Marksman46@Marksman46
Hear me out: The Starfarer Gemini should have PDC(s).
I know there's a lot of talk about how we shouldn't slap PDCs on every ship, etc. And I also know that 'not every ship needs PDCs' as well. But hear me out:
The Starfarer Gemini is a frontline refueling ship, meaning it will be in danger very often, it will also be carrying potentially a lot of useful goods, ammo, supplies, and of course, fuel. It's outfitted for combat, and should have escorts, meaning the biggest potential threat to it's very important supplies, is a missile. A missile could easily detonate the fuel pods on the back. Of course, as stated in the Q&A for the Starfarer, they can be detonated, but in a vacuum, they wouldn't 'explode.' But of course, that won't always be the case, and in the event of the detonation in atmo, the Starfarer would light up like a video-game red barrel.
That being said, the ship being fueled also would be very vulnerable at this time, in some way, it should be the Starfarer's job to keep their refueling target safe during the process, with the turrets ideally (which two of them would be facing the ship directly, depending on the ship's size). Once again, this means that the largest threat during this time, is missiles, and no escort fighters, nor turrets can consistently defend against missiles.
Also, the Starfarer being a cargo/refueling vessel makes it a prime target for piracy or intercepting. During battles/wars, the most common tactic is to hit supply lines. And, once again, escorts are no consistent way to stop missiles. The IR, EM, and Crosssection of the Starfarer also make it light up like a christmas tree the from like 50-90km+ out. For context, that's more than twice as detectable as a Polaris; while potentially BEING the means to allow a Polaris to continue it's operation. Enemy/pirate eclipses would be licking their lips, watching from 30+KM out being able to strike the only vessel capable of adequately resupplying a flagship.
For all these reasons, as well as the simple fact that the GOATfarer deserves it, I think the Gemini should have maybe one PDC on each side, to protect against missiles/protect it's refueling target. I highlighted some key spots on the Gemini that I think would be ideal for the PDCs.
The Starfarer Gemini is a frontline refueling ship, meaning it will be in danger very often, it will also be carrying potentially a lot of useful goods, ammo, supplies, and of course, fuel. It's outfitted for combat, and should have escorts, meaning the biggest potential threat to it's very important supplies, is a missile. A missile could easily detonate the fuel pods on the back. Of course, as stated in the Q&A for the Starfarer, they can be detonated, but in a vacuum, they wouldn't 'explode.' But of course, that won't always be the case, and in the event of the detonation in atmo, the Starfarer would light up like a video-game red barrel.
That being said, the ship being fueled also would be very vulnerable at this time, in some way, it should be the Starfarer's job to keep their refueling target safe during the process, with the turrets ideally (which two of them would be facing the ship directly, depending on the ship's size). Once again, this means that the largest threat during this time, is missiles, and no escort fighters, nor turrets can consistently defend against missiles.
Also, the Starfarer being a cargo/refueling vessel makes it a prime target for piracy or intercepting. During battles/wars, the most common tactic is to hit supply lines. And, once again, escorts are no consistent way to stop missiles. The IR, EM, and Crosssection of the Starfarer also make it light up like a christmas tree the from like 50-90km+ out. For context, that's more than twice as detectable as a Polaris; while potentially BEING the means to allow a Polaris to continue it's operation. Enemy/pirate eclipses would be licking their lips, watching from 30+KM out being able to strike the only vessel capable of adequately resupplying a flagship.
For all these reasons, as well as the simple fact that the GOATfarer deserves it, I think the Gemini should have maybe one PDC on each side, to protect against missiles/protect it's refueling target. I highlighted some key spots on the Gemini that I think would be ideal for the PDCs.
