[X] Generator Rebuild - The need to periodically shut down the generators every three hours presents a notable vulnerability that must be resolved. The cause of the problem is known, but the solution will require some work. (1 point)
[X] Surge Power Protection - By installing additional batteries, fuses, and electronic monitoring systems, it should be possible to resolve the brownout issues that appear during levels of high power consumption. (1 point)
2037 Internal Report - BRISTLE Upgrade Package
The Head of Quality Assurance has provided a report on updates to the BRISTLE. Despite attempts at simplifying the interface, it has proven to be a failure in many ways. Considerable effort went into the project, and as a result, several annual bonuses were reduced. However simple computational upgrades were still possible, allowing for a minor improvement in networking with other systems.
2037 Internal Report - Continued Goliath Development
Continued development of the Goliath has gone well. While the generator rebuild was complicated and increased the predicted operational costs, the improvements to the power grid were unexpectedly useful. Using insight from EMP shielding methods in use by the United American power grid, we were able to harden the grid up to 500% peak power usage. With the current equipment, it's expected that only 250% peak power usage is possible, ensuring that more complex systems can be added in the future. Additionally, DARPA has expressed interest in this engineering design.
2037 External Report - Updated Nuclear War Predictions
Recent developments in atmospheric and planetary sciences have caused Project HADES to update its simulations. Intelligence reports have led to the figure of 2.4 teratons of nuclear explosives detonating in the first and second nuclear strikes. In comparison, the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs was 100 teratons. As such, the Earth is expected to be blanketed in total darkness for 18 days post-exchange.
Of greater cause for concern are the electromagnetic effects due to airbursts. These detonations are predicted to strip away the entirety of the ozone layer, rendering cancer rates on the surface as a near certainty for unprotected individuals. More worrying are some indications that Earth's magnetic field may be disrupted. This is debated thankfully, but if the magnetic field is damaged in some way, the atmosphere will be stripped away over the course of a century. That would make survival more complicated.
"A lot of people have been talking about radiation shielding tech as the next big thing, regardless of nuclear war. I've heard some pretty crazy things happening out in Bogota and Mexico City. Meanwhile, NASA is talking about creating some sort of "time-capsule" to shoot up into space to act as a final message to anyone out there that humanity once lived." - Arthur
2037 Internal Report - Drone Design
While development on the Goliath has proceeded at pace, the drones themselves need to be designed. The United American government has explained that they have 5 other companies creating competing models as well, but also that they may choose multiple designs if they prove to be useful. For the design, some basic decisions need to be made.
GM Note: The complexity here is for the drones themselves, not for the Goliath.
Payload (Pick 1)
[] None - Creating a direct impactor would be simple, but it'd also make it far less reliable and difficult to target ICBMs. *-4 Complexity*
[] High Explosives - The default choice, this is well understood and exists in current anti-ballistic missile designs. *0 Complexity*
[] Tactical Nuclear Warhead - A 50-kiloton nuclear weapon would create a large enough blast radius to ensure most ICBMs are intercepted. It would be expensive, however. *+6 Complexity*
[] ECM Coverage - While this alone would not allow for intercept, a dedicated ECM drone would ensure additional backups and flexibility during operation. *+2 Complexity*
[] Write-in
Ceiling (Pick 1)
[] 1200km - Allowing for the midcourse intercept of all ICBM versions, this would be extraordinarily complicated and expensive. However, it would make interceptions far easier. *+32 Complexity*
[] 200km - A less extreme option capable of intercepting in space, and intercepting SRBMs at midcourse. This would still be highly expensive, but less so. *+8 Complexity*
[] 30km - High altitude operation in the atmosphere is well understood and by now fairly routine. While traditional missiles only operate up to 20km, it is possible to extend that significantly further with specialized engines. *+2 Complexity*
[] 10km - Standard low-altitude drones are simple to create. However, at this altitude, there is little room for error as many nuclear warheads have an 8-kilometer blast radius. *0 Complexity*
Operational Timeline (Pick 1)
[] 72 hours - A complex engineering problem that would make the limiting factor of range of the Goliath's protective envelope radar coverage, this would allow for a 900km operational range. However, it'd also be difficult to implement. *+16 Complexity*
[] 24 hours - Extending the operational timeline of the drones would allow for a 300km operational range. This would make the drone capable of hovering at 80km for extended periods of time as well. *+4 Complexity*
[] 6 hours - The expected operational timeline, this involves adding limited loitering abilities allowing for a 75km range of continued operation, with further ranges being one-way trips. *0 Complexity*
[] 1 hour - Allowing for only short-duration operation would simplify drone design, but would also reduce operational readiness and complicate Goliath operation. *-4 Complexity*
