33 replies to this topic

[fatcat01]

I'm fairly sure this is not canon, but what about a anti-missile system that uses missiles? the technology already exists today so it wouldn't be unthinkable to have on a mech even if it is not canon.

I was thinking of something that would be placed in a missile hardpoint that would automatically fire at incoming LRMs. It would be much more effective than AMS/LAMS but would have more limited ammo and would only be able to activate if you are facing the direction that the missiles are coming from.

Basically it would be the ultimate anti-LRM, but would require greater tonnage & space sacrifices than standard AMS.

[Evil Ash]

I was actually thinking something along the lines on that, a ballistic version exists, beam version, so naturally there needs to be a missile version. I just figured it'd be like AMS but destroy more rockets, at the cost of running out of ammo more quickly.

[Hawkeye 72]

The technology exists but its not very efficient. A laser/projectile system would retain the most efficiency since in-flight course corrections would be needed for anti-missile missiles. Thus each anti-missile missile would probably need its own guidance system to make these corrections. This starts to compound the cost of the system, especially against LRMs.

The reasons we don't see lasers widely used today is because we don't have an efficient power system yet, and the Phalanx CIWS currently used is a ballistic version that is effective. Our own anti-missile missile technology is mostly concerned with cruise missiles and ICBMs.

The only way I see this being an option is an anti-Arrow IV system, or if these missiles created a concussion effect upon detonation that threw off the trajectory of incoming LRM/SRMs. But then you have to weight its efficiency against the space required for installation as well as the loss of your offensive armament.

Interesting idea, but you have to weigh practicality of the system. If i wanted scrambled eggs, I could attach an whisk to a drill or stick the egg yolks in my washing machine. The effect will be the same, but it might be easier to just use an egg beater

[Sug]

I think the existing anti-missile-missile systems are geared more towards taking out large ballistic missiles. A smaller faster missile taking out a larger missile with a predictable flight path.

Anti-missile-missiles for LRMs/SRMs would be like an anti-bullet gun that shoots down incoming bullets with more bullets.

Which we totally need.

Edited by Sug, 16 March 2012 - 01:47 PM.

[Duncan Carlyle]

I don't think you will find anything that drifts off canon.

[TimberJon]

My thought on the anti-missile missile was that it would be a slightly beefier SRM reaching out to say 500m. With all that guidance, etc...

I wasn't sure if it should carry a shrapnel package or an ECM burst package. Most missiles are flying at you more or less in a loose cloud. If LRM's are the target, an ECM missile could reach out there and disrupt some or all of them before they really get in your range. An on 'Mech AMS (I too prefer LAMS) could have a higher chance at taking out any the other system missed. The anti-missile missile wouldn't need that much ammo and it would be maybe a dual-tube launcher. eh?

[Sug]

Just give us shields and we won't need anti anything missiles.

[fatcat01]

Sug, on 16 March 2012 - 01:46 PM, said:

I think the existing anti-missile-missile systems are geared more towards taking out large ballistic missiles. A smaller faster missile taking out a larger missile with a predictable flight path.

While I agree that today's systems are more geared towards larger single missiles, I see no reason why we couldn't develop smaller multi-missile systems in the next 1000 years or so (although we could pretty much build anything in that time).

Gameplay wise this system would be more for LRMs fired from long range (example: anything inside 300m and the computer wouldn't be able to react in time). firing a group of flak missiles into a cluster of arcing LRMs should be a effective way to thin their numbers.

[Aegis Kleais]

How about a missile designed to take down anti-missile missiles? Heck, let's just get rid of all missiles to begin with.

Now. whose gonna suggest anti-ballistic systems? (ABS) After that we can have ballistics to take down anti-ballistics and head to the meat and potatoes of the situation... lasers.

Now, I don't want to concern you, but what about....an anti-laser system?! eh? EH?!

[Hawkeye 72]

Sug, on 16 March 2012 - 02:03 PM, said:

Just give us shields and we won't need anti anything missiles.

...

Edited by Hawkeye 72, 09 April 2012 - 06:47 AM.

[CeeKay Boques]

"Are you saying I can dodge missiles?"
"When you're ready, you won't need to."

[Fachxphyre]

hard cover: my AMS.

believe it or not, missile have a lot of trouble going through things like mountains, mech-sized boulders, and city blocks of architecture.

[Strum Wealh]

Well, there are Retro-Streak Warheads for SRMs...

Quote

The Retro-Streak Warhead was designed to confuse standard Streak missiles, preventing them from successfully engaging a target. Any 'Mech equipped with a Retro-Streak system that was attacked by a Streak launcher would fire a counter-missile salvo. The incoming Streak rounds would see the Retro-Streak salvo and follow it instead of hitting the target.

As it had absolutely no effect on other incoming missile types and took up twice the space of standard warheads, by the late 3050's most armies had canceled their Retro-Streak warhead programs in favor of the Anti-Missile System, Guardian ECM Suite and Stealth Armor systems that were effective against a multitude of weapons and sensors.

-----

In game terms, the Retro-Streak system would cause any Streak missiles to lose their automatic lock. They would have to roll against the Missile To-Hit table like normal SRMs, and apply a -2 modifier as well. This could lead to all Streak missiles missing the target.

That's the closest I can think of, off-hand, with regard to a canon anti-missile missile...

[Solis Obscuri]

I don't always fire anti-missile missiles and anti-laser lasers.



But when I do, I fire them from my anti-battlemech battlemech.

[verybad]

This would work for Arrow IV Artillery (if it's in the game either at start or later) an easy fix for it would be to use specialized Arrow IV ammo against standard Arrow IV shots. Give it a ~50% chance of working. Would be kind of cool seeing a weapon shoot directly up, then arc over to hit the target. As an Arrow IV weapon is a large piece of equipment, giving it several actions would be a good idea.

As there is Arrow IV ammo for anti aircraft, and it typically uses an area based damage scheme, then if the targeting can be done, it should be capable against itself.

[Solis Obscuri]

verybad, on 16 March 2012 - 04:34 PM, said:

As there is Arrow IV ammo for anti aircraft, and it typically uses an area based damage scheme, then if the targeting can be done, it should be capable against itself.

You mean, like, a missile that shoots itself down?

[Alabamatick]

Basically it would be to big, you might as well have another missile launcher

[verybad]

Solis Obscuri, on 16 March 2012 - 04:38 PM, said:

You mean, like, a missile that shoots itself down?

Yes. Now naturally you wouldn't shoot your own Arrow IV's down, however as Arrow IV would have pretty much complete map range, one mech with the defeinsive ammow on your team would provide defence against opposing Arrow IV.

[Caballo]

Sug, on 16 March 2012 - 01:46 PM, said:

I think the existing anti-missile-missile systems are geared more towards taking out large ballistic missiles. A smaller faster missile taking out a larger missile with a predictable flight path.

Anti-missile-missiles for LRMs/SRMs would be like an anti-bullet gun that shoots down incoming bullets with more bullets.

Which we totally need.

There's no spoon

[rafgod]

A universe in which the radar on a mech has a range of 1200 meters or so.... and the mech should have AMS?