Space carrier/reaction engines question

[frigidmagi]

Good point. But at that point wouldn't it be more practical to deliver the machines via missile or torpedo? Which would make it more of an arsenal ship or like a Burke class Destroyer then?

[rhoenix]

Good point. But at that point wouldn't it be more practical to deliver the machines via missile or torpedo? Which would make it more of an arsenal ship or like a Burke class Destroyer then?

I suppose that would be a more practical use of the technology - but to that degree, would the production costs and end result compare well against, say, a fusion torpedo?

Honestly, the most practical use I can see for such a technology would be defensive, for ship repair under fire. Not having to send crewmen to damaged sections of the ship to effect repairs would be rather nice.

[Lys]

This is why I said calling it a "Von Neumann swarm" is very unspecific. The machines could be as small as nano-scale, as large as Replicators, or even the size of the automobiles. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Smaller ones are generally less able to handle the harsh conditions of space, and won't have the power supplies to actually disassemble much of anything, while larger ones are easier to detect and shoot.

As for delivering the machines via missle or torpedo, one has to ask the question: why? If you can get your munitions next to the enemy fleet, why not just blow them up?

[Cynical Cat]

A swarm doesn't have to be made of nanomachines, but if the machines are very small they'll suffer similar problems and if they're significantly larger they'll be vulnerable to even more weapons.