GTM Synaptic

GTM-1 Synaptic Bomb

Weapons in Descent: FreeSpace

Primaries Secondaries Turrets Weapon Comparison Table, FS1

Weapons in FreeSpace 2

Primaries Secondaries Turrets Weapon Comparison Table, FS2

File:Synaptic 320x240.jpg
The GTM-1 Synaptic Bomb

Tech Room Data

Missile propulsion unit carrying several small intelligent "bomblets" - when distance to target is less than 100 m or when time to impact is less than 2 sec., bomblets direct missile to the most vulnerable part of the ship of those parts of the ship facing the missile - bomblets then separate from missile propulsion unit and form a sphere - inertia continues to carry bomblets in the direction of the target - the missile propulsion unit continues to advance toward the target - when the missile hits the target or 1.5 sec. after the missile should have hit the target, the bomblets explode - the spherical shape of the formation of the bomblets helps to ensure a fairly even level of damage across a sensitive area on the target - the spherical shape also ensures that the target will not be able to effectively maneuver away from the blast, thus "pinning" the target to a specific area in space - can also act as dumbfire - medium payload per bomblet (15 Kt) - very small payload for missile (2 Kt).

Nicknamed the "Earthshaker" by the bomber pilots who tested this, it is a bombers best defense against fighters. The Synaptic Bomb can do a lot of damage to a lot of ships at one time.

Veteran Comments

Generally the shockwave seems to wash over enemy interceptors' sheilds, and the bomblets rarely hit their marks, so load up on GTM Hornets or GTM Interceptors instead, or just put in another bank of bombs.

I don't like it. The bomblets hardly ever hit their target, and that's pretty much the whole purpose of it.

Performance

Statistics

Range	225 m
Rate of Fire	1 / 5 s
Velocity	90 mps
Damage	60
Against Hullplating	Excellent
Against Shields	Good
Against Subsystems	Excellent
Shockwave Radius	50m / 100 m
Homing System	None

Notes

• Weapon can be shot down (Bomb)
• Weapon spawns 15 smaller warheads

Spawned warheads

Range	1050 m
Velocity	175 mps
Damage	35
Against Hullplating	Excellent
Against Shields	Excellent
Against Subsystems	Average
Shockwave Radius	None
Homing System	Heat Seeking
View Cone	180 degrees
Turn Rate	1.5 s