This is the Second issue of the "Type 21 Systems" Series of Updates on the different Weapons & Sub-Systems found on the Type 21 Frigate.
Corvus Chaff Launcher
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Levels of Detail (LODs) & Collision Meshes
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Textures (Diffuse, Normal & Spec, with the Launcher & Shield being on Separate Materials)
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Disclaimer; the final texture resolution is likely to be lowered for optimisation purposes from the resolution shown in the images here.
In Reality:
The Corvus Chaff Launcher was is a British Shipborne Chaff Decoy Launching System manufactured by Vickers Ltd Shipbuilding Group that was effectively the last line of defence against Enemy Anti-Ship Missiles for any ship equipped with the system.
Physically, Corvus features a cylindrical rotating structure that carries eight launching tubes mounted in two sets of three (one above the other) and crossed at 90° in azimuth. Two further tubes are set above this arrangement and are aligned midway between the other tubes, all at a fixed elevation of 30°. A deck-mounted pedestal supports the rotating structure on its training bearing and houses a self-contained electrical power conversion unit for the control circuits and associated electrical equipment. The training drive consists of a gearbox driven by a reversible motor and is capable of angling the launchers 30° fore or aft to cover different sides of the ship from attack. Reloading is achieved by first rotating the launcher to face back, then rockets are slipped down in through the muzzle manually by someone standing on the platform located behind the launcher. This platform also incorporated a blast shield to deflect the backblast of the rocket.
This system works by launching chaff dispensing rockets to form a radar decoy screen around the ship, confusing incoming radar-guided missiles to where the target is.
You can see an animated recreation of this event in the 20th Century Battlefields: Falklands War
Documentary at 32:09. The Type 21 Frigate has two of these Chaff Launchers, Located Amidships (although non-Exoect equipped Type 21's had them on the forecastle), one Port and one Starboard, providing a total of 16 chaff rockets ready to launch at a moments notice. Extra rockets are stored in lockers on the deck between the two launchers for quick and easy access for reloading.
In Game:
In-Game, these Chaff Launchers will function in pretty much the same way as they did in real-life, by creating a decoy screen around the ship that will confuse incoming missiles, in a very similar manner to how anti-air missiles get confused by flares dropped by aircraft and will be the last line of defence against the Exocet Anti-Ship Missile.
Please note; how this system works ingame is still very subject to change depending on how we code it and making it balanced. We plan on making a video covering all the gameplay aspects of the Frigate & its Weapons / Systems nearer to its release.
However, what I can confirm right now is the Ship's Captain (Driver) will have full control over this system and will be able to angle them 30° fore and aft from the parallel to cover attacks from the bow or stern as well as port and starboard.
And 16 rockets (eight in each launcher) will be loaded and ready to fire, but how exactly they are fired and reloaded is still dependant on balance.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more updates!
