Re: (SG2] Orbital Insertion, try an egg carton

At 11:30 PM 10/6/98 -0500, Thomas Barclay wrote:
>
>Has it occured to anyone else that the rules for Orbital (or for that
>matter parachute) insertion in SG2 are not only fairly harsh
(presumably
>given 2185 technology) and also don't take into account unit quality (I
>realize only vets or elite can do it)? Seems to me that scattering an
>average of 11 inches from your drop point (110 meters) pretty much
>gaurantees an average dispersion in an orbital drop of 220m for a
squad.
>And that's diameter... all members could scatter in different
>directions. And if anyone is lucky enough to land close to the jump
>point, he's injured! (Yes, it is a simple mechanic, but it sort of
>penalizes an accurate drop which seems to be the opposite of RL). And
>the injury is automatic - no amount of heavy powered armour can protect
>you. Apparently the PA can offer you some (admittedly limited) defence
>against an MDC/3 round, but none against a drop injury?

	The U.S. Military is looking at using a semi-disposable squad
platoon
landing package which is similar to the idea of an egg carton.	This
glider
system is released out the back of a larger transport and deploys an air
foil.  Similarly NASA has designed a re-entry vehicle that is like a
small
shuttle for emergency departures from the new space station.  It employs
this same steerable air foil.
	Rather than having all the members of a platoon scattered all
over
creation, the egg carton lander lands them all in one location and they
disembark.  You will need a specialist as the pilot for the lander. 
Cost
it out as a unpowered vehicle of proper size and give it re-entry
capability.  Then buy a pilot for it and you are set.
	For landing location place a marker and make a skill roll for
the pilot
with deviation according to how far off he missed.  If it lands in a bad
place, then apply casualties accordingly.
	Phil P.

Gort, Klaatu barada nikto!