The Rebel Faction

Union R&D 2- APM-3 "Trident" Missile Launcher

Name: All Purpose Missile v3 "Trident" Missile Launcher

Length: 1.43 meters

Manufacturer: Tagge Co.

Cost: Varies by volume,varies with manufacturer

Description: Designed by the weapons developers of Tagge, the Trident missile launcher was developed as effective, reliable and easily mass produced weapon; plus could be used by even the lowest trained millitiamen in a planetary defense force. Simplictic, durable and cheap, the Trident packs a punch, with a baradium tipped warhead that can deliver a blow to a fighter, APC or if used en masse or on a weak spot can even cripple a tank or heavy walker. The Trident has three firing modes, which can be switched by the simple movement a of a sliding catch. These modes give the weapon versitility, which is critical because of the multiple types of counter measures which can render one mode of fire almost completly useless. The ammunition for each mode is the same, so seemless switching is only seconds away. The three modes are:

Laser guided Line of Sight : In the this mode, the Trident uses a small visiual laser which extends outward along a flat line for a considerable distance. If the trigger is pulled the missile will fly down the line that the laser held at the moment of release. In this mode the missile does not track, and flies until impact, upon which it detonates. Used primarily against ground vehicles.

Sensor Guided : In this mode, the Trident uses a small scanner on the missile launcher to pick up a target, and lock on to it. When the missile is fired, the operator has two choices. If he chooses to remain stationary, with the launcher focused on his target, the Trident will continue to send sensor information to the missile, greatly enhancing its effectivness. If he chooses to disengage, move, or choose another target, the missile switches over to its own scanner. The missile's scanner is much less powerful, and choose this "fire and forget" method is much less effective than the primary targeting.

Ion Emission Targeting : A special sensor on the missile warhead, the missile itself locks onto the greatest concentration of ion trails in the area. Much larger and more powerful than it's secondary scanner, this sensor allows missiles in Ion Emission targetting to be totally fire and forget with no decreased effectiveness. However, in the case of a low flying capital ship, or large concentrations of fighters in formation, the sensor can be confused, and fly at a target it can't hit, or be effective against.

R&D Time: ???Days

Submitted: 4/17/04