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By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com) Ver 1.3 2015.02.25

Official Setting information is in darkgreen. Extended Universe information is in steelblue.

Avionics Devices: Airborne Control and ECM/ECCM Devices

Table Of Contents
  • AOA (Angle Of Attack) Detector
  • Balance Controller
  • External Audio Pickup
  • Hybrid Sensors
  • Inertial Navigation System (Autopilot)
  • Laser Communications
  • Laser Marker & Laser Spot Tracker
  • Laser Targeting System
  • Optics - Fixed Infrared Sensor & Multi-band Optical Sensor
  • Optics - FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared)
  • Optics - Hybrid Sensor/TV Camera System
  • Optics - Infrared Camera
  • Optics - Large Aperture High-Definition TV Camera System
  • Optics - Night Vision System
  • Optics - Rear Periscope
  • Optics - TACS (Tactical Airborne Camera System)
  • Radio/Video Communication

  • Beyond the detection capabilities of the sensor concerned, all sensors can be grouped into two categories: active and passive. Passive relies on noticing things emitted from the target (or changes in the environment surrounding the object). Active relies on emitting something (usually a form of radiation: radio, light, infrared, sound, etc.) and what reflects off of the target is used to provide information about it.

    In all cases, active sensors will be detectable by one's opponents. Passive sensors are not detectable.

    The scale (size) or power of the sensor makes no difference beyond additional range or more finely tuned detection abilities, as all sensors of the same type are based on the same physics. For example: a ground based orbital search radar and a VF mounted radar operate on the same underlying physics. The prime difference is range (in active searches, the power on the ground based radar array is a couple orders of magnitude greater then that available on a VF) and received detail (the larger receiving antenna receives a greater variety of minute details.)


    AOA (Angle Of Attack) Detector

    Detects the angle in which the wings meet the airflow to prevent stalls while increasing lift. (VF-1)


    Balance Controller

    Assists in maintaining balance in battroid and GERWALK modes (VF-1).


    External Audio Pickup

    A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 100 m away.

    Listening in a Vehicle

    In any situation where noises from the engines, the passage of air (wind) and so on effect the ability to hear, a sensor check and 1 action is required. Otherwise, listening occurs automatically and doesn't count as a sensor check and action.


    Hybrid Sensors

    Located adjacent to the manipulator. Mainly used for the fine work of the manipulator arms, but also can be used as an emergency backup if the main sensors (mounted in the head turret) are lost (VF-1).


    Inertial Navigation System (Autopilot)

    Uses data from the Doppler device and can automatically navigate the attack craft (VA-3). Pilots can even sleep during long voyages, but this practice is frowned upon by senior command. The auto-pilot can be programmed with a single destination or a complex flight plan involving multiple speeds, directions, and destinations. The onboard computer will alert the pilot when the craft is near its destination, and can also be set to automatically signal when sensors detect objects near the craft.


    Laser Communication

    Details pending.

    How to do a Laser Communication

    To communicate by laser, you need to: activate the equipment, transcribe a message, encode the message, align the laser transmission antenna to the receiving array, and transmit the encoded information in a (short duration) burst. Any player with basic radio skills can do this. In general, it will cost three actions. When not in combat or performing manuevers, the action cost will be ignored.

    Receiving is the opposite of transmitting: receive the encoded burst of information, decode the information, play the transmission (or view the received materials.) In general, this costs one action, no matter the situation.

    Notes:

  • the sender and receiver must be able to visually see each other's laser transmitters and receivers for this type of communication to work.
  • A message could be anything from data to maps to videos to text entered in a keypad.


    Laser Marker & Laser Spot Tracker

    A laser designator, used for the precise delivery of laser-guided munitions, and a laser rangefinder, which provides information for various avionics systems, for example, navigation updates, weapon deliveries and target updates. It includes an automatic target tracker to provide fully automatic stabilized target tracking at altitudes, airspeeds and slant ranges consistent with tactical weapon delivery maneuvers. These features simplify the functions of target detection and recognition, and permit attack of targets with precision-guided weapons on a single pass. They significantly increases the combat effectiveness of the vehicle during day, night and under-the-weather conditions in the attack of ground and air targets with a variety of standoff weapons (i.e., laser guided bombs, conventional bombs and GPS-guided weapons). RANGE: 15,240 m (vertical). (VF-1).


    Laser Targeting System

    A laser designator/rangefinder for precise delivery of laser-guided munitions. It simplifies the functions of target detection, recognition and attack and permit pilots of single-seat fighters to attack targets with precision-guided weapons on a single pass. It includes an infrared pointer, laser range finder, laser spot tracking mechanism (VF-0) and the oscillator of the guide laser (VF-1).


    Optics - Fixed Infrared Sensor & Multi-band Optical Sensor

    A high-resolution, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor that displays an infrared image of the target to the aircrew; it has a wide field of view search capability and a narrow field of view acquisition/targeting capability of battlefield-sized targets. It also contains a CCD camera used to obtain target imagery in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. An on-gimbal inertial navigation sensor has established line-of-sight and automatic boresighting capability. The infrared image of the terrain in front of the aircraft can also be displayed on the Heads-Up Display; which enables the pilot to fly along the general contour of the terrain at high speed, using mountains, valleys and the cover of darkness to avoid detection. It works in conjunction with th terrain-following radar. The optical sensor provides high-speed penetration (STS) and precision attack on tactical targets at night and in adverse weather. RANGE FLIR and CCD Imagery: 12,000 m. (VF-1).


    Optics - FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared)

    A passive optical heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables the pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke, fog, haze, and other atmospheric obscurants. Has increased capabilities to locate, identify and designate targets. Its continuous automatic boresight alignment ensures persistent target coverage and first-pass kill. +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.

    With terrain-following radar provide a visual cue and input to the aircraft's flight control system, enabling it to maintain a pre-selected altitude above the terrain and avoid obstacles. It also displays an infrared image of the terrain in front of the aircraft to the pilot on a Head-Up Display; which enables the pilot to fly along the general contour of the terrain at high speed, using mountains, valleys and the cover of darkness to avoid detection.


    Optics - Hybrid Sensor/TV Camera System

    (VF-1).


    Optics - Infrared Camera

    A fixed infrared sensor, which provides a visual cue and input to the aircraft's flight control system, enabling it to maintain a pre-selected altitude above the terrain and avoid obstacles. +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill. RANGE: 12,000 m.


    Optics - Large Aperture High-Definition TV Camera System

    System has great zooming abilities (VF-0). Provides standard visuals with x100 zoom functions (can zoom in to see 1 m square at 1,000 m.)


    Optics - Night Vision System

    An optical instrument that allows images to be produced in levels of light approaching total darkness. (VF-1).


    Optics - Rear Periscope

    Allows views directly behind the VF (VF-0).


    Optics - TACS (Tactical Airborne Camera System)

    Highly-sensitive super-telephotographic camera. (VF-1).


    Radio/Video Communication

    Long range, directional, line-of-sight communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay. The UHV and VHF antennas transmit and receive tactical, operational and administrative information and support line-of-sight communications. Uses the following antennas.

    Communications During a Spacefold

    With radio and other standard communications methods, any vehicle can communicate with any other vehicle that is traveling in the SAME space fold warp bubble. However, they CANNOT communicate with anything that is outside of that space fold warp bubble. This includes stationary facilities as well as other vehicles. It IS possible to use radar to detect objects at the point of defold and alter the defold location to prevent a crash or defold inside of a stellar object.

    With Fold Waves, it is possible to not only maintain communications with vehicles outside of the space fold warp bubble, it's possible to have real time communications and radar-like detection up to the range limit of the fold wave devices installed in the vehicle. With such things as fold wave relay satellites, it's possible to extend the range of communications and maintain continuous communications with such things as stationary facilities and other vehicles.


    REFERENCES
  • Palladium Books Game Engine and MDC Rules
  • Macross Chronicle
  • Variable Fighter Master File: VF-1, VF-1 Space Wings, VF-19 & VF-25

  • © Aaron Sketchley
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