Small Craft Catalogue - Fighter Hangar Module

[Nuke16]

It says the module can hold 2 10 ton fighters.

Each square is .5 tons. If we use the 10 ton Light Fighter (1 square is .5 ton) from High Guard 2022 Update, it looks like the fighter is basically a triangle 10 squares high by about 18 squares wide.

How do you fit 1 in the bay let alone 2?

Does this module float free and acts as mounting points for the fighters?

The Fighter Frame Module (High Guard Update 2022) seems to have this issue as well, but it shows 4 docking points for 4 fighters.

 

[Alqualonde]

That's one of the caveats of Traveller. As long as you have the required displacement you can fit anything.
For your conundrum, you can just consider that it only works with a specific fighter that have folding parts (like our carrier-based aircrafts) & the right shape.

 

[Condottiere]

Pick a needle hull configuration.

The way I read the design rules, you can't fold anything.

Maybe pop up turrets.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

In general a Docking Space is for a specific craft with perhaps an inch of clearance.

High Guard'17 had generic Docking Facilities (≈garage) that are much larger:

High Guard'17, p60:
Docking Facility
...
The largest space stations are capable of receiving ships within internal bays. This provides ships with protection and makes their repair or the transfer of goods and passengers much easier.

This kind of docking facility consumes three tons for every ton of the largest ship it is capable of handling or the total tonnage of ships it can handle at any one time (so, a 6,000 ton docking facility can hold ships totalling up to 2,000 tons).

For every ton they consume, docking facilities cost MCr0.25. They also need 1 crewman for every 100 tons.

 

[Fluffy Bunny Feet]

Does this module float free and acts as mounting points for the fighters?

The Fighter Frame Module (High Guard Update 2022) seems to have this issue as well, but it shows 4 docking points for 4 fighters.

The fighter frame doesn't add up. A docking space for each of the 4 fighters would add another 4 tons to the module:
Docking Clamp 4x Type 1 = 4 tons
Docking Space 4x 7 tons =28 tons
Cargo 2 tons = 2 tons
Total 34 tons in a 30 ton module.

Also my understanding of docking clamps is that they carry the craft/object external to the ship when in use and make the craft unstreamlined when carrying something. The Lab ship for example is a 360 ton ship that carries a 40 ton pinnace externally and its M-Drive and J-Drive are both sized for 400 tons. So why does this module carry fighters internally with no docking space or hanger?

So if the cutter carries this module the docking clamps need to project through the hull of the cutter to hold the fighters (how do pilots get aboard?) and slow the cutter down. The module then has 24 tons free for other purposes.

 

[Arkathan]

There is no docking space. There is fighter space, attached to its clamp inside the module. The module is only 30 tons.
The pilot must be in the fighter when the craft is loaded or when it docks to the cutter module.
The module is an open frame, rendering the cutter unstreamlined while carried.
The fighters are inside the frame, keeping the cutter volume at 50 Dtons, with no provisions for entry/exit or sealing the compartment, like you'd have in a docking space.

 

[Fluffy Bunny Feet]

There is no docking space. There is fighter space, attached to its clamp inside the module. The module is only 30 tons.
The pilot must be in the fighter when the craft is loaded or when it docks to the cutter module.
The module is an open frame, rendering the cutter unstreamlined while carried.
The fighters are inside the frame, keeping the cutter volume at 50 Dtons, with no provisions for entry/exit or sealing the compartment, like you'd have in a docking space.

Where do you find the rules for "Fighter Spaces"?

 

[Arkathan]

Fighter space. Space for the fighter.
Its an open frame with an internal clamp.
Rules? This looks like another Dev Rule Zero.

 

[Condottiere]

1. Going by the original post publication explanation/description of the cutter module, all modules are internal.

2. So, either the cargo hatches are internally retracted.

3. Or, open like a blood eagle.

4. In regard to volume, it's always been speculative what happens when you expose the cargo bay, to total volume.

5. If exposed to space, then only the frame skeleton and attachments, in this case docking clamps, count.

6. One assumes if there's no buffer space between the fighters, applied by docking space, then parts of the fighters would extrude from the cutter.

7. Unless their hull configuration allows skintight storage.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

Docking Clamp 4x Type 1 = 4 tons
Docking Space 4x 7 tons =28 tons

You don't need Clamps and Docking Spaces.

Docking Space is an internal form-fitting garage.
Clamp is a mounting point for an external small craft, not using internal space for the craft but making the combined craft larger and slower.

The 30 Dt Fighter Frame is essentially a 6 Dt module that carries the fighters "externally", exposed to space.



The MgT2'22 Modular Cutter is a bit confused, it is using the MgT2 concept of internal Module to recreate the CT "Modular Cutter" that used external modules ("pods"?). The MgT1 and MgT2'16 Modular Cutter used fully internal modules, unlike CT and apparently MgT2'22.

The MgT2 rule concept that is more suited to recreating the CT Modular Cutter is Breakaway Hull. Think of the 30 Dt "module" as a breakaway hull section and it makes more sense...

 

[Arkathan]

And since it is an open frame, and since the cutter looses streamlining, it doesn't matter much if the fighters protrude from the profile a bit, since the empty space between the fighters doesn't count towards the cutter's volume. The 24 tons for the fighters is accounted for.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

And since it is an open frame, and since the cutter looses streamlining, it doesn't matter much if the fighters protrude from the profile a bit, since the empty space between the fighters doesn't count towards the cutter's volume. The 24 tons for the fighters is accounted for.

Agreed, unless you want to fit the Cutter in a 50 Dt Docking Space for a standard Cutter.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

Note that, as the fighters are carried externally in clamps, it's an EVA operation to get into the fighters.

 

[Sigtrygg]

Not according to A:7 Broadsword - pilots get into the fighters while the cutter is in the merc cruiser.

 

[Condottiere]

Technically speaking, the skeletal frame would be an external cargo mount.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

Not according to A:7 Broadsword - pilots get into the fighters while the cutter is in the merc cruiser.

CT had no generic rules for this kind of thing, MgT does.

Pilots should be embarked in fighters before the fighter framework leaves the ship.

Note 'should', not must. Of course it is more convenient to do it in a hangar, if you have that handy.
It's still EVA to the Cutter, even if done in a cozy hangar. There is no airlock mated to the fighter.

 

[Condottiere]

Docking space would indicate that it could be pressurized, so the docking space could have a hatch customized to be placed over the fighter's entry point.

Invest in a slightly larger docking clamp.

 

[Arkathan]

Technically speaking, the skeletal frame would be an external cargo mount.

Being an open frame construction, nothing prevents the clamps being reversed. That puts most of the fighter in the front silhouette of the cutter.

 

[Condottiere]

You could have a parasite fighter.

They can take turns parking next to the airlock.

The airlock can extend to to the cockpit canopy.

Though, the fighter does sacrifice a tonne.