Background: PDS is THE first and original wartime simulation mod that brings out the flavour of naval warfare in a real time 3D setting. Units, weapons, tactics all based on our present and future concepts of warfighting. If you like watching space operas and reading David Weber, this mod is for you! We might be restarting development (PDS V13) for an even more comprehensive tactical combat experience. A lot of mods out there borrow from us - we don't have a credits list but just ask around.
On the left of this lineup is the Hiigaran LiirHra
class light cruiser , which is designed keel-up as
a fast combatant capable of operating
independently from the chains of combined arms
requirements, providing a far more agile and
versatile base of rapid armed response.
The original concept of independent fast
combatants was fielded by the Vagyr with their
refitted CVSRs operating as commerce raiders,
using a combination of maneuerability, strikecraft
carrying capacity, electronics warfare measures
and onboard firepower to achieve their objectives
in a brute force manner, while deterring enemy
response - until the opponent exploits the
weaknesses of the base Vagyr CV hull layout...
The original LH cruiser prototype's hull was
actually built before the Invasion, under the
ocean in a secret underground facility on Hiigara.
With the shifting of naval production assets in
favour of crash-producing warships to stem the
tide of the surprise invasion, the LH sat
incomplete, but out of reach and sight from
orbital bombardment. It was meant to be an interim
measure between the DD and BC classes, operating
within traditional line engagement doctrines.
With the siege broken and the Vagyr in full
strategic retreat, the LH project was revived and
its basis shifted to incorporate findings and
lessons derived from the recent conflict - as well
as changing emphasis from brute firepower and
armour class to tactical and maneuvering agility.
The hull, when configured for atmospheric flight,
is of a lifting-body planform.
There is no provision for hover thrusters or
landing gear. This will impede its primary role as
a space combatant for the differing engineeing
requirements for atmospheric, and exo-atmospheric
operations. Atmospheric flight capability for the
support of ground operations, and projection of
capital-class air superiority is just a bonus.
Very much more attention is paid to secondary,
and point defense weaponry, than the traditional
approach to warship engineering - that the primary
weapons define the ship's class.
The result of that trend was that lineships
became entirely inflexible in employment, relying
on combined arms doctrines as individual fleet
arms were unable to fend of themselves otherwise,
restricting tactical agility and the provision of
initiative.
During the Invasion itself, many capital warships
were refitted with additional secondary armament
and their hulls' utility optimized by the
fitting of fully multi-layered weapon systems.
This, coupled with increased usage of datalinks
for network centric warfighting, put the Hiigaran
Navy ahead of its primary opposition.
FFs with two anti-fighter weapons and nothing
else started off totally vulnerable to anything
other than fighters - they ended up as versatile
and agile general-purpose warships employable in
virtually any role, with full recognition of their
maneuverability and crew initiatives increasing
survivability by leaps and bounds.
The same approach was followed with regards to
the fleet carriers , namely the well known
Imperator II class.
It was a capable vessel that fulfilled its given
role well - but was entirely inefficient as a
flagship for a warring detachment.
This class was not replaced - it would be
uneconomical and the vessel performs more than
satisfactorily - when not participating in direct
combat action, however, in future, independent
maneuver groups might be led by Defiance class
BCVHs with their brood of Strikecraft, and primary
force projection measures of those task forces
being the LH - class light cruisers.
Traditional line combatant divisions anchored by
the BCIs will methodically move to secure lost
territories - leaping ahead of them and striking
critical objectives, then falling back to allow
the forming of lines while waiting for the next
opportunity of engagement would be the core of the
rapid reaction task forces composed of vessels
employed in next-generation doctrines, and such
operations anchored by the CLs and BCVs.
Non-standard Frigate class loadouts and hull
configurations employed by Sobani independent
detachments might become standard-fare, as well...
Well, there she is. She can navigate, shoot, get repaired and get captured.
She still is far from finished though. The main problem at the moment is figuring out why the main turret doesn't animate propperly and passing my tests :P
To do:
Fix Main turret
Make 2 more LOD's
Spend 2600 of poly budget on goblins for fancy looks
(main hull is 1350, within Relics budget, read: right on!)
Collision Hull (Autogenerated cube looks bad )
Initiate Engine Subsystem
Learn how to make good looking textures, then create good looking textures.
Fix textures so glow meshes/badges/ team colours show propperly
Don't forget that infernally vulnerable missile launcher. :)
Before worrying about the infernally vulnerable missile launcher (which is actually quite nice because it can be jettisoned if it risks detonation ) I would let Solaufein finish getting the weapons to shoot straight and get a coat of paint first.
I agree with your plan S. As long as you are having fun.
Hmph. How dare you question my engineering! Do you need people dying for lack of foresight before implimenting changes? Unacceptable.
I thought you aero-jocks liked streamlining - discuss alternate missile launcher design at PDS mod thread.
:)
Hehehe...
shaping operations, an integral part of effects based operations.
missiles poopin' out the bottom or top of the ship are fine by me, but then I am not in charge of the shipyard :nana:
Exactly - that is why we should empower subordinates. Not micromanage. That is bad leadership :)
Lol u may really be proud of your work already, it is amazing you can create a ship like that. Of course it isnt really to be compared with the original ships, but everybody started somewhere, and you started very good!
you should add turanic raiders and bentusi from another galaxy that would be awesome!