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	Archive through June 12, 2008	25		06/12 02:52pm

I'd like to revive this proposal. I think with reasonable limts, this could be useful. As Dan pointed out, it's already done with the frigates and cruisers; This would be mostly for DDs and CLs; yes, they have variants, but I'm thinking strickly stright combat upgrades.

By William E. Wood (Wxmanwill) on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 08:56 am: Edit

Joe,

When thinking about a combat-oriented SLEP for older ships I think the big improvements would be focused on enhancing a ship's battle damage repair and combat power with minimal investment.

I figure a dirty summary for a SLEP'd CL would look something like this:

1. Replace hull skin with Mk4 modular ablative bi-phase ceramic plating as used in NCL series; facilitates automated breach repair and cuts panel replacement time by 80%.

2. Replace primary phasers with mod 5 type I mounts to utilize surplus stock from CB program; cuts power usage by 34% and GQ manning by 90% with automated damage control and power management.

3. Replace S/S suite with DWS series Litton Mk67 AI array, minus adv ranging sensors; only requires 20% upgrade in processing attained with COS-purchased mainframe replacement. Frees 2K cubic meters of volume, cuts C4 power requirements 12%, enables expansion of Aux Con for increased survivability as well as an increase in the after drone magazine by 25 spaces.

4. Replace secondary phaser mounts with Klingon D5-inspired dual mod 40 type III mounts, utilizing Bolt-On Warp-Doppler Dynamic-Array emitters to give a terminal "Second shot" capability against fast drone threats. Three hundred cubic meters of internal volume obtained with the smaller mod40 mounts enables installation of two independent PointGuard ADD mounts/magazines utilzing the same BOWDDA emitters... enabling mid-range pre-terminal manuever enagement of fast drone/fighter threats.

Anyway, the list goes on...

The result would be an old-hull with mostly new, more supportable equipment. Modern counter-drone/fighter defense, automation and damage control would enable a more effective use of essentially the same offensive capability. Maintaining the same offensive capability versus a massive upgrade would be cheap, take advantage of existing systems while requiring less crew, internal volume and power.

Look at the repairs completed on the battleships that were damaged at Pearl Harbor. Old battleships received new secondary armament, torpedo bulges, radar, superstructures, stacks and AAA mounts. The Atlantic fleet BBs (same age) looked antiquated in comparison.

I figure you'd end up with a Fed CL that had 7-6/3 stats. You could even say that some of the space freed from the mods would give the upgraded Texas class (designated CLR?)a limited HWD modular capability. There has to be some odd benefit beyond spending 2 EP to upgrade an old CL for a 1 AF increase, assuming you want to go for some unique capability.

Cheers!

By Joe Stevenson (Ikv_Sabre) on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 10:18 am: Edit

William,

Do any of those things referenced in your numbered items exist in SFU lore, or did you just make them up? (not picking on you, I just do't know the answer) I don't really worry about the technobabble (I prefer to avoid it); I'm most concerned with real game effects on F&E and SFB.

"I figure you'd end up with a Fed CL that had 7-6/3 stats"

That's my basic goal, and a similar upgrade for other empire's CLs.

By William E. Wood (Wxmanwill) on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 09:27 pm: Edit

Joe,
I made all the technobable up. However, I think the end result of a SLEP would be marginal improvements to extend the life of hulls until something other than hull availability is the limiting factor in fielding warships.

By William E. Wood (Wxmanwill) on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 09:33 pm: Edit

I think the game impact (F&E) would be slightly reduced repair costs... Making your old CLs decent fodder for your BGs; during the mid to late war when heavy ftrs, gunboats and X ships make them not overly useful for anything but pin count and salvage.

By Joe Stevenson (Ikv_Sabre) on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 10:04 pm: Edit

Wlliam,

Thanks for clarifying.

By Benjamin Lee Johnson (Jedipilot24) on Sunday, February 05, 2023 - 02:02 pm: Edit

Just what is the "Errant Wind" scenario anyway?

By Richard Eitzen (Rbeitzen) on Sunday, February 05, 2023 - 02:29 pm: Edit

NT.