Ship's Weapons

Laser

The Pournelle is fitted with a single 100 Megawatt COIN (Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser). The laser is mounted along the long axis of the ship and consists of several lasing elements, a beam collimation assembly and a beam director. The Beam director is fitted in the nose of the ship, directly below the flight deck. A low powered designation and communication laser is located coaxially to the main laser.

The laser is designed primarily to destroy foreign objects that may pose a threat to safe navigation, but it can also be used for long range illumination or as an optical communications carrier (using the lower powered target illumination lasers.)

The laser carried enough fuel for about 20 full powered shots, each lasting about 5 seconds.

Special Ordnance

In addition to the laser, the Pournelle also carries 4 'special' munitions. These are rocket propelled nuclear missiles, each with a single Mk 12 warhead with a nominal yield of 100 kilotons each and are suitable for engaging point or ground targets as required. Launch requires two personnel, each having a launch key and half of the two part arming code.

Due to the universal abhorance of nuclear weapons by survicors of the collapse, the existence of the special ordinance has been kept from the crew, except the captain and ranking marine officer.