safe ore
So with the Piledrivers now beginning to venture towards the edge of space, I thought.... why not extend the experience to our valued pilots? After all, they may enjoy the view.
The idea would be that the vehicle follows a similar flight path to the pildedrivers, but then uses its time in microgravity for engaging enemy ground targets. Once the time is up, it would descend back into the atmosphere, and fly home.
Trust me this is totally credible...
Some potential specs for the vehicle:
- Combined cycle airbreathing rocket engine. Similar to the Skylon concept, the aircraft would take off (and land) under its own power, utilising oxygen from the atmosphere. However for its 'boost' into space, it would close the intakes, and use internal oxidiser.
- RCS for orientation once in microgravity.
- Internal payload bays. These could hold both space to ground, and space to space weapons. Just in case you see an enemy piledriver floating past.
- And most importantly, the internal 120mm railgun. Using the RCS, the vehicle would point straight downwards, and lob high velocity guided shells at the target.
Potential counters:
- When taking off, it's extremely heavy and sluggish. An easy target for pretty much anything.
- Likewise, when returning into the atmosphere, the vehicle is an extremely easy target.
- Could have an air to space missile specifically designed as a counter, which could be lobbed from fighters (would also work on piledrivers).
edgy narwhal