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[[Image:Railgun.jpg|thumb|right|One of ''Galactica's'' gun turrets]]
[[Image:Gun Cluster.jpg|thumb|right|A cluster of guns move into firing position.]]


On Colonial warships, a '''battery''' is a group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place. A battery may vary in number and arrangement depending on class <ref>These are not [[w:Railgun|railguns]]. No [[BW:CJ|official sources]] use this term to describe these weapons, and there is substantial evidence to the contrary.</ref>.
On Colonial warships, a '''battery''' is a group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place. A battery may vary in number and arrangement depending on class <ref>These are not [[w:Railgun|railguns]]. No [[BW:CJ|official sources]] use this term to describe these weapons, and there is substantial evidence to the contrary.</ref>. In modern day naval nomenclature, a vessel's "main battery" is its primary ''offensive'' weapon.
 
[[Galactica type battlestar|''Galactica'' type]] battlestars are armed with 24 gun turrets, with two gun barrels each. Eight are mounted on the dorsal and sixteen on the ventral hull. Of these sixteen, eight are mounted on the bow and are thus able to fire directly forwards. It is likely that the term "battery" refers to several of these turrets acting in concert. One of the forward dorsal turrets is destroyed either during the [[Battle of New Caprica|liberation of New Caprica]] or the [[Battle of the Ionian Nebula]] ([[He That Believeth In Me]]) <ref>A visual effects shot in "[[He That Believeth In Me]]" (at time index 10:25) clearly shows a hole in the hull where one of the turrets should be. However, its destruction is not explicitly shown.</ref>.
 
On [[Mercury class]] battlestars, on the other hand, four fixed forward twin guns are grouped to a battery ([[The Captain's Hand]]) <ref name="battery">''Pegasus's'' bow armament can be seen to consist of two batteries of four guns each, when she engages a Cylon basestar.</ref>. In addition, thirty twin turrets are located along the sides of the alligator head and [[flight pod]]s. Unlike ''Galactica's'' rapid-fire [[Weapons in the Re-imagined Series#Point_defense_guns|point defense guns]], these have a slower rate of fire and are also used for offensive action ("[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]", "[[Exodus, Part II]]").
 
*In modern day naval nomenclature, a vessel's "main battery" is its primary ''offensive'' weapon. Since the battery of four two-barreled gun turrets at the bow of ''Pegasus'' has been referred to as such on several occasions, it is likely that this battery - presenting the battlestar's smallest profile to the enemy - is used primarily for offensive actions, while the others could be adapted for use as per mission parameters.
 
[[Image:PegasusForeBatteries.jpg|thumb|right|''Pegasus'' firing her main battery ([[The Captain's Hand]]).]]
 
 
==Ammunition==
 
[[Image:Flakfield.jpg|thumb|right|The flak field from ''Galactica's'' large turrets ([[Scattered]])]]


== Gun Clusters ==
=== Ammunition ===
[[Image:PegasusForeBatteries.jpg|thumb|right|''Pegasus'' firing its main battery ([[TRS]]: "[[The Captain's Hand]]")]]
[[Image:Flakfield.jpg|thumb|right|The flak field from ''Galactica's'' large turrets {{TRS|Scattered}}]]
The large turrets found on Colonial [[battlestar|battlestars]] fire several types of ammunition, depending on the objective:
The large turrets found on Colonial [[battlestar|battlestars]] fire several types of ammunition, depending on the objective:


*Flak ammunition: this ammunition employs [[w:shrapnel|exploding metal fragments]] at high velocity, creating a defensive barrier around the battlestar which can shear enemy fighters or incoming missiles. This, along with the point-defenses, keep the enemy at a distance, allowing the battlestar's [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] forces to safely deploy and engage ([[Scattered]]).
*Flak ammunition: this ammunition employs [[w:shrapnel|exploding metal fragments]] at high velocity, creating a defensive barrier around the battlestar which can shear enemy fighters or incoming missiles. This, along with the point-defenses, keep the enemy at a distance, allowing the battlestar's [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] forces to safely deploy and engage {{TRS|Scattered}}.


*Offensive ammunition: in this configuration, salvos from the main cannons are extremely lethal to the unarmored Cylons [[Basestar (RDM)|basestars]], which furthermore posess no such weapons or point-defense themselves. As such, this is a battlestar's main weapon against other capital ships ("[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]", "[[Exodus, Part II]]").
*Offensive ammunition: in this configuration, salvos from the main cannons are extremely lethal to the unarmored Cylons [[Basestar (RDM)|basestars]], which possess no such weapons themselves {{TRS|Resurrection Ship, Part II|Exodus, Part II|}}.


It should be noted that the massive recoil caused by firing these flak rounds makes it impossible for the cannon to have a fast rate of fire like the battlestar's point-defense turrets. These shells are also too large to be loaded quickly and efficiently by crew members, and as such are loaded by mechanical hoists ([[33]]).
It should be noted that the massive recoil caused by firing these flak rounds makes it impossible for the cannon to have a fast rate of fire like the battlestar's point-defense turrets. These shells are also too large to be loaded quickly and efficiently by crew members, and as such are loaded by mechanical hoists {{TRS|33}}.


==Firing Solution==
=== Firing Solution ===
When engaging enemy targets over any kind of distance, a '''firing solution''' must be obtained. This requires several pieces of information to be input to a battery's fire-control computer, including the target's speed, course, and range; and the firing platform's speed and course. The velocity of the shells would be known, and is constant, given that there is no air friction in the vacuum of space. The resulting computation would allow the gun captains to accurately aim their weaponry to such a degree that firing will result in a probable hit.


[[Image:Pegasus Hi-Res 5a.jpg|thumb|right|''Pegasus's'' flight pod batteries ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]).]]
=== Operation ===
[[Image:TheEnemysGateIsDown.jpg|thumb|right|The devastating effect Colonial batteries can have on a Cylon basestar {{TRS|Resurrection Ship, Part II}}]]


When engaging enemy targets over any kind of distance, a '''firing solution''' must be obtained. This requires several pieces of information to be input to a battery's fire-control computer, including the target's speed, course, and range; and the firing platform's speed and course. The velocity of the shells would be known, and is constant, given that there is no air friction in the vacuum of space. The resulting computation would allow the gun captains to accurately aim their weaponry to such a degree that firing will result in a probable hit.
Colonial gun batteries have several modes of operation.


==Operation==
*Salvo Fire: this calls for a battery, or elements of a battery, to fire simultaneously at a single target. ([[TRS]]: "[[The Captain's Hand]]")
*Full Attack Mode: a battery's commander, called gun captain ([[TRS]]: "[[33]]", "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]"), will target and engage targets of opportunity <ref name="attack">During the [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship]], batteries are called to "fire at will".</ref>.


[[Image:TheEnemysGateIsDown.jpg|thumb|right|The devastating effect Colonial batteries can have on a Cylon basestar ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]])]]
On [[Mercury class battlestar|''Mercury''-class battlestars]], gun batteries can be set to one of several automatic firing modes {{TRS|Exodus, Part II}}.


Colonial gun batteries have several modes of operation.
At least on ''Galactica''-type battlestars, the turrets appear to be manned and manually fired. Each battery has a transparent canopy through which it is occasional possible to make out two figures in colonial flight suits. Due to the location and the (almost certain) weaker nature of the transparent material of the canopy this is likely one of the most dangerous jobs on the ship, since the batteries tend to be prime targets for raiders. This destruction is usually explosive (owing to munitions detonating) and likely allows few options for escape {{TRS|Daybreak, Part II}}.


*Salvo Fire: this calls for a battery, or elements of a battery, to fire simultaneously at a single target. ([[The Captain's Hand]])
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*Full Attack Mode: a battery's commander, called gun captain ("[[33]]", "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]"), will target and engage targets of opportunity <ref name="attack">During the [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship]], batteries are called to "fire at will".</ref>.


On [[Mercury class battlestar|''Mercury''-class battlestars]], gun batteries can be set to one of several automatic firing modes ([[Exodus, Part II]]). It is unknown if the gun batteries on [[Galactica type battlestar|older battlestars]] have this capability as well. There are likely other modes of operation for these batteries, but none have been explicitly stated on screen.
== Close-in Weapon Systems ==
[[Image:CWIS.jpg|thumb|right|''Galactica''{{'|s}} Close-in Weapon System engages to defend against an incoming threat.]]
A close-in weapon system (CIWS) is a point-defense system used for engaging and eliminating enemy targets or weapons that have penetrated a Colonial warship's or station's defensive perimeter. Colonial CIWS are typically small caliber guns capable of high rates of fire, however some smaller Colonial warships use missile defense systems in place of defensive guns ("''[[Blood & Chrome]]''", [[TRS]]: "[[Miniseries]]").  
[[Image:Osiris 4.png|thumb|left|The defensive missile batteries of the ''Orion'' class battlestar, ''[[Osiris]]'' (0913).]]
These systems are placed along the hull of a warship or station to ensure a complete firing arc, leaving no angle open to attack. Colonial CIWS are further supplemented by Viper fighter support. Together, these defensive systems generally prove highly destructive to incoming enemy targets {{TRS|Miniseries}}.  


At least on ''Galactica''-type battlestars, the turrets appear to be manned and manually fired. Each battery has a transparent canopy through which it is occasional possible to make out two figures in colonial flight suits. Due to the location and the (almost certain) weaker nature of the transparent material of the canopy this is likely one of the most dangerous jobs on the ship since (as seen during "[[Daybreak, Part II]]") the batteries tend to be prime targets for raiders and at least two are destroyed during the series. This destruction is usually explosive (owing to munitions detonating) and likely allows few options for escape.
{{clear}}


== See Also ==
== See Also ==


*[[Weapons in the Re-imagined Series]]
*[[Weapons in the Re-imagined Series]]
*[[Missile tubes]]


== References ==
== References ==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>
{{reflist}}


[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:A to Z]]

Revision as of 07:31, 20 September 2020

A cluster of guns move into firing position.

On Colonial warships, a battery is a group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place. A battery may vary in number and arrangement depending on class [1]. In modern day naval nomenclature, a vessel's "main battery" is its primary offensive weapon.

Gun Clusters

Ammunition

Pegasus firing its main battery (TRS: "The Captain's Hand")
The flak field from Galactica's large turrets (TRS: "Scattered")

The large turrets found on Colonial battlestars fire several types of ammunition, depending on the objective:

  • Flak ammunition: this ammunition employs exploding metal fragments at high velocity, creating a defensive barrier around the battlestar which can shear enemy fighters or incoming missiles. This, along with the point-defenses, keep the enemy at a distance, allowing the battlestar's Viper forces to safely deploy and engage (TRS: "Scattered").

It should be noted that the massive recoil caused by firing these flak rounds makes it impossible for the cannon to have a fast rate of fire like the battlestar's point-defense turrets. These shells are also too large to be loaded quickly and efficiently by crew members, and as such are loaded by mechanical hoists (TRS: "33").

Firing Solution

When engaging enemy targets over any kind of distance, a firing solution must be obtained. This requires several pieces of information to be input to a battery's fire-control computer, including the target's speed, course, and range; and the firing platform's speed and course. The velocity of the shells would be known, and is constant, given that there is no air friction in the vacuum of space. The resulting computation would allow the gun captains to accurately aim their weaponry to such a degree that firing will result in a probable hit.

Operation

The devastating effect Colonial batteries can have on a Cylon basestar (TRS: "Resurrection Ship, Part II")

Colonial gun batteries have several modes of operation.

  • Salvo Fire: this calls for a battery, or elements of a battery, to fire simultaneously at a single target. (TRS: "The Captain's Hand")
  • Full Attack Mode: a battery's commander, called gun captain (TRS: "33", "You Can't Go Home Again"), will target and engage targets of opportunity [2].

On Mercury-class battlestars, gun batteries can be set to one of several automatic firing modes (TRS: "Exodus, Part II").

At least on Galactica-type battlestars, the turrets appear to be manned and manually fired. Each battery has a transparent canopy through which it is occasional possible to make out two figures in colonial flight suits. Due to the location and the (almost certain) weaker nature of the transparent material of the canopy this is likely one of the most dangerous jobs on the ship, since the batteries tend to be prime targets for raiders. This destruction is usually explosive (owing to munitions detonating) and likely allows few options for escape (TRS: "Daybreak, Part II").


Close-in Weapon Systems

Galactica's Close-in Weapon System engages to defend against an incoming threat.

A close-in weapon system (CIWS) is a point-defense system used for engaging and eliminating enemy targets or weapons that have penetrated a Colonial warship's or station's defensive perimeter. Colonial CIWS are typically small caliber guns capable of high rates of fire, however some smaller Colonial warships use missile defense systems in place of defensive guns ("Blood & Chrome", TRS: "Miniseries").

The defensive missile batteries of the Orion class battlestar, Osiris (0913).

These systems are placed along the hull of a warship or station to ensure a complete firing arc, leaving no angle open to attack. Colonial CIWS are further supplemented by Viper fighter support. Together, these defensive systems generally prove highly destructive to incoming enemy targets (TRS: "Miniseries").


See Also

References

  1. These are not railguns. No official sources use this term to describe these weapons, and there is substantial evidence to the contrary.
  2. During the Battle of the Resurrection Ship, batteries are called to "fire at will".