The Firepower Calculator

This page includes a javascript calculator for determining the firepower of a starship beam weapon.  The calculator assumes that the weapon transfers heat to its target, melting the target material.  Consequently, the calculator gives a very conservative figure for each incident, determining the minimum amount of energy that could have had the effect on the target.

Incidents for which I have already programmed the calculator include:

• The EAS Alexander's attack on the EAS Agrippa in "Severed Dreams".  I always use the melting figures, since there's no visible indication that the beam caused any significant vaporization.
• The attack of a Minbari warcruiser on another Minbari warcruiser (the Trigati) in "Points of Departure".  I use the melting figures with a reflectivity rate of 80% (similar to the hull reflectivity of the Excalibur).   You can also set the reflectivity to 0% and find a similar number for vaporization.
• Attacks on Narn heavy cruisers by Shadow ships in "The Coming of Shadows" and "The Long, Twilight Struggle".  I use the vaporization figures for the beam's power, since the Shadows cut the ships apart with such appalling ease.

Usage Notes:

• Your browser needs to support JavaScript 1.5 for this form to work properly.
• The fields with yellow titles are the only ones that you can modify with any effect on the calculations