Personally I think it was the lack of tuning available on the earlier x-ray
lasers. Until TL15 x-ray lasers were all fixed wavelength so perhaps
versatility was a factor. The tunable lasers are general purpose while x-ray
lasers are best in vacuum situations.
>From TL15 this is not such an issue as the tunable x-ray lasers start to
appear.
Antony
From: []
On Behalf Of Eamon Watters
Sent: Friday, 29 June 2012 10:44 AM
To:
Subject: [Traveller_TNE] Where are the X-ray lasers?
One thing I did find puzzling about TNE was that whilst X-ray lasers became
an option at TL-13, according to FF&S, they never featured in any published
designs. I found this odd, given their advantages - lower power needed,
giving the option of high ROFs at much lower impacts than the conventional
Grav-focused lasers. Disadvantages were lower ranges, and an inability to
conduct planetary strikes in any appreciable atmosphere. The former might be
offset by a greater chance to hit at range X with the higher ROFs (Antony,
you seem to have a good handle on this - what do you think?) the latter
could be considered a game-stopper by a navy that wants dual-purpose
weapons.
Eamon
lasers. Until TL15 x-ray lasers were all fixed wavelength so perhaps
versatility was a factor. The tunable lasers are general purpose while x-ray
lasers are best in vacuum situations.
>From TL15 this is not such an issue as the tunable x-ray lasers start to
appear.
Antony
From: []
On Behalf Of Eamon Watters
Sent: Friday, 29 June 2012 10:44 AM
To:
Subject: [Traveller_TNE] Where are the X-ray lasers?
One thing I did find puzzling about TNE was that whilst X-ray lasers became
an option at TL-13, according to FF&S, they never featured in any published
designs. I found this odd, given their advantages - lower power needed,
giving the option of high ROFs at much lower impacts than the conventional
Grav-focused lasers. Disadvantages were lower ranges, and an inability to
conduct planetary strikes in any appreciable atmosphere. The former might be
offset by a greater chance to hit at range X with the higher ROFs (Antony,
you seem to have a good handle on this - what do you think?) the latter
could be considered a game-stopper by a navy that wants dual-purpose
weapons.
Eamon