MagPlasma MIRV and railgun PD fleet

[Xkill (OP)]

So I have been toying with a new fleet based around generalist ships outfitted with large MIRV missiles, and railgun PD. I'm very unsure about the feasibility of railguns in a PD role, atleast with these ships. The extremely large torpedoes also look quite suspect. I'm primarily looking for advice with the railgun PD, but feel free to comment on anything else.

The tactics for an engagement are quite simple: launch a massive salvo of armored MIRVs and then close in for beam range combat.

Corvette escorts provide either PD or firepower support. May or may not take part in specific operations.

The frigates are supposed to scout ahead of the main fleet and soften up enemy contacts, then, if possible return to help with point defence. If targets are crippled by frigates, they then close to beam range. If not the rest of the fleet launches their MIRVs. Fighters, if present provide very long range missile strikes.

All Capital Ships carry at least one recon fighter to help with recon. Ships are built and organised in multiples of 3. Same for small craft.  The range of the ships is small, but they are not supposed to go very far without a fleet train. All launchers are box launchers.

Obs: To-Hit chances for kinetics weapons are against targets moving at 40k km.

Non-Capital Ships

Escort Corvette

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M-SR1| Std | Ketch class Escort    2 000 tons     75 Crew     440 BP      TCS 40  TH 336  EM 0
8400 km/s     Armour 1-14     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 12
Maint Life 1.96 Years     MSP 69    AFR 64%    IFR 0.9%    1YR 24    5YR 354    Max Repair 84 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months    Spare Berths 2   

Liquid URz M-MAGP/EP168-S7 Drive (2)    Power 168    Fuel Use 153.77%    Signature 168    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 230 000 Litres    Range 13.5 billion km   (18 days at full power)

100mm Slug Rail Autocannon V4/C3 (4x4)    Range 40 000km     TS: 8400 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 4    ROF 5        1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
PD Rail Autocannon Fire Control S01.7 48-7000 (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 7000 km/s     15 13 12 10 8 6 4 2 1 0
S-/Stellarator Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (2)     Total Power Output 12    Armour 0    Exp 5%

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

Comment: I have high hopes for this ship. It has 33% more PD than a frigate for 3 times less mass and cost. 48 shots in a 3 ship group.
Missile Corvette

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M-SR1| Std | Galiot class Missile Corvette    2 000 tons     36 Crew     426.4 BP      TCS 40  TH 336  EM 0
8400 km/s     Armour 2-14     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 9.6
Maint Life 1.68 Years     MSP 67    AFR 64%    IFR 0.9%    1YR 28    5YR 427    Max Repair 112 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months    Spare Berths 2   
Magazine 64   

Liquid URz M-MAGP/EP168-S7 Drive (2)    Power 168    Fuel Use 153.77%    Signature 168    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 335 000 Litres    Range 19.6 billion km   (27 days at full power)

MIRV-32 Catapult Launcher (2)    Missile Size 32    Hangar Reload 240 minutes    MF Reload 40 hours
MIRV Fire Control FC205-R150 (1)     Range 205.7m km    Resolution 150
MIRV/B-32 SS-10x2 V1 Flare Canister (2)  Speed: 8 000 km/s   End: 437.1m    Range: 215.8m km   WH: 0    Size: 32    TH: 26/16/8

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

Comment: This is basically a heavy Falcon, except it doesn't need a carrier, has more range and slightly better armor.
Capital Ships

Skirmishing Missile Frigate

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M-SR1| Std | Xebec class Missile Frigate    7 500 tons     192 Crew     1599.8 BP      TCS 150  TH 900  EM 0
6000 km/s     Armour 3-34     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 13     PPV 34.2
Maint Life 2.18 Years     MSP 400    AFR 150%    IFR 2.1%    1YR 113    5YR 1694    Max Repair 168 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Flight Crew Berths 0   
Hangar Deck Capacity 500 tons     Magazine 128   

Liquid URz M-MAGP/EP300-S15 Drive (3)    Power 300    Fuel Use 89.09%    Signature 300    Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 550 000 Litres    Range 14.8 billion km   (28 days at full power)

100mm Slug Rail Autocannon V4/C3 (3x4)    Range 40 000km     TS: 6000 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 4    ROF 5        1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
150mm Slug Railgun V4/C3 (1x4)    Range 120 000km     TS: 6000 km/s     Power 9-3     RM 4    ROF 15        3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1
Railgun Control S03 96-6000 (1)    Max Range: 192 000 km   TS: 6000 km/s     14 13 12 11 11 10 9 8 7 7
PD Rail Autocannon Fire Control S01.7 48-7000 (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 7000 km/s     15 13 12 10 8 6 4 2 1 0
S-/Stellarator Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (1)     Total Power Output 6    Armour 0    Exp 5%
T-/Stellarator Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (2)     Total Power Output 6    Armour 0    Exp 5%

MIRV-32 Catapult Launcher (4)    Missile Size 32    Hangar Reload 240 minutes    MF Reload 40 hours
MIRV Fire Control FC205-R150 (1)     Range 205.7m km    Resolution 150
MIRV/B-32 SS-10x2 V1 Flare Canister (5)  Speed: 8 000 km/s   End: 437.1m    Range: 215.8m km   WH: 0    Size: 32    TH: 26/16/8

S-/Active Search Sensor MR102-R150 (1)     GPS 25200     Range 102.9m km    Resolution 150
S-/Active Search Sensor MR7-R1 (1)     GPS 140     Range 7.0m km    MCR 762k km    Resolution 1

Strike Group
1x MSC-SR1 | Owl Recon Fighter   Speed: 8400 km/s    Size: 10

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Standard Missile Cruiser

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M-SR1| Std | Carrack class Missile Cruiser    15 000 tons     354 Crew     2686 BP      TCS 300  TH 1200  EM 0
4000 km/s     Armour 4-54     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 21     PPV 111
Maint Life 3.71 Years     MSP 1298    AFR 155%    IFR 2.2%    1YR 147    5YR 2205    Max Repair 336 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Flight Crew Berths 1   
Hangar Deck Capacity 500 tons     Magazine 480   

Liquid URz M-MAGP/EP400-S25 Drive (3)    Power 400    Fuel Use 45%    Signature 400    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 800 000 Litres    Range 21.3 billion km   (61 days at full power)

200mm Slug Railcannon V4/C3 (3x4)    Range 160 000km     TS: 4000 km/s     Power 12-3     RM 4    ROF 20        4 4 4 4 3 2 2 2 1 1
100mm Slug Rail Autocannon V4/C3 (6x4)    Range 40 000km     TS: 4000 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 4    ROF 5        1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Railgun Control S03 96-6000 (1)    Max Range: 192 000 km   TS: 6000 km/s     14 13 12 11 11 10 9 8 7 7
PD Rail Autocannon Fire Control S01.7 48-7000 (2)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 7000 km/s     15 13 12 10 8 6 4 2 1 0
L-/Stellarator Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (1)     Total Power Output 30    Armour 0    Exp 5%

MIRV-32 Catapult Launcher (15)    Missile Size 32    Hangar Reload 240 minutes    MF Reload 40 hours
MIRV Fire Control FC205-R150 (1)     Range 205.7m km    Resolution 150
MIRV/B-32 SS-10x2 V1 Flare Canister (14)  Speed: 8 000 km/s   End: 437.1m    Range: 215.8m km   WH: 0    Size: 32    TH: 26/16/8

M-/Active Search Sensor MR205-R150 (1)     GPS 50400     Range 205.8m km    Resolution 150
S-/Active Search Sensor MR7-R1 (1)     GPS 140     Range 7.0m km    MCR 762k km    Resolution 1

Strike Group
1x MSC-SR1 | Owl Recon Fighter   Speed: 8400 km/s    Size: 10

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

Comment: This seems to be a very powerful ship. Good range, decent armor and lots of firepower. A full launch from a cruiser group of 3 ships would place 45 MIRVs in space; that's 450 submissiles and over 1.3k points of damage!
Carriers

Light Carrier

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M-SR1| Std | City class Light Carrier    18 000 tons     327 Crew     2557.5 BP      TCS 360  TH 1440  EM 0
4000 km/s     Armour 3-61     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 20     PPV 9
Maint Life 1.62 Years     MSP 910    AFR 252%    IFR 3.5%    1YR 405    5YR 6070    Max Repair 240 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Flight Crew Berths 68   
Hangar Deck Capacity 6500 tons     Magazine 288   

Liquid URz M-MAGP/EP480-S30 Drive (3)    Power 480    Fuel Use 42%    Signature 480    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 2 000 000 Litres    Range 47.6 billion km   (137 days at full power)

100mm Slug Rail Autocannon V4/C3 (3x4)    Range 40 000km     TS: 4000 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 4    ROF 5        1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
PD Rail Autocannon Fire Control S01.7 48-7000 (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 7000 km/s     15 13 12 10 8 6 4 2 1 0
T-/Stellarator Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (1)     Total Power Output 3    Armour 0    Exp 5%
S-/Stellarator Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (1)     Total Power Output 6    Armour 0    Exp 5%

MIRV/B-32 SS-10x2 V1 Flare Canister (9)  Speed: 8 000 km/s   End: 437.1m    Range: 215.8m km   WH: 0    Size: 32    TH: 26/16/8

S-/Active Search Sensor MR102-R150 (1)     GPS 25200     Range 102.9m km    Resolution 150
S-/Active Search Sensor MR7-R1 (1)     GPS 140     Range 7.0m km    MCR 762k km    Resolution 1

Strike Group
9x MSC-SR1| Falcon Strikebomber   Speed: 8000 km/s    Size: 10
3x MSC-SR1 | Eagle Interceptor   Speed: 16000 km/s    Size: 10
1x MSC-SR1 | Owl Recon Fighter   Speed: 8400 km/s    Size: 10

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

Comment: Cheaper, smaller version of the Metropolis. The strike group seems small, but it might be more powerful than it looks considering the firepower of the bombers. Weak looking PD, but with interceptors helping it would be equivalent to a cruiser.
Heavy Carrier

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M-SR1| Std | Metropolis class Heavy Carrier    60 000 tons     1279 Crew     8382 BP      TCS 1200  TH 4800  EM 0
4000 km/s     Armour 3-136     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 94     PPV 27
Maint Life 4 Years     MSP 7395    AFR 340%    IFR 4.7%    1YR 738    5YR 11076    Max Repair 672 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Flight Crew Berths 265   
Hangar Deck Capacity 22500 tons     Magazine 960   

Liquid URz M-MAGP/EP800-S50 Drive (6)    Power 800    Fuel Use 30%    Signature 800    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 5 000 000 Litres    Range 50.0 billion km   (144 days at full power)

100mm Slug Rail Autocannon V4/C3 (9x4)    Range 40 000km     TS: 4000 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 4    ROF 5        1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
PD Rail Autocannon Fire Control S01.7 48-7000 (3)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 7000 km/s     15 13 12 10 8 6 4 2 1 0
M-/Stellarator Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (1)     Total Power Output 18    Armour 0    Exp 5%
S-/Stellarator Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (1)     Total Power Output 6    Armour 0    Exp 5%
T-/Stellarator Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (1)     Total Power Output 3    Armour 0    Exp 5%

MIRV/B-32 SS-10x2 V1 Flare Canister (30)  Speed: 8 000 km/s   End: 437.1m    Range: 215.8m km   WH: 0    Size: 32    TH: 26/16/8

L-/Active Search Sensor MR411-R150 (1)     GPS 100800     Range 411.5m km    Resolution 150
S-/Active Search Sensor MR7-R1 (1)     GPS 140     Range 7.0m km    MCR 762k km    Resolution 1

Strike Group
30x MSC-SR1| Falcon Strikebomber   Speed: 8000 km/s    Size: 10
2x MSC-SR1 | Owl Recon Fighter   Speed: 8400 km/s    Size: 10
12x MSC-SR1 | Eagle Interceptor   Speed: 16000 km/s    Size: 10

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

Comment: My big, imposing, carrier. The strike group is pretty large, and might actually be too much. PD looks good.
Small Craft

Interceptor

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MSC-SR1 | Eagle class Interceptor    500 tons     5 Crew     154 BP      TCS 10  TH 160  EM 0
16000 km/s     Armour 2-5     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 1.86 Years     MSP 19    AFR 20%    IFR 0.3%    1YR 7    5YR 104    Max Repair 80 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.1 months    Spare Berths 5   

Liquid URz SC-MAGP/EP160-S4 Thruster (1)    Power 160    Fuel Use 569.21%    Signature 160    Exp 25%
Fuel Capacity 10 000 Litres    Range 0.6 billion km   (10 hours at full power)

100mm Slug Rail Autocannon V4/C3 (1x4)    Range 40 000km     TS: 16000 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 4    ROF 5        1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
SC Rail Autocannon Fire Control S01 48-4000 (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 16000 km/s     36 31 27 23 19 15 10 6 2 0
T-/Stellarator Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (1)     Total Power Output 3    Armour 0    Exp 5%

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes

Comment: These are intended primarily for a PD role, increasing the volume of fire in whatever Combat Group they are a part of. I may use them against FACs and fighters.
Missile Bomber

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MSC-SR1| Falcon class Strikebomber    500 tons     5 Crew     129.2 BP      TCS 10  TH 80  EM 0
8000 km/s     Armour 1-5     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 4.8
Maint Life 2.2 Years     MSP 16    AFR 20%    IFR 0.3%    1YR 4    5YR 66    Max Repair 56 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.2 months    Spare Berths 3   
Magazine 32   

Liquid URz SC-MAGP/EP80-S2 Thruster (1)    Power 80    Fuel Use 581.07%    Signature 80    Exp 25%
Fuel Capacity 20 000 Litres    Range 1.2 billion km   (43 hours at full power)

MIRV-32 Catapult Launcher (1)    Missile Size 32    Hangar Reload 240 minutes    MF Reload 40 hours
FTR-/ MIRV Fire Control FC102-R150 (1)     Range 102.9m km    Resolution 150
MIRV/B-32 SS-10x2 V1 Flare Canister (1)  Speed: 8 000 km/s   End: 437.1m    Range: 215.8m km   WH: 0    Size: 32    TH: 26/16/8

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
Recon Craft

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MSC-SR1 | Owl class Recon Fighter    500 tons     9 Crew     222 BP      TCS 10  TH 84  EM 0
8400 km/s     Armour 1-5     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 0
Maint Life 0 Years     MSP 0    AFR 100%    IFR 1.4%    1YR 94    5YR 1417    Max Repair 168 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.2 months    Spare Berths 8   

Liquid URz ESC-MAGP/EP84-S3 Thruster (1)    Power 84    Fuel Use 235.79%    Signature 84    Exp 17%
Fuel Capacity 10 000 Litres    Range 1.5 billion km   (50 hours at full power)

S-/Active Search Sensor MR102-R150 (1)     GPS 25200     Range 102.9m km    Resolution 150

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
MIRV and Submunition

MIRV Bus

MIRV/B-32 SS-10x2 V1 Flare Canister

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Missile Size: 32 MSP  (1.6 HS)     Warhead: 0    Armour: 4     Manoeuvre Rating: 10
Speed: 8000 km/s    Engine Endurance: 7.3 hours   Range: 209.8m km
Cost Per Missile: 23.908
Second Stage: MIRV/SS-2 V1 Sunflare x10
Second Stage Separation Range: 6 000 000 km
Overall Endurance: 7 hours   Overall Range: 217.0m km
Chance to Hit: 1k km/s 80%   3k km/s 20%   5k km/s 16%   10k km/s 8%
Materials Required:    8.5x Tritanium   0.423x Boronide   0.7x Uridium   14.285x Gallicite   Fuel x4750

Development Cost for Project: 2391RP

Comment: I'm worried about the speed on this bus. Seems like it might get intercepted by AMMs before separation, especially considering it's size.
MIRV Submunition

MIRV/SS-2 V1 Sunflare

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Missile Size: 2 MSP  (0.1 HS)     Warhead: 3    Armour: 0     Manoeuvre Rating: 13
Speed: 40000 km/s    Engine Endurance: 3 minutes   Range: 7.2m km
Active Sensor Strength: 0.07   Sensitivity Modifier: 50%
Resolution: 150    Maximum Range vs 7500 ton object (or larger): 40 000 km
Cost Per Missile: 1.9708
Chance to Hit: 1k km/s 520%   3k km/s 169%   5k km/s 104%   10k km/s 52%
Materials Required:    0.75x Tritanium   0.0423x Boronide   0.07x Uridium   1.1085x Gallicite   Fuel x100

Development Cost for Project: 197RP

Comment: I feel pretty enthusiastic with this missile; its fast, quite accurate, and can put in some good damage.

[NuclearStudent]

You don't need to armor your MIRV bus if your separation distance is far away enough. Your Sunflares have 7.2m range-you can safely put your separation range at something like 5m or so. I do like your Sunflares, btw.

[83athom]

Looking pretty nice. I will say that you can put a warhead on the MIRV bus because either way it will still target and close onto the enemy ship. Railguns work pretty well for PD and for a large amounts of ships they can create an area of denial against any ordinance. They do taper out near later techs as gauss cannon fire rate, turret gear speed, and FC targeting speed will outpace engine tech )unless you focus heavily on engines and ignore other things) while missiles get exponentially faster.

[Xkill (OP)]

Looking pretty nice. I will say that you can put a warhead on the MIRV bus because either way it will still target and close onto the enemy ship. Railguns work pretty well for PD and for a large amounts of ships they can create an area of denial against any ordinance. They do taper out near later techs as gauss cannon fire rate, turret gear speed, and FC targeting speed will outpace engine tech )unless you focus heavily on engines and ignore other things) while missiles get exponentially faster.

You don't need to armor your MIRV bus if your separation distance is far away enough. Your Sunflares have 7.2m range-you can safely put your separation range at something like 5m or so. I do like your Sunflares, btw.

The idea behind the MIRVs is that they would be decoys against enemy AMMs after separating. That's why they have armor, so they can survive for longer and tie down more AMMs. If I were to put in a warhead on the bus I would have to give up some armor for a rather low yield. Not sure if it's worth it.

The separation distance was a mistake. It is supposed to be 6mkm.

[Bughunter]

Make another version with warhead instead of armor for the second engagement when they will think them harmless.. but yes I know the AI is too smart to fall for that trick.

[NuclearStudent]

Make another version with warhead instead of armor for the second engagement when they will think them harmless.. but yes I know the AI is too smart to fall for that trick.

Rather, I would guess that it would be too dumb to fall for that trick. I would be astounded if the Aurora AI actually took enemy missile specs into account in such a way.