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Jacen1 said:
I fully concede Coilguns have their limits. Several of them can be overcome with a bit of lateral design thought; for instance, using an acceleration ring to get the shot up to speed and a relatively short barrel to aim would overcome some of the speed limits, at the cost of requiring a higher energy input and R&D to overcome any aiming issues. Seeing how DARPA has admitted to researching Railguns for over a quarter of a century by now, had the time been put into Coilgun development, they may well have had a useable design by now.

The biggest admitted to issue with Railguns is Rail Erosion. Not just from friction, but also from the high energy spark created at the instant contact with the rails is broken vaporizing the end of the rails. Since this spark is often hot enough to vaporize Tungsten, developing a conductive material that can withstand the brief yet intense heat is something of an issue....
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Well, the spark could be grounded into a some form of capacitor and reused...
 
The problem isn't the energy from the spark itself. The problem is that the spark causes localized heating of the area that erodes away the rails. Combine that the the forces that the rails have to handle and you have a major materials science and engineering problem. The super conductors that Taylor make can help reduce the problem of the spark and the energy losses from the usage of the high voltage pulse(while operating the railgun). The relative durability of the superconductors also help in respect to supporting said material.
TLDR: Easily made room temperature and pressure high strength(and can be treated like aluminum) superconductor just made some major engineering challenges with railguns far far more easier.

EDITS: Godamn typos.
 
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Abacus said:
Also, interested to see what the US government Endbringer response plan is related to getting Taylor to safety
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"This is Strider. He's going to be within 5 feet of you for the rest of your life."


rdmcmains said:
And another problem with Coilguns is there's only one Coil, and once you've fired him out of the gun, he probably won't be reusable.
:D
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No, the great thing about Coil guns is you can keep dropping the timeline whenever you miss!
 
I would imagine that all that damage is from inefficient or crude use of energy. With a bit of experience with the tech and a bit of experimentation the collateral damage should be able to be reduced to something like the wear and tear seen in modern firearms.
 
Mr_Rose said:
Personally I can't wait for this Taylor to get a hold of some of L33t's gear, take it apart and go "oh, wait, that's actually pretty straight-forward. Let me just replace this subspace capacitor and it should be all good. But how you got it to work at all when you made the original out of tin foil and gum I'll never know."
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This is how U and L get domesticated in this world. :V Uber winds up somewhere between tech and security, with L337 bringing in pieces of his tinker-tech in the hope that Taylor can fix it.
 
kelgar04 said:
They more than likely are heck if Taylor pushes hard enough we could see power armoured suits roll out at the regimental and eventually company level
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Well, more efficient wiring and motors using superconductors might make that workable, too. If you can get more for less, then they might be able to make something meaningful from current level batteries. Even a couple hours of operational life would be enough to make some serious value for specialist groups.
 
Mr_Rose said:
Until Taylor figures how to turn the reference frame generator's subspace tap into an electrical generator…
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... or until she manages to mod enough her tech that she starts to make contacts with true alternative timelines... and mets THE TECHNO QUEEEN! *KRA-KHA-THOOM!* and the Aperture Science!Taylor (from "When Life Give You Lemons").
 
Abacus said:
We can build power armour (more or less) right now. The issue is it needs a bunch of power cords to keep it going, because our batteries suck. But give them a better battery, and the other 90% of the design is probably waiting.
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You don't necessarily need better batteries for this, just a sufficiently compact generator. As soon as you've got something that's less than two feet to a side you hook it up in a backpack rig (it's power armour, you can handle the weight) and keep going as long as you have fuel.
 
Toskin said:
You know his engine squashed him in his first test flight because he underestimated its acceleration, right?
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Fortunately, Taylor's already made that mistake, with an unmanned test. So, she should keep from any similar accidents.

Abacus said:
Well, more efficient wiring and motors using superconductors might make that workable, too. If you can get more for less, then they might be able to make something meaningful from current level batteries. Even a couple hours of operational life would be enough to make some serious value for specialist groups.
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Taylor's already established (back in chapter 5) that her gravity device isn't actually being powered by the batteries that she uses, they're just being used to establish a connection to a larger power source. So, if she can just isolate that specific function into a "battery booster" module...
 
cryptoam said:
Me talking about how much just the gravitic drive that Taylor invented will change the military.
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OK. I've been thinking about this a while and I have some ideas on how this would change things.

This only talks about the impact on military operations. There is no discussion of civilian impacts here.

RE missiles:
How much would you like unlimited range/time missiles? If Taylor can make semi inexpensive energy taps(into subspace) and miniaturize them enough to be mounted into a sidewinder for example, you could literally launch a missile at an area that you suspect enemy aircraft to be in. Then the missile can go into search mode (via Radar homing if active, else using IR and visual means if in stealth mode) and run a massive search pattern. This means that stealth aircraft are going to be vulnerable. However, non-stealth aircraft are going to be worse off (ignoring ECM) because now If you are detected., a long range anti-aircraft cruise missile can be launched to your location. Said missiles would then go straight up, looking for you and then kill you. These types of missiles must be successfully maneuvered out of their search cone and then the evading aircraft must remain out of any hostile missile search cone.

Torpedoes are going to be even more lethal. The only two major giveaways of missiles are both it's drive and sonar (flow noise can be very effectively minimized). This means that a gravitic drive propelled torpedo can literally make continuous re-attacks on any targets. Submarines are also going to be made absolutely more lethal. If the subspace power tap can be made and fitted onto a submarine, you would quite literally have to label such a submarine in an entirely new class of it's own (SSD (SS gravitic Drive), SSBD(likely obsolete due to Scion), SSGD). Such a sub would combine both the max speeds and endurance of a nuclear submarine and the utter stealth of a waiting diesel submarine. The major benefits here would be the lack of cavitation at any depth (a major advantage) due to the lack of a propeller/pump jets(This is one aspect of modern day submarines that is secret above all else due to how useful this information is). The lack of such propulsion devices would also remove the baffles. That completely removes the vulnerability to anything in that area(towed arrays only work at low speeds (approx. 5 knots) and while they do reduce the vulnerability, it does not completely remove the problem).

RE Ground craft:
Depending on the specifics, if the subspace tap can be used on vehicles, that removes all power generation and a significant part of the IR signature of vehicles. Even without that, the usage of gravitic drives would allow for the vehicle to go full electric (no need to carry fuel with you) and remove the signature of the engine. The gravitic drive would also likely allow for higher potential ground pressure by using it's hover effects to reduce the apparent weight. This allows for better armor schemes.

RE Aircraft:
Gravitic drives are a major god-send for engineers. Now the usage of wings are no longer needed for control surfaces. Tis removes a major section of the RCS of a plane and a great deal of design problems(the wings create a bending load on the airframe). The drive also removes the signatures of the engine (no intakes, exhaust, and heat generation) drastically decreasing the craft's IR signature. If the subspace power generation can be used on a airplane, you could likely remove the need for any refueling as the aircraft would become unlimited range. This is going to drastically change some portions of air combat (BFM is changed by the fact that you can literally change your thrust vector into any arbitrary direction).

-UPDATE 1:
The newfound VTOL capability of aircraft allows for some major shifts to everything. First, the level of VTOL capability that the gravitic drive has drastically decreases the launching and landing footprint of any aircraft. This ability will drastically change aircraft carrier loads (especially in combination with the size reduction possible by removing/reducing the wingspan). The capability also allows for any aircraft to transition into a helicopter role(eg hover in one place). This allows for some truly multipurpose craft(with the addition of modules/pods). This basically allows for an standard aircraft to take on air supremacy/ interception, bombing(most likely precision), ISR, ASW(ability switch between rapidly moving and hovering changes a lot in regards to movement patterns), and CAS(to a degree). This is a significant amount of roles that can be done.

For aircraft carriers, the only additional aircraft needed is AWACS and supplies(because minimal size for both will still be fairly large(long wave radar size and cargo space)). This makes the complement of aircraft on the carrier even more capable.

For airbases, this allows for the usage of roads as a landing strip. This also makes building survivable airbases far easier. A common and very vulnerable point in airbases are the take off and lading areas. The new footprint increases the usable space (and therefore the space that has to be bombed/denied(via cluster munitions)) by a massive margin. Suddenly, it becomes far harder to deny air operations to the enemy if you can not kill the aircraft. Doing so is also harder due to the ability to hide aircraft(playing the shell game with more cups) in more areas, some of which can be hardened to force the usage of precision weapons which can be degraded in effectiveness by C-RAM and SHORAD (enough in combination with other methods to make it uncertain that the attack denied enemy air operations for long).

RE ICBM and like missiles:
I just realized that any missile will also be lacking in IR signatures upon launch(no hot exhaust to light up as a target). While this may be less important due to nukes being dismantled, it is till a problem for detecting any launches..... Given how that can make other missiles even more dangerous, carriers are going to have to get better defenses. Thankfully the same advantages in maneuverability are going to be available for the interceptor missiles. Combine this with railguns and the carriers will still rule supreme.

-UPDATE 2:
RE Infantry:
What are the roles of infantry?
In no particular order:
  • Expendable forces
  • Urban/Close Quarters combat
  • Holding/Storming positions
  • Rapid response
Gravitic drives if used(read: depending on affordability(mil-spec level) and size) can impact urban/close quarters, rapid response, and taking /holding a position. First the lack of vulnerability to local terrain conditions allow for rapid transport of the infantry(whatever mechanisms needed). That mobility also makes the infantry far more mobile on a tactical level, allowing for new tactics that either make use of the higher speed or height mobility.

If subspace based power is feasible on smaller (personnel level), I would not be too surprised to see efforts on building combat exoskeletons. Such systems allow for even better personal armoring(you have a frame to help hold heavier armor and direct the force of weapon impacts) and weapon loadouts(imagine being able to use a 50 cal. machine gun as your main weapon). That will drastically increase lethality in urban/close quarters combat.

TLDR: GGWP, USA will dominate the next generation(/s) of warfare. The current technology from Taylor is equivalent to 2-3 generation of military technology easily. All thanks to the military being on ball here and DARPA snatching up Taylor quickly.

EDIT: *sprays* Oh hi there. Just spraying some Typo RepellentTM here.
EDIT 2: Updating aircraft section here.
EDIT 3: Added section about infantry.
 
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cryptoam said:
RE Aircraft:
Gravitic drives are a major god-send for engineers. Now the usage of wings are no longer needed for control surfaces. Tis removes a major section of the RCS of a plane and a great deal of design problems(the wings create a bending load on the airframe). The drive also removes the signatures of the engine (no intakes, exhaust, and heat generation) drastically decreasing the craft's IR signature. If the subspace power generation can be used on a airplane, you could likely remove the need for any refueling as the aircraft would become unlimited range. This is going to drastically change some portions of air combat (BFM is changed by the fact that you can literally change your thrust vector into any arbitrary direction).
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You might not want to ditch the wings entirely if only so that you've got a backup in case you lose power. Now that might be a non-issue depending on how reliable/durable the power source/engines are in comparison to the cockpit but it's something to keep in mind.
 
DoctorNobody said:
That sounds more like a Stargate than a power supply...
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Actually it makes me think of the Impeller Drive from the Honor Harrington setting. The "wedge" (complicated gravity distortion) takes a lot of power to set up but allows for accelerations far higher than the ship's own generators could power, because it draws energy from hyperspace.

The Dahak setting from the same author has the Core Tap, much the same idea except it's a pure power source.
 
Given how it appears that everything in the gravitic drive appears to be solid state, I would not be surprised to find that there are compact drives that meet the milspec for electronics in regards to shock, impact, fire, explosions, and environmental conditions. Such a drive would also be likely a line replaceable unit, providing easy "repairs" via the removal and implantation of new drive.

EDIT: *sprays* Why is my Typo RepellantTM not working?
 
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cryptoam said:
TLDR: GGWP, USA will dominate the next generation(/s) of warfare. The current technology from Taylor is equivalent to 2-3 generation of military technology easily. All thanks to the military being on ball here and DARPA snatching up Taylor quickly.
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At that point, the only difference between an airship and a submarine is whether it has windows or not. I could totally see the airforce and navy getting into some right propper rows if the navy starts having flying submarines, and the airforce starts making submersible aircraft.
 
Vyrexuviel said:
At that point, the only difference between an airship and a submarine is whether it has windows or not. I could totally see the airforce and navy getting into some right propper rows if the navy starts having flying submarines, and the airforce starts making submersible aircraft.
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Then the Army starts levitating its military bases to create literal "flying fortresses" and giving its infantry flight packs, and the Air Force gets even more irritated...
 
OMAKE BUILT
THANKS FOR WAITING WARMLY


WARNING: This entire omake is supposed to be satire in reflection of the practices that each service branch has in respect to their budgeting. Please tell me if things need to be changed(better insults and etc.) If this is disrespectful to any branch, let me know how to fix it(in DMs please) or to remove this. Thanks and enjoy!

AIR FORCE: I should get more budget. This new drive will drastically change how our operations can be conducted. That means that I need more budget for RND in new aircraft, training the pilots in the changes to how combat will be conducted, and additional capital expenditures. If you give me more money, I can also streamline quite a lot of our operations, allowing for some of my programs to be removed.
ARMY: Hey! I also want more money for capital expenditures and RND. The new drive can be used to allow us to add more weight on our vehicles. That allows us to add more armor and gear on our platforms. The same tech could also be used to improve our maintenance requirements and add new mobility options like doing amphibious operations.
MARINES: Oh hell no. Navy?
NAVY: Those operations fall into either my or my friend's* domain. You landlubber stay away from our domains. Besides, this new drive means a massive change to our ship and submarine designs. Or do you want our deterrence forces(nowadays the SSGN force) to be obsolete?
ARMY: Who you talking to huh? We're more important! While you bunch of squids are out there on your pleasure cruises and sausage fest, we were helping to respond to the various endbringer attacks!
AIR FORCE: And who did you think give you the warning to respond to such attacks? I did! Monitoring the orbit for incoming Smiurgh attacks is not easy you know. Or do you, you groundpounder.
NAVY: Don't forget about how I am tracking both Behemoth and Leviathan, Army. It's not easy trying to operate the various arrays and their associated stations around the world!
SECRATARY OF DEFENCE: OK! Everyone stop! The tech hasn't even been fully researched yet for any form of deployment yet. Wait until DARPA has finished and then come back to me with petitions for a budget increase. Until then, you are still getting the same budget plans. DARPA, here's some more money for our Prime Asset. Don't let it(gender kept classified) come under threat. And all of you, help protect the asset or I will not contemplate your budget's increase.
DARPA: Thanks! *Scampers off to do more some more MAD SCIENTIST research*
COAST GUARD: Why does no one give me a budget?:cry:
DARPA:*Psst. Coast guard, you mind helping me test some of the maritime applications here? After all, Brockton Bay could use some help....*

EDIT: Space force was never born here (most likely) so that's why it's not included.
 
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Vyrexuviel said:
At that point, the only difference between an airship and a submarine is whether it has windows or not. I could totally see the airforce and navy getting into some right propper rows if the navy starts having flying submarines, and the airforce starts making submersible aircraft.
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You're thinking too small - choose a different ship to float around and you basically have a SHIELD Helicarrier. Navy has a bunch of carriers like that sitting around not doing much, turn them into mobile operations bases and use them to respond to crises inside the US.
 
JoshuaSweetvale said:
Not once did I consider subspace Public Broadcasting as an infinitely more resource-efficient and 'positive' method for aliens to extend the hand of friendship and pull other sentient species out of the snakepit.
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Well, if being able to receive a subspace broadcast properly is the base level for inclusion in our theoretical interstellar conferation, it would make a higher chance for any new civilization to be actually ready to join up... Outside of the edge cases like Earth would be, anyway. ;)
cryptoam said:
We know that Taylor already suspects that some of her classmates are parahumans. What do you think she is going to do with that fact?
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Note them and go on with her research. Until Parahumans give her grief, I can't see this version of Taylor wanting to mess with things outside of continuing to research their unique subspace linkages, which doesn't need any direct interaction at this time.
 
If she approaches any of them in regards to their parahuman nature it would likely be Kid Win I think, especially if she catches him sketching tinkertech designs. If studying tinkertech is interesting to her, then a friendly tinker would be a useful source of information, and she could actually give him useful advice on his designs in return.

He'd probably decide she must be a tinker herself, though.
 
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