MAWS-12 2.5mm Coilgun and Short Range Laser Turret
Magnetic Assembly Weapon System Number 12 ( MAWS-12 ) is a point defense weapon system designed to protect a starship against small incoming threats like micrometers, small orbital debris, and small craft.
History
The weapon system itself is based on the UG-301, which was originally designed in 2271. That particular systems' development was overtaken by the Magnetic Assembly in 2310 with gradual improvements being made up until the New Years Revolution in 2320. At this point the Magnetic Assembly was no longer constrained by the American Union's requirements, and their next version of the weapon system would be more focused on what they needed.
Assembly ships are traditionally far less armored than American Union ships, and required additional protection against micrometers and other debris. Similarly, the ship would also require close in defense against small targets like individuals in space suits or other small objects that might approach while the ship is in dock. Several different versions of the weapon were designed and trialed, but ultimately the Assembly would land on using a combination of short range laser optics for sensing and small targets as well as a 'sandblaster' style coil gun for dealing with more solid targets like small projectiles and space suits.
By 2325, the Magnetic Assembly was seeing the limits of their coil gun weapons. After the Second battle of Atlantica and the Atlantica Blitz, more and more of their ship's mass was being given over to missile and lasers systems at the expense of their guns. With the sheer amount of missiles being employed in increasingly large volley counts, Coilguns simply couldn't intercept a meaningful number of them before impact. The MAWS-12 tries to address this by extending the length of the barrel and increasing the amount of energy per-shot so that its slugs will have greater speed as they leave the barrel. The weapon system would also start to take the appearance of a more traditionally Assembly design, with radiators and super capacitors integrated into the barrel of the weapon itself. A simplified ammunition loading system also reduces weight over the overall system.
These weapon systems would enter production in mid 2325, and would start replacing the MAWS-11 when available.
Assembly ships are traditionally far less armored than American Union ships, and required additional protection against micrometers and other debris. Similarly, the ship would also require close in defense against small targets like individuals in space suits or other small objects that might approach while the ship is in dock. Several different versions of the weapon were designed and trialed, but ultimately the Assembly would land on using a combination of short range laser optics for sensing and small targets as well as a 'sandblaster' style coil gun for dealing with more solid targets like small projectiles and space suits.
By 2325, the Magnetic Assembly was seeing the limits of their coil gun weapons. After the Second battle of Atlantica and the Atlantica Blitz, more and more of their ship's mass was being given over to missile and lasers systems at the expense of their guns. With the sheer amount of missiles being employed in increasingly large volley counts, Coilguns simply couldn't intercept a meaningful number of them before impact. The MAWS-12 tries to address this by extending the length of the barrel and increasing the amount of energy per-shot so that its slugs will have greater speed as they leave the barrel. The weapon system would also start to take the appearance of a more traditionally Assembly design, with radiators and super capacitors integrated into the barrel of the weapon itself. A simplified ammunition loading system also reduces weight over the overall system.
These weapon systems would enter production in mid 2325, and would start replacing the MAWS-11 when available.
Layout
The MAWS-12 uses a circular metal base to connect a rotating turret to a starship. The turret only requires power and data inputs to operate, and has a relatively low recoil weapon system which allows it to be mounted just about anywhere.
The turret itself houses the electronics and batteries for the device along with the 2.5mm coilgun. The sides of the turret house optical sensors that serve as both laser focusing optics, electro-optical sensors, and thermal sensors.
Usage
The MAWS-12 is designed to be easily attached to a starship to provide defense against small objects like micrometers. Simply be welding the lower plate to the hull and connecting a power supply a fully autonomous protection system can be installed. The large optics and close range weapons provide great situational awareness of the areas immediately around the ship, which is primarily useful for protecting the ship in constrained environments such as while docked at space stations or within a close formation.
This page has been seen 18 times.
-
-
Created by on
-