Icosahedron
SOC-14 1K
Do laser weapons need to have laser sights attached to them, or do they act as their own laser sight?
Laser Weapons and Laser Sights
- Thread starter Icosahedron
- Start date
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
Included, one of the earlier descriptions (MT?) specifically says so. Something about a target designator/rangefinder feature for partially pulling the trigger iirc. All I see at the moment is the note in CT Book 4 Mercenary (which may be what I was recalling) about TL8 Infantry Arms:
"The laser carbine has limited weapons potential, but is used primarily as a target designator and range finder."
"The laser carbine has limited weapons potential, but is used primarily as a target designator and range finder."
Enoki
SOC-14 1K
On a laser weapon I would think the laser sight would simply be something along the lines of a set trigger on a conventional rifle. That is, you have two triggers. The first turns on the laser but at a very low power setting for sighting. The second gives you the full power effect. Thus, the laser itself is the sighting system.
Integrated. trouble pointed out the trouble otherwise. 
Either same laser with lower population (power) and, for visibility, a different frequency - or, arguably more likely due to the later point, a laser pumped via optics (mirrors) into the same 'barrel'.
Though, the optical sighting system could adjust for this - measuring distance, it would angle the sight beam for the offset. But that is a lot more complex and just plain likely to be less reliable, even with electro-acoustic or other solid state aiming instead of mechanical.
Frankly, it could go either way - can see different makers using different approaches (RL does similar, often regardless of compromises or due to legalities).
One could argue, since the laser is a true LOS weapon with no correction factors needed, a spotting laser would not be needed - though it could be useful for measuring distances as well.
I can see the combination advantage when facilitating the use of the Mark I Eyeball when the built in aiming electronics fail... hehe :devil:
Either same laser with lower population (power) and, for visibility, a different frequency - or, arguably more likely due to the later point, a laser pumped via optics (mirrors) into the same 'barrel'.
Though, the optical sighting system could adjust for this - measuring distance, it would angle the sight beam for the offset. But that is a lot more complex and just plain likely to be less reliable, even with electro-acoustic or other solid state aiming instead of mechanical.
Frankly, it could go either way - can see different makers using different approaches (RL does similar, often regardless of compromises or due to legalities).
One could argue, since the laser is a true LOS weapon with no correction factors needed, a spotting laser would not be needed - though it could be useful for measuring distances as well.
I can see the combination advantage when facilitating the use of the Mark I Eyeball when the built in aiming electronics fail... hehe :devil:
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Red dot sights have the laser in the sight, as what would talked of here is an optical sight with some sort of range finding. However, it would still light up an IR scope, with a direct arrow back to it's source, imo, in thousands of years from now, the sights will be self zeroing, and passive LA/IR with target recognition like an eye. The advance sights I envision being integrated with the helmet, with passive sensors and a zoom all on a Heads Up Display.
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
Well, it could be good to know what you want to hit is actually what the laser is going to hit. It's also very useful as noted for targeting, i.e. painting a target for ortillery or air-support. The laser-carbine is the issue weapon for forward observers imtu.
I don't think anyone is saying the lasers don't have optical/electronic telescopic sights in addition to the laser painting sight (different in degree to the red-dot laser pointer for handguns and CQ weapons).
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
:rofl:
Too funny. I was just coming back to this topic for that reason
So? Yes or no? Always good for a backup I suppose. And as long as nothing gets bent you should be able to sight and forget them. They should always point true.
a gauss shotgun would most likely negate the benefits you described.
however, back to sights, the reason I laugh a bit about iron sights is that having an opitcal sight, would sit where the rear sight of an iron sight sits and futuristically, the opitical sight would most likely be tough enough.
however, back to sights, the reason I laugh a bit about iron sights is that having an opitcal sight, would sit where the rear sight of an iron sight sits and futuristically, the opitical sight would most likely be tough enough.
Rigel Stardin
SOC-13
Being ex-military, I'm a firm believer in iron sights on laser weapons.
Think of the Ak-47 for a moment, the weapon is durable easy to clean, you can do almost anything to it and it still fires.
The iron sights at least there if all the high tech optics fail or if the soldier forgot to change batteries on it.
The military believes in simplicity in cleaning a weapon and keeping it simple so anyone of any educational level can learn the weapon or weapon system. Iron sights will allow any citizen of the Imperium to transisition from standard weapons training to energy weapon with minumial training...
Think of the Ak-47 for a moment, the weapon is durable easy to clean, you can do almost anything to it and it still fires.
The iron sights at least there if all the high tech optics fail or if the soldier forgot to change batteries on it.
The military believes in simplicity in cleaning a weapon and keeping it simple so anyone of any educational level can learn the weapon or weapon system. Iron sights will allow any citizen of the Imperium to transisition from standard weapons training to energy weapon with minumial training...
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Yep - Mark I eyeball!
Laser isn't needed to see what one is going to hit if optical has cross-hairs. (Painting a target does not require a laser weapon, just a designator, though it could pull double duty that way.)
A laser spot allows one to avoid using optical sights (or iron!
).
Laser isn't needed to see what one is going to hit if optical has cross-hairs. (Painting a target does not require a laser weapon, just a designator, though it could pull double duty that way.)
A laser spot allows one to avoid using optical sights (or iron!
).Not to mention - that 'hook-like tab' at the end of a barrel can come in handy for snagging things at a distances, among other things.
(Says the man with a scar above one eye!)
Rigel Stardin
SOC-13
Look at the countermeasures the US Armed Forces have developed in the Iraq Conflict. The one that comes to mine is a set of microphones connected to a computer which tells the operator where a sniper's shot came from.
Using a laser designator or any active (as in admitting light, radio waves or other not yet discovered way of detecting range or aquiring the target) sight in the future will have a conutermeasure developed and employed on the battlefeild. By the time Traveller rolls around, the important things militaries will want their soldiers to be is invisibles. We're talking stealth technologies employed on Battlesuits, passive sensors and a whole host of other gadgets that will make the imperial soilder one of the stealthiest players on the battlefield.
If you use your laser carbine as a sight, wouldn't that tell the enemy where you're at?
Using a laser designator or any active (as in admitting light, radio waves or other not yet discovered way of detecting range or aquiring the target) sight in the future will have a conutermeasure developed and employed on the battlefeild. By the time Traveller rolls around, the important things militaries will want their soldiers to be is invisibles. We're talking stealth technologies employed on Battlesuits, passive sensors and a whole host of other gadgets that will make the imperial soilder one of the stealthiest players on the battlefield.
If you use your laser carbine as a sight, wouldn't that tell the enemy where you're at?
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
Only if the enemy is at or above your TL. I don't believe the Imperium engages in much symmetrical warfare. They are predominately superior in TL and use that to their advantage. In MTU the Imperial Forces field a wide range of TLs and tailor their response to be just enough superior* to win handily.
Per your example they are are the ones with the sophisticated electronics to detect the enemy, and don't worry much about being detected themselves.
Laser weapons employed by Imperial forces as rangefinders or target designators will be all but or entirely invisible to the enemy. As will be the following laser shot itself. In most cases.
* of course intelligence is never perfect and the enemy may surprise on occasion and have some advantage, imported or native
Andrew Boulton
The Adminator
Anything that breaks the sight will probably break the laser weapon too.
The interesting part of a laser sight; not the aimpoints, but the TLA's and laser rangefinders for crew served weapons are not in the laser, but in the equipment attached to it like a targeting computer; GPS and radio. Those other parts make for a proper target location; direction; speed and azimuth and give the actual targeting information that the main weapon or other weapons can use.
So therefore laser weapons need a laser sight. Thought that laser sight could use the main laser as its laser. Savvy?
So therefore laser weapons need a laser sight. Thought that laser sight could use the main laser as its laser. Savvy?
