Subscribe to download
ArCC - SRK - Shrike II Artillery Cruiser

Update 11/06/14 - the stabilizations fields on the railguns were returned to their former setting after another update changed the rock sizes back to their original setting

Update 10/20/14 - the stabilization fields on the railguns were tightened in order to accomodate the new, smaller rocks that leave connectors. this was done so that the railguns can remain deadly even with the new update

Mass 7,842,000 kg
Acceleration: 2.59 m/s^2
Weapons: 15 Gatling guns, 28 Anti-Missile System, 12 rocket launchers
Railguns: 2
Ammunition Storage: 7 Large Containers, 28 small. Each Railgun has an independent system of 1 Large Container and 4 small Containers. This allows for devastating projectiles even on survival realistic settings

The Shrike was originally created to be a form of Artillery or Siege cruiser. It had four torpedo bays which were capable of housing two torpedos each at a time. It was capable not only of precision bombing, but also of utter annihilation of an enemy as a last resort.

Unfortunately, due to a shortage in high grade explosives, the torpedo models of the Shrike were retired in favor of the Shrike II. The Shrike II was designed to maximize destructive potential while minimizing resource cost. To this end, our scientists at Phoenix Shipyards adapted technology given to us by Tristavius industries to a smaller ship mount. The Shike II features two railguns as its primary weapon, hurling masses of cheap ammunition (stones) through the ships of the enemy.

To aid in targeting for the Shrike II's railguns, Phoenix Fleet Systems created the targeting drone:
Mass: 11k kg
Acceleration: 13.23 m/s^2
Weapons: 1 rocket launcher
Battery Powered

The targeting drone is a simple, unmanned drone that flies to enemy ships and latches on with its landing gear. Its flat body helps it to easily attach to enemy hulls, and it is able to accelerate equally left, right, backwards, and forwards, which allows it to quickly get into a landing spot. It has several beacons which it can then activate to allow the Shrike II to quickly line up a shot.

Railgun Guide: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You will find several consoles already preset to control the guns. These consoles are located in each of the fire control rooms next to the railgun tubes. There are also two consoles on the bridge which control the railgun on their side.

In the interface, Cannon 1 is left and Cannon 2 is right

To set up a console, place these commands on the toolbar:

1) Accelerator Arms (reverse) - these will extend the final two firing generators out to a greater distance, effectively lengthening the barrel

2) Grav Stabilizers (on/off) - this turns on the field to ensure that the rocks collect in the middle of the barrel rather than sliding along the walls

3) Loading Generators (on/off) - this turns on a field to keep the rocks from crushing against the back wall of the barrel, while on the other end ensuring that they head towards the back of the barrel instead of falling out the front.

4) Loaders (throw out on/off) - this activates the connectors to begin pumping out rocks into the forming projectile

5) Firing Generators (on/off) - activates the forward pulling generators to hurl death at your enemy

6) Targeting camera (view) - to help you line up those shots

Allow adequate time for the projectile to form and stabilize before firing. A good balance is around 120 k kg or so. In many tests, this weight was shown to produce multiple holes in targets up to 18 light armor blocks deep at 5000 meters. Too small or too large of a projectile, and you will experience more scatter. Typically, a heavier projectile is deadlier than a smaller one, but exceptions have occured. If you intend to manuever the ship with a projectile loaded, you should only pull soft manuevers. Do not attempt to fly the ship in combat manuevers while loading.

If you wish for a flak burst over a precision shot, then do not activate the stabilizers. This is mainly effective for large, light armored targets, or a last resort for fighters (though not recommended).

Each cannon has an independ ammo system so you do not wind up dumping your rocket and gatling ammo into the cannon. You can find the loading connector located on the top of the ship near its respective cannon.

MANY THANKS to Tristavius for the original concept, and to Zeratul for adapting the design, as well as his help with me as we spent MANY hours getting this gun to work reliably!

Some have asked about donations. Obviously you needn't feel obliged, but anything is greatly appreciated and you have my thanks!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9LSL72A775HBJ