Why aircraft carriers won't make sense in space - Page 2

Raptor1 · 10-17-12, 04:46 PM

The Ethics of Madness does have a ramscoop chase but it ends with both ships colliding at the end (the pursuer has his life support system fried and sets to autopilot to collide with his opponent's ship). It is probably Protector that Steve is thinking about...

Oberon · 10-17-12, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

It was called The Warriors.

If you have never watched Space: Above and Beyond you should check it out.

Chiggy Von Richtofen!

Ugh, the Kzinti...are they Pact or Fleet now?

Gilead Abyss · 10-14-12, 08:44 PM

I liked the article/interview, and I agree with you that the key factor of two media (sea/air) is missing in space.

It would then seem to depend on the tactics of short- vs. long-range engagements. e.g. are small "fighters" more effective weapons platforms than "capital" ships. At this point, the whole discussion falls into the rabbit hole of fictional technology (offensive, defensive, and propulsion).

CW does a good job of sidestepping this to avoid meaningless comparisons by focusing on the wet-navy analogies used as storytelling platforms more than on coherent self-consistent logistical structure. When readers have at least some familiarity with a military structure, referencing that background saves all the writing effort of describing a different one.

Bottom line: if a carrier (or carrier group) is about mobile force-projection from sea through air, how well does that analogy hold up from space through space?
About the only example I can think of here would be deploying atmospheric attack units from orbit, which could be considered a two-medium scenario.

Thoughts?

August · 10-14-12, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilead Abyss

About the only example I can think of here would be deploying atmospheric attack units from orbit, which could be considered a two-medium scenario.

Kind of like an Amphibious assault ship which is a form of carrier.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibious_assault_ship

Falkirion · 10-14-12, 11:48 PM

Good article. Still prefer unrealistic sci fi to realism though. We can't know what realism is until the tech is in place to dictate the needs of space warfare.

10-17-12, 04:46 PM	#1
Raptor1 Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stavka Posts: 8,211 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	The Ethics of Madness does have a ramscoop chase but it ends with both ships colliding at the end (the pursuer has his life support system fried and sets to autopilot to collide with his opponent's ship). It is probably Protector that Steve is thinking about... __________________ Current Eastern Front status: Probable Victory

10-14-12, 08:44 PM	#3
Gilead Abyss Watch Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 17 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	I liked the article/interview, and I agree with you that the key factor of two media (sea/air) is missing in space. It would then seem to depend on the tactics of short- vs. long-range engagements. e.g. are small "fighters" more effective weapons platforms than "capital" ships. At this point, the whole discussion falls into the rabbit hole of fictional technology (offensive, defensive, and propulsion). CW does a good job of sidestepping this to avoid meaningless comparisons by focusing on the wet-navy analogies used as storytelling platforms more than on coherent self-consistent logistical structure. When readers have at least some familiarity with a military structure, referencing that background saves all the writing effort of describing a different one. Bottom line: if a carrier (or carrier group) is about mobile force-projection from sea through air, how well does that analogy hold up from space through space? About the only example I can think of here would be deploying atmospheric attack units from orbit, which could be considered a two-medium scenario. Thoughts?

10-14-12, 11:48 PM	#5
Falkirion Ace of the Deep Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Melbourne, AUS Posts: 1,043 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	Good article. Still prefer unrealistic sci fi to realism though. We can't know what realism is until the tech is in place to dictate the needs of space warfare.