| Author |
Topic:
"Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
1/11 10:27pm
Subject:
"Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
- Date Edited:
1/12 3:27pm (4 edits total)
Edited By:
The2ndQuest
|
If you are approaching a target at speed X, you still have a chance to
peel away at the last moment. If you are approaching a target at the top
speed your engines can provide, such that you cannot turn away or be
deflected, that's speed Y. Speed Y is ramming speed. -JMS
A tactic seen a few times fairly recently, and multiple times over the decades, is still one of my favorites to watch- afterall, who doesn't like seeing big stuff crash into other big stuff? (ok, not counting 9/11, but you know what I meant!)
So, in addition to cataloging instances where this tactic is used (restricted to film & TV and maybe video games), feel free to discuss what you think about it's use- is it overused, underused, just right? What've been your favorites?
(and, as a final warning, there will be SPOILERS involved here, of varying severity, for many franchises, including BSG, B5, SG-1, SGA, ST & more, so proceed at your own risk)
For starters, I'll name a few off the top of my head and get some of the more obvious ones out of the way:
-Arvel Crynyd's A-Wing collides with the Super Star Destroyer Executor, Return of the Jedi (though it's hard to say how much of it was intentional  )
-Earthforce Destroyer rams a Minbari Sharlin cruiser, Babylon 5: In the Beginning
-The Churchill rams another Omega-class destroyer, Babylon 5
-The Victory rams a Shadow Planet Killer, Babylon 5 : A Call to Arms
-A Dominion ship rams into the Galaxy-class Odyssey, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
-The Enterprise-E rams the Nemesis, Star Trek: Nemesis
-Goa'uld Ha'tak-class Mothership rams an Ori Mothership, Stargate SG-1
-Original Raiders kamakazi Battlestar Pegasus, Battlestar Galactica: Razor
-Battlestar Pegasus rams a Basestar (or two ), (new) Battlestar Galactica
-Wraith Hive Ship crashed into Wraith cloning facility (Stargate Atlantis)
I know there's gotta be quite a few I'm forgetting, so let's have 'em!
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
"If I don't die, I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth." - Drew_Atreides
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Rogue_Ten
Registered:
Aug '02
|
Date Posted:
1/11 11:14pm
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamakazi Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
lol Somebody watched the new Atlantis tonight. 
Here's my contribution:
SG-1: Cronus' captured Ha'tak rams Apophis' planet, (Delmak), with Apophis and a bunch of replicators on board.
-----signature-----
Carpe deez nuts. --------- TERRUN UP A LAAANNNE!!  --------- If dance-fighting American Godzilla isn't tasteful, I don't want to taste.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
timmoishere
Registered:
Jun '07
|
Date Posted:
1/12 12:36am
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamakazi Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
And who could forget Independence Day?
Hello, boys! I'm baaaaaack!
-----signature-----
What ain't no country I ever heard of. They speak English in What?
Vikings > Pirates > Ninjas
Everything tastes better wrapped in bacon, especially bacon
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Darth_Omega
Title: Forum Feud Winner
Registered:
May '02
|
Date Posted:
1/12 1:37am
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamakazi Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
|
Its spelled Kamikaze
-----signature-----
How do you like my drill bra?
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
1/12 3:28pm
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
Whoops! Fixed.
Rogue_Ten posted:
lol Somebody watched the new Atlantis tonight.
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
"If I don't die, I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth." - Drew_Atreides
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Jedi_Master_Conor
Title: Manager:
• SFF: Movies
• Box Office Host
Registered:
May '05
|
Date Posted:
1/13 1:10pm
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
timmoishere posted:
And who could forget Independence Day?
Hello, boys! I'm baaaaaack!
Best one ever!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Darth_Maul_Sith_Lord
Registered:
Mar '04
|
Date Posted:
1/14 1:21pm
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
Titanic into the Iceberg...
D_M_S_L
-----signature-----
"At Last We Will Have Revenge" - Darth Maul
"Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a ckicken." - Tyler Durden
R.I.P.... Heath Ledger.... R.I.P.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
1/14 1:37pm
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
|
That wasn't intentional
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
"If I don't die, I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth." - Drew_Atreides
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Radical-Edward
Registered:
Dec '02
|
Date Posted:
1/14 1:48pm
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
My only real gripe with the kamikaze attack is when the captain yells "Ramming Speed!" to initiate said ramming.
Ramming Speed?
WTFrak?
Since when do ships have "Ramming Speed"? Is there a Ramming Speed setting? If they were to check the ship's instruction manual, would they find a chapter on Ramming Speed? Is the pilot trained in attaining Ramming Speed at the academy? Do ships practice reaching Ramming Speed while performing war games? Did the bridge crew sit down together when planning their suicide attack and hash out exactly what velocity would need to be attained to reach Ramming Speed?
Please. The whole thing sounds like some sort of painful sex maneuver. Ramming is a perfectly acceptable tactic when properly applied, but for the love of jeebus, they've got to stop with this Ramming Speed nonsense. So many other perfectly acceptable, LOGICAL things to say...
-----signature-----
"I tat I ta a Putty Tat!"
"I did, I did tee a Putty Tat!" Tweety Bird
"See you Space Cowgirl" Writing at the end of Hard Luck Women, Cowboy Bebop
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Obey Wann
Title: Former RMFF CR
& SW Region RSA
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
1/14 2:16pm
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
LOL, yeah, it's not quite a speed set on the ship's helm. In reality, I'm sure it means to "make best possible speed within the distance we have available", but "ramming speed" is a little shorter to say, especially when your ship is about to go "boom" anyway.
It's been a while since I've seen a movie that gives the order, but do they give separate speed and course orders? or just speed orders and the course is assumed from the speed order?
-----signature-----
WARNING: Consumption of beverages &/or foodstuffs while communicating with the RMFF is highly discouraged.
Proceed at your own risk, as the RMFF is not responsible for any keyboard, monitor, or sinus damage as a result of ignoring this warning.
CIV Pics:
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
RK_Striker_JK_5
Registered:
Jul '03
|
Date Posted:
1/14 2:28pm
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
Rhinox ramming the Autobot shuttle into the Nemesis' bridge in Beast Wars' season finale.
"For everything that ever was..."
-----signature-----
E-married to the wonderful DarthIshtar. Now also her Padawan. Member of the Y.J.K. Revolution Staring into the Darkness http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/27537567/p1/?23
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
1/14 3:58pm
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
Radical-Edward posted:
My only real gripe with the kamikaze attack is when the captain yells "Ramming Speed!" to initiate said ramming.
Ramming Speed?
WTFrak?
Since when do ships have "Ramming Speed"? Is there a Ramming Speed setting? If they were to check the ship's instruction manual, would they find a chapter on Ramming Speed? Is the pilot trained in attaining Ramming Speed at the academy? Do ships practice reaching Ramming Speed while performing war games? Did the bridge crew sit down together when planning their suicide attack and hash out exactly what velocity would need to be attained to reach Ramming Speed?
JMS addressed this a few times, the opening post's quote is only one instance, here are some others that elaborate further:
Since this debate began, I've heard from any number of people...and any number
of military types who actually would be in a position to either hear this, or
say this.
And it's totally a reasonable line. Some, including former commanders on
shipboard and ordinary sailer-types noted that there are two Really Worrisome
Orders: the first is "Emergency speed," which means "kill warning bells,
disable safety systems, give her everything she's got and let me know just
beore the engines burn out."
The other is...ramming speed. Which means "kill warning bells, disable safety
systems, full emergency speed, today is a good day to die."
The basic delineation is that when you're in battle, you use the bare miminum
of words to express what you're trying to say, because seconds can mean the
difference between life and death and success and failure.
One could, indeed, make the longer, more involved statements others have said
they'd've preferred...but by that time, there would be no surviving ship to
give the order to. Further, you want to give the crew the minimum possible
time to think about what these orders *mean*...so you keep it short and sharp
and rely on their training to get them to do what the order implies.
Yes, it's an old-fashioned term...but there's such a thing as tradition in
military language, where ships have decks even though they're not wooden decks
anymore...and there isn't a naval officer anywhere who on leaving port doesn't
say "set sail," even though he could be commanding a nuclear vessel without a
sail in sight.
and another:
Actually, ramming speed *is* a legitimate term, because it encompasses several
sub-sets of instructions, to wit:
1) Turn off or over-ride all safety mechanisms designed to protect a collision
2) Use full speed, without concern about fuel or other aspects (such as turning
away at the last minute).
Most big ships have safeguards designed to help prevent collisions; ramming
speed as an order over-rides those safety precautions (this per a Navy captain
who explained it to me a while back).
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
"If I don't die, I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth." - Drew_Atreides
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Darth_Maul_Sith_Lord
Registered:
Mar '04
|
Date Posted:
2/29 4:06pm
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
"Since when do ships have "Ramming Speed"? Is there a Ramming Speed setting? If they were to check the ship's instruction manual, would they find a chapter on Ramming Speed? Is the pilot trained in attaining Ramming Speed at the academy? Do ships practice reaching Ramming Speed while performing war games? Did the bridge crew sit down together when planning their suicide attack and hash out exactly what velocity would need to be attained to reach Ramming Speed?"
This goes back to when ships were powered by slave rowers. During attacks sometimes would have to take the ship into another as a killing blow. Of course when you rammed an enemy ship, you didn't do much damage to your own vessel, as they usually boasted some sort of ramming apparatus. So that, I believe is where it came from.
D_M_S_L
-----signature-----
"At Last We Will Have Revenge" - Darth Maul
"Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a ckicken." - Tyler Durden
R.I.P.... Heath Ledger.... R.I.P.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Obey Wann
Title: Former RMFF CR
& SW Region RSA
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
2/29 4:35pm
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
"Since when do ships have "Ramming Speed"? Is there a Ramming Speed setting?
I would seriously doubt that there is a speed setting on any ship's helm called "ramming speed". It is more of an order that identifies course, speed and intent --all in two simple words. In combat, simple is better.
Obey Wann posted:
LOL, yeah, it's not quite a speed set on the ship's helm. In reality, I'm sure it means to "make best possible speed within the distance we have available", but "ramming speed" is a little shorter to say, especially when your ship is about to go "boom" anyway.
I'll try to explain a bit...
Many moons ago, I used to operate the throttles on 688 class fast attack submarines. IIRC, the forward settings on the throttle control panel were:
Ahead 1/2
Ahead 2/3
Ahead Full
Ahead Flank
The emergency order given by the Officer of the Deck was "All ahead Flank -_Cavitate", which meant that I could answer the flank bell as fast as possible, without causing a reactor scream. It was all kinds of fun.  It was also only used when there was a torpedo in the water, or we were training for torpedo evasion). All other bells were answered relatively slowly, so we wouldn't cavitate, or cause noise. Noise = death typically, but if there is a torp inbound, you need to boogie. Frak the noise.
In submarine terms, ordering "All Ahead Flank - Cavitate" would be the equivalent of ordering ramming speed. But in science fiction, they usually have a lot of different terms for maximum speed. So in order to make an order make sense for the viewing public, the writers choose the order "ramming speed", which still basically means "make best possible speed within the distance we have available."
It is also a course order. If ordered "ramming speed", the helmsman knows to point the bow of the ship at the bad guy ship, and go to max speed available. Two words convey a whole lot of meaning.
Plus it also gives everyone in the bridge the knowledge of what is about to happen. They are about to meet their dear and fluffy Lord very soon.
-----signature-----
WARNING: Consumption of beverages &/or foodstuffs while communicating with the RMFF is highly discouraged.
Proceed at your own risk, as the RMFF is not responsible for any keyboard, monitor, or sinus damage as a result of ignoring this warning.
CIV Pics:
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
2/29 7:17pm
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
|
Came across another to add to the list while skimming through yotube: Voyager rams some kind of ship in Year of Hell.
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
"If I don't die, I don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth." - Drew_Atreides
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
General_Kor
Registered:
May '04
|
Date Posted:
3/1 6:39am
Subject:
RE: "Give Me Ramming Speed!"- Kamikaze Attacks in Sci-Fi Film & TV (spoilers for all)
|
|
That would be Voyager ramming the Krenim timeship, a superweapon that had the ability to erase things from history. The ship erased itself when it was rammed resulting in the reset button being hit, and the whole episode never happened.
-----signature-----
If knowledge is power, and power corrupts, and corruption is a crime, and crime doesn't pay, then if you get an education you will be broke.
The statement below is true.
The statement above is false.
Darth Krayt is.... A Random Redshirt!!!!!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
