: Posted by Fleet Captain Jen "Sloth" Herr (Engineering Director) in Tech: Midway Class
: I'm going to keep the Midway Class Technology submissions together, as a packet, unless one of them stands out as a real "stand alone", and try and approve them with the design at some point. That way it's all nice and easy, theoretically. Lets do our best to keep comments on these components in this thread... if separate discussions break out about separate components, we can start labeling the threads differently, but they'll all stick together to this parent thread (I think).
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: Below are the technology entries for the Midway Class ship spec. Lax review rules in effect. Happy reviewing! - Jen
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Ok then, my review for you. I'm not an engineer. I don't understand most of the engineering stuff. I am a GM and a CO there. In both roles, I have to at least look at ship spec documents which might mean looking at tech documents as well, depending on the ship in question. This is the perspective in which my review will be undertaken for you.

I really don't understand all of the parts of your first tech, Jarod.

I understand the other ones, but the first one doesn't really explain what it is in language I understand. As a CO as well as a GM, I would have trouble
(1) choosing the Midway as the class for my ship (if I had that choice, as a planet ... Oed V doesn't really need to change anything like that;
(2) GMing on a ship that has the Midway as the class; or
(3) Using the Midway Class in a sim I am running.

When I take on a new GM assignment, I like to read write through the relevant spec. As I'm GMing, I refer back to the spec continuously, to make sure I'm locating things properly, and check whether or not the ship has an EMH (for example) or locations in which I want to set a scene. Where ships have specific techs that have been approved and are part of the Tech Manual, I read those as well. These have included the Pendragon, with its Machine Shop. I've had no trouble reading and understanding those. However, I've got no clue what this first tech is meant to do or look like or anything like that. Each of the techs in this submission, I understand what they do and look like, but not the first one.

Here is a breakdown of what I don't understand ... I've copied your text down here, broken it down to ask my questions about it. I've also got some questions in there that might be other things that you might like to consider as well.

: Dynatech Liquiplast Coagulating Material

: Developed in 2378 by Orion DynaTech, Liquiplast is a coagulating material that is installed inside a starship's hull layers.

What does 'coagulating material mean'?

I didn't realise that starship hulls had layers. Why do they?

: Comprising a non-volatile reaction cured vitreous matrix suspended in a film-forming coagulating material, Liquiplast is produced in sheets averaging two centimetres in thickness.

I also don't know what you mean by 'non-volatile reaction cured vitreous matrix' and there is that 'coagulating material again!

You talk about its thickness, how long and wide are the sheets?

: This material is always in a gel form until exposed to the vacuum of outer-space.

Why is it in a gel form in atmospheric conditions? Just because it is? Or is there some scientific reason for it?

By gel, do you mean something like toothpaste or shaving gel? or are you talking about something totally different?

: Once exposed to vaccuum the material rapidly solidifies, providing a patch to small hull breaches like micro-fractures.

So, it undergoes a chemical reaction or something? How long after the breach does it need to be attached? Is it a long term solution or just a temporary 'fix'? Wow, I actually know what micro-fractures mean :D

: This material provides an alternative means of maintaining atmospheric pressure if emergency forcefields are unavailable.

So, is it just stored on the ship? Or does it get stored at repair facilities? Or is it a combination of both?

If another ship (eg Viking Class) had micro fractures would this substance be able to repair them? Or would it have a negative impact on them?

: It is ineffective in the case of larger hull breaches.

How much bigger before it is ineffective? Half a deck? 2 decks? Half the ship?

That almost seems to me as though it was an oversight by the designers of this substance ... not to have a version of it to repair larger hull breaches. Any plans by them to release a version that can repair these larger hull breaches?

: Tetraplast Polyalloy
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: Developed in 2378 by Orion DynaTech, Tetraplast is a thermoplastic polyalloy that is installed inside a starship's hull layers.

'Thermoplastic'? 'Polyalloy'? What do they mean? Once again, I didn't realise that starship hulls had layers.

: Composed of silica fibre-based quartz and an organic polymer which is seeded into reinforced carbon-carbon sheets, Tetraplast sheets average five centimetres in thickness.

Once again what about length and width of them?

: These sheets melt when exposed to a high energy discharge, such as the energy released during a collision or on contact with weapons fire. The organic polymer absorbs thermodynamic energy which causes the material to expand proportionally to the amount of energy available.

So it is like a balloon being blown up or something along those lines?

: Once removed from the energy source the material quickly solidifies, helping to fill breaches and provide structural support when used in conjunction with the ship's SIF.

So, this one is the answer to my final question about your first tech spec, Jared?

I found overall that one to be easier to digest and understand than your first one.

: Multi-Inlet Bussard Collector
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: Developed in 2387 by Phardos/Orion for use on the next generation of Starfleet vessels.

I'm not sure that the above is a complete sentence, Jared.

: The multi-inlet bussard collector provides greater scoop capacity over earlier types and allows for the harvesting of more complex particles.

From the name of it, I'm assuming that it has several collection points for the particles it collects?

: The system operates in conjunction with the navigational deflector array to identify useful particles, gases or concentration of interstellar matter (space dust). These materials are selectively ionized by a series of beam emitters which sort through the incoming material, dividing it into burnable fuel (typically hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives), processable fuel (typically helium and other rarefied gases which can be broken down in hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives) and useful particulate matter (called UPM's which consist of space dust and heavier elements not suitable for use in the engines).

I like the way you've explained the above, Jared. I found it easy to understand. However, I don't think you need the apostrophe in UPMs.

: A series of magnetic field generators separate the three grades of matter and direct them into the appropriate collection inlet (called the collector) where they are further sorted by their levels of purity. The separated gases are pressure-fed to holding tanks or directed to the injectors for immediate use in the ship's engines. Lower grade material is directed through filtering/processing units which remove impurities from gases and feed any material not worth storing into the solid matter tanks.

Ok, so if I understand this part correctly, the burnable fuel and processable fuel are put into the holding tanks/injectors as necessary, while the UPMs into filtering/processing units? Or is my breakdown of it incorrect?

: All solid matter (space dust and heavier elements) is directed into the ship's waste processing facilities where it is converted into raw matter for use in shipboard replicators. This effectively increases the endurance of the ship between resupply and refuelling stops.

So, in other words you get more miles for your bucks? :D I like this one, Jared, I found it easy to understand in the main, and the language seemed to be a lot more accessible than the first one.

A further couple of questions for you ...

Are there any plans for retrofitting previous generations of starships to have this updated Bussard Collector?

Or would something like that cause issues for the ship's performance? (Sorry, I can't stop thinking like a GM here)

: Multifunction Phased Array Tachyon (MPAT) Sensor System

: Developed in 2387 by Orion DynaTech, the Multifunction Phased Array Tachyon (MPAT) sensor array combines both active and passive scanning elements. The MPAT system employs phased tachyon particles, which inherently exist in a faster-than-light state, instead of generating a subspace field. This provides several advantages including a significant energy savings. Standard operating mode generates a tachyonic field which serves as the principal scanning medium, providing real-time acquisition and analysis capabilities. MPAT consumes less energy at the same scanning intensity while producing nearly three times the volume of data. This requires considerably more bandwidth when performing a scan, but the results are correspondingly more detailed. This is due to tachyon condensation and the Casimir effect. MPAT sensors will record the presence of virtual particles and interactions of zero-point energy fields more accurately than standard subspace sensors, making them ideal for the study of quantum level phenomena including micro singularities. These sensory systems are also inherently more stealthy than current subspace models as the tachyonic field will appear to be present in all directions with equal strength.

So, if I understand properly, it is better at detecting things, including hidden things and it allows for further in depth study of smaller scientific phenomena. Is that correct?

Would it be better at detecting cloaked vessels etc?

My standard questions regarding installing it on earlier model starships would relate here as well? ie can it be retrofitted and would it have negative impacts?

Also, it might also be useful on starbases, outposts and the like. Any thoughts on that?

Finally, mostly you refer to it as a sensor system or a sensory system. However, in your first sentence, you refer to it as a sensor array. Is array and system interchangeable in this circumstance, or is it something that needs to be fixed up?

I like this technology from my point of view, and can see how it can be of use.

: Anti-Proton Pulse Scanner (APPS)
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: Design work on the Anti-Proton Pulse Scanner (APPS) began in 2268, following the successful capture of a Romulan cloaking device. The technology to generate anti-protons already existed but the implementation of a detection system was too difficult for the equipment of the day. It was decided that tachyon particles were the easiest way to detect a cloaked ship, since the equipment was already present aboard most Starfleet vessels. This was first successfully demonstrated 2368, during the Klingon Civil War.

This is a reference to that TNG Episode in which Data captained one of the ships, and maintained his ship's position in defiance of Picard's orders, I assume?

: Results were generally regarded as successful, though the system's primary weaknesses were also painfully demonstrated. During 2371 the Dominion employed an anti-proton beam which defeated the Romulan and Klingon cloaking devices with ease. Captured Dominion technology identified the principle failing of the original project and the APPS was rapidly developed.

I love the way you work the episodes and a logical extrapolation from them into your description here, Jared.

: The APPS provides short range penetration of cloaking devices through the emission of a cohesive pulse of anti-protons. This pulse is limited to a forty-five degree forward cone and has a maximum effective range of 100,000 km. It is known that both the Klingon and Romulan Empires are developing new countermeasures and it is uncertain how long this device will remain effective against their ships. Pulses can be fired once every thirty seconds as it takes that long for the device to build up the required charge of anti-protons.

I like the way you've brought in these limitations on the device, they seem to be logical and thought out to me.

: The device was first successfully field tested in 2387 and rapidly went into production. It is considered ready for widespread Starfleet service.

So, I presume it can be included on all the starships, including those currently in service? What about starbases? Also, in terms of STF time, we haven't reached 2385 yet. We are currently in the year 2385, according to the FCOMM Edict, so unless you're suggesting time travel was involved in field testing it in 2387, I'd recommend changing that year to 2385 or earlier :D

One last thing, on the APPS I can't see any kind of description of what this device looks like. So maybe that would be a good thing to include in this tech submission.

I like this tech, Jared. I can see a lot of practical uses for it in sims.

: Regulus Torpedo Casing
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: The Regulus torpedo casing is based around Starfleet's standard elongated elliptical shape.

Shape of what? I presume you mean torpedo, but you might want to explain that.

: The new shell is constructed of high density tritanium and duranium foam which is gamma expanded into a mold. The completed casings are then coated in an anti-radiation polymer of monocrystal beryllium silicate and a low observability parametallic sheath. Both of these measures help to reduce the weapons sensor profile. Every effort has been made to increase the weapon's stealth capabilities by minimizing the number of penetrations through the casing and specially treating those that have been made.

Nice!

: The Regulus measures 2.1 metres long by 0.76 metres wide by 0.45 metres wide. The complete weapon has a dry weight of 186.7 kilograms.

I would perhaps move this forward in your description of it, maybe even after the first sentence. I'm not sure why, it doesn't seem to 'fit' to me where you've got it for some reason. I think it is because you've spoken about penetrations in the sentence before this, and then again in the sentence after it.

: Penetrations are cut by phaser cutters which allow access for warhead reactant loading, hardwired ODN connections and sustainer engine exhaust grills. The standard internal components include matter and antimatter storage tanks, a combiner tank and all required magnetic suspension equipment. Propulsion is provided by a matter/antimatter multimode sustainer engine which consumes reactants from the warhead storage tanks. Target acquisition sensors, guidance systems and detonation control circuitry is provided by an internal computer system which is based around the improved bio-neural circuitry with bio-molecular data storage. This increases response time and allows the weapon to more intelligently select targets and avoid being spoofed by decoys. The Regulus entered Starfleet service in 2387.

Once again, this date of 2387 puts it at two years ahead of the current year in STF.

Overall, I like this one as well from purely a GM perspective. More opportunities to have things go boom is always nice from where I'm sitting. :D

: Class VII Photon Warhead for Mark V Torpedoes
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: Developed in 2387 for use in the new Regulus torpedo casing, the Class-VII photon warhead utilizes the standard matter/antimatter reaction. Variable amounts of matter and antimatter are separated into their individual particles. Each particle is matched with its own antiparticle pair and held in suspension by powerful magnetic fields. The maximum payload of antimatter in the Class-VII is 2.5 kilograms, though the total annihilation surface is several orders of magnitude greater than an equivalent frozen slug. The combiner tank is pressurized with fluoronetic vapour which increases the speed at which the annihilation reaction occurs, increasing energy yield. Maximum yield is 25 isotons, though this decreases as the torpedo travels due to the matter/antimatter supply being utilized to fuel the torpedoes warp sustainer engine.

Once again that year. :) Apart from that, the tech seems all rather straightforward and makes sense to me. Though what do you mean by 'frozen slug'?

: Class II Quantum Warhead for Mark VI Torpedoes
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: Developed in 2387 for use in the new Regulus torpedo casing the Class-II quantum warhead employs the standard photon torpedo warhead combined with a zero-point energy field initiator. This device generates an eleven dimensional space-time membrane which is twisted into a superstring fragment. The resulting reaction creates large numbers of particles and releases a correspondingly large amount of energy in the form of an exothermic reaction. The Class-II warhead uses an improved fold device which generates more standardized and predictable reactions in the 55 isoton range, whereas earlier devices were highly variable. The expected yield decreases as the torpedo travels, due to the matter/antimatter supply being utilized to fuel the torpedoes warp sustainer engine.

And that year once more :) You mentioned the weight of the warhead in the previous piece of tech. You don't seem to have in this one. Was that intentional?

Apart from that, no real comments for you, apart from, I like and understand this one as well.

: Firefly Multiple Independent Weapons System (MIWS)
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: First tested in 2378, the Firefly MIWS torpedo is a modified Mark-VI torpedo with the warhead and guidance systems removed. In their place a ripple-fire micro-torpedo launching system is installed, firing a burst of twenty micro-torpedoes in under five seconds. Each micro-torpedo is guided by the launching ship's targeting computer after release, allowing them to engage multiple targets or hit multiple shields on a single target at the same time. Micro-torpedoes are not as effective as normal torpedoes, but can be used to temporarily blind or confuse an enemy if detonated close enough. The Firefly torpedo can be launched up to ranges of 125,000 kilometres and be programmed to release the micro torpedoes at any point in it's flight-path. The Mark-II micro torpedoes have an additional range of 75,000 kilometres after being released, allowing a Firefly to be fired at a target up to 200,000 kilometres from the launching ship.

The main comment here would be, would you mind giving the dimensions of the micro-torpedoes?

Is it also designed to work with the Regulus Torpedo Casing? If so, you might like to mention that again in here.

Once again, this one seems pretty straightforward to me.

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Over all, I like your tech package. Jared, the only one I wasn't overly clear on was that first one, and that was really me not understanding some of the terminology in it.

I hope my comments and questions are useful and helpful as you continue work on your spec, and that you get a speedy approval for both your ship and your technology items.

Russell