Wave-Motion Engine
The “heart” of Yamato, which controls super-technology
Since before the refit, Yamato is equipped with a Dimensional Wave Superstring Jump Engine, known as the “Wave-Motion Engine.” The model installed is the same as that used in 2199, the “Improved Cosmo Navy Iscandar Type 400 Dimensional Wave Boiler,” but the overall system has been slightly reworked; the main propulsion nozzle at the stern has been enlarged and extended.
The Wave-Motion Engine is Yamato‘s main propulsion system, which enables normal navigation at sublight speeds. It is also the heart of Yamato, providing the ship’s internal power supply and energy for the the 48 cm triple-positron impact turret (main gun) and other beam weapons. Equally or more important are the characteristics of the Wave-Motion Gun and Wave-Motion Barrier. None of these technologies would be possible without the Wave Engine. They played a major role in the Battle of Gatlantis, the voyage to Telezart, and many other battles.
In 2202, Wave Engines were installed on many of Earth’s naval vessels. Yamato is no longer a ship of note in terms of technology, but it is no exaggeration to say that Yamato was the Earth ship that made the most effective use of the Wave-Motion Engine and its derivative technologies. Thus, it has left its mark on the history of warfare.
Engine Room
A cylindrical, polyhedral structure with the Wave Engine at its center
The Wave Engine, built with the Wave Core and technical information from Iscandar, is the power source of Yamato. The engine room is the section that houses the Wave Engine and the engineering department is the section in charge of control and maintenance.
The Wave Engine and engine room of Yamato have remained almost unchanged even after the refit. Although the main propulsion nozzle at the stern was enlarged and extended to accommodate the larger size and greater weight of the hull, no internal changes have been confirmed. The technology of the Wave Engine has been perfected, so there was no need to replace it. The reason for this may be that the size of the mass-production Wave Engine is different from that of the Yamato, and the modifications required for conversion would be extensive.
The stern section of Yamato is a multi-layered structure consisting of a cylindrical engine room centered on the Wave Engine, a main engine shell (Wave Engine/energy generator) surrounding it, and Hangar 2. Therefore, it was easier to modify the power output and the propulsion nozzle rather than replacing the Wave Engine.
Engine room
The Wave-Motion Engine is housed and operated in the engine room at the rear of the ship. The specifications of the engine room are the same as before the refit; it is a manned section in charge of the engine department.
Chief Engineer Hikozaemon Tokugawa controls the Wave-Motion Engine and gives instructions to the engine room from the first bridge. The engineering staff often takes charge of practical work. Like other departments, they were understaffed during the Battle of Gatlantis, allowing Keyman to covertly install the Anti-Wave Lattice.
Startup unit connection
The “Wave Core,” which is seen as the “key,” is an essential device to extra-dimensionally expand the vacuum of space. It is installed inside the Wave Engine together with the “starting unit cylinder,” which serves as the connection switch to the Wave Core.
When the Wave Engine is started, pressure inside the engine is increased to fill it with energy, then the Wave Core is activated by rotating and connecting the flywheel. A large amount of energy is generated in the Wave Core as the extra dimensions are restored.
Engine control room
Monitoring facility for the engine room, the heart of Yamato
The “Improved Cosmo Navy Iscandar Type 400 Dimensional Wave Boiler,” which is the engine of Yamato, is the first Dimensional Wave-Motion Superstring Jump Engine installed on an Earth spacecraft. The “Wave Engine” has a power output greater than that of existing engines, including nuclear fusion reactors, and enables “Warp navigation,” or dimensional leap navigation that provides faster-than-light propulsion.
It is also the basis for innovative technologies such as the Wave-Motion Gun, a dimensional Wave-Motion blast projector with destructive power that can shatter even planets. The main and secondary Shock Cannons cannot be used unless the engine is in operational condition.
The Wave Engine is thoroughly managed by monitoring and coordination from multiple sections: the chief engineer’s seat on the first bridge, the power instrument panel on the port side of the engine, and the control room facing the engine room. The control room is not only equipped with a number of devices for monitoring, controlling, and adjusting the Wave Engine, but also allows the entire engine room to be monitored visually through a window.
Engine control room console
The engine control room houses the equipment used to monitor and control the Wave Engine. It is superior to the chief engineer’s seat on the first bridge in terms of functionality. (It is also important to note that the engine room cannot be “seen” from the first bridge.) It is designed to be manned by four people, but in the bombardment during the first refit, Sho Yamazaki ran it by himself while keeping in touch with the first bridge.
Warp navigation
Navigation that enables the ship to travel faster than light
Ships equipped with Wave-Motion Engines can navigate at ultra-light speed using warp navigation. The Iscandar-derived Wave Engine itself is a technology for interstellar navigation. Earth’s official name of the unit, “Dimensional Wave Superstring Leap Engine,” also suggests this.
On Earth, Yamato was the first to realize this technology. Since then, it has been used not only in new types of ships such as the Andromeda and Dreadnought classes, but also in the Kongo and Murasame classes, becoming a common feature on Earth vessels.
Warp navigation is a method of moving from point A to point B in a short time by bypassing subspace. It depends on the performance of the onboard Wave Engine. A single warp can span a distance of many light-years in a very short period of time. This is the reason Yamato was able to accomplish a voyage of 168,000 light-years in one year during the Garmillas War.
During the Gatlantis War, Yamato also made extensive use of warp navigation. The change in warp performance following the refit is not known. However, by repeating warp every 16 hours for 29 days, Yamato was able to reach the Telezart region, a distance estimated to be tens of thousands of light-years from the solar system,
Warp department
The main pilot’s seat and the engine control seat on the first bridge play an important role in the execution of the warp. The chief engineer monitors the Wave Engine and adjusts its output. The chief navigator, who holds the control stick at the main pilot’s station, is in charge of maneuvering the ship from the start to the end of a warp.
Although the burden on the chief pilot and the engine control room varies depending on the warp situation, responsibility for attempting a warp using radiation induction in the cylindrical structure of the “inter-dimensional gap” is estimated to be 1:1 between Shima and Tokugawa.
Warp process
When performing a normal warp, after determining the destination, the “plane world,” which is represented as a “membrane”-like plane in higher dimensions, is curved. The enormous amount of energy required for this is obtained by the extra-dimensional expansion within the Wave Engine. By curving the “plane world,” the starting point and destination of the warp are brought closer together in a higher dimension. The ship passes through a “hole” generated on the surface of the “membrane” to achieve faster-than-light navigation.
Dimensional jump technology reaching across the universe
Aliens descended from the ancient Akerius civilization, such as Garmillas, Iscandar, and Gatlantis, with whom Earth humans have come into contact since the late 2100s, are notable for their so-called “Wave Engines.” They are capable of warp navigation, a means of faster-than-light travel by dimensional jumping. (The official name of the Wave Engine on Earth is the Dimensional Wave Superstring Jump Engine. In Garmillas, it is called Geschtam engine or Geschtam Drive. Warp navigation is often referred to as Geschtam Jump).
Earthlings also belong to the lineage of the ancient Akerius civilization. They acquired warp technology when the Wave Engine was provided by Iscandar during the Garmillas War. Yamato was the first Earth ship to introduce Iscandar-derived technology, making possible a long expedition of 168,000 light-years.
Since then, Wave Engines have become standard technology for space vessels of Earth. During the Battle of Gatlantis, the Earth Federation Forces’ new space ships, such as the Andromeda and Dreadnought classes, were deployed at high speed. Even so, no Earth ship has traveled as far as Yamato, making it special.
Warp of each civilization
The technology of the Wave Engine derived from the ancient Akerius civilization is basically the same in each interstellar civilization. However, each civilization has made its own arrangements over its long history. In particular, the shape of the warp grid is different.
There is a difference in performance depending on the model. Yamato can travel an estimated tens of thousands of light years in 29 days by repeating a warp every 16 hours. The booster for a Cosmo Tiger II, which can be used only twice, is limited to short warp distances.
Applications of warp technology
Warp navigation gave rise to several derivative technologies. One of them is the subspace countermeasure adopted by Neu Deusula. This enables stable operation even in subspace, where the Wave Engine can run out of control. This exposes only the Wave Engine to normal dimensions through the warp grid. It was effectively used in the subspace battle with Yamato.
Garmillas Subjective Wall
A countermeasure to warp navigation is the Garmillas Subjective Wall. It has the ability to deploy a warp inhibiting field, and at the end of the Gatlantis war, it prevented Gatlantis ships from warping out into the seas around Earth. It has been confirmed that it is used only in combination with the Zoellgut class, and its use seems to be limited.
Hangars
Aft structure of the hull showing the high mounting density
Yamato was the largest space battleship on Earth at the time of its commissioning, boasting an overall length of 333m. However, even with its massive size, there are limits to the equipment that can be installed on board.
The living infrastructure accommodates a crew of 999 people. The entire system is made up of the large Wave Engine and Wave-Motion Gun, as well as numerous artillery weapons and dozens of onboard aircraft. It was possible to force them all into the hull, but Yamato‘s design had to be suitable for ship’s operations, or it would become impractical. Therefore, detailed consideration and ingenuity went into the design of Yamato.
One of the most notable features is the structure of the aft section, represented by the hangar for onboard aircraft. Centered around the Wave Engine, it is composed of the first hangar, the second hangar, and the third main turret. Thus, its density is extremely high.
The adjacency and division of the first and second hangars, in particular, reduces the burden on the deck section, which is responsible for maintenance and landing/deploying of the ship’s aircraft. The hangars are divided according to the type of aircraft to improve efficiency. The air corps station is located adjacent to the hangar group. This is a basic arrangement that enhances the readiness and density of onboard fighter aircraft.
Hull Structure
The aft part of Yamato is rigidly maintained by the armored hull and the ring-shaped frame of the second hangar. The engine room, the first and second hangars, and the third main turret are connected directly or indirectly to the three ring frames. Between these frames, palettes that can carry onboard aircraft are arranged three-dimensionally to secure aircraft on both surfaces.
Since Hangar 2 is placed in a zero-G environment, there is little chance that a shipboard aircraft mounted upside down will fall or that the pilot will not be able to board it.
Base of the third main turret
The base of the third main turret appears to be the same size as that of the first main turret. However, its loading position overlaps with a part of the first and second hangars, so space for ammunition storage cannot be secured. One result is that it does not have the ability to feed Type 3 ammunition.
The aft part of the hull is the most important compartment, containing the engine room, so it is particularly restricted in terms of space. Thus the third main turret is limited in some of its functions. The second sub turret near the third main turret also has similar functional limitations.
Hangar 1
Hangar for the Cosmo Zero, directly connected to the aft catapult
Yamato has five types of hangars for onboard aircraft, concentrated in the aft and bottom sections of the ship. Hangar 1 is located directly below the deck of the third main turret.
Each hangar operates a different type of aircraft. The Type 52 space fighter “Cosmo Zero” operates in Hangar 1. This was not only the case when the aircraft was first commissioned, but also in the first refit and final battle specification during the Battle of Gatlantis. (In the final battle specification, it also operated a manned version of the autonomous Type 52 Blackbird, a modified version of the Cosmo Zero.)
It is not clear why the Cosmo Zero was selected for Hangar 1, but the foldable vertical tail fin was suitable for the low ceiling, and the Cosmo Zero could utilize the catapult directly connected to this hangar. In his position as acting captain and chief tactical officer, prime pilot Susumu Kodai had few opportunities to fly the Cosmo Zero, but it was frequently used in important battles during the Battle of Gatlantis.
Catapult for supervising aircraft launch
The aft catapult, directly accessible from Hangar 1, is equipped for launching onboard aircraft. Before and after the first refit, there were two catapults, one on each side of the ship. The final battle specification added two more catapults on each side (four catapults in total), used to launch the Cosmo Zero and manned Blackbird types. However, since there were only a few cases of both aircraft being used in the Battle of Gatlantis, the catapult was not used frequently. Nevertheless, both Cosmo Zeroes and Blackbirds were launched during the Zemulia invasion.
Hangar 2, the core of air power
Although classified as a space battleship, Yamato also has a full complement of air power. This point is highly appreciated, so the later Andromeda and Dreadnought classes were given similar features. The first refit of Yamato, which was recommissioned in 2202, maintained the ability to operate aircraft. During the Battle of Gatlantis, the Type 99 Cosmo Falcon was replaced by the Type 1 space attack aircraft Cosmo Tiger II and other aircraft.
The second hangar, built into the rear of the hull, serves as the operational facility for the Cosmo Tiger II. Located in the cylindrical space surrounding the engine room, it consists of three ring-shaped frames and a group of mobile palettes serve as mooring points for the ship’s aircraft. Originally designed for the Cosmo Falcon, they can accommodate the Cosmo Tiger II without any problems. (Cosmo Tiger 1, which is not compatible, operates from Hangar 3).
In 2202, when Yamato left Earth as if in rebellion, no air force was present and no Cosmo Tiger IIs were deployed. However, before and after the confrontation with Andromeda, the former air force and new pilots joined the group. Hangar 2 then became operational.
Ring-shaped frame
A ring-shaped frame is the characteristic structure of Hangar 2. It has a different function from securing the rigidity of the hull and engine room shell. Instead, it is designed to operate the “palette group.” A total of 16 palettes are installed, serving as a means of transportation within hangars for launch and recovery. Each palette can be used to secure an aircraft above and below. Theoretically, Hangar 2 can hold 32 aircraft.
A palette that allows for the anchoring and landing of aircraft
One of the features of the Space Battleship Yamato is its ability to operate a large number of onboard aircraft. Despite the fact that the ship emphasizes striking power with positron-impact cannons and missiles, Yamato‘s ability to operate dozens of onboard aircraft is groundbreaking. Later large spacecraft, such as the Andromeda class, also has this ability.
As for Yamato, Hangar 2 alone can accommodate as many as 32 fighter aircraft. (There is also Hangar 1, Hangar 3, and another for ground vehicles.) Based on the ship’s exterior appearance, this is a hard number to believe. Hangar 2 succeeded in securing a large amount of space by utilizing the cylindrical compartment around the engine room.
The problem here is how to store and move the aircraft. While making effective use of the limited space of the hangar, it has to provide solid mooring when the ship is shaken. The solution to this problem is the “pallete” system, placed three-dimensionally in the hangar to make effective use of the limited space available.
Palette
The so-called “palette” is used to secure a Cosmo Tiger II in Hangar 2 and to move it between standby and launch/recovery. The palette itself has not changed from the one used before the first refit. (The Cosmo Tiger II itself seems to have been designed to accommodate the palette.) A Cosmo Tiger II does not move by itself in Hangar 2, but is always mounted on a palette, and maintenance is performed on that palette.
Launch gimmick
The palette is a component that moves along the rails of the ring-shaped frame. It is responsible for moving the aircraft to and from the launch port, and for re-mounting the aircraft after it returns to the ship. This system is used to process the landing and takeoff of aircraft. Even in the second hangar, which has only one entry and exit port, Cosmo Tigers can be processed and launched quickly.
Hangar 3
Hangars where non-combat spacecraft and special aircraft are operated
Hangar 3 is located on Yamato‘s hull (along the vertical line that runs between the first and third bridges), on the left and right sides of the ship’s underside. The hull was enlarged to the left and right in the first refit, so the takeoff and landing ports, which interfered with the increased size of the hull, appear to have become narrower. However, no operational problems have been confirmed.
Hangar 3 differs from Hangar 1 (for the Cosmo Zero) and Hangar 2 (for the Cosmo Falcon in 2199 and Cosmo Tiger II in 2202) in terms of the aircraft operated. Originally, it was a facility for the SC97 Cosmo Seagull general-purpose transport and the Type 100 reconnaissance aircraft. However, it was also used to accommodate aircraft that were caught in the Gatlantis battle.
The Cosmo Seagull and the Type 100 Recon Aircraft continued to operate during the Battle of Gatlantis, as well as Akira Yamamoto’s Cosmo Tiger 1 and the Czvarke embassy plane of Klaus Keyman, who served as an observer on board the ship. It appears that the aircraft not intended for operation in Hangars 1 and 2 were sent to Hangar 3, especially the Cosmo Tiger 1, because its boarding system and armament configuration were different from those of Cosmo Tiger II. Cosmo Tiger 1 had to be operated in Hangar 3, where the aircraft’s position could be changed by crane arm.
Aircraft Operation Facilities
There are five types of hangars for Yamato‘s onboard aircraft. Each hangar is independent of the others, so maintenance and operation of different onboard aircraft is carried out in each hangar. (Hangar 3 has separate sections on the port and starboard sides.)
The reason Hangar 3, a non-combat spacecraft operation facility, was able to accommodate Cosmo Tiger 1 operations may be due to the supply of consumable parts and armaments from the ship’s factory. The operation of the Czvarke, which is not an Earth Federation aircraft, seems to have been possible for the same reason.
Special exploration boat hangar
A deck beneath the hull which serves as the base of operations for exploration vehicles
The special exploration vehicle (ground vehicle) hangar is built into the shell located in front of the third bridge. The Ki-8 prototype spacecraft for planetary exploration, known as the “Stork,” is stored here. During its operations, this hangar is used for crew boarding, takeoff, and landing.
One of Yamato‘s features is its ability to operate a full range of shipboard aircraft, so the ship is equipped with five types of hangars. Hangar 1 is located directly below the upper aft deck, Hangar 2 utilizes the compartment around the Wave Engine, and Hangar 3 is located on either side of the hull above the third bridge. The inner fireboat hangar is located in front of the first hangar, and the special exploration boat hangar is located below decks in front of the third bridge.
Compared to the other hangars, the special exploration boat hangar is small in size and can operate only a single aircraft at once. However, it is a shuttle-shaped hangar with high pressure resistance. This structure contains a crane to support launch and recovery, making it suitable for boarding and launching the Ki-8 prototype spacecraft (including Analyzer).
During the Gatlantis War, it housed the Ki-8 prototype spacecraft, which had been in continuous operation since the Garmillas War, and was also used as an operational facility for Type 2 Mobile Space Armor.
Structure
One of the features of the special exploration boat hangar is that despite only being able to operate one aircraft at a time, it is perfectly symmetrical. Two decks are located on either side of the central landing deck. Therefore, identical operations (boarding, disembarking, etc.), are possible from both sides of the ship. This also means that access is possible from both the port and starboard gangways, so there is no problem if one is out of service. This is a feature of the equipment located in the center of the hull.
Shell and hatch
Like Hangar 3, the special exploration boat hangar is shaped to extend outward from the hull, and has a shell-like pressure-resistant structure. The hatch allows the special exploration boat to enter and exit directly below the ship’s hull. The hatch opens downward, the same as in Hangar 2 where the Cosmo Tiger II is operated. However, the difficulty of landing and takeoff seems to be low because a crane in the ceiling can be used for loading and unloading the aircraft.