Exo-Armor by Raymond Hutchens

Engine Baffles
by Raymond Hutchens [Abindar@aol.com]

Engine Baffles for Star Frontiers

Engine Baffles are formed out of the same materials as the ships Hull which are anchored at the rear of the craft with computer controlled hydraulics systems. All systems are coated with a heat resistant polymer ceramic that resist heat and then sealed with an armor coating called heatrx which binds it to the metal surface. The Baffles come in different sizes to fit engine size and each engine is outfitted with for Baffle assemblies in the following conjunctions of One top, one bottom, one to left and one to right of exhaust port of the engine, these panels then “tilt” at angles to allow the vessel to turn in various directions. The Baffles semi-close in one configuration to allow reverse-break thrust and in a full closed to protect the engine also causing no thrust at all.. (this can eventually cause an engine overheat if left in this position if engines still burning). The Directional rockets are still installed for dock maneuvers and for reverse thrust maneuvering.

Rules:

Every 2 damaged Baffles cause a loss of one ADF/MR point. When a Baffle takes 3 hits it is destroyed.

Baffles are not cheap 5000cr x HS x 4 x # of Engines,
Heatrx coating 1000cr x HS x # of engines
Polymer ceramic coating 1000cr x HS x # of engines
Recoat fee 200cr x HS x # of engines

Baffles to a ship add ADF/MR points due to better Maneuverability to a vehicle.
Below HS 5 add 2 ADF/MR points, HS 5+ add only one ADF/MR point to calculations.

Damage Tables add- ins;

Several new lines should be used in combat damage tables since we all have different tables it seems. I would add these if using these Baffle rules.

Die Roll	Result
# here	Drive Hit: Engine Baffles, Roll Baffle, record lose of 1 ADF/MR point and how many times baffle hit, 3 hits and Baffles destroyed.
# here	Steering Hit: Engine Baffle, as above
# here	Steering Hit: Engine Baffle, Hydraulic Hit, roll Baffle, lose 1 MR, 3 hits destroy baffle.