Her Imperial Majesty's Space Navy

[Shipbuilder]

No problems Gimi if I am able to help in any way I would be happy to be part of the team (This sounds like a very interesting project).

Also did you texture the Cobra Mk III yourself the paintjob is exceptionally good.

[Shipbuilder]

@ Storm – Wow I really like the 3D model and hopefully with the new features to be made available for the next version both launch bays will be useable.

I’ve seen some of your other work posted on the forum i.e. Storm Shipyards and was very impressed with the quality and style of the models you have produced. It would be great to see some of them in game.

[Gimi]

Hi guys. I'd like to offer a 3d model I've been working on for a new HIMSN carrier, the Komodo Class.

That is a very cool design Storm.
Before any commitments are made, I need to explain how I envisage HIMSN. I will probably need some assistance from EV and/or Smivs here.

First. HIMSN is a "small" navy with limited resources. The focus is quality, not quantity and seeing them on your regular travels would be a rare event.
The bulk of the navy is made up of three types of ships. Navy versions of the Asp, Sidewinder and the Anaconda (The specifications for the Navy versions are considerably improved compared to the standard in-game versions). On top of that your have a few experimental Constrictors, the odd Moray medical ship and the two classes of larger ships.

The two larger ship classes have carrier roles. The older and larger of the two carries Asps for offensive operations and Sidewinders for self defence and Combat Space Patrols (CSP). Your design would probably fit here but it is larger than I envisaged. There are maybe 4 to 6 of them in total and are to be found where the Navy and the Thargoids are slugging it out (except on special occasions when they are brought in system to show the Navy flag).
The newer and smaller carrier type is more of an interdict carrier specifically designed to carry Sidewinders and Constrictors. These are currently being built, and numbers are unknown (Classified).

As for carrier design, I imagined a through deck cruiser type of design. Launch from the bow, dock at the stern. (Taking advantage of 1.77 features of course). I'm hoping that eventually some AI wizard can make this work during battle with attack squadrons and CSP's launching, relieving other squadrons, and then docking.

So a few comment to your design, would it be possible to implement a central stern dock in addition to your bow launch stations and possibly scale it down a little.

EV / Smivs and anyone else. Feel free to comment.

[Gimi]

Also did you texture the Cobra Mk III yourself the paintjob is exceptionally good.

No, I hardly did anything myself. The ship is Griffs multi decal player cobra. I adapted my own decals for it. Colouring comes from experimenting with Respray_for_Griffs.oxp by
Capt Murphy. So thanks to Griff and Capt Murphy for making it possible.

[Cody]

HIMSN is a "small" navy with limited resources. The focus is quality, not quantity

This is my view of HIMSN too - but I'm possibly too immersed in the fiction side of things for my opinions to carry much weight - too biased towards the core game.
I definitely think you're on the right track though, Gimi - I'd have no interest in a GalNavy type of OXP (which I've no doubt said before).

Hmm... Sidewinders mount no missiles, so I ain't too sure about their role.

[Disembodied]

Hmm... Sidewinders mount no missiles, so I ain't too sure about their role.

Until the recent development of the hardhead, missiles weren't much use against Thargoids – and with their small size a Sidewinder is probably the closest thing the Co-operative has to the Thargoid robot fighters.

[Cody]

The Gecko is very simliar in size to the Sidewinder (I think), is probably a better all-round combat ship, and does mount one missile.

[Gimi]

The Gecko is very simliar in size to the Sidewinder (I think), and does mount one missile.

Yes, however in Canon Elite the Sidewinder is referenced as a Navy design. As for armament, I have thrown the Elite/Oolite specifications out the window. The Navy versions will have to be considerably tougher to pose a challenge to the avrage player. So the Navy Sidewinder will sport missiles and more. Attacking a Navy ship should not be a very smart thing to do.

You might think of the Navy Sidewinder as a close, but not quite, match to your Green Gecko. However, they always operate together, and I hope to have some sort of "tactical retreat" AI for all Navy units.

Dang, my ambitions are running away again.

[Cody]

Yes, however in Canon Elite the Sidewinder is referenced as a Navy design.

Ah yes - so true!

[cim]

Until the recent development of the hardhead, missiles weren't much use against Thargoids – and with their small size a Sidewinder is probably the closest thing the Co-operative has to the Thargoid robot fighters.

Better than the drones, on paper. Tougher armour/shields, better turning rate, and can carry a beam laser. Slightly slower and a bigger target, but that's not too big a deal.

Even hardheads aren't that much use against Thargoids nowadays, though I imagine the advantage of surprise was pretty good for the first few battles before they figured out a response.

The Navy versions will have to be considerably tougher to pose a challenge to the avrage player

Or considerably smarter. I should tidy my "Sidewinder Arena" code up and put it out as an OXP, really.

[another_commander]

The Navy versions will have to be considerably tougher to pose a challenge to the avrage player. So the Navy Sidewinder will sport missiles and more. Attacking a Navy ship should not be a very smart thing to do.

In v1.77, with the improvements in the combat AI and the introduction of accuracy as a combat AI effectiveness parameter (thanks cim!), you can set any ship's accuracy to something like 9 or 10 and then you'll see how tough a Sidewinder can become. A few moons ago, I was test-dogfighting a Mamba with an accuracy of 9 and no other modifications. Normally a Mamba dies in front of my laser sights within five nanoseconds, but that one took me something like twenty minutes to vaporize. It was one of the most intense combat experiences I've had with Oolite and I think that's exactly what an Elite or HIMSN pilot would fight like.

[Cody]

I should tidy my "Sidewinder Arena" code up and put it out as an OXP

That sounds intriguing, cim.

Is it the day for quotes being wrongly attributed to me... or what?

[Cody]

... I think that's exactly what an Elite or HIMSN pilot would fight like.

Yes indeed!

[Gimi]

The Navy versions will have to be considerably tougher to pose a challenge to the avrage player

Or considerably smarter. I should tidy my "Sidewinder Arena" code up and put it out as an OXP, really.

And that is where I hope the AI wizards can help. I have written some AI behaviour rules that I hope can be implemented. They are in the following format:

CSP Behaviour.
Combat Space Patrol behaviour around Navy stations

1 CSP will always patrol area between 2km and 10km from station. CSP allways patrol in pairs, but a CSP can consist of multiple pairs.

When player gets within 20km of the station, he is challenged with:
Cobra Mk III, You are entering a HIMSN restricted zone. If you have official dealings with the HIMSN please proceed, if not, turn away immediately.

If player comes within 10km of stations, CSP closes in to escorts player until docked or outside 15km from station. Additional CSP is launched from station.

If player at any time displays hostile intent, CSP attacks, additional CSP is launched from station.
If player retreats outside 25km of stations attacks cease, CSP assumes normal patrol.

If player is a fugitive and comes within 10km of stations, CSP attacks, additional CSP is launched from station.
If player retreats outside 30km of stations attacks cease, patrol is resumed

I have a few more descriptions detailing combat behaviour, but they are largely unfinished and many more ideas.

[Cody]

If player is a fugitive and comes within 10km of stations, CSP attacks, additional CSP is launched from station.

Hmm... and if the fugitive player just happens to have official dealings with HIMSN, what then?