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That really relegates them to an afterthought/waste of space role, though.

You could use standard shuttles or runabouts for mop-up operations. I think using fighters to handle smaller, faster ships like the Dominion Bug, Hideki or BOP would be a better use.

True - but where is the resource-usage balance point between a buttload of fighters to take on a BoP or Hideki, and one or two frigates or destroyers?

Just an idea I had that could give fighters more of a punch.

Maybe their phasers could be powered by capasitors (sp?). The things used in circuits that store energy then let it go all at once.

That could let them have really powerful shots but only maybe a dozen of them.

Teaos wrote:Just an idea I had that could give fighters more of a punch.

Maybe their phasers could be powered by capasitors (sp?). The things used in circuits that store energy then let it go all at once.

That could let them have really powerful shots but only maybe a dozen of them.

The amount and power of the shots may even be adjustable for the situation. Like fewer but stronger shots to try and punch through shields and armor of larger capital ships or switch to weaker, more rapid fire type shots to take on enemy fighters which are sure to pop up after one side starts using smaller bombers and fighter type craft.

That would only leave the FTL issues unsolved.

To carry it further to support one of Blackstar's points, to be significant they would have to carry something like full-size torps - much like the Avengers or other torpedo-bombers of WWII

And if they're made manuverable enough the enemy would either have to get more advanced targeting systems/weapons or produce fighters of their own.

ChakatBlackstar wrote:And if they're made manuverable enough the enemy would either have to get more advanced targeting systems/weapons or produce fighters of their own.

To play devil's advocate on that point: installing heavier armaments means less maneuverability for the same engines; then you start making bigger engines (more massive,) which reduces maneuverability per engine output; etc., etc.

I'd prefer a light corvette design over a fighter, personally.

That would seem to be a better use of resources.

A good balance between high manuverability, moderate firepower, and reasonable durability would be the better choice, from a tactical standpoint, based on the information we have on 'Trek technology... And a much better use of resources and manpower.

Exactly - a corvette/frigate/light destroyer would seem to be more than just the sum of a similar amount of resources spent on fighters. Heavier shields, heavier armaments, etc., would lead to having a few ships in the fight longer and stronger than a larger number of fighters.

Mikey wrote:Exactly - a corvette/frigate/light destroyer would seem to be more than just the sum of a similar amount of resources spent on fighters. Heavier shields, heavier armaments, etc., would lead to having a few ships in the fight longer and stronger than a larger number of fighters.

But it's easier to upgrade and later replace fighters. Fighters also would fill roles a full sized ship can't, such as ground support.

Teaos wrote:Just an idea I had that could give fighters more of a punch.

Maybe their phasers could be powered by capasitors (sp?). The things used in circuits that store energy then let it go all at once.

That's pretty much the opposite of how a capacitor works, but whatever

Thorin wrote:

Teaos wrote:Just an idea I had that could give fighters more of a punch.

Maybe their phasers could be powered by capasitors (sp?). The things used in circuits that store energy then let it go all at once.

That's pretty much the opposite of how a capacitor works, but whatever

But you get the idea I think.

Actually as an aside it sounds like all phasers are powered by capacitors. They've been mentioned a number of times on screen. Though I wouldn't be surprised if the capacitor they're refering to is some EPS analogue to the electrical capacitor.

Also while it usually isn't their role in a circuit capacitors can, and sometimes are, used to give a burst of power to a system.


Also a comment on Torpedo bombers. They have to head back and reload. Now lets be generous and say they can go out, fire at a target, return and reload in a minute.

How many bombers do you then need to match the firepower of an Akira?

900

I'm no electrical engineer by any stretch, but don't capacitors add an awful lot of impedance to a circuit?

BTW - As far as the greater utility of fighters for certain roles such as ground support - that's pretty much how I entered this conversation. If the 'Trek universe in general has a place for ground-based actions, then there will be a definite role for strike "aircraft" and air superiority. In space-borne fleet actions, they can be replaced by more effective craft and deployments.