
Small Laser             LWG       0.5      1      3    0    0    0 
Small Pulse Laser       AFT       1.0      2      3    0    0    0 


This is the standard production model for the houses. It houses two PPCs to take the medium range, while in the close range the pulse lasers can add the punch. It is basically meant to get the enemy's back and finish off it, while don't get killed.

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Raptor II (King)

Mass: 70 tons
Frame: Unknown
Power Plant: 350 XL
Armor: Ferro-Aluminum
Armament:
     4 Small Pulse Laser
     1 Large Pulse Laser
     1 Medium Pulse Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2750
Tech Rating/Availability: E/E-F(F*)-E-D
Cost: 11,716,695 C-bills

Type: Raptor II
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 70
Battle Value: 2,135

Equipment                                          Mass
Engine                        350 XL                 15
Safe Thrust: 7
Max Thrust: 11
Structural Integrity:         7                       
Heat Sinks:                   10 [20]                 0
Fuel:                         400                   5.0
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor (Ferro)          555                    31

                           Armor   
                           Value   
     Nose                   182   
     Wings                141/141 
     Aft                     91   


Weapons
and Ammo              Location   Tonnage  Heat   SRV  MRV  LRV  ERV
Large Pulse Laser       NOS       7.0      10     9    9    0    0 
Medium Pulse Laser      NOS       2.0      4      6    0    0    0 
3 Small Pulse Laser     NOS       3.0      2      3    0    0    0 
Active Probe            FSLG      1.5      -      -    -    -    - 
ECM Suite               FSLG      1.5      -      -    -    -    - 
Small Pulse Laser       AFT       1.0      2      3    0    0    0 


The royal variant and the production version of the prototype, the king raptor has more armor and speed than the others, while fully replace the weaponry to pulse techs - as no shots have any meaning if it didn't hit the intended target. It was initially planned to house an experimental XXL engine, but the project was delayed and it become the production version for the royal divisions.

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Raptor II (SW)

Mass: 70 tons
Frame: Unknown
Power Plant: 280 Fusion
Armor: Standard
Armament:
     12 Small Laser
     1 PPC
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2950
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-E-D-D
Cost: 3,615,795 C-bills

Type: Raptor II
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 70
Battle Value: 1,533

Equipment                                          Mass
Engine                        280 Fusion             16
Safe Thrust: 6
Max Thrust: 9
Structural Integrity:         7                       
Heat Sinks:                   20                     10
Fuel:                         400                   5.0
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor                  368                    23

                           Armor   
                           Value   
     Nose                   142   
     Wings                 92/92   
     Aft                     42   


Weapons
and Ammo              Location   Tonnage  Heat   SRV  MRV  LRV  ERV
PPC                     NOS       7.0      10    10   10    0    0 
4 Small Laser           NOS       2.0      1      3    0    0    0 
3 Small Laser           RWG       1.5      1      3    0    0    0 
3 Small Laser           LWG       1.5      1      3    0    0    0 
2 Small Laser           AFT       1.0      1      3    0    0    0 


The SW version is delivered from the house's standard production version. Due to limited engines it has to change the engine to the standard engine, and have to strip most of its armors - although it's still durable than most fighters with same weight. Since the houses losts the pulse technology, it has to make up the accuracy by more and more guns instead, and have to put the lasers on the wings.

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Raptor II (IIC)

Mass: 70 tons
Frame: Unknown
Power Plant: 350 XXL
Armor: Ferro-Aluminum
Armament:
     4 Small Pulse Laser
     2 Large Pulse Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3030
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-F-E
Cost: 47,138,445 C-bills

Type: Raptor II
Technology Base: Clan (Experimental)
Tonnage: 70
Battle Value: 2,853

Equipment                                          Mass
Engine                        350 XXL                10
Safe Thrust: 7
Max Thrust: 11
Structural Integrity:         7                       
Heat Sinks:                   15 [30]                 5
Fuel:                         400                   5.0
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor (Ferro)          556                    29

                           Armor   
                           Value   
     Nose                   181   
     Wings                142/142 
     Aft                     91   


Weapons
and Ammo              Location   Tonnage  Heat   SRV  MRV  LRV  ERV
2 Large Pulse Laser     NOS       12.0     10    10   10   10    0 
3 Small Pulse Laser     NOS       3.0      2      3    0    0    0 
Active Probe            FSLG      1.0      -      -    -    -    - 
ECM Suite               FSLG      1.0      -      -    -    -    - 
Small Pulse Laser       AFT       1.0      2      3    0    0    0 


Finally, the clans, can finish the project, with the development of true XXL engine. With this the scientists brought back the ancient designs to test the new engines, combine the good feature of both royal's great accuracy, speed and armor as well as standard house version's power, and also fitted it with more compact electronics.

Sadly, due to the high cost of XXL engine and not being an omnifighter, its production didn't lasts longer.

[acksed]

Nice design, I like it though there is a problem. It says this has a structural integrity of zero.

MegaMekLaaab... *shakes fist*

Fixed.

[Daryk]

So... when you say "Standard" tech, what exactly do you mean?

[FastConcentrate8]

So... when you say "Standard" tech, what exactly do you mean?

Technology common to the Star League Era that was not exclusive to the Royal Units and available to the general SLDF and Great Houses.

[Daryk]

That definitely opens things up a bit... I'm thinking a 60-tonner that goes 7/11 with DHS, a long range weapon or two and all the Medium Lasers it can carry will fit the bill.

[FastConcentrate8]

That definitely opens things up a bit... I'm thinking a 60-tonner that goes 7/11 with DHS, a long range weapon or two and all the Medium Lasers it can carry will fit the bill.

Go for it, seems like an interesting difference to the mainly 70 ton designs I've gotten so far.

[Daryk]

Ok, I don't have MML, so here's my hand jam of the base design.  The SL version will get an XL engine, twin ER Larges in place of the PPC, and more DHS.

Code: [Select]

Raptor Tons Cost
Tonnage 60 1.3
Cockpit 3 200,000
Life Support 0 50,000
Sensors 0 120,000
7 SI 0 350,000
Attitude Thrusters 0 25,000
Landing Gear 0 600
300 Engine 19 1,200,000 Fusion
Fuel Tanks 5 1,000
Armor 18 180,000 288
Double Heat Sinks 3 78,000 91 Nose
PPC 7 200,000 71 Wings
5 Medium Lasers 5 200,000 55 Aft
Subtotal 60 2,604,600
Total 3,385,980


[Izzy193]

Not exactly intended for the SL, but it's introtech though the loadout is basic to say the least.

Code: [Select]

Horn HRN-56

Mass: 55 tons
Frame: Unknown
Power Plant: 165 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
     1 Small Laser
     2 LRM 5
     1 Large Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2751
Tech Rating/Availability: D/C-E-D-D
Cost: 2,259,045 C-bills

Type: Horn
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 55
Battle Value: 1,628

Equipment                                          Mass
Engine                        165 Fusion              6
Safe Thrust: 5
Max Thrust: 8
Structural Integrity:         0                       
Heat Sinks:                   12                      2
Fuel:                         400                   5.0
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor                  440                  27.5

                           Armor   
                           Value   
     Nose                   132   
     Wings                110/110 
     Aft                     88   


Weapons
and Ammo              Location   Tonnage  Heat   SRV  MRV  LRV  ERV
Large Laser             NOS       5.0      8      8    8    0    0 
LRM 5                   RWG       2.0      2      3    3    3    0 
LRM 5 Ammo (48)         FSLG      2.0      -      -    -    -    - 
LRM 5                   LWG       2.0      2      3    3    3    0 
Small Laser             AFT       0.5      1      3    0    0    0 



[Daryk]

I was about to ask "Where did all the tons go?", then realized "Oh, it's a BRICK!"...