Author Topic: BA SATCOM Suite  (Read 1097 times)

Daryk

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BA SATCOM Suite
« on: 24 April 2022, 08:52:56 »
A discussion up in Ground Combat pointed out BA could (somehow) benefit from a NavSat (to gain +1 MP beyond sprinting, if moving on the ground).  The TO: AR rules for using satellites (pp.161-163) appear to require 4 tons of communications gear (or its equivalent).  Obviously, 4 tons is WAY too much for BA.  Enter the AToW "Field Commuications Kit, Advanced".  It's military grade, only 100 kg, and has a stated range of "2,500 km to satallite".  That seems a bit too low, and of course doesn't speak to set up time, or how big the dish is.  My proposed compromise (below) would require a BA squad's Squad Support Weapon "slot":

BA SATCOM Suite
Requires each suit to dedicate 50 kg and 1 slot to the SATCOM suite (meaning 200 kg minimum for the whole system, and that's for an IS squad; ComStar versions mass 300 kg total, but have increased redundancy).  Establishing a satellite uplink requires all suits in the squad to be operational (it uses a phased array and precise formation to establish the necessary baseline), but an established link can be maintained as long as any suit survives.  Cost for the system is 100,000 C-Bills per suit.

Hazard Pay

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Re: BA SATCOM Suite
« Reply #1 on: 24 April 2022, 17:46:58 »
Very interesting, mind if I use it for a BA design?

Daryk

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Re: BA SATCOM Suite
« Reply #2 on: 24 April 2022, 19:06:16 »
Not at all!  That's what it's here for...  8)

idea weenie

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Re: BA SATCOM Suite
« Reply #3 on: 24 April 2022, 20:48:50 »
Would it also require the BA suits to remain stationary while it is in use?

Due to the redundancy, would a detail be useful where it says that a BA unit with this communications ability needs at least 4 intact suits to be able to use that ability?

Daryk

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Re: BA SATCOM Suite
« Reply #4 on: 25 April 2022, 03:16:14 »
As I noted, I think it should only require all four (or six) suits to establish an uplink, not maintain one.

And no other unit has to hold still, so I don't see why BA should have to.

Hazard Pay

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Re: BA SATCOM Suite
« Reply #5 on: 13 May 2022, 00:28:39 »
Took a while, but I remember making this and felt I had to post it.

Pretty basic take on a BA with a SatCom Suite. I'm sure it can be done better. Once LRMs are dried up it can detach them and act like an over armored Light BA.

Code: [Select]
Shortbow BA SatCom Suite
Type:
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown

Tech Base: Inner Sphere (Standard/Illegal)
Chassis Type:  Biped
Weight Class: Medium
Maximum Weight: 1,000 kg
Squad Size: 4
Cost: 2,084,000 (1,684,000)
Battle Value: 238 (???)
Swarm/Leg Attack/Mechanized/AP: No/Yes/Yes/No
</p>

Equipment                                     Slots      Mass
Chassis:                                               175 kg
Motive System:                                               
     Ground MP:          3 (+1 BAS)                      80 kg
     Jump MP:            0                               0 kg
Manipulators:                                                 
    Left Arm:            Manipulator (Basic)             0 kg
    Right Arm:           Manipulator (Basic)             0 kg
Armor:                   Standard (Basic)       0      500 kg
    Armor Value:         10 (+1 Trooper)                         

                                         Slots           
Weapons and Equipment         Location (Capacity)   Mass 
LRM 1 + DMP                   Body       2       70 kg (60 kg)
LRM 1 Ammo (4)                Left Arm     1       33.2 kg
Machine Gun                   Right Arm     1       75 kg 
LRM 1 Ammo (2)                Left Arm     1       16.6 kg
BA SATCOM Suite               Body         1       50 kg


Daryk

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Re: BA SATCOM Suite
« Reply #6 on: 13 May 2022, 03:19:32 »
Not bad!  :thumbsup: