The following information was converted from Fire, Fusion, & Steel 1st edition using the 07 DEC 1994 errata.
EXPLOSIVE POWER GENERATION
Also known as an Explosive Magnetic Flux Compressor (EMFC)
or Flux Compression Generator (FCG), this technology uses
the detonation of an explosive to generate power. It's primary
use is to generate an large pulse of current to be employed in
directed energy weapons.
| TL | Type | Weight | Volume | Cost | Density |
| 9/9 | Chemical Explosive Cartridge (CXC) | .0088 | .000027 | $1 | 250J/g |
| 10/9 | Chemical Plasma Cartridge (CPC) | .00528 | .0000162 | $5 | 417J/g |
| 12/10 | Pulse Plasma Cartridge (PPC) | .00264 | .0000081 | $10 | 833J/g |
| 14/11 | Pulse Fusion Cartridge (PFC) | .00176 | .0000054 | $25 | 1250J/g |
| 16/13 | Gravitic Compression Fusion (GCF) | .00088 | .0000027 | $50 | 2500J/g |
TL: Tech Level. The first number is the Traveller Tech
Level (TTL) of introduction. The second number is the GURPS Tech
Level (GTL) of introduction.
Weight: Multiply the energy output of the EPG generator
(in kJ) to find the weight (lbs.).
Volume: Multiply the volume given by the EPG output (in
kJ) to find the volume.
Cost: Multiply the cartridges weight by this value to get
the actual cost.
Density: The energy density of the technology. Measured
in Joules per gram.
Dimensions: The physical dimensions of the cartridge are:
Radius(R): .376 x (Volume/27)^(1/3) Volume in
cubic feet. Radius in meters.
Diameter: 2 x R
Length: 6 x R
For example, an 12MJ output TL10 EPG cartridge would be 31.68lbs (rounded to 32 lbs), .0972 cf (rounded to .1), and cost $317. It would measure 116 x 348mm.
[NOTE: This compares to 12lbs, .12 cf, and $1200 for an TL8 Explosive Generator from the Vehicles Additions.]
DESIGNING A FEED SYSTEM
EPG cartridges are expended once they are used, and any power
that is not immediately transfered or used by other systems is
lost. To condition the power and load new cartridges an feed system
is required.
To determine the weight and cost of this system design it as a conventional weapon (p. 106, V2ed), using the diameter of the cartridge in place of bore size. Also assume an extremely short barrel and extra low power. The loading mechanism will determine how fast the cartridges can be expended. Single shot devices typically use breechloaders. Double the final cost but apply no other modifiers.
For example, the 12MJ PPC cartridge has a diameter of 116mm. For a slow autoloader this works out to B (116) x B (116) x L (.1) xP (.25) x S (.375) x T (.6) x R (.75) = 56.7675lbs (rounded to 57 lbs). Final cost is $8550. It has a ROF of 1/6.
USES
Using them in RF/EMP weapons seems like the most likely candidate
(since its where heavy research is going in real life). I'm unsure
how to model this in Vehicles even using the Vehicles Additions
files (probably something based on the EMP beam).
Another use is obviously powering beam weapons, that is what they were used for in Traveller and also in real life.