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Description
Delta Midge Swarm Drones

Manufacturer: Thunderhead Arms Consortium

Crew: automated
Speed:
Atmospheric: Mach 1.7
Hyperspace: Mach 2
Normal Space: limited by fuel Max acceleration 21 Gees

Environments:
Hyperspace
Atmospheric
Normal Space:

Slow atmospheric transit capable.

Power source: I-5 quantum resonance reactor

Drives
Twin T-Ge 30 Plasma Ion drives
Gravitic assist

Endurance:
180 hours in loiter mode
8 hours combat mode

Sensors:
Pulse Doppler radar
Passive radar
Line scan imaging radar
Passive EM sensing and detection system
Magnetic anomaly detectors

weapons:
Twin fixed 25mm E-mag cannons.
1 heavy short ranged attack Munitions
1 Suicide charge

Named after a stinging parasite common to thunderheads coastal regions, the Delta Midge is a lightly built, easily produced weapons system operated by a highly efficient pseudo AI. When deployed in large numbers the Midge is an effective denial of access weapon.
By all standards the midge is simply a mobile, highly sophisticated mine. Unlike typical area denial weapons however it is able to defend itself, and retreat, for rearming, and repair, once it has expended it's weapons payload.
Capable of being deployed in atmosphere, normal space, and hyperspace the midge is an effective defensive weapons system. It can loiter in semi active mode for days, or in ambush mode for weeks. Laying in wait using only it's passive sensors, and using it's reactor to intermittently recharge it's storage batteries.

When deployed each Midge links and coordinates it's maneuvers with any other midge within range of it's pulse coded data link. the entire network links sensor data, and shares processing capabilities to increase the power of it's limited on board expert system. The system can identify friendly and neutral shipping, as well as plot an optimum intercept course, and navigate short distances without human interaction.

Armed with a single short range, self guided, high yield plasma based explosive warhead. The midge can dart in release it's payload and harass the target vessel with it's cannons. Optionally the Midge can ram a target detonating a 1000kg suicide charge, it's reactor, and any remaining fuel, in direct contact with the target vessels hull.

Due to the midges small size narrow frontal profile, and agility it makes a difficult target for point defense systems, and manned defensive batteries. the preferred method of dealing with a midge swarm is early detection and destruction by drones, or fighters.

While often used by military forces to secure the flanks and rear of fleet formations the midge is also used in commerce disruption, static defense, and mobile ambush roles.

The TAE has experimented with linking a flight of midges to a Cyberoid control system, and deploying them as wingmen to manned fighters with limited success.

It is known that the Thunderhead Colony deploys over 5000 midge drones along the difficult hyperspace route into their colony and more than 20,000 in the dense debris and asteroid fields around their planetary system.

They also field an enhanced Midge variant as escort drone on their capital ships, and large commercial vessels. this variant is not available to outside groups, and is routinely armed with an anti-tamper system that detonates it's core, and payload if the drone is damaged, or disabled.

variants:
Trapdoor: A ground based variant of the Midge is manufactured. these drones are deployed in concealed pit's and are activated by seismic vibrations, magnetic anomalies, or on command.
Once an enemy force enters the swarms range of engagement the swarm activates and begins to attack any vehicle or troop concentration not broadcasting a friendly IFF signature. In this role the midge is rearmed with rockets, and guided anti vehicle munitions, as well as containerized submunitions dispenser in place of it's suicide charge.

Delta Ranger:
A small unarmed version of the Midge is manufactured. this variant has a cockpit for a pilot, who controls the craft using a simplified control system that does not require the operator to be a trained pilot.
While the pilot must wear his own life support system the ranger is frequently used as an ultra light patrol craft, and police observation craft. an optional 35mm chain gun mount is available, as well as internal hardpoints for rockets, or guided munitions allowing the Ranger to act as a personal gun platform.
The lack of protection, self defense systems, or any crash survival protection limits these variants combat usefulness. However they are sometimes used in urban areas, or in difficult terrain where large craft would be severely limited.

Delta Racer: another manned variant of the Midge. it is unarmed and modified for racing against other ultra light craft. it features an advanced flight control system and basic collision avoidance radar, as well as a rudimentary crash protection system.

Description
Delta Midge Swarm Drones

Manufacturer: Thunderhead Arms Consortium

Crew: automated
Speed:
Atmospheric: Mach 1.7
Hyperspace: Mach 2
Normal Space: limited by fuel Max acceleration 21 Gees

Environments:
Hyperspace
Atmospheric
Normal Space:

Slow atmospheric transit capable.

Power source: I-5 quantum resonance reactor

Drives
Twin T-Ge 30 Plasma Ion drives
Gravitic assist

Endurance:
180 hours in loiter mode
8 hours combat mode

Sensors:
Pulse Doppler radar
Passive radar
Line scan imaging radar
Passive EM sensing and detection system
Magnetic anomaly detectors

weapons:
Twin fixed 25mm E-mag cannons.
1 heavy short ranged attack Munitions
1 Suicide charge

Named after a stinging parasite common to thunderheads coastal regions, the Delta Midge is a lightly built, easily produced weapons system operated by a highly efficient pseudo AI. When deployed in large numbers the Midge is an effective denial of access weapon.
By all standards the midge is simply a mobile, highly sophisticated mine. Unlike typical area denial weapons however it is able to defend itself, and retreat, for rearming, and repair, once it has expended it's weapons payload.
Capable of being deployed in atmosphere, normal space, and hyperspace the midge is an effective defensive weapons system. It can loiter in semi active mode for days, or in ambush mode for weeks. Laying in wait using only it's passive sensors, and using it's reactor to intermittently recharge it's storage batteries.

When deployed each Midge links and coordinates it's maneuvers with any other midge within range of it's pulse coded data link. the entire network links sensor data, and shares processing capabilities to increase the power of it's limited on board expert system. The system can identify friendly and neutral shipping, as well as plot an optimum intercept course, and navigate short distances without human interaction.

Armed with a single short range, self guided, high yield plasma based explosive warhead. The midge can dart in release it's payload and harass the target vessel with it's cannons. Optionally the Midge can ram a target detonating a 1000kg suicide charge, it's reactor, and any remaining fuel, in direct contact with the target vessels hull.

Due to the midges small size narrow frontal profile, and agility it makes a difficult target for point defense systems, and manned defensive batteries. the preferred method of dealing with a midge swarm is early detection and destruction by drones, or fighters.

While often used by military forces to secure the flanks and rear of fleet formations the midge is also used in commerce disruption, static defense, and mobile ambush roles.

The TAE has experimented with linking a flight of midges to a Cyberoid control system, and deploying them as wingmen to manned fighters with limited success.

It is known that the Thunderhead Colony deploys over 5000 midge drones along the difficult hyperspace route into their colony and more than 20,000 in the dense debris and asteroid fields around their planetary system.

They also field an enhanced Midge variant as escort drone on their capital ships, and large commercial vessels. this variant is not available to outside groups, and is routinely armed with an anti-tamper system that detonates it's core, and payload if the drone is damaged, or disabled.

variants:
Trapdoor: A ground based variant of the Midge is manufactured. these drones are deployed in concealed pit's and are activated by seismic vibrations, magnetic anomalies, or on command.
Once an enemy force enters the swarms range of engagement the swarm activates and begins to attack any vehicle or troop concentration not broadcasting a friendly IFF signature. In this role the midge is rearmed with rockets, and guided anti vehicle munitions, as well as containerized submunitions dispenser in place of it's suicide charge.

Delta Ranger:
A small unarmed version of the Midge is manufactured. this variant has a cockpit for a pilot, who controls the craft using a simplified control system that does not require the operator to be a trained pilot.
While the pilot must wear his own life support system the ranger is frequently used as an ultra light patrol craft, and police observation craft. an optional 35mm chain gun mount is available, as well as internal hardpoints for rockets, or guided munitions allowing the Ranger to act as a personal gun platform.
The lack of protection, self defense systems, or any crash survival protection limits these variants combat usefulness. However they are sometimes used in urban areas, or in difficult terrain where large craft would be severely limited.

Delta Racer: another manned variant of the Midge. it is unarmed and modified for racing against other ultra light craft. it features an advanced flight control system and basic collision avoidance radar, as well as a rudimentary crash protection system.