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LTAP M1 "Draconis" Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile



Statistics:

Type: ASBM
Place of origin: Conite Congressional Republic
In service: 2015
Used by: Conite Defence Force
Weight: 10,000 kilograms
Length: 10.5 metres
Diameter: 1 metre
Warhead: 1, payload variable
Engine: Multiple stage, hybrid propellant
Operational range: 2,000km
Speed: Over Mach 8
Guidance system: Inertial + active radar homing terminal guidance
Launch platform: Various, mobile launch capable

Abstract:

The Draconis is a multi-stage, hybrid fuel rocket, single warhead ballistic missile. It is primarily designed as a quasi ballistic hypersonic missile, intended to be used from land based mobile launchers as an advanced anti ship ballistic missile (ASBM), for reliably eliminating hostile warships at sea with accuracy and at considerable distances. Draconis makes use of a maneuverable reentry vehicle with a terminal guidance system, allowing targeting of mobile carrier groups and other otherwise difficult to strike naval force projection platforms.

Hybrid-Fuel System:

Lamplight Technologies researchers explored a number of options to fuel the next generation Draconis missile. The majority of rockets use either solid or liquid propellant. Solid propellant is uncomplicated to store and handle, is generally simple in application and inexpensive to produce, and its high density allows for more compact sizes. Liquid fueled rockets are notably more efficient, having a higher 'specific impulse', which means the trust provided per unit of propellant is greater. They also provide greater control in flight in that they can be remotely throttled. However, the oxidizers they rely on are moderately difficult to store and handle, as they are very reaction to even common materials, generally toxic due to nitric acids, and require cryogenic storage in liquid nitrogen. More exotic oxidizers are more energetic, but even more unstable and toxic.

The Draconis was expected to spend considerable lengths of time in storage, yet be ready to launch at a moment's notice, which was not a context where liquid propellant excelled. Solid propellant rockets however could remain in storage for exceptionally long periods, and still launch reliably on short notice. These factors made solid propellant initially a more favourable source of fuel than liquid propellant. This was balanced against the increased performance of liquid fuel, which equated to increased range, which was also an important consideration for the project.

The research team eventually settled on a hybrid rocket, which makes use of both types of propellant, solid and liquid, in two different phases. This hybrid system consists of a pressure vessel which contains the liquid propellant, which is kept initially separate from the combustion chamber which contains the solid propellant. The liquid propellant is an oxidizing agent, a chemical which transfers electronegative atoms, such as oxygen, to a 'substrate', the other chemical that is being modified. The solid propellant is the 'fuel', the material which stores potential energy to be released by activity of the oxidizer. A valve isolates the two, which is opened to allow the liquid propellant into the combustion chamber, where it is ignited and subsequently vaporized and reacted with the solid propellant. This creates combustion and therefore thrust.

Because of the size of this rocket, a turbopump is necessary to achieve a high flow rate and maintain pressurisation of the liquid fuel chamber. It was considered that the turbopump could be powered by using an oxidizer that doubled as a monopropellant, but this would have made the rocket significantly less efficient. Instead a high performance battery is simply included, well insulated to prevent sparks or other interference.

Draconis makes use of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), a cross-linked rubber, for its solid fuel, in particular because this allows for high potential energy fuel additives in the form of reactive metals. Aluminium, magnesium, lithium, and beryllium can be added to the fuel grain to considerably increase specific impulse. This fuel has a high regression rate to avoid the need for multi port fuel grains, which would create structural deficiencies. Liquid oxygen is used as the liquid oxidizer.

Though seemingly complex, hybrid rockets are considerably simpler than comparable performance liquid fuel rockets. One pressure chamber to store the singular liquid requires less plumbing valves, and associated machinery. There is also no requirement for a liquid flow cooling system, as the combustion chamber is already lined with solid propellant which shields it. The casing around this fuel grain has a composite structure that easily withstands pressures and extreme temperatures.

The hybrid rocket has a number of advantages over solid propellant rockets, which are by far the most common in military application missile technology. Liquid oxidizers can achieve a higher specific impulse than solid oxidizers, making them more efficient and therefore overall fuel consumption lower, equivalent to the performance of a hydrocarbon based liquid motor. With the addition of metallized fuel a hybrid engine can achieve specific impulse of 400, as compared to 250 for a solid propellant rocket, and only just short of 450 for a bipropellant liquid rocket. This gives the rocket an effective exhaust velocity of roughly 4000 m/s.

Despite the much cited simplicity of a solid fuel platform, hybrid rockets are in fact broadly safer. Due to separation of oxidizer and fuel, the missile is essentially benign, making it tolerant of potential processing errors and immune to ignition by stray electrical charges. Put simply, when deprived of an oxygenizer, the rocket cannot combust explosively. Solid fuel is composed of chemically and thermally incompatible elements, which can cause distortion in response to repeated temperature changes, while a hybrid system avoids this issue entirely. This allows the missile to be transported and loaded safely, only arming the weapon when in its launch position. The significant hazards associated with handling solid rocket fuel essentially offsets its simplicity. Well designed hybrids in comparison are very safe.

Hybrid rockets also present useful advantages in control of the weapon. The ability to stop and start, as well as throttling in real time to control the combustion rate, are easily incorporated into the design through manipulation of the isolating valve.

Disadvantages of a hybrid rocket include relatively high complexity that would arise in refueling a depleted rocket. Considering the purpose of the rocket, this is not a real issue. Some hybrid rockets with ineffective designs suffer from an oxidizer to fuel ratio shift, where the fuel production to oxidizer flow rate changes as fuel grain regresses. For well designed systems this has minimal impact on performance and specific impulse.

As a slightly less important aside, the hybrid rocket engine is more environmentally friendly than a high performance solid fuel rocket. The latter make use of oxidizers which contain chlorine and composites with ammonium perchlorate, which are potentially harmful. Draconis uses benign liquid oxygen as an oxidizer, for a much cleaner burn.

Trajectory, Guidance, Impact:

A traditional ballistic missile follows a standard ballistic flightpath, where its trajectory is governed by the law of classical mechanics, after its initial powered and guided phase. This is not a system designed to hit moving targets as it is quite simply not capable of adjustment. The Draconis is quasi ballistic, as though following a largely ballistic flightpath it can perform maneuvers in flight and make changes in direction and range.

Missile trajectory is divided into three phases; boost, midcourse, and terminal. Upon launch, the first and second stages of the rocket are used to boost the rocket upwards on an inertially guided trajectory. Both these stages are sequentially separated from the rocket as their fuel supplies are depleted. During this powered stage of flight attitude, guidance, and roll commands can be executed by remote control of swivel nozzles and air vanes attached to both the propulsion stages.

At a predetermined height and after separation from the propulsion stages, the missile enters midcourse, travelling by free flight at a high suborbital altitude to cover large distances quickly The reentry vehicle is pitched downwards, partly so it is oriented correctly for reentry, and also to reduce radar cross section and hamper attempts to locate and track the missile.

Draconis makes use of a maneuverable reentry vehicle (MARV), capable of executing velocity control maneuvers under inertial guidance control. Upon reentry, the missile enters a boost glide trajectory that employs aerodynamic lift in the upper atmosphere, and grants the MARV considerably enhanced maneuverability while gliding. Utilising boost glide technology, the missile can effectively double its initial range over the purely ballistic trajectory, allowing time to reacquire potentially mobile targets. Additionally, by avoiding an otherwise predictable standard ballistic trajectory, it is significantly more difficult for anti ballistic countermeasures to predict the missile's path and intercept.

During this stage the missile system makes use of an advanced active homing terminal guidance system to locate its target and plot an accurate attack. An encrypted satellite uplink allows the guidance system to receive targeting information from orbiting satellites, accepting input from both visual imaging and synthetic aperture radar mounted aboard spacecraft. Thorough satellite coverage of the target area effectively ensures the Draconis will be able to track mobile naval platforms and adjust its boost glide to compensate. The guidance system can alternatively receive information from land based sources, such as an over the horizon radar installation (OTH), or mobile radar platforms, such as that mounted aboard an airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. A radar correlator system compares this data to that gathered from the missile's own radar scans of the target area, to produce a position fix and update the guidance system with steering commands. The guidance system can further receive information from UAVs, or even a soldier manually laser guiding the missile in, though the latter is somewhat unlikely given the intended range of the system. The more intelligence available to the missile, the more likely it is to strike its target with pinpoint precision. If necessary, the missile system can rely on active and passive radar homing to autonomously find and track targets.

Small scattering surfaces, special reflective coatings, and small size projections help to reduce the missile's own radar signature. Electromagnetic spectrum countermeasures are built in to protect the guidance system and prevent radar jamming. Draconis' guidance system additionally makes use of antifragile electronic warfare, in the form of passive radiation homing. Should its radar or other guidance systems be noise jammed, the missile will, if lacking any alternate form of targeting, use the source location of the jamming signal as a target.

Countermeasures against this missile system are largely ineffective. Most ballistic missile interceptors are designed to strike the impending missile during its midcourse stage. The high speed and short midcourse phase of the Draconis mean such a missile would need to be fired almost immediately after the Draconis itself, in order to have sufficient time to intercept before reentry. After reentry the missile is at a marginally too low altitude for exo-atmospheric kill vehicles. Certain missiles are capable of striking after reentry into the atmosphere, but will have to contend with an unpredictable boost glide hypersonic trajectory and a MARV performing extremely high speed evasive maneuvers. Conventional interceptor missiles notably have difficulty against targets moving faster than Mach 5, and the Draconis moves at speeds of Mach 8 or above. Such extreme speed in the final terminal guide renders short range point defence systems of little use. When this speed is combined with the probable late detection of the incoming missile, the relatively small size of the MARV compared with a cruise missile, its erratic maneuvering, and the very small window for interception, there is very little defence against such a strike.

The high kinetic energy and accompanying impact shock, combined with a thermobaric warhead designed to detonate moments after armour penetration inside the hull of the vessel, are expected to cripple, in terms of render unoperational for military purposes, or outright destroy even the largest vessels in a single hit. High speed and a semi armour piercing body allow the missile to easily punch through the deck, where the delayed thermobaric explosion and resulting shockwave utterly devastates the interior of the ship, magnified dramatically by the enclosed space. The missile supports both a very wide range of conventional warheads, which rely on explosive material based on chemical energy, and alternate warheads such as nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.

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LTAP S2A "Ecliptic" Personal Defence Weapon

Note: This is the second variant of the Ecliptic design. It is functionally identical to the first, but has been redesigned for significantly more ergonomic grips. The old design is spoilered for reference. Some of the below art reflects the old design, but since the internals of the weapon are identical there is no reason to change it really.

Specifications:

Weight: 2.5 kg
Length: 50 cm
Barrel length: 28 cm
Width: 4.5 cm
Height: 22 cm

Cartridge: 4.73×33mm caseless
Action: Gas-operated, rotary breech
Rate of fire: 2000 rpm (burst), 460 rpm (automatic)
Muzzle velocity: 930 m/s
Effective range: 200 m
Feed system: 36 round detachable box magazine
Sights: Fiber optic sights with tritium vials.

Features:

- Designed for ease of use and high hit probability even without training.

- Extremely lightweight and compact body allows for maximum maneuverability.

- Completely ambidextrous without any needed modifications.

- Reliable under all environmental conditions and requires very little maintenance.

- Advanced recoil control system all but eliminates the effect of weapon recoil.

- Caseless ammunition designed for armour piercing capabilities.

Background and Development:

The LTAP-P initiative had a multifaceted and somewhat alarmingly difficult objective; to develop a versatile but effective personal defence weapon for military and civilian personnel who could reasonably expect to encounter enemy forces, but who are not broadly equipped or trained for front line combat. The program was intended to produce a weapon capable of replicating the ballistics of large caliber carbines, but in a much more compact and maneuverable platform not dissimilar to a submachine gun. This was originally intended for military application, to equip drivers, engineers, and the like, as well as for placement inside combat aircraft as a last resort for downed pilots; all of these being personnel who would be over encumbered by a standard rifle, but whom would need a weapon capable of countering potentially heavily armoured opponents. Gradually this mandate came to be expanded for civilian use, as a 'go to' weapon that is easy to use and maintain but also highly combat effective, as a means for otherwise inexperienced civilians to still be able to defend themselves in hostile environments, and indeed in event of insurrection or outright invasion. Today, the LTAP-P-II is very widely distributed, being standard equipment for a wide range of military personnel, as well as domestic policing and counter terror agencies, diplomatic security staff at home and abroad, civilian aircraft pilots and other transport sector personnel to defend against hijacking, and engineers and scientists working on delicate and potentially dangerous projects.

It was important that the weapon be ambidextrous, as it was intended to be accessible to any user in a minute's notice. Placing controls on both sides of the weapon was a relatively simple matter. More complex was the issue of case ejection, which while controllable with a dual ejection port, this method required alteration was the weapon and so was considered unacceptable. A forward ejection system such as the one developed by FN was considered, but was difficult to accommodate into the compact platform. A downwards system such as in the FN P90 was trialed with some degree of success. Ultimately the solution presented itself in the form of caseless ammunition, which eliminated the need for any case ejection system at all and allowed a completely ambidextrous platform without any modifications needed for use. This had additional benefits in that it dramatically simplified the process of the operating system, and reduced overall platform weight. It also provided unique benefits to personnel who might use the weapon in confined or delicate contexts, such as aboard aircraft or inside naval vessels, where ejected cases can find themselves in all kinds of trouble. Initially there were severe issues with built up heat inside the sealed off system, which prematurely cooked ammunition. This was solved by switching to a high ignition temperature propellant, and a special coating for the propellant that provided further protection against such. Using caseless ammunition was of course still problematic in terms of logistics, as it would make the weapon somewhat unusual and non standardised, but this was considered minor in face of meeting all the other goals of the project.

As the weapon was intended to be accessible at least in part to personnel not vigorously trained nor experienced in firearm control, eliminating recoil became a very important consideration. The first product of the program, the LTAP-P-I, utilised a mechanism similar to that of the KRISS Vector, using an inertia block to deflect energy downwards rather than backwards and in theory eliminate recoil. After extensive testing and research, it was decided that while an interesting theory, this was all but completely ineffective. While the block moving downwards seemingly lessened initial recoil, the mechanism would then have to retract back upwards to its sitting position. This of course created the entirely opposite effect, such that a pattern could be identified in the firing pattern of the weapon, where one round would be accurate but the one that followed wildly not. The weapon while firing also had an alarmingly jerky motion, as the sharp vertical movement of mechanism threatened to tear the operating system apart as momentum rapidly shifted in alternating directions. In theory manageable by a well trained user, but the objective of the program was to create a weapon that didn't require such training, and indeed it was seen as uninspired to rely on user training to counter a clear design default. Researchers did for a brief period test alternate methods of using this mechanism to redirect energy, including an amusing but perilously disastrous experiment involving a spinning mechanism that carried motion around in a circle, but none of these were ultimately viable. The LTAP-P-II instead makes use of a floating operating system, which is carried backwards with the recoil into resisting springs. A strange idea perhaps, first visited in the defunct Heckler & Koch G11, but one that was in fact quite successful. This created difficulties with magazine placement, as in order for the weapon to be able to fire mid motion the magazine would need to float with the operating system, which was not feasible with traditional placement. The result was a top mounted magazine that slides entirely into the case itself, but is still manually accessible due to recesses in the exterior body of the weapon.

Design and Construction:

The handles of the weapon are designed to be extremely ergonomic, comfortable to hold and fire whilst also being easy to control with both hands. An additional handle at the front of the weapon prevents the user's hand from slipping forward while firing, and shields against muzzle venting. Smooth contours minimize potential snagging on clothing or other obstacles. Use of bullpup configuration with the action behind the trigger, and an unconventional top loaded magazine, keep a compact profile with no wasted space. The small size means the weapon is easily carried on person, can be quickly deployed, and is easy to manoeuvre even in tight spaces.

The weapon is designed to be fully ambidextrous, able to be operated with either hand as dominant without any necessary alterations. The breech release, magazine release, and electronics controls are symmetrically accessible on both sides of the weapon. The fire selector and safety are beneath the trigger and accessible with either hand. Use of caseless ammunition means there are no spent case ejection direction issues.

The weapon is made almost entirely out of fibre-reinforced polymer composite materials, with the exception of the barrel and some parts of the internal mechanism, which are made from lightweight steel. Weight is additionally reduced by use of caseless ammunition and an advanced electronic sight, to create an ultimately light and portable weapon.

All materials are resistant to corrosion, wear, and chemical substances. All internal moving parts are completely sealed inside the weapon case, ensuring the weapon will function in adverse environmental conditions. The use of caseless ammunition removes an opportunity for dust and other debris to get inside the weapon. On the whole the weapon is exceptionally durable, able to operate under all conditions and requiring little cleaning or maintenance.

Visible light and IR reflection on the surfaces of the weapon are reduced to a minimum to lower detection. The barrel has a built in flash suppressor to further reduce visible signature when firing.

A single built in combined electronics package is mounted at the front of the weapon. Contained within the package are two laser emitters, one proving a narrow beam for aiming and the other a broad beam for illumination, both of which are visible in normal conditions and through NVG assisted vision. These can be enabled or disabled by a switch on the side of the package. The whole package is water and dust tight, and utilises an advanced built in but replaceable battery. This lightweight package reduces need for further attachments, and the additional cost and weight they would bring.

Operating system:

The operating system can appear complicated, and indeed the mechanism itself is, but the process is deceptively simple. The magazine is attached to the top of the weapon, and runs parallel with the barrel. Rounds are stored in the magazine facing vertically downwards, and feed from the back end down into the feed mechanism, a cylindrical breech, assisted by a simple loading piston. The cylinder rotates the round clockwise to line it up with the barrel for firing. Pulling the trigger mechanically ignites the cartridge and fires the weapon. As the round fires, propellant gas forces the cylinder back into its upright position, to receive and chamber the next round and repeat the process. The straight cartridge feed, and lack of need for extraction and ejection when using caseless ammunition, make this mechanism exceptionally fast. In the unlikely event of a misfire, a manual handle on the side of the weapon can turn the cylinder, forcing the round out an ejection port on the bottom of the weapon and loading the next round.



Recoil Control:

The rear stock of the weapon is deliberately kept empty of mechanics or storage. When a round is fired, the whole internal operating system slides backwards into this space against springs, absorbing a significant amount of the recoil. What little recoil remains is delayed by this motion, as it is not actually felt by the user until the operating system reaches its rearmost point. Recoil springs then return the operating system to its normal forward position, ready to repeat the process for the next burst. Because it is the entire operating system which slides, the gun can still fire during this motion. When using the dedicated burst fire mode, the weapon rapidly fires a full burst of three rounds at a rate of 2000 per minute, before the operating system reaches its rearmost point. This ensures the accuracy of the user is not compromised by recoil at all, since no recoil is actually felt by the user until all three rounds have already been fired. In automatic fire mode, the weapon fires at a reduced rate of 460 per minute, and the operating system completes a shortened cycle after every round. The absorbed recoil from this action means it is possible to maintain sustained fire while retaining accuracy.



Ammunition:

The weapon exclusively uses 4.73×33 caseless ammunition. This is a relatively small cartridge, at about 50% the weight and 40% volume of a standard 5.56×45 round, but meets the same ballistic requirements of the much larger rifle round. The 4.73x33 is perhaps not as lethal against soft targets as it is unlikely to tumble upon impact, but has considerable armour piercing capabilities, punching right through standard NATO kevlar and steel armour at close to medium range.

Rounds are stored inside a propellant body, shaped in a quadratic manner to avoid wasted space in the magazine. When the trigger is pulled, this propellant is broken up to increase ignition surface, and ignites to accelerate the round itself. This process removes the need for spent case ejection and dramatically decreases the weight of ammunition. The propellant is a non-crystalline explosive designed for its extremely high self-ignition temperature threshold, preventing problems with built up heat in the weapon's operating system.

The propellant is ignited in this weapon through an electric current, rather than the much more common percussion cap. The use of an electric system means firing is instantaneous when the trigger is suppressed, avoiding the fractional delay while a firing pin travels, and avoiding the potential for decreased accuracy that might bring. Use of an electric current also allows use of a significantly higher ignition temperature in the ammunition, effectively eliminating issues with premature ignition, or 'cook off'. This system is powered by an advanced battery within the operating system of the weapon, accessible for replacement from the stock.

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LTAP OTH-I "Lalande" Over-The-Horizon Radar System



The Lalande Over-The-Horizon Radar System utilises advanced skywave and groundwave techniques to provide radar coverage well beyond the horizon, making use of three networked monostatic radar stations with overlapping coverage to create a very accurate multistatic radar 'net'. It is intended as a very long range and wide coverage early warning system, against both aircraft and ships, and is in particular designed to provide excellent detection of stealth aircraft. Aside from the obvious defence applications, OTH radar is useful for civilian search and rescue or other maritime business, and can even monitor wave heights and wind directions.

Traditional radar systems are quite limited in range -- at a certain point the curvature of the Earth means the radar beam rises significantly above the surface, making detection of objects at low levels, in the "radar shadow", impossible. Approaching aircraft or other airborne objects can exploit this weakness, flying at low altitudes to avoid detection for longer.



Over-the-horizon radar allows detection at significantly increased distances, well beyond the horizon. These systems allow sustained early warning radar without having to maintain expensive extended AWAKS patrols.

Detection Techniques:

The Lalande system makes use of two techniques.

The first is "skywave". Shortwave radio waves are directed at an angle towards the sky, and are reflected off the ionized layer of the atmosphere, the ionosphere, allowing them to bounce back towards the Earth beyond the horizon. The signal is then scattered off the intended target, by which some amount of it bounces back towards the atmosphere, and returns along the same path to a receiver. An extremely low noise amplifier allows this small backscatter signal to be processed. The doppler effect allows the system to then distinguish targets from the background noise, by using the frequency shift created by moving objects to measure their velocity -- objects moving at speeds as low as 2.8km/h become visible. An automated computer program actively monitors the reception of these signals and continuously adjusts frequencies for the best results.

The second technique is "groundwave". Longwave low frequency radio waves are directed along the curving contour of the Earth, diffracting around obstacles and, put simply, 'hugging' the ground, allowing them to travel beyond the horizon. As with the skywave technique, signals bounce off targets like an echo, and travel along the same path back to a receiver. Again, the return signal is somewhat weak, but noise amplifiers and extremely sensitive electronics make it nonetheless usable. This technique has best range over the sea, but works across landmasses as well. It is generally used for detecting and tracking ships, though it will also detect low flying aircraft -- this latter feature being of particular use against pilots attempting to evade conventional radar by flying low.

Below is a diagram illustrating the exceptional range of these techniques.



Please note these techniques are not generally accurate enough to provide data for weapons fire -- this is an early warning system, not a targeting system. The multistatic setup of the system, described below, does dramatically increase the accuracy of the Lalande over that of a monostatic OTH radar. These systems are very sensitive, and it is believed that an OTH radar station will detect something as small as a missile launch some 5,000 kilometres away, but they are certainly not pinpoint accurate -- The purpose of an early warning system is to provide time to scramble interceptors and ready other defences.

Multistatic Setup:

The Lalande system is designed to be multistatic, with each system package making use of three separately located radar installations, placed so that they have a shared area of coverage. An incoming aircraft in this environment will be hit by radar beams from three different angles, and the backscatter from these beams can be received by all three stations. This leads to a much greater chance of detection, and significantly enhanced resolution of the target. The system provides sufficient resolution that certain target features, such as variations in the cross section of the target, can be used to accurately classify the target.

In particular, the multistatic setup gives this system considerable anti-stealth capabilities. Stealth vehicles, most notably aircraft, are not invisible to radar -- rather, they are designed to deflect incoming radar beams in such a way that they do not return a strong signal to their source. This gives such aircraft a very minimal profile to monostatic radar. However, these beams are still radiated in other directions, and can therefore be detected by the alternate receivers available to a multistatic setup. Because the Lalande system hits targets from multiple different angles, and can receive reflections from any of those angles, it will have no difficulty detecting stealth aircraft.



There are less obvious advantages to this setup as well. It is much more difficult to sabotage or focus jam multiple receivers than it is to obstruct a single site, and destruction of one or even two stations will not render the system blind. The single point of failure is the control room -- which should be appropriately fortified.

Installation:

Please note that an OTH system requires a large amount of allocated space, and they are essentially immobile.

The Lalande system setup has five physically separate stations to be installed. Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie stations are the main radar stations, each fitted with both a transmitter and a receiver for both skywave and groundwave techniques. These three stations need to be placed some distance apart to achieve an optimal multistatic setup. For optimal performance it is recommended to install wire mesh mats in front of each main radar station, to provide a reflective ground along the signal path. Delta station is designed to measure the effects of the atmosphere on the transmitted signals. This small station broadcasts directly upwards and assesses the returning signal, providing information which is used to adjust the main radar's frequency and filter the main radar's returning signals in real time. Echo station is the hub of the entire system, and contains the extensive computer equipment necessary for data fusion and processing all of the information from the component parts. Delta and Echo can be located wherever is convenient, though it would be advisable that the latter be placed in a well defended location.

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LTAP R1 "Luyten" Combat Rifle



The Luyten is a lightweight, hard hitting combat rifle designed to be a standard issue weapon for front line soldiers for general combat in a range of environments or contexts.

Specifications:

Weight: 3.8 kg (loaded)
Length: 75 cm
Barrel length: 48 cm
Cartridge: 6.5×39mm caseless
Action: Gas-operated, electric ignition
Rate of fire: 700 rpm
Muzzle velocity: 900 m/s
Effective range: 500 m
Feed system: 30 round detachable box magazine
Sights: Fiber optic sights with tritium vials. Picatinny rail allows range of sights and scopes.

Features:

- Caseless ammunition with strong stopping power and armor piercing capabilities.

- Bullpup design for minimal weight, maximum maneuverability, and better ballistics.

- Reliable under all environmental conditions and requires very little maintenance.

- Integrated limited suppressor, muzzle brake, flash guard, and electronics package.

- Completely ambidextrous without any needed modifications.

Background and Development:

An older design now, the Luyten has become the standard issue rifle of the Conite Defence Force. The objective was to create a simple standard rifle for issue to professional military services, though with Lamplight Tech few things ever turn out to be truly simple. Priorities during development included minimising weight and size without compromising ballistics, seeking ammunition with better lethality than the NATO standard but without dramatically decreasing control, and additionally ensuring the weapon would function well in the sometimes extreme Conite weather conditions. Many lessons were picked up from the earlier research into the Ecliptic weapon system and incorporated into this design, including the chemically complicated non-crystalline explosive used for propellant, and the ambidextrous ergonomic grip designs.

Design and Construction:

Carefully designed ergonomic grips ensure the weapon is comfortable to hold and fire whilst also being easy to control with both hands. An additional handle at the front of the weapon prevents the user's hand from slipping forward while firing, and shields against any muzzle venting. Smooth contours minimize potential snagging on clothing or other obstacles. The weapon is designed to be fully ambidextrous, able to be operated with either hand as dominant without any necessary alterations. Use of caseless ammunition means there are no spent case ejection direction issues.

The weapon uses a bullpup configuration, with the magazine and firing action located behind the trigger. This design makes use of otherwise redundant space in the rear of the weapon to allow a long barrel length in a reasonably compact platform, meaning the Luyten retains the velocity and accuracy advantages of a longer weapon, but with the maneuverability and reduced weight of a shorter weapon.

The Luyten's barrel and the essential components of the firing mechanism are made of cold-hammer-forged steel to retain accuracy and reliability. The rest of the weapon is built from fibre-reinforced polymer composite, which drastically reduces the weight. Use of caseless ammunition further reduces weight by no small amount. All materials are highly resistant to corrosion, wear, and a range of chemical substances, and the weapon is expected to function even in highly adverse environmental conditions. Because there is no need to eject cases, the firing mechanism itself is sealed against environmental damage.

The weapon is designed to accommodate an integral built in suppressor. It should be noted that this suppressor is not intended to effectively silence the weapon and it does not do so, rather the audio muffling effect protects the hearing of a user who may not be wearing appropriate ear protection. The suppressor is additionally vented to propel generated gasses sideways rather than upwards, lessening weapon recoil to some extent, and noticeably conceals the visible signature of the weapon by hiding its flash, protecting the eyes of the user and making their position less immediately apparent. Visible light and IR reflection on the surfaces of the weapon are reduced to a minimum to lower detection further.

Recoil is reduced as much as possible by multiple recoil absorbing buffers located in the stock of the weapon. The fire rate is artificially limited to prevent unmanageable levels of recoil. With training it is expected the Luyten will be easily manageable and maintain good accuracy even during sustained automatic fire, though it is recommended that for optimal performance it is used primarily in burst fire mode.

A single built in combined electronics package is mounted at the front of the weapon, underneath the barrel. Contained within the package are two laser emitters, one proving a narrow beam for aiming and the other a broad beam for illumination, both of which are visible in normal conditions and through NVG assisted vision. These can be enabled or disabled by a switch. The whole package is water and dust tight, and utilises an advanced built in but replaceable battery. This lightweight package reduces need for further attachments, and the additional cost and weight they would bring.

It is possible to attach a full suppressor to the front of the weapon to further reduce noise if necessary. A standard picatinny rail on the top of the weapon allows a wide range of appropriate sights and scopes to be easily mounted.

Ammunition:

The Luyten uses 6.5×39mm caseless ammunition; a custom intermediate cartridge which retains the low recoil and high accuracy of the venerable 5.56×45mm NATO, but does not share the poor lethality of that round, with a stopping power more comparable to that of the larger 7.62 NATO. The high ballistic coefficient of the round means it retains greater terminal energy at extended ranges and outperforms both of the NATO rounds at armour penetration. The usually heavier weight of this ammunition is neutralised by the caseless design, and the bullpup design of the Luyten allows the long barrel necessary to effectively use it.

Each individual round is encased in a quadratic shaped propellant block to avoid wasted space and maximise magazine capacity. When the trigger is pulled, this propellant is broken up to increase ignition surface, and ignites to accelerate the round. This process removes the need for spent case ejection in the firing process, simplifying the weapons's design, and decreasing the number of moving parts which could malfunction. The simplified process additionally lends to a faster potential fire rate for the weapon, and dramatically decreases the overall weight of carried ammunition. The propellant used is a non-crystalline explosive with hexogen/oxygen base to decrease heat sensitivity, its high ignition temperature offsetting concerns that built up heat in the weapon system could cause accidental ignition.

An electric current ignition system is used to ignite the propellant, rather than a percussion cap. This allows instantaneous firing by avoiding the fractional delay that is caused by the travel time of a firing pin in a non electric weapon, and consequently eliminates the potential for decreased accuracy that might bring. The use of an electric ignition system also allows use of ammunition with a high ignition temperature, again offsetting concerns of "cook off" caused by system heat. The provided advanced battery has a long expected lifetime, but can be easily replaced in the field if necessary.

In the unlikely event of a misfire, a manual handle on the side of the weapon can force the offending round out an ejection port on the side of the weapon and load the next round.

[Consular]

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LTAP PD1 "Gatekeeper" Heavy Point Defence



Specifications:

Weight: 12,000kg
Armament: Dual 30mm rotary cannons, Dual four tube missile launchers.
Rate of Fire: 9,000 rounds per minute
Range: By missile 1,000-10,000 metres. By gun, Terminal-4,000 metres.

Full Details:

The Gatekeeper is an advanced close-in weapon system (CIWS) that makes use of both missiles and and guns to provide comprehensive point defence. It is intended as a permanent installation for larger warships, fortified military bases, or essential infrastructure in conflict prone territory.

Point defence primarily provides close range defence against incoming missiles, rockets, mortars, artillery, and other potential projectiles. It can also be used against enemy aircraft, including helicopters, as well as naval vessels or light ground assets which have breached outer defences.

Gatekeeper will initially engage threats at long range with interception missiles, and then use its dual rotary cannons to eliminate any threats which manage to get through to terminal range. This hard hitting multiple layered point defence offers protection with a combined kill probability of 99%.

The system is a modular package rather than a stand alone installation, consisting of one command and control module, and between two and ten turret modules. The system can function automatically and autonomously, without any input from the ship or base it is protecting, or it can be set to request permission from a human operator before engaging. It can additionally be left as an independent system, or integrated and networked into a larger area defence framework.

The command and control module has its own search radar for identifying and tracking threats, and will distribute data to the available turret modules. When multiple turret modules are networked with the command and control module, the system will prioritise targets and coordinate fire between the turrets to provide the maximum possible protection. It is capable of tracking and engaging multiple separate targets simultaneously. Advanced IFF interrogation techniques ensure the system does not accidentally engage friendly forces, and work to counter deceptive electronic countermeasures. The purpose of the command and control module is to provide coordination where there are multiple turrets, each turret still retains its own targeting computer and can function independently.

Each Gatekeeper turret module is armed with two 30mm rotary cannons, two missile launchers with four ready to fire missiles each, and its own radar system, mounted on a swiveling base.

The dual rotary cannons of the Gatekeeper are gas operated and have a rate of fire at 9,000 rounds per minute. The heavy 30mm round is expected to obliterate incoming missiles, or at least ensure the warhead detonates, such that damaged missiles cannot rely on momentum to still hit their target.

The Gatekeeper is equipped with LTAP M5 "Evensong" interception missiles. The missiles make use of guidance from Gatekeeper combined with a proximity based detonator to air burst when near their intended target. The warhead creates a complete sphere of fragmentation five metres in radius, and is expected to destroy anything inside that space.

The Evensong missiles are guided through track-via-missile techniques (TVM), which combine passive radar homing on the missile itself with radio command guidance from the Gatekeeper system. Basically, Gatekeeper continues to paint the target with radar waves, which are received by the missile and sent back to Gatekeeper, which uses the information to guide the missile. Because the radar in the missile itself is only passive, it does not alert the target by painting it with radar waves. This means that although the target may be aware it is being tracked by ground based systems, it will not know it is being engaged, reducing the likelihood it will employ countermeasures. Gatekeeper receives the returning radar signal both from the missile's passive receiver, and from its grounded receivers, increasing accuracy and adding significant resistance to spoofing or other electronic countermeasures. This guidance technique is sometimes vulnerable to jamming, and for this reason missiles are additionally equipped with anti radiation receivers as a sort of reserve guidance method. In the unlikely event the missile is jammed and cannot receive guidance from Gatekeeper, it will lock on to the source of the jamming as its target.

Gatekeeper radar has two subsystems, one to scan for and identify threats, and the other for tracking and engaging those threats. The radar is dual band, which reduces the effects of clutter and make it harder for targets to hide at low altitudes. Information collected from both bands is additionally used to identify and respond to electronic countermeasures. On top of radar, each module has its own electro-optical and infrared sensors, and video feeds which allow it to be operated manually if required.

Each individual turret module can function automatically and autonomously, capable of detecting, identifying, and engaging threats independently of the command and control module or any other guidance. The loss of the command and control module or other turret modules will not prevent an operational turret from continuing to function. Each module is protected from EMP attack through radiation hardening techniques on both physical and logical levels.

[Consular]

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LTAP PD2 "Buzzkill" Point Defence



Specifications:

Weight: 5,000kg
Armament: 20mm rotary cannon
Rate of Fire: 4,500 rounds per minute
Range: Terminal-3,000 metres

Full Details:

The Buzzkill is a lightweight close-in weapon system (CIWS) designed as a terminal range point defence. This is a self contained defence system designed to have a small footprint without compromising effectiveness, and with a mind for minimising collateral damage. It is perfect for placement on smaller warships, support vessels, and also for defence of civilian infrastucture and population areas. It is relatively lightweight and moveable, so can additionally be used to protect mobile assets.

Buzzkill provides a very close range last line of defence against incoming missiles, rockets, mortars, artillery, and other potential projectiles. It can also be used with limited effectiveness against enemy aircraft, including helicopters, as well as naval vessels or light ground assets which have breached outer defences.

It is an entirely self contained unit. It consists of a 20mm rotary cannon, combined with its own radar systems and significant computing power, mounted on a fast moving swiveling base. Switched on, Buzzkill will automatically scan for, identify, and engage threats. It requires only a power supply to function, and contains its own extended life batteries, which it can use to continue operations for some time even should it lose power. An automatic integrated fire suppression mechanism passively cools the systems and will attempt to douse flames should the Buzzkill be hit by enemy weaponry. The system is protected from EMP attack through radiation hardening techniques on both physical and logical levels.

The rotary cannon makes use of high explosive incendiary tracers, with a self destruct capability. These rounds will explode on contact with the target, or otherwise at a pre determined distance. A device at the end of the Buzzkill's barrel measures the exact velocity of each fired round, and sets an appropriate fuse based on radar mapping information. If the round misses its intended target, it will explode shortly after when this fuse expires. Basically, if the round misses it should immediately self destruct, minimising the potential for collateral damage.

The Buzzkill makes use of the same radar technology as the LTAP PD1. There are two subsystems, one to scan for and identify threats, and the other for tracking and engaging those threats. The radar is dual band, which reduces the effects of clutter and make it harder for targets to hide at low altitudes. Information collected from both bands is additionally used to identify and respond to electronic countermeasures. A powerful internal computer works to track and predict target trajectories, and is capable of anticipating the defensive maneuvers of modern supersonic missiles.

[Consular]

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LTAP M2 "Tempest" MIRV Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile



Statistics:

Type: ASBM
Place of origin: Conite Congressional Republic
In service: 2017
Used by: Conite Defence Force
Weight: 15,000 kilograms
Length: 12 metres
Diameter: 1.6 metres
Warhead: 6, high explosive
Engine: Multiple stage, hybrid propellant
Range: 3,000km
Speed: Over Mach 8
Guidance system: Inertial + active radar homing terminal guidance
Launch platform: Various, mobile launch capable

Technical Abstract:

Tempest is a multiple stage, medium range, hybrid fueled, multiple warhead, quasi ballistic hypersonic missile. It is intended to be used from land based static or mobile launchers as an anti ship ballistic missile (ASBM), for reliably eliminating hostile warships at sea with accuracy and at considerable distances. Tempest makes use of maneuverable reentry vehicles (MaRV) with advanced terminal guidance systems, allowing targeting of mobile carrier groups and other otherwise difficult to strike naval force projection platforms. The multiple independently targetable (MIRV) warheads carried by Tempest allow a single missile to inflict multiples strikes on a fleet, providing significant anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) power.

The Tempest missile shares many significant design decisions, including its hybrid fuel rocket technology, with the earlier M1 Draconis design. As such a large amount of the write up is very similar, though there are a number of key differences.

Lamplight Technologies Prototype Hybrid-Fuel System:

Lamplight Technologies researchers explored a number of options to fuel their next generation medium range missiles. The majority of rockets use either solid or liquid propellant. Solid propellant is uncomplicated to store and handle, is generally simple in application and inexpensive to produce, and its high density allows for more compact sizes. Liquid fueled rockets are notably more efficient, having a higher specific impulse, which means the thrust provided per unit of propellant is greater. They also provide greater control in flight as they can be remotely throttled. However, the oxidizers they rely on are moderately difficult to store and handle, as they are very reactive to even common materials, generally toxic due to nitric acids, and require cryogenic storage in liquid nitrogen. More exotic oxidizers are more energetic, but even more unstable and toxic.

The missile was expected to spend considerable lengths of time in storage, yet be ready to launch at a moment's notice, which was not a context where liquid propellant excelled. Solid propellant rockets however could remain in storage for exceptionally long periods, and still launch reliably on short notice. These factors made solid propellant initially a more favourable source of fuel than liquid propellant. This was balanced against the increased performance of liquid fuel, which equated to increased range and in flight maneuverability, which was also an important consideration for the project.

The research team eventually settled on a hybrid rocket, which makes use of both types of propellant, solid and liquid, in two different phases. This hybrid system consists of a pressure vessel which contains the liquid propellant, which is kept initially separate from the combustion chamber which contains the solid propellant. The liquid propellant is an oxidizing agent, a chemical which transfers electronegative atoms, such as oxygen, to a 'substrate', the other chemical that is being modified. The solid propellant is the 'fuel', the material which stores potential energy to be released by activity of the oxidizer. A valve isolates the two, which is opened to allow the liquid propellant into the combustion chamber, where it is ignited and subsequently vaporized and reacted with the solid propellant. This creates combustion and therefore thrust.

Because of the size of this rocket, a turbopump is necessary to achieve a high flow rate and maintain pressurisation of the liquid fuel chamber. It was considered that the turbopump could be powered by using an oxidizer that doubled as a monopropellant, but this would have made the rocket significantly less efficient. Instead a high performance battery is simply included, well insulated to prevent sparks or other interference.

The missile makes use of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), a cross-linked rubber, for its solid fuel, in particular because this allows for high potential energy fuel additives in the form of reactive metals. Aluminium, magnesium, lithium, and beryllium can be added to the fuel grain to considerably increase specific impulse. This fuel has a high regression rate to avoid the need for multi port fuel grains, which would create structural deficiencies. Liquid oxygen is used as the liquid oxidizer.

Though seemingly complex, hybrid rockets are considerably simpler than comparable performance liquid fuel rockets. One pressure chamber to store the singular liquid requires less plumbing valves, and associated machinery. There is also no requirement for a liquid flow cooling system, as the combustion chamber is already lined with solid propellant which shields it. The casing around this fuel grain has a composite structure that easily withstands pressures and extreme temperatures.

The hybrid rocket has a number of advantages over solid propellant rockets, which are by far the most common in military application missile technology. Liquid oxidizers can achieve a higher specific impulse than solid oxidizers, making them more efficient and therefore overall fuel consumption lower, equivalent to the performance of a hydrocarbon based liquid motor. With the addition of metallized fuel a hybrid engine can achieve specific impulse of 400, as compared to 250 for a solid propellant rocket, and only just short of 450 for a bipropellant liquid rocket. This gives the rocket an effective exhaust velocity of roughly 4000 m/s.

Despite the much cited simplicity of a solid fuel platform, hybrid rockets are in fact broadly just as safe. Due to separation of oxidizer and fuel, the missile is essentially benign, making it tolerant of potential processing errors and immune to ignition by stray electrical charges. Put simply, when deprived of an oxygenizer, the rocket cannot combust explosively. Solid fuel is composed of chemically and thermally incompatible elements, which can cause distortion in response to repeated temperature changes, while a hybrid system avoids this issue entirely. This allows the missile to be transported and loaded safely, only arming the weapon when in its launch position.

Hybrid rockets also present useful advantages in control of the weapon. The ability to stop and start, as well as throttling in real time to control the combustion rate, are easily incorporated into the design through manipulation of the isolating valve.

Disadvantages of a hybrid rocket include relatively high complexity that would arise in refueling a depleted rocket. Considering the purpose of the rocket, this is not a real issue. Some hybrid rockets with ineffective designs suffer from an oxidizer to fuel ratio shift, where the fuel production to oxidizer flow rate changes as fuel grain regresses. For well designed systems this has minimal impact on performance and specific impulse.

As a slightly less important aside, the hybrid rocket engine is more environmentally friendly than a high performance solid fuel rocket. The latter make use of oxidizers which contain chlorine and composites with ammonium perchlorate, which are potentially harmful. This missile uses benign liquid oxygen as an oxidizer, for a much cleaner burn.

Tempest Missile Trajectory, Guidance, and Impact:

A traditional ballistic missile follows a standard ballistic flightpath, where its trajectory is governed by the law of classical mechanics, after its initial powered and guided phase. This is not a system designed to hit moving targets as it is quite simply not capable of adjustment. Such a flightpath is also mathematically predictable and therefore not difficult to intercept. Tempest is instead quasi ballistic, as though following a largely ballistic flightpath it can perform maneuvers in flight and make changes in direction and range.

Missile trajectory is divided into three phases; boost, midcourse, and terminal. Upon launch, the first and second stages of the rocket are used to boost the rocket upwards on an inertially guided trajectory. Both these stages are sequentially separated from the rocket as their fuel supplies are depleted. During this powered stage of flight attitude, guidance, and roll commands can be executed if necessary by remote control of swivel nozzles and air vanes attached to both the propulsion stages.

At a predetermined height and after separation from the propulsion stages, the missile enters midcourse, travelling by free flight at a high suborbital altitude to cover large distances quickly. The reentry vehicle is pitched downwards, partly so it is oriented correctly for reentry, and also to reduce radar cross section and hamper attempts to locate and track the missile. This is the stage where the missile is most vulnerable, but it is a very brief window. The missile will at this stage also deploy decoy warheads, specifically aluminised balloons and electronic noisemakers, and chaff, to confuse enemy radar and incoming interceptors.

Tempest makes use of multiple maneuverable reentry vehicles (MaRV), capable of executing velocity control maneuvers under inertial guidance control. Upon reentry, the MaRVs enter a boost glide trajectory that employs aerodynamic lift in the upper atmosphere, which grants considerably enhanced maneuverability. Utilising this boost glide technology, the missile can effectively double its initial range over the purely ballistic trajectory, allowing time to reacquire potentially mobile targets. Additionally, by keeping a short midcourse phase and avoiding an otherwise predictable standard ballistic trajectory, it is significantly more difficult for anti ballistic countermeasures to predict the missile's path and intercept it.

During this terminal stage each MaRV makes use of an advanced active homing terminal guidance system to locate its target and plot an accurate attack. An encrypted satellite uplink allows the guidance system to receive targeting information from orbiting satellites, accepting input from both visual imaging and synthetic aperture radar mounted aboard spacecraft. The guidance system can alternatively receive information forwarded from land based sources, such as an over the horizon radar installation (OTH), or mobile radar platforms, such as that mounted aboard an airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. The guidance system can further receive information from UAVs, or even a soldier manually laser guiding the missile in, though the latter is perhaps somewhat unlikely given the intended target and range of the system. If necessary, the system can rely entirely on active and passive radar homing to autonomously find and track targets, without any external guidance at all. If the guidance system loses its satellite uplink and so cannot receive updated intelligence in flight, it will rely on originally uploaded targeting information until within range, then will autonomously use radar to reacquire its target. A radar correlator compares provided external data to that gathered from the guidance system's own radar scans of the target area, to produce a position fix and update the guidance system with steering commands. Thorough coverage of the target area effectively ensures the MaRVs will be able to track mobile naval platforms and adjust its boost glide to compensate. Essentially, the more intelligence available, the more likely it is to strike its targets with pinpoint precision. Each MaRV is capable of communicating with the others, to coordinate their targeting according to preprogrammed conditions, but should this link be disrupted they will continue to operate independently.

Small scattering surfaces, special reflective coatings, and small size projections help to reduce the radar signature of the MaRVs. Electromagnetic spectrum countermeasures are built in to protect the guidance system and prevent radar jamming. The guidance system additionally makes use of antifragile electronic warfare, in the form of passive radiation homing. This means that should its radar or other guidance systems be noise jammed, the MaRV will, if lacking any alternate form of targeting, use the source location of the jamming signal as a target.

Countermeasures against this missile system are largely ineffective. Most ballistic missile interceptors are designed to strike the impending missile during its midcourse stage. The high speed and short midcourse phase of the Tempest mean such an interceptor would need to be fired almost immediately after the Tempest itself, in order to have sufficient time to intercept before reentry. After reentry the missile is at a marginally too low altitude for exo-atmospheric kill vehicles. Certain missiles are capable of striking after reentry into the atmosphere, but will have to contend with an unpredictable boost glide hypersonic trajectory and a MaRV performing extremely high speed evasive maneuvers. With Tempest deploying a number of independently maneuvering warheads, a defence system would need to deploy a comparable number of interceptors or it would simply be overwhelmed. Conventional interceptor missiles notably have difficulty against targets moving faster than Mach 5, and the Tempest moves at speeds of Mach 8 or above. Such extreme speed in the final terminal phase renders short range point defence systems of little use. When this speed is combined with the probable late detection of the incoming missile, the relatively small size of the MaRV compared with a cruise missile, its erratic maneuvering, and the very small window for interception, there is very little defence against such a strike.

The high kinetic energy and accompanying impact shock, combined with a high explosive warhead designed to detonate moments after armour penetration inside the hull of the vessel, are expected to cripple, in terms of render unoperational for military purposes, or outright destroy even the largest vessels in a single hit. High speed and a semi armour piercing body allow the missile to easily punch through the deck, where the delayed explosion and resulting shockwave utterly devastates the interior of the ship, magnified dramatically by the enclosed space. The missile also supports nuclear warheads should these prove necessary.