| SUBMITTED: Stardate 96605.3 | FILED BY: LCDR Duncan McLean | SECURITY: Level 2 - Confidential |
LOCATION: Deep space 13, Aldebaran sector
MISSION: Find a workable countermeasure against the Azedi verteron weapons.
OUTCOME: We have developed a working prototype system using Silithium chaff. Preliminary projections estimate approximately 30% reduced damage from Azedi weapons.
KEY PERSONNEL:
LCDR Duncan McLean
39th R&D team
39th R&D team
NARRATIVE: initial tests of this system approximately one earth year ago had been promising, but the real world application proved to be more difficult than expected. Silithium is relatively scarce so it was important that We find some way of producing or sourcing a large amount of it before we could begin production.
Replicated Silithium proved to have a reduced reaction with the Verteron particles. We have minimized this deficiency by refining the replication program. We have found that when using replicated Silithium mixed with a small amount of natural occurring Silithium the reaction rate is able to approach the reaction rates seen with pure natural Silithium at a fraction of the resource cost.
The countermeasure system is comprised of two elements. A point defense torpedo based deployment, and chaff launchers mounted on the hull of the ship.
The torpedo uses a standard photon torpedo that is modified to carry our payload. The propulsion system is reduced in size, as it is not designed to reach an enemy vessel. The Payload compartment is expanded to take advantage of the smaller propulsion system, and is filled with tetrahedral Silithium fletchets roughly 5cm to a side, at a 10:1 ratio of replicated to naturally occurring Silithium. These fletchets surround a small explosive core, which, when detonated, distributes the fletchets in a dense cloud at a predetermined point.
Due to the smaller propulsion systems, and the lighter weight of the torpedoes, I predict that larger ships could fit secondary torpedo tubes with auto loaders dedicated to this system, so as to improve countermeasure fire rate, and leave the main tubes to fire more traditional ordnance.
The guidance system uses a program initially designed for my Bulwark point defense shield system. It registers the power buildup specific to Azedi weapons fire, and calculates an intercept point automatically.
The chaff dispensers are small ports mounted on the hull of a ship that have a dedicated magazine of Silithium chaff.
When activated, the ports vent pressurized nitrogen gas, expelling a packet of Silithium chaff. When used in tandem with other dispensers across the hull, this system creates a regular cloud of Silithium around the entire ship.
Due to the decreased efficiency of this method it is designed to be used as a backup system for when the torpedo system cannot intercept an incoming beam for whatever reason.
RECOMMENDATION:
Immediate fitting to a fleet vessel for field testing.
OOC: My first report since coming back :-) let me know if I need to change anything!