Intergalactic Summit

As many of you know, FCORD is going to be carrying out Operation Doru at some point in the future, as part of the overall effort to strike back at Sansha’s Nation. However, in order for us to execute the operation successfully, we are going to need some specialist equipment and new designs. Among those is the assault boat.

Traditionally, most boarding actions in space are achieved by using standard planetary dropships as ferries between the two ships. However, most boarding actions are not conducted in the middle of battle, and dropships do not possess the necessary speed or defences to survive in space combat. The Assault Boat is intended to be similar in purpose to a dropship in that it is used to ferry personnel and cargo between ships. Where it differs is that it is designed for use in space during combat between ships.

Designs need to include the following features:
• Maximum volume while assembled inside its carrier must not exceed 10,000m3. Volume while in transit and landing must not exceed 15,000m3.
• Cargo capacity needs to be at least 300m3 of cargo. More is better, but not at the expense of other requirements.
• Weapons for space combat are not required. However, they should be equipped with weapons for fire support in the landing zone.
• Armour will need to be significantly kinetically hardened (especially towards the front of the ship) so as to survive impact with the Super Carrier's hanger bay doors/shield.
• Small Signature Radius, preferably destroyer sized or smaller.
• Maximum speed of 2km/s or more, while maintaining agility similar to that of an Interceptor.

Note: This list is not complete as some requirements are classified. Full details will be provided to successful applicants.

Applicants will need to provide at least two working prototypes of the entire system and full blueprints including specifications of all components. Please note that if you wish to use licensed subcomponents, you will need to acquire the proper licences before submission. Upon selection of the final design, all materials used in the design and construction will be transferred to FCORD, and the winner will receive 400 million ISK. The winner will also have the option for an exclusive manufacturing contract for the initial run.

Please note that the final design will remain classified and will not be released to the public.

If you are interested in participating please make sure you submit an expression of interest on or before 113.10.12 ((12th October)) by contacting myself via mail. Note that this does not need to be the full design, just an indication that you wish to submit one. The deadline for designs and prototypes is one month after on 113.11.12.

((Basically, this is a competition to design a cool looking blueprint for an Assault Boat. Assault boats are frigate sized non-capsuleer vessels that are used to board other capital ships. If you wish to enter you need to submit: a blueprint for the ship similar to this; full profile for your design, as if it were a real ship; anything else you think will improve your chances of winning. Try to keep it something within the grasp of EVE reality.
I'll be judging based on how well it fits the requirements while remaining realistic, and how cool I think it is. If you have any questions about anything, just drop me a line.))

I believe that such an effort is doomed to fail. I have yet to see a single capsuleer organization actually produce any novel ships of any sort. Perhaps capsuleers are too easily distracted by their petty conflicts and voracious pursuit of wealth.

Even if such ships were actually realized, I see flaws in a strategy based on frigate-sized craft...

Don't super carriers have lifeboat airlocks? Wouldn't it be easier and more efficient to design the ship to latch onto a Revenant's lifeboat airlocks rather than crash through armor or risk getting killed trying to land into an enemy maintenance bay?

This would serve two purposes:

1. It prevents the enemy from escaping the ship through the lifeboats.. which have since been destroyed and the airlocks occupied

2. It offers a convenient and thorough method to board the ship from multiple points on the ship, as there are airlocks in numerous different areas of the ship.

I do like the bold plan to attack a carrier like this. Likely could provide many chances for knowledge on the sansha, as well as capture a working indoctrination unit.

As far as the operation is concerned, a few thoughts... may not be useful at all, but I learn its better to say something useless than not say something useful.

As noted a docking bay entry may work, but like on any proper carrier there are likely plenty security turrets to prevent just such a thing from happening. I agree that likely a ram onto the ship is likely the best option for infiltration.

It may be wise to consider outfitting the ship with some kind of EMP burst as well. Imagine what a strong burst would do from inside the ship in disabling laser based weaponry that Sansha commonly use. Could effectively disarm a large portion of the ship as well as disable some of the ships key systems. I would think that to be far more effective than simple personnel turrets.

Have I ever told anyone how much I hate F-Cord? I'm sure I have...

Interesting. I have submitted my interest via mail to you Pilot Grideris. I hope that this will become a fruitful venture.

That was quick. We're currently taking expressions of interest for the next month. After than, we would have either a month or until everyone has submitted their designs, which ever comes first.

So about two months, though the second period may be lengthened if needed.

The quickest docking mechanism is one that penetrates the ship, and then seals itself at that point where the hull is breached. This entire sub-structure will need to be ejectable.


However I fear that whatever we could design is for naught, because it's still up to CONCORD to let us fly it.

CONCORD has not been much the ally in these times.

Due to the number of submissions I have received, I have decided to move forward the deadline for submissions of interest to next week.

Please note that this does not mean that final designs and prototypes are due next week - they will be due one month from then on 113.11.12.

If you have any questions, please contact me ASAP via mail.

This looks very interesting! Too bad I found out too late.

I'm curious though: has a winner been declared? Or is there still time to enter the competition?