“Starting the railgun test firing.”
“Okay. You don’t have to wait for my signal, just do it whenever.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
The microwave power supply system was generally operating normally. There was an issue with convergence becoming less precise as the distance increased, but this was expected to be resolved by improving the transmitter.
Although, if we switched to a method using spatial coherence, it wouldn’t be used anymore.
“Vessel 18 (Romeo), capacitor circuit open. Starting charging. Power transmission increasing. Onboard load within expected range.”
Firing an electromagnetic railgun requires a massive amount of power. Therefore, the necessary power is supplied by charging the capacitors once and then releasing the electricity all at once.
In terms of performance, it is possible to supply enough power to fire without going through the capacitors, but doing so would result in oversupply when the railgun is not in use, so operating by charging the capacitors is essential.
“Capacitor voltage reached regulation. Firing railgun.”
In that instant, a flash of light burst from the barrel of the railgun mounted on the bow. At the same time, the generated steam erupted from the muzzle like gun smoke.
“First shot fired successfully.”
“Oh.”
“Muzzle velocity approximately 4,500m/s. Results as expected.”
For reference, the fired projectile weighed 20kg. The kinetic energy of the projectile exceeds 200 mega joules (MJ).
For comparison, the 150mm Smoothbore Cannon’s APDS has a muzzle velocity of 2,000m/s and a projectile weight of 60kg, so its kinetic energy is 120MJ.
At this point, the railgun’s power is about 1.7 times greater.
In principle, the smoothbore cannon cannot be accelerated further, but the prototype railgun is expected to have a maximum muzzle velocity of 8,000m/s.
In that case, the kinetic energy would reach 640MJ.
And, if the barrel and projectile can be improved and the projectile weight increased, it will directly translate into kinetic energy.
“Implementing barrel replacement.”
However, due to its nature, the railgun’s rail surface, which becomes the barrel, is gradually eroded as it is turned into plasma with each firing.
Therefore, it is necessary to replace the rails after a certain number of shots. The barrel life is much shorter compared to a smoothbore cannon.
The amount of heat generated during firing is also very high, so proper cooling is necessary. The electrical resistance of metal increases at high temperatures, so it is not possible to fire without cooling.
“The replaced barrel will be sent for precision inspection. Barrel replacement complete. Starting calibration. Loading next round. Starting capacitor charging.”
The removed barrel is collected and replaced with a new one. The barrel, manufactured by a general-purpose machine (printer) while being controlled at the molecular level, is joined with micrometer-order precision. Calibration is performed as a formality, but no particular adjustments are necessary.
The sea surface is calm, and the excellent vibration damping device absorbs the slightest tremors. Even during combat maneuvers, problems should not occur with ＜Ringo＞’s specially made machine joints during peacetime.
“Charging complete. Firing the second shot. Success. Loading the next round. Starting capacitor charging. Conducting continuous firing test.”
After that, a continuous firing test of 5 shots was conducted with the railgun. Then, while increasing the power transmission, the continuous firing function test was continued.
“Barrel overheating, safety device activated. Firing rate is 20 rounds per minute, continuous firing count is 13 rounds.”
“Is the cooling device the problem after all?”
“Yes, Ma’am. However, if the gap between heat generation and cooling is too large, the barrel may deform, so this may be the limit.”
The recovered barrel will be sent for precision inspection to investigate its condition. A thorough investigation will be conducted to determine if the amount of barrel wear is within the expected range, if there are any distortions or cracks, if the current is flowing properly, and if there are any problems that could not be discovered in the simulation.
＜The Core＞ is an extremely excellent computing device, but to accurately simulate physical properties, it is necessary to construct an accurate model.
Creating an accurate model requires precise observation of the physical world, and precise observation requires high-precision sensors.
Since pursuing this line of thought leads to a vicious cycle, the calculation model used by ＜Ringo＞ is (only by ＜Ringo＞’s standards) a mediocre one.
The differences between the real thing and the simulation are examined, and if they are within the acceptable range, more prototypes are made. If there are any problems, the model is redesigned.
“If there’s a problem with barrel overheating, I guess we have no choice but to use multiple barrels.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Considering the cost, if we keep it to about 60 rounds per minute with 8 barrels, the lifespan can be significantly extended.”
“If it’s 60 rounds per minute with a railgun, the projected energy is sufficient…”
Considering that a 640MJ projectile with a muzzle velocity of 8,000m/s rains down once every second, those being targeted would be in a terrible situation.
In theory, with this power, even ＜Rain Croin＞’s skin can be easily pierced. It is unknown whether the mysterious barrier can be broken, but its characteristics have been identified and it can be overcome.
“We can rest assured for now even if Monsters on the level of ＜Rain Croin＞ attack.”
“Yes, Ma’am. We can reliably defend as long as it is within the range of the microwave power supply system. Also, a large multi-stage electromagnetic cannon (Coilgun) is under construction at ＜The Tree＞, so if this becomes operational, it will be a considerable increase in combat power.”
“Ah. That. The centipede cannon.”
A coilgun is a weapon that launches projectiles using the electromagnetic field within the coils without using contact rails.
Unlike a railgun, problems such as the barrel turning into plasma and being eroded do not occur.
However, since coilguns are less energy efficient and have lower muzzle velocities than railguns, the plan is to secure the muzzle velocity by arranging and synchronizing multiple coils.
If the electromagnetic coils can be perfectly controlled, a tremendous muzzle velocity can be obtained. If superconducting coils are used, the problem of energy loss due to heat generation can be alleviated to some extent.
However, the turret will be larger, so it cannot be mounted on a Destroyer-level ship.
“In theory, it is possible to deliver projectiles to a point 1,000km away. If controllable (smart) projectiles are developed, it will be possible to attack unilaterally from super long range (outrange).”
“Hmm, how romantic. I can’t imagine a situation where we would use something like this in actual combat, but well… as long as we develop it, we can mass-produce it with a printer…”
“Yes, Ma’am. It can also be applied to mass drivers, so let’s continue development.”
＜The Tree＞ is currently in a state of mass production.
Large Drones for use in the microwave power supply system’s power grid, various materials and equipment for Fortress construction.
The renovation of the 1st (Alpha) class, the prototype of the next-generation ship. Since the new Fortress is on land, preparations for defense Doll Machines are also necessary.
Fortunately, no hostile forces have been confirmed in the vicinity, so Defensive Power is not required so much. Preventing the intrusion of wild animals will be the main mission.
However, since there are precedents such as ＜Rain Croin＞ and ＜Worm＞, we cannot be careless.
Information about Monsters is being collected in Telek Port City. However, the biota of the surrounding environment is sparse, and not much useful information is being gathered.
Basically, a lava rock wilderness spreads out, so it can’t be helped.
For the time being, it was possible to find out that there are large, herbivorous but ferocious cow-like Monsters, and wolf-like Monsters that prey on them. However, even those are rarely seen.
And, as far as can be seen from the sky, such Monsters have not been observed around the Fortress construction site. There is almost no vegetation, so it is probably an environment where large herbivorous creatures cannot survive.
“It seems like we don’t have to worry about a conflict like magic versus science, which I was worried about at first, for a while.”
“Yes, Ma’am. At least, as long as we stay within the current controlled area, there will be no conflict. However, we will be expanding our range of activities from now on. In that case…”
“…Eventually, we will run into some force, huh? I want to find oil as soon as possible, and I also want to develop large-scale mines. In that case, do we need to start by increasing our military strength?”
“Eyes are also needed. Not only infiltration bot groups, but also reconnaissance by Communicator Dolls will be necessary.”
“Hmm. I guess we’ll build a base for that in the new Fortress. We could even install a dedicated AI.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I will consider it.”