Ready For Judge SM-12 'Nova' Star Mortar System

[Martin Draigo]

Spoiler: Picture (Siege platform mounted)

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To provide an extremely powerful siege weapon for use by the Ashlan Crusade and GDI Incorporated
• Image Source: Image Source
• Canon Link: N/A
• Permissions: N/A
• Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: GDI Incorporated
• Affiliation: GDI Incorporated | Ashlan Crusade
• Market Status: Closed-Market | Guardian Defense Industries Inc.
• Model: SM-12 ‘Nova’ Star Mortar System
• Modularity: Yes - Can be mounted aboard a dedicated siege platform on the ground, or on massive capital ships in space. Can only be ‘easily’ mounted aboard a Star Destroyer or larger. Can be fitted to cruiser class ships provided it is the ‘main’ armament.
• Production: Limited
• Material:
  • Impervium Exterior Plating (Chassis)
  • Durasteel Superstructure
  • Chromium-plated Containment Housing
  • Duravlex Coating
  • Cold Plasma Cooling System
  • Ray Containment Shielding
  • Focused Quantum Crystal Core
  • Laser Cannon Components
  • Recoil Stabilizers

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Star Mortar System
• Size: Very Large
• Weight: Very Heavy
• Ammunition Type: Tibanna Gas & Heavily Focused Energy From Quantum Core (Core Included)
• Ammunition Capacity: Very Large
• Effective Range: Battlefield
• Rate of Fire: Low
• Damage Output: Extreme
• Recoil: Average

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Quantum Crystal Core: Heavy amounts of research and careful experimentation have yielded the result of harnessing quantum energy via small quantum crystal cores. Given the emissions of X-radiation native to these cores, they are normally very dangerous to utilize and work with. Through the combined efforts of GDI’s scientific division and key members of the Ashlan Crusade; a breakthrough has been made in harnessing/focusing the X-rad emissions and quantum energy of the crystals while also mitigating their health & safety hazards. Such mitigation involves the use of a chromium containment housing, specially attuned ray shielding, and a delicate refining process to maximize the energy yield of the quantum core while mitigating the harmful radiation levels.
• Star Firing Pattern: True to the namesake of the SM-12, the mortar system fires in clusters, arranged in a five pointed ‘star’ pattern, with a larger cluster in the middle. These clusters are composed of highly dense and compact quantum energy, anchored and given form by tibanna gas tanks.

STRENGTHS

• +Quantum Crystal Core: As noted above, this weapon effectively contains its own dedicated power source, rendering it extremely useful given its relative ‘power independence’ compared to other weapon systems requiring ship-board or terrestrial power sources. This form of power is also considered highly renewable, providing all of the power needed for the weapon itself for a considerable length of time.
• +Star Firing Pattern: The manner in which the SM-12 fires is it effectively ‘lobs’ its shots at an angle, ranging from 45 - 75 degrees. The density and mass of the ‘rounds’ causes them to accelerate at a relatively slow speed compared to high velocity or beam weapons, but their high arc assists in avoiding traditional countermeasures. The function of these rounds is they impact from a ‘high’ angle relative to their target where armor or shield arrays may not be optimally focused.
• +X-Rad Explosive Charges: The payload of the SM-12’s ‘rounds’ are quite significant. The initial explosion upon impact spans anywhere from hundreds of meters to just over a kilometer in diameter (1-1.2 kms to be precise) depending on the modulation and variable density of the volley. The after effect results in emissions of X-Radiation, the levels of which would prove lethal to sentient beings within the initial 20% of the blast radius, as well as disrupt shielding systems (except for ray shield) and electrical systems lacking extreme EM protection. Beyond that initial 20%, X-Radiation levels decrease to within safe levels of sentient life forms, but still provide moderate disruption to said shield and electrical systems.
• +Ray Shielded: To render the system safe for use, the Quantum Core is ray-shielded to prevent radiological contamination and excessive heat exposure.
• +Catastrophic Fail Safe: Given that this is a weapon of war, thought was given as to how to mitigate the potential collateral damage, and a strong solution was developed. In the event the ray shielding reaches containment breach, or the chromium housing is compromised, a liquid compound is automatedly introduced to the quantum core designed to neutralize its X-Rad properties. Despite this measure being largely successful in preventing truly devastating effects, it is not foolproof.

WEAKNESSES

• -Breakthrough Technology: Given the innovative nature of this technology, it almost goes without saying that it also contains many quirks and bugs that have not been fully worked out. While stable enough to be used with semi-reliability, it is still possible for the fail safes installed within the system to accidentally trigger due to over sensitive attunement, rendering the weapon system inert until proper servicing can restore its efficacy. Careful and regular maintenance is also required to ensure proper functionality, and replace faulty components before they become a more catastrophic issue.
• -Large Target: Given its destructive potential, it goes without saying that the SM-12 is a very prime target to eliminate. While its ray shielding system is primarily designed to contain the core, and while it provides a measure of protection from incoming fire, it is not strong enough to weather prolonged, sustained levels of firepower.
• -Collateral Damage: Despite the liquid counter agent introduced during containment breaches, this does not prevent the explosive potential of if the core is damaged.
• -One Dimensional: Although the SM-12 is designed around doing one thing very well, it should still not be ignored that it lacks any versatility outside of being able to be mounted either on a ship or on the ground.
• -”Is that... legal?”: Given its high destructive potential, the SM-12 weapon system is not precisely street legal. In fact, quantum technology is easily among the most highly regulated fields of experimentation and manufacturing, notwithstanding actual usage of the weapon itself. Even certain militaries prohibit the use of quantum technology, reserving this weapon for an entity with enough rationale to use it effectively.

DESCRIPTION
Capitalizing on their upward trajectory on the ‘breakthrough’ technology scene, GDI has partnered with the Ashlan Crusade’s foremost scientific minds to conceptualize and develop the SM-12 ‘Nova’ Star Mortar System. Serving as an apex siege and artillery platform, the pure destructive and disruptive potential of the platform is truly awe-inspiring to ponder. Serving as a pioneer for the advancement of quantum technology, GDI & its subsidiary GDE have gained much by way of engineering knowledge in the pursuit of this weapon system.

Soon, the ‘Nova’ will be seen laying waste to opposing enemy fleets and starbases across the galaxy, combining sheer explosive damage and X-Radiation disruption for maximum potential. While primarily developed for use within the Ashlan Crusade, GDI has negotiated special licensing per the mutual development agreement to implement this weapon design on a proprietary basis within its developing ship manufacturing program.