Assume I'm launching a single coordnated strike of size-1 missiles from 10 FACs.
910 missiles in 910 salvos, speed 16k, WH2, MR19. 61% to hit a 5k target
720 missiles in 10 salvos of 72, speed 32k, WH1, MR22. 141% to hit a 5k target.
The first is my design from the first post.
The second represents the best I can do with fast missiles from box launchers, comparable effective range (~45m) , from platforms half as fast (8k).
The first looks much, much, better to me.
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If we use two-stage missiles with size-1 payloads, we get rid of the speed restriction for the final stage... but slow cruising stage introduces its own problems.
On 8km/s craft launching 8km/s two-stage missiles, I could get
740 missiles in 740 salvos (Size 2 launcher)
980 missiles in 490 salvos of 2 (Size 3 launcher)
Final stages with a range requirement of about 6m could be
25600 km/s, WH2, MR22, 112% for a 5k target.
32000 km/s, WH1, MR28, 179% for a 5k target.
38400 km/s, WH1, MR22, 169% for a 5k target.
Larger launchers are unnecessary tonnage overhead and reduce dispersion if we just want to drown our target in size-1 missiles, but become interesting when we want larger final stages. 10 FACs could also deliver 160 of the following in single-missile salvos:
Total size 6, 6km/s, 75m cruising range, releasing a size 4.861 second stage:
26300 km/s, WH9, Range 7.2m, MR24, 126.2% to hit a 5km/s target
My two-stage missiles currently suffer from insufficient engine power multipliers, and the bigger one above should probably carry a sensor.
