(RP) ATIS Standard Starship Shield Technology

Some information regarding the Standard Module System-compliant starship shield generator/modulator technology in use by ATIS.

Overview.

ATIS operates a standardised shielding technology platform that is compliant with the SMS-system developed by the TSRC more than a thousand cycles prior. This ensures all starship designs are modular and simplifies the mass production, upgrading and recycling of critical starship components.

All modern Terran starship shielding technology is based on CTM Modulation, which has been refined and enhanced significantly over time. CTM-based shield systems require two primary components: The Field Emitter and the Field Modulator. The Emitter is responsible for producing the Electromagnetic Polarytic Energy Field via High-Energy Neutron-Injection of a highly refined Polarytic (X-1) crystal core. This unit requires large amounts of power and is usually linked to a dedicated supercapacitor bank. After generation, the 'raw' X-1 Field must be modulated to the correct emittance properties required by the defensive application. Modulator units are installed across the surface of the starship and are responsible for a 'subfield' of the total energy output. Modulators also enable the Adaptive Harmonics System to optimise shielding output based on detected threat vectors, improving performance in combat significantly.

Since the Old Federal Era, the Modulator and Generator systems have been combined into a hybrid SMS-compliant system with a scalable modulation field depending on the application or starship using the system. SMS-compliant modules are categorised based on the energy requirement of the unit and the physical size of the vessel to be shielded.

Shield System Categories

The Standard categories for starship class are based on the AIN's naval classification and are loosely based on that class's ability to power the module and the number of modulators required to cover the entire ship. However, exceptions do exist whereby some classes uses a shield system from another tier, for example the ARK-class Support Cruiser is a "Cruiser" classified vessel but has a Frigate-class shielding system due to power restrictions (as it is not a direct combat vessel).

• Strikecraft (E-class)

  • 1 modulator. 0.1-1 GW

• Corvette (D-class)

  • 1-4 modulators. 0.5-1.5 GW

• Frigate (C-class)

  • 2-6 modulators. 2.5-4 GW

• Cruiser (B-class)

  • 4-8 modulators. 6-12 GW

• Capital (A-class)

  • 12+ modulators. 20+ GW

  
  

Shield System Generations

The Aquarian Imperial Navy operates a plethora of warships of different ages, which means not all of the ships have the same generation of system modules. Most Modules (not just shields) used by the Navy are broken down into generations which denote the relative capabilities and development date of that given module.

• 1st Gen

  • Developed during the Old-Federal Era. Gen 1 systems are extremely old, but reliable. While the Navy has phased out all Gen 1 systems from front-line warships, these modules are still in service with support or logistics starships and facilities due to the low maintenance requirements and wide availability of spare parts.

• 2nd Gen

  • Developed during the New-Federal Era. The Gen 2 Shielding systems were the first post-fall systems developed in Aquarius. They incorporate signficant enhancements and were standardised by the UAS Federal Navy in the late 4300s. These modules are often used on sector-patrol vessels operated by the INSP due to their wide availability.

• 3rd Gen

  • 3rd Generation modules were the first to be developed by the Imperial Naval Research and Development Bureau (INRDB) and the first to be standardised for ATIS Imperial Navy warships from the start of the Imperial Era in 4404 A.D. 3rd Generation modules represent the bulk of systems in use to the current date, as mass production of this type has been entirely optimised and streamlined, allowing new ships to be fitted immediately. While 3rd Gen units do not incorporate the latest or bleeding-edge technology, they are fully tested to AIN standards and compliant with long-term operational requirements, making them the baseline of the Imperial Navy.

• 4th Gen

  • 4th Generation modules represent the first wave of "modernisation" packages broadly applied to 3rd Generation technology. Most of these modules are incremental in improvements over Gen 3 and usually focus on lower power requirements, allowing more modulators for a given shielding area. Gen4 units are beginning to enter full production and are likely to replace gen3 units within the next fifty cycles.

• 5th Gen

  • The 5th Generation of CTM-based shielding systems represent the absolute latest technology developed by the INRDB. These systems are almost entirely new ground-up designs instead of incremental designs like Gen 4 units. Gen5 units have received production authorisation after successful trials but are yet to enter serial production for the fleet. Some specialist vessels use Gen5 systems as they represent the best possible performance at any cost.

• 6th Gen

  • Experimental technology. 6th Generation modules have not yet passed INRDB trials and as such very little data is available concerning their performance.