AP6 Void Defense System
AP6 VODS (Void Defense System) is a point-defense weapon system deployed aboard Planetary Union Fleet vessels in The Crypt series. It is designed to provide rapid-response interception of incoming torpedoes, missiles, enemy fighters, and other fast-moving threats in the void of space.
Contents
Overview
The AP6 is a six-barreled, rotary cannon that fires 20×102mm high-velocity rounds. Each cannon is mounted within an automated turret system tied directly to the ship's fire-control network. These turrets are typically distributed across a ship's hull to ensure 360-degree coverage and redundancy.
The system is one of the primary defensive measures used to counter short-range void-to-void threats, particularly in environments where STC (Space-Time Curvature) distortion interferes with longer-range missile guidance or tracking.
Technical Specifications
- Caliber: 20×102mm
- Number of barrels: 6 (rotary)
- Rate of fire: 300 rounds per minute
- Muzzle velocity: Classified
- Ammunition type: Armor-piercing high-explosive, proximity fragmentation, and depleted uranium penetrator (depending on target profile)
- Effective range: Short (~5 km in clear void conditions)
- Mounting: Turreted, remote-operated; integrated into fire-control systems
Functionality
The AP6 is automatically triggered by proximity alerts and threat-tracking data fed from onboard sensors, including the Fleet Contact Management System (CMS). While it can be manually operated by gunners, most engagements are handled via automated targeting to reduce reaction time and maximize hit probability.
AP6 rounds are optimized for short-distance interception where split-second timing can determine whether a torpedo hits its target or is shredded mid-flight. Each system includes a localized targeting AI tuned to anticipate erratic flight paths common in enemy evasion routines.
Tactical Usage
The AP6 is not designed to engage capital ships or hardened targets. Its role is purely defensive: to intercept threats before they can damage or breach the ship’s hull. It is most effective in layered defense strategy, acting in conjunction with ECM jamming and maneuvering evasions.
During the events of The Crypt: Voidstrike, multiple AP6 systems aboard the PUV James Keeling were key in defending against Tiger-class torpedoes and Fang-class fighters during transdimensional operations where visibility and sensor clarity were compromised.
Known Limitations
- Ineffective beyond 5 km.
- Poor performance in debris-heavy fields (fragmentation rounds risk friendly damage).
- High ammo consumption under sustained assault.
