Hello Ethan,

> On July 17, 2019 at 7:17 AM Ethan McKinney <xxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:  

>Ah, you're assuming a model 1 computer. Slap in a model 4 or higher and it drops a lot.

Looking at the Magnum-Class TL15 Heavy Fighter's specification, MT COACC page 83, which in theory was designed using MT Referee's Manual Craft Design"  has the entry of "Computer: 7 x 3". My understanding is that the 7 represents the computer model.

The Guardian's full specifications MT COACC page 93:

GUARDIAN-CLASS (TL12) ORBITAL BATTLE STATION
CraftlD:  Orbital Battle Station, TL12, MCr21
     Hull:  901225, Disp = 120, Config. = 4, Armor = 40F              
Power:   1/2, Fusion = 6 Mw, Duration 120/360
Commo: Radio = Planetary, datalink only
Sensors: Active EMS = Planetary
Off: Missile = x09
                      Batt 1
                      Bear 1
Computer: 1 x 1
       Other: Fuel = 12Okliters, ObjSize = Small,                
     The Guardian-class orbital battle station is armed with
a 100-ton missile bay containing two battery rounds of
UCP Factor-9 nuclear missiles. Once activated in orbit,
it automatically acquires and fires upon shipping that does
not respond to the correct pre-programmed transponder
code. It is easily and cheaply mass produced as a last line
of defense in low orbit.

Based on the Magnum the Guardian's specifications the entry of "Computer: 1 x 1" indicates that the orbital battle station has a Model 1 computer. I do think that a Model 1 computer is a bit weak and I would have put in a Model 6 fib computer at TL.

Notice that the specifications do not include entries for locomotion or accommodations which seems to indicate that the station is unmanned and run by the computer. IIRC the 3I has a small issue with computers running stuff without oversight of a warm body, especially in TNE.

> I do find it weird that your crew requirements increase with tech level, all else being equal.

The crew calculation require at least a Model 0 computer which I think represents the level of automation used to control vehicles, small craft, starships or spacecrafts. The craft crew requirements increases by TL and is off-set by the installation of a computer.

Thank you for the reply.

Tom Rux