Fixing a Hole
From: AsstDIR BuBugs
Date: 2263.32.6 - PD
Encrypt: SMZX55385-K
Security: Onyx - Eyes Only
Protocol: Dark S7
To: DIR BuFleet
Cc: CINCBUG, AsstDIR BuWeaps, AsstDIR BuPers,
SCc: Maj. Nuisance, Scruffy M. 3rd Charioteers/ 777th Recon
After several delays due mainly to the need to rush prior models into combat ahead of schedule, the final Series 2 Battle Transforming Combat Beetle is ready. I present to you the Synthecycler Beetle. The first three beetles of Series 2 were designed to give Battle Beetle Batallions much more brute force firepower. While highly effective in their roles as fast attack, recon, and sabotage units, Battle Beetle groups lacked a heavy enough punch to effectively assault multiple hardened targets. The Gatling and SSM Beetles filled this roll effectively, while the Flak Beetle broadened the scope of a beetle squad's anti air capabilities.
One concern voiced early and often, was that all three of these new designs relied heavily, and often exclusively on conventional ordnance without energy weapons for backup. This meant that their ammunition stores limited their active combat time. This concern was expressed especially strongly by Maj. Nuisance who's 777th Recon often work in protracted engagements with the enemy. While ammunition limitations have not proven to be a frequent problem for Battle Beetle squads, this is admittedly because they are rarely assigned duties that take them away from their supply chains for long periods.
That paradigm is set to shift with the introduction of the Synthecycler Beetle. Designed using captured Tharkoldu technology, the Synthecycler Beetle is able to scavenge the battle field, recycling materials and synthesizing ammunition for it's fellow Battle Beetles. The Synthecycler Beetle is not only able to create ammunition, but can in fact salvage and synthesize fuel cells, electronic components, armor, ceramics, and even a wide variety of chemical and radiological agents to re-arm units besides other Battle Beetles.
When working with the Communication Beetle, the Synthecycler can download specs for any friendly units it comes across, assisting them with fuel, ammunition, and field repairs. All Synthecycler Beetles come with full specs for all other Battle Beetles including standard maintenance and full component replacement. It can even synthesize and apply paint jobs.
Lastly Synthecycler Beetles can salvage materials from almost anything. While it can't conjure metal out of thin air in the middle of the forest, it can tear apart structures, vehicles, and anything else it can find. Given enough resources and time one could build an entire new Battle Beetle from scratch, however the build time for such projects is prohibitive even with unlimited resources. Building another Battle Beetle from scratch takes a Synthecycler a minimum of three days under the best of conditions. While Synthecyclers can fully refuel and re-arm themselves, they only have a limited ability to self repair. Two Synthecycler Beetles working together however, could conceivably operate in the field indefinitely. The only limiting factors being time and access to resources. It is still far more efficient to build a Battle Beetle at a proper construction facility.
The Synthecycler Beelte is armed with a pair of EMP cannons. These allow it to disable enemies in tact, minimizing damage to fuel and ammo stores before the beetle tears in to it's target. The magnetic graplers, laser saws, and other equipment can make short work of a disabled target, quickly digging through the superstructure and into the crew compartment. The EMP cannons also give the Synthecycler the best chance of defending itself against more heavily armed opponents until it's fellow Battle Beetles can come to assist.
In the case of armored troop carriers, the Synthecyclers can shoot a blast of fuel into the main cabin and ignite it with one of it's laser saws, making short work of any armed resistance from inside. BuOps is playing with synthesizing sleep agents for use in missions designed around capturing enemy personnel, however this would be useless as a standard battle procedure due to the wide range of species currently embroiled in the war. The same considerations make nerve gasses and other chemical weapons a dubious prospect as well.
This represents the last of the Series 2 Battle Transforming Combat Beetles, and the first production run is ready for immediate deployment pending your approval.
Sincerely,
Leon Martinez - AsstDIR BuBugs
*****
This was built for the War Beasts Army of Animals build challenge.
Fixing a Hole
From: AsstDIR BuBugs
Date: 2263.32.6 - PD
Encrypt: SMZX55385-K
Security: Onyx - Eyes Only
Protocol: Dark S7
To: DIR BuFleet
Cc: CINCBUG, AsstDIR BuWeaps, AsstDIR BuPers,
SCc: Maj. Nuisance, Scruffy M. 3rd Charioteers/ 777th Recon
After several delays due mainly to the need to rush prior models into combat ahead of schedule, the final Series 2 Battle Transforming Combat Beetle is ready. I present to you the Synthecycler Beetle. The first three beetles of Series 2 were designed to give Battle Beetle Batallions much more brute force firepower. While highly effective in their roles as fast attack, recon, and sabotage units, Battle Beetle groups lacked a heavy enough punch to effectively assault multiple hardened targets. The Gatling and SSM Beetles filled this roll effectively, while the Flak Beetle broadened the scope of a beetle squad's anti air capabilities.
One concern voiced early and often, was that all three of these new designs relied heavily, and often exclusively on conventional ordnance without energy weapons for backup. This meant that their ammunition stores limited their active combat time. This concern was expressed especially strongly by Maj. Nuisance who's 777th Recon often work in protracted engagements with the enemy. While ammunition limitations have not proven to be a frequent problem for Battle Beetle squads, this is admittedly because they are rarely assigned duties that take them away from their supply chains for long periods.
That paradigm is set to shift with the introduction of the Synthecycler Beetle. Designed using captured Tharkoldu technology, the Synthecycler Beetle is able to scavenge the battle field, recycling materials and synthesizing ammunition for it's fellow Battle Beetles. The Synthecycler Beetle is not only able to create ammunition, but can in fact salvage and synthesize fuel cells, electronic components, armor, ceramics, and even a wide variety of chemical and radiological agents to re-arm units besides other Battle Beetles.
When working with the Communication Beetle, the Synthecycler can download specs for any friendly units it comes across, assisting them with fuel, ammunition, and field repairs. All Synthecycler Beetles come with full specs for all other Battle Beetles including standard maintenance and full component replacement. It can even synthesize and apply paint jobs.
Lastly Synthecycler Beetles can salvage materials from almost anything. While it can't conjure metal out of thin air in the middle of the forest, it can tear apart structures, vehicles, and anything else it can find. Given enough resources and time one could build an entire new Battle Beetle from scratch, however the build time for such projects is prohibitive even with unlimited resources. Building another Battle Beetle from scratch takes a Synthecycler a minimum of three days under the best of conditions. While Synthecyclers can fully refuel and re-arm themselves, they only have a limited ability to self repair. Two Synthecycler Beetles working together however, could conceivably operate in the field indefinitely. The only limiting factors being time and access to resources. It is still far more efficient to build a Battle Beetle at a proper construction facility.
The Synthecycler Beelte is armed with a pair of EMP cannons. These allow it to disable enemies in tact, minimizing damage to fuel and ammo stores before the beetle tears in to it's target. The magnetic graplers, laser saws, and other equipment can make short work of a disabled target, quickly digging through the superstructure and into the crew compartment. The EMP cannons also give the Synthecycler the best chance of defending itself against more heavily armed opponents until it's fellow Battle Beetles can come to assist.
In the case of armored troop carriers, the Synthecyclers can shoot a blast of fuel into the main cabin and ignite it with one of it's laser saws, making short work of any armed resistance from inside. BuOps is playing with synthesizing sleep agents for use in missions designed around capturing enemy personnel, however this would be useless as a standard battle procedure due to the wide range of species currently embroiled in the war. The same considerations make nerve gasses and other chemical weapons a dubious prospect as well.
This represents the last of the Series 2 Battle Transforming Combat Beetles, and the first production run is ready for immediate deployment pending your approval.
Sincerely,
Leon Martinez - AsstDIR BuBugs
*****
This was built for the War Beasts Army of Animals build challenge.