Project folder created, drawings downloaded, now I'm completing photos of armament & aux. systems.
The ARCM is a custom development (A cruise missile using the Deltaglider SCRAMJet as propulsion):
A launcher for this will be looking pretty much like a modern version of the old gun port, one large torpedo tube like launcher (AFAIR I used 21"/533mm as diameter, but could also have been 65 cm, will check this with the meshes) elevated 15° up. It is covered by a sawtooth rimmed cover that opens up. Each launch tube is surrounded by ________ (insert number bigger than 6) two-port steam nozzles, one port pointing in launch direction and the other 15° off the launch vector. (detail, would be only a matter of texturing)
I think, the launch method will be a cold launch for them as well as for the VLS, but at 15° elevation up - I will have to do a test to make sure the launching works (10° is the optimal angle for booster ignition bringing the missile to supersonic speed with minimal altitude gain). Since scorched stealth coating is pretty annoying the rocket has to fly a few meters away from the ship before the booster can ignite, the steam system will disperse any exhaust near the ship by creating a local overpressure bubble around the launcher for a fraction of a second.
But I didn't test such a launch yet, the missile was designed to be either launched by a submarine, aircraft or by an external launcher on the deck of a ship, but such an internal launch tube has too many advantages to ignore it. Will do a test if the 5° angle more is enough after a cold launch ejection to let it fly for a moment before the booster can ignite (8° instead of 10° could do it then because of the higher altitude, meaning 7° of gravity turn). One advantage could be, that such a launch mode would permit loading the tubes from inside the ship, instead of using a crane.
I'll try to make a launcher prototype in anim8or, but it would be up to you to make it look beautiful. :lol:
The handling room is for completing the missiles for loading, like installing booster and warhead. The dangerous parts can thus be stored in separate magazines, also there is the option to make the cruise missile nuclear on demand (nuclear warheads are stored in a special magazine deeper inside the ship). Only a second salvo (8 missiles) is maximal stored in each handling room ready for loading. The newly arrived missile bodies are also fueled there, before storing them in the magazine (So they are lighter when handling them during UNREP).
---------- Post added at 12:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 AM ----------
The small guns would look like that one:
But be using the BK-30/ABM of the Puma tank as gun (because it is a bit more modern)
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Puma_(IFV)
---------- Post added 02-08-11 at 12:48 AM ---------- Previous post was 02-07-11 at 12:51 AM ----------
Small update: ARCM is properly tested under Orbiter 2010 (The AP needs some serious rework, it is even more unstable now than it was under 2006), the launcher test vessel is currently getting coded.
Looks like the steam nozzles aren't needed anymore, after some paper calculations, the following first order estimates are around for the launcher, as by the new launch sequence:
- The launcher has two hatches, one pressure tight open to inboard, a simple "wave watertight" one outboard.
- The cruise missile booster carries seals for expelling the missile.
- The pressure for ejecting the missile is produced by a gas generator inside the ship, next to each launch tube.
- The gas generator produces between 10 and 12 atm pressure (1-1.26 MPa) inside the launch tube behind the cruise missile. That is about the same pressure as a torpedo tube of the same diameter would have to tolerate in 100m depth, so essentially the same technology can be used there.
- Using 10m long launch tubes, this means at exit of the tube, the missile + booster is between 25 m/s (1 MPa) and 27.5 m/s (1.26 MPa) fast.
- The missile flies ballistic until it is reaching almost level flight. This means between 15 m and 20 m clearance between tube exit and booster. The rocket does not gain much altitude in that time (Max 2.5m after 0.7 seconds).
- The booster fires and pushes the rocket to supersonic speed, separates, fins and wings unfold, etc etc etc. All like known.
So, a lot of the stuff will be much simpler. 15m should be enough clearance to prevent damage of the stealth coating.
