I think the TL-15 tunable lasers are still gravitic-focussed, and so would not have the power advantages of a pure X-ray focusing array (or should I say horn?)
Eamon
________________________________
From: Antony Farrell
Sent: Friday, 29 June 2012, 15:54
Subject: RE: [Traveller_TNE] Where are the X-ray lasers?
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
Eamon
________________________________
From: Antony Farrell
Sent: Friday, 29 June 2012, 15:54
Subject: RE: [Traveller_TNE] Where are the X-ray lasers?
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