Turbolaser Crews

[pellaeons_scion]

Was idly staring at schematics and pictures of capital scale warships and a thought struck me. Most SW warships have massive computing power I'm gathering.

So why the need for gun crews? Considering that most of the targeting would be done via computer, the recharging and cooling of the weapon would more than likely by automated. Also the reasonably rapid refire rate of even the HTL would make a large gun-laying crew obsolete. Seems that with those rates of fire, a single gunner would be better off controlling the weapon from a single station, like an AA battery.

Also, as an aside, would the reason that most of the time in the movies we see a staggered method of firing be it would be easier on the main reactor? I.e it would be more energy efficent to use staggered fire on a target rather that full broadsides which would rapidly deplete energy supplies?

just a query, any responses appreciated

[jegs2]

Was idly staring at schematics and pictures of capital scale warships and a thought struck me. Most SW warships have massive computing power I'm gathering.

So why the need for gun crews? Considering that most of the targeting would be done via computer, the recharging and cooling of the weapon would more than likely by automated. Also the reasonably rapid refire rate of even the HTL would make a large gun-laying crew obsolete. Seems that with those rates of fire, a single gunner would be better off controlling the weapon from a single station, like an AA battery.

Also, as an aside, would the reason that most of the time in the movies we see a staggered method of firing be it would be easier on the main reactor? I.e it would be more energy efficent to use staggered fire on a target rather that full broadsides which would rapidly deplete energy supplies?

just a query, any responses appreciated

Gun crews would still be required if one wished to maximize one of the major strengths of an Imperial warship -- multiple independent firing batteries. That gives the ships the ability to engage multiple targets at once, or to concentrate fires onto specific targets. Could a central computer do that? Possibly, but then if it is damaged or destroyed, all guns would go silent. The way that an ISD is designed, much of the ship could be non-funtional, but the individual gun crews would still engage targets with deadly fires.

[Mr Bean]

I.e it would be more energy efficent to use staggered fire on a target rather that full broadsides which would rapidly deplete energy supplies?

Each Gun has an Energy Resvior which can fire an unknow number of shots before requring to Draw Power from the Main Reactor

[pellaeons_scion]

OK I understand that FireControl would not be governed by a central computer, as it would be a liability in case of attack. I also understand that individual crews make for independant fire control and targeting. however as was discussed in a previous thread, the amount firepower required to even dent a SW shield would have to be in the magnitude of a broadside, as individual shots wouldnt be able to achieve a shield overload or drop in strength.

In that case, particularly for HTL's which fire by battery, wouldnt it make more sense to have one gunner firing that battery, as he could time his barrages perfectly, rather than relying on several to attempt to fire simultaneously.

Also it seems like without some computer control targeting would be a farce anyway, as I dont believe someone could track a target moving at near-light speeds with much kind of accuracy without computerized help. On the other hand I guess with Human gunners, there is the chance that out of a indivually targeted broadside at least some of the bolts would hit through sheer human luck.

[Mr Bean]

Also it seems like without some computer control targeting would be a farce anyway, as I dont believe someone could track a target moving at near-light speeds with much kind of accuracy without computerized help. On the other hand I guess with Human gunners, there is the chance that out of a indivually targeted broadside at least some of the bolts would hit through sheer human luck.

Umm Targetting IS Computer Controled(Though it has a Human Operater on hand at all times to take over)

The Diffrence is Computer Control is at the Invdidual Gun level

IE there is no CIC Computing Solutions those are done on a per-gun basies, In essance while Collective Strikes can be easly ordered shooting is still done on a per-gun basies

IE if Fire control decides to Hit a target in its Engines He hops on the comm keys in fire at XXX. The order is routed down to the number of guns he selects in the correct sections who then each indepently target XXX and fire on Command

This allows great flexbility as each gun is completly independt from the next but still intricly linked

Or to put it another way the diffrence between a 1 Gun shot and a 21 Gun Salute, At least to the Gunner crews is noexistance besides seeing more beams hitting the target THEY are aiming at


Understand?


*Edit forgot also easily allows for ordering of Weapons free to engange Star-Fighters or swarming style attacks

[pellaeons_scion]

Cool, thanks Bean. You have just cleared up my question

Long Live the Empire!