The evolution of insect swarms from XNUMX million years ago

Chapter 296 Free Electron Laser

the other side.

Immediately following the enemy were the two division-level fleets under the Winged Limulus Super Division Fleet - the Winged Limulus Division Fleet and the Shushi Limulus Division Fleet. There are also two enemy fleets, but the number is larger than the previous one, which is basically the same as the main force of the Ke-level fleet.

The two science-class fleets are located in two different star systems and deal with two enemy fleets at the same time. Among them, the number of enemy ships faced by the Xiushi Limuluo fleet was slightly smaller, while the Winged Limulus fleet faced could be said to be the main force of the enemy at this stage.

However, the main star cluster in the Winged Limulus fleet has made some improvements. It is not the almost identical mass-produced main star cluster like other fleets, but slightly different, mainly used to test some new structures and tactics. .

Since the division-level fleet is the most important battle group in the imagination, with a moderate number of battle groups, similar to the divisions divided into later generations of human armies, some special attribute-level fleets can be slightly improved by all members and serve as a support company-like existence.

For example, all members of the previous Staples genus fleet and the Salmon genus fleet were escort planets, which were equivalent to two special "support companies" responsible for planetary orbital warfare and post-war finishing work.

In the winged horseshoe fleet, a branch-level fleet, similar divisions are particularly obvious. Some subordinate fleets are special "support companies" that are specialized in other directions.

However, before these "support companies" come into play, the first thing to come into play is a genus-level fleet that is equally special, but does not specialize in a certain function, but further strengthens the main function.

This time, due to the previous experience, both sides knew the maximum effective range of the opponent's main weapon. At a distance of about one light second, both sides began to perform probability cloud maneuvers in unison.

But this time, the situation has changed - before the other party actually started to enter the probability cloud maneuver, there was a genus-level fleet that first emitted dazzling infrared heat radiation from the radiator structure, and it had obviously opened fire.

That was the genus-class fleet in the center of the fleet - the Yekel Horseshoe Fleet. This fleet, named after the largest arthropod in history and the most powerful predatory elasmopod, is also equipped with the most powerful weapons and equipment and is preparing to be tested in actual combat.

After about a second, dazzling plasma clusters bloomed on the hulls of several enemy ships. It was still a classic two-stage shooting. The first stage was fired by the secondary guns, while the second stage was fired by the main weapons. Shoot to destroy the Whipple-like shield gap armor and then cause damage to the main armor layer.

At this distance, the scattering and attenuation of traditional laser lasers are difficult to cause fatal damage to enemy ships. It may be possible to blast open the Whipple-like shield gap armor, but the subsequent damage to the main armor will be somewhat weak.

However, this attack was unexpectedly effective. The hull of the hit enemy ship was immediately paralyzed by a dazzling plasma ball, and most of it was basically judged to have lost its combat effectiveness.

In the middle, the heat radiation emitted by the pair of paddling-foot-shaped radiators of the Rheinjecker-class fleet and the overall flagship of the entire class-class fleet is particularly dazzling. Just now, it was this main starship. , fired the first shot in this battle.

The main star of the Yekel fleet does have a longer range in theory. This is mainly based on a new, longer-range directed energy main weapon - a special configuration called a free electron laser. Compared with traditional lasers, this special structure is based on a structure similar to a particle accelerator. It first accelerates a section of electron beam, then uses the electrons to create high-intensity X-rays through a specially structured resonant cavity, and then focuses it into high-energy X-rays through a focusing lens group. Weapons-grade X-ray laser.

Compared with traditional lasers, free electron lasers are larger and more complex in structure, but in exchange for stronger energy utilization, that is, they can cause greater damage under the same power. At the same time, because of the characteristics of directed energy weapons, Its maximum effective range has also been increased.

But it is not without its shortcomings. The more complex conversion structure also brings a longer charging time, making the rate of fire slightly slower than traditional laser configurations. Theoretically, it should be a better choice for the main weapon of the main star.

However, this is relatively new after all, and the Ezki battleship does not have the latest technology. Before it was tested in actual combat, Lin Yi did not know the specific advantages and disadvantages of this new technology and traditional technology, so he only used it in a subordinate fleet. Small-scale applications have been carried out.

And reality has proven that as a main weapon, it is indeed better than the traditional laser configuration. As for the secondary weapons, the larger size of the free electron laser determines that if all free electron lasers are replaced, it will definitely occupy the space of other structures, such as fuel tanks.

According to the current situation, the secondary weapons are more used as an auxiliary means to destroy the Whipple shield-like gap armor in battles between battleships. The use of traditional laser structures is also sufficient and more cost-effective. There is no need to specialize in replacement.

Of course, if the technology of free electron lasers can be further improved, it is not impossible to completely replace the traditional laser structure, but this is difficult to achieve in a short time.

As for whether X-ray lasers will still be the main attack method at that time, it is not yet known. Predictions about the future can never be 100% accurate. Various unexpected variables will always turn the prediction results into "the emperor's golden hoe" - under such conditions, there may be far better uses than imagined. technical way.

After thinking about it, the distance between the two sides has basically entered the limit of the effective range of traditional lasers. Whether it is the X-ray laser of the main force or the ultraviolet laser of the enemy fleet, it can cause heavy damage to the opponent.

The death light can be seen lighting up from time to time in the perception system, and the special expendable defense methods of both sides against damage from directed energy weapons have begun to take effect, and plasma clusters bloom from time to time.

However, optical signals and infrared signals gradually become chaotic with the irregular probability cloud maneuvers of all warships. Accurately aiming and hitting the enemy has become a luxury. All both sides can do is to make their own probability cloud as large as possible and try to compress the probability cloud of the enemy ship.

But at this time, some special fleets, which were collectively referred to as "support companies", began to move according to the planned plan. Their existence is precisely to achieve these purposes and further increase one's own hit rate.

The first to get into position was the Horseshoe Crab fleet. This genus-level fleet, named after a genus of specialized nocturnal wing-limbed horseshoe crabs, is deploying their special weapons under the control of Lin Yi, preparing to assist other main stars.

(End of this chapter)