Crybaby Cub class Electronic Warfare Fighter

[Starmantle (OP)]

This is a design that fits in a with the Kodiak Assault Wing - https://www.reddit.com/r/aurora4x/comments/7xm53v/combines_kodiak_assault_wing/ - but it's not directly part of the attack wing.

This is also a similar approach to the Crybaby probes and buoys used by the Shepherd class Escort Corvette - https://www.reddit.com/r/aurora4x/comments/7p1g3j/shepherd_class_escort_corvette/ - and other vessels.

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The Crybaby Cub class Electronic Warfare Fighter is and unusual design built around a small but super high resolution sensor that belches EM waves throughout a solar system.  While most assault fighters have stealthy active sensors with a GPS of 30, the Crybaby is 500 times easier to detect with passive EM sensors.  It's also unusual in that it has a serviceable engine compartment and enough fuel to last for 3 days at full speed.  The Crybaby Cub never uses its sensor when near friendly ships.  Its meant as a distraction to divide enemy fleets and present tempting targets.  The fighter can swiftly move at full speed to a remote area, then reduce speed and turn on its sensor to attract an enemy response, later increasing back to full speed to avoid interception.  It's a dangerous mission which is why pilots for these fighters are always volunteers.

Crybaby Cub class Electronic Warfare  Fighter    122 tons     1 Crew     97.475 BP      TCS 2.44  TH 56.25  EM 0
30737 km/s     Armour 3-2     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 0
Maint Life 29.07 Years     MSP 50    AFR 1%    IFR 0%    1YR 0    5YR 2    Max Repair 46.875 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.1 months    Spare Berths 3   

75 EP Magnetic Fusion Drive (1)    Power 75    Fuel Use 462.98%    Signature 56.25    Exp 30%
Fuel Capacity 30 000 Litres    Range 9.6 billion km   (3 days at full power)

Active Search Sensor MR160-R500 (1)     GPS 15000     Range 161.0m km    Resolution 500

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

[Gabethebaldandbold]

If I were you, I would put some ECM on that fighter, try and research some good compact ECM tech and see if you can squeeze it in, it would greatly increase the survivability of your fighter, namely by reducing the range of the enemy fire-control.
It wont nescesarily work agains precursors and invaders because as far as I know they have good ECCM but against any NPR that you will inevitably find on your long voyage through the endless wastes that we call space, it could mean the diference between life or death for your brave volunteer pilots

[Starmantle (OP)]

That might be fun, yes.  It would certainly fit with the theme. 

But so far, I've tried to maximize speed and minimize size so I can squeeze these (fairly non-essential) ships into my hangars. 

I've never had one get anywhere near close enough to an enemy to be painted.

[Iranon]

Counterpoint: As I understand it, small craft ECM is mostly useless.

The vessels that'd use it rely on being too small for most sensors/fire controls.
If that assumption is incorrect, small craft ECM won't be enough to make any difference.
If that assumption is correct, ECM is not worth the tonnage. Increasing your size from 125t to 150t would increase enemy sensor/FC range by 44%.

You gain something specifically against AMM fire controls and in beam combat. Is that relevant and worth the increased general sensor footprint?

[Gabethebaldandbold]

Counterpoint: As I understand it, small craft ECM is mostly useless.

The vessels that'd use it rely on being too small for most sensors/fire controls.
If that assumption is incorrect, small craft ECM won't be enough to make any difference.
If that assumption is correct, ECM is not worth the tonnage. Increasing your size from 125t to 150t would increase enemy sensor/FC range by 44%.

You gain something specifically against AMM fire controls and in beam combat. Is that relevant and worth the increased general sensor footprint?

True... but the name IS Eletronic Warfare Fighter so... I suppose its not that much detrimental... but mechanically speaking it seems that not puting the ecm would be the right choice.

[Garfunkel]

Think you posted this in the wrong forum, unless you intend to start discussing how to best use that scout in combat/fleet

[Starmantle (OP)]

Think you posted this in the wrong forum, unless you intend to start discussing how to best use that scout in combat/fleet

Yeah, fair enough.

It's less about the specs of this ship and more about the tactic, though.

First, this is not a scout, it's a decoy. 

The sensor is unlikely to ever see much of anything, but it's very visible from enemy EM sensors.

The value here is to give the enemy an EM contact and watch them respond to it.  A player or NPR might think the contact is an armed fleet, possibly causing them to turn on their own visible actives or to move to intercept.

If the source of the EM is a probe or buoy, losing it is trivial.  If it's this tiny Electronic Warfare fighter, it can suddenly accelerate to 30,000 km/s and evade.

Downside is that EM sensors can see the sensor is res 500, which should make them suspicious.