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Remote Sensor Drones in CT

The Oz

SOC-14 1K
The discussion in the Fleet area has made me think about remote sensor drones for CT/High Guard. What their stats would be, etc.

I do not recall ever seeing published CT/HG stats for naval remote sensor drones. Does anyone else?

You can design one in MT by combining spacecraft and robot design. TNE had sensor drones, at least in the BATTLE RIDER game.

But I'd like sensor drones for CT/HG. Anyone have any ideas? Here's my thoughts so far:

Drone: Using a 10-ton hull, the drone is capable of 6-G acceleration, carries one ton of fuel and has a crew of zero. The drone is normally operated remotely from its mothership but is capable of autonomous operation under control of its onboard computer. The drone includes a Mk 5 computer and mounts no weapons of any kind. The drone has no excess space and costs MCr 70. The drone can detect ships up to two light-seconds distance and can track ships once detected to a range of three light-seconds.

The drone wound up being so expensive because of the Mk 5 computer. I would think that some kind of "drone control" software would be required to be running on the computer of the mothership.
 
The discussion in the Fleet area has made me think about remote sensor drones for CT/High Guard. What their stats would be, etc.

I do not recall ever seeing published CT/HG stats for naval remote sensor drones. Does anyone else?

You can design one in MT by combining spacecraft and robot design. TNE had sensor drones, at least in the BATTLE RIDER game.

But I'd like sensor drones for CT/HG. Anyone have any ideas? Here's my thoughts so far:

Drone: Using a 10-ton hull, the drone is capable of 6-G acceleration, carries one ton of fuel and has a crew of zero. The drone is normally operated remotely from its mothership but is capable of autonomous operation under control of its onboard computer. The drone includes a Mk 5 computer and mounts no weapons of any kind. The drone has no excess space and costs MCr 70. The drone can detect ships up to two light-seconds distance and can track ships once detected to a range of three light-seconds.

The drone wound up being so expensive because of the Mk 5 computer. I would think that some kind of "drone control" software would be required to be running on the computer of the mothership.
 
For an autonomous or semi-autonomous drone, the MK5 computer might be needed, especially in an orbital or deep-space drone.

For an atmospheric drone or RPV, an MK1 (or less) might be more appropriate.

Remember the old Voyager or Mariner series of survey drones launched by NASA? They used onboard technology from the 60's and 70's. Earth-based technicians were still communicating with one up to about a year ago, and they were TL-7 devices!

The drone could just have enough intelligence to maintain its internal systems, operate thrusters, and communicate with its mothership. Perhaps the command and control program could take up one program space and communicate with two drones, doubling the drone capacity for every space.
 
For an autonomous or semi-autonomous drone, the MK5 computer might be needed, especially in an orbital or deep-space drone.

For an atmospheric drone or RPV, an MK1 (or less) might be more appropriate.

Remember the old Voyager or Mariner series of survey drones launched by NASA? They used onboard technology from the 60's and 70's. Earth-based technicians were still communicating with one up to about a year ago, and they were TL-7 devices!

The drone could just have enough intelligence to maintain its internal systems, operate thrusters, and communicate with its mothership. Perhaps the command and control program could take up one program space and communicate with two drones, doubling the drone capacity for every space.
 
For an autonomous or semi-autonomous drone, the MK5 computer might be needed, especially in an orbital or deep-space drone.
Deep-space drone was what I had in mind, yes. I was thinking of the kind of drones that a fleet would launch to scout out a star system as it moved in from the jumppoint.

I imagine these drones as serving both as scouts and possibly as forward fire controllers, sending mid-course updates for missiles launched from really long range. It's possible to have missiles that would boost to a certain speed and then coast to an intercept with their target far outside their "running under power all the way" range. But since you're pretty obviously trying to sneak those missiles up on someone, the missiles will have only their passive sensors to pick up their targets and it would be handy to have some nearby stealthy drone that could send targeting updates to the sneak attack missiles.


There were ground/aerospace drones published in a couple of JTAS articles, as I recall, and several drones published with MT vehicle or robot books.
 
For an autonomous or semi-autonomous drone, the MK5 computer might be needed, especially in an orbital or deep-space drone.
Deep-space drone was what I had in mind, yes. I was thinking of the kind of drones that a fleet would launch to scout out a star system as it moved in from the jumppoint.

I imagine these drones as serving both as scouts and possibly as forward fire controllers, sending mid-course updates for missiles launched from really long range. It's possible to have missiles that would boost to a certain speed and then coast to an intercept with their target far outside their "running under power all the way" range. But since you're pretty obviously trying to sneak those missiles up on someone, the missiles will have only their passive sensors to pick up their targets and it would be handy to have some nearby stealthy drone that could send targeting updates to the sneak attack missiles.


There were ground/aerospace drones published in a couple of JTAS articles, as I recall, and several drones published with MT vehicle or robot books.
 
Evening The OZ,

CT LBB books' closest drone construction was in Book 8 if I recall correctly. However, CT or more accurately CT:Striker Rules for 15mm Traveller Miniatures has procedures to construct various items of equipment in Rule Book 3: Equipment, specifically Design Sequence 10 on pp. 23-24 would be used for designing drone missiles and vehicles.

While, typing this I seem to recall a couple of articles in gaming magazines converting Striker equipment to RPG. Problem is I can't remember if the articles were in one of the Traveller magazines or in one the magazines like White Dwarf.

Tom Rux
 
Evening The OZ,

CT LBB books' closest drone construction was in Book 8 if I recall correctly. However, CT or more accurately CT:Striker Rules for 15mm Traveller Miniatures has procedures to construct various items of equipment in Rule Book 3: Equipment, specifically Design Sequence 10 on pp. 23-24 would be used for designing drone missiles and vehicles.

While, typing this I seem to recall a couple of articles in gaming magazines converting Striker equipment to RPG. Problem is I can't remember if the articles were in one of the Traveller magazines or in one the magazines like White Dwarf.

Tom Rux
 
Also, what, if any, beneficial effect is derived in combat from having such drones deployed? Better targeting, superior DMs?

What about ECM/ECCM. Is it even possible to spoof a neutrino sensor? Personally, I definitely think it would be possible to spoof densitometers. However, in combat terms, what is it exactly that allows targeting. "Fire Control" or sensors (and then which)?

Once, around 1985, I lent some thought to ECM/ECCM in HG, but a little research and I realized that it was a pretty technical subject about which I knew little. Of course, this has never stopped me from faking it. I believe I came up with a simple table of combat DMs provided from component systems based on their size, expense, TL, and cost. However, since these have an effect on sensors, and there was nothing in HG about sensors, I eventually got mired down in difficulties in decided what sort of sensors were deployed about HG vessels and what their capabilities were, and how ECM/ECCM affected those capabilities. Eventually, CT gave way to MT (and the assassination), and I set aside CT until just recently (except for buying a game book here and there).
 
Also, what, if any, beneficial effect is derived in combat from having such drones deployed? Better targeting, superior DMs?

What about ECM/ECCM. Is it even possible to spoof a neutrino sensor? Personally, I definitely think it would be possible to spoof densitometers. However, in combat terms, what is it exactly that allows targeting. "Fire Control" or sensors (and then which)?

Once, around 1985, I lent some thought to ECM/ECCM in HG, but a little research and I realized that it was a pretty technical subject about which I knew little. Of course, this has never stopped me from faking it. I believe I came up with a simple table of combat DMs provided from component systems based on their size, expense, TL, and cost. However, since these have an effect on sensors, and there was nothing in HG about sensors, I eventually got mired down in difficulties in decided what sort of sensors were deployed about HG vessels and what their capabilities were, and how ECM/ECCM affected those capabilities. Eventually, CT gave way to MT (and the assassination), and I set aside CT until just recently (except for buying a game book here and there).
 
Lo RainOfSteel,

Let's look a ROVs, today's remote drone, which provides advanced recon ability and early warning if in the right place of course. Moving to a drone in Traveller insteady of a 2 light second/minute warning the defender gets 2 plus to scramble forces in response. Striker (CT & TNE) has tables that help in determing the effects of using various detection, counter detection, and other electonic systems. IIRC either the books do most of the conversion or fans posted them on forums like the TML.

Tom Rux


Originally posted by RainOfSteel:
Also, what, if any, beneficial effect is derived in combat from having such drones deployed? Better targeting, superior DMs?

What about ECM/ECCM. Is it even possible to spoof a neutrino sensor? Personally, I definitely think it would be possible to spoof densitometers. However, in combat terms, what is it exactly that allows targeting. "Fire Control" or sensors (and then which)?

Once, around 1985, I lent some thought to ECM/ECCM in HG, but a little research and I realized that it was a pretty technical subject about which I knew little. Of course, this has never stopped me from faking it. I believe I came up with a simple table of combat DMs provided from component systems based on their size, expense, TL, and cost. However, since these have an effect on sensors, and there was nothing in HG about sensors, I eventually got mired down in difficulties in decided what sort of sensors were deployed about HG vessels and what their capabilities were, and how ECM/ECCM affected those capabilities. Eventually, CT gave way to MT (and the assassination), and I set aside CT until just recently (except for buying a game book here and there).
 
Lo RainOfSteel,

Let's look a ROVs, today's remote drone, which provides advanced recon ability and early warning if in the right place of course. Moving to a drone in Traveller insteady of a 2 light second/minute warning the defender gets 2 plus to scramble forces in response. Striker (CT & TNE) has tables that help in determing the effects of using various detection, counter detection, and other electonic systems. IIRC either the books do most of the conversion or fans posted them on forums like the TML.

Tom Rux


Originally posted by RainOfSteel:
Also, what, if any, beneficial effect is derived in combat from having such drones deployed? Better targeting, superior DMs?

What about ECM/ECCM. Is it even possible to spoof a neutrino sensor? Personally, I definitely think it would be possible to spoof densitometers. However, in combat terms, what is it exactly that allows targeting. "Fire Control" or sensors (and then which)?

Once, around 1985, I lent some thought to ECM/ECCM in HG, but a little research and I realized that it was a pretty technical subject about which I knew little. Of course, this has never stopped me from faking it. I believe I came up with a simple table of combat DMs provided from component systems based on their size, expense, TL, and cost. However, since these have an effect on sensors, and there was nothing in HG about sensors, I eventually got mired down in difficulties in decided what sort of sensors were deployed about HG vessels and what their capabilities were, and how ECM/ECCM affected those capabilities. Eventually, CT gave way to MT (and the assassination), and I set aside CT until just recently (except for buying a game book here and there).
 
Sensor drones in a Traveller universe will not provide better warning times because the communications from the drones are lightspeed and so will come in just behind the wavefront of the targets.

What drones do provide is:

1. Detection of targets that could not be detected by the mothership at the range the mothership is currently at. If the mothership's sensors have only a 2 light-second range, any ships beyond that are invisible. But a drone out at the 2 light-second limit can extend that vision another 2 light-seconds.

2. Going with the first, detection of stealthy targets at a range sufficient to do something about them. If an enemy ship is attempting to avoid detection sensor range against it is cut in half (according to LBB Book 2 rules). A drone's sensor range would be cut in half as well, but if you put enough drones out on patrol one of them should be within range to detect the enemy far enough out to give adequate warning.

3. Classification of targets at a greater distance. It's not enough to see a target, you have to know what it is. While Book 2 doesn't address this, I know enough about sensors and electronic warfare to know that often you can't identify what you'd detected. A (expendable if necessary) sensor drone can close to a range that allows for identification of detected targets.
 
Sensor drones in a Traveller universe will not provide better warning times because the communications from the drones are lightspeed and so will come in just behind the wavefront of the targets.

What drones do provide is:

1. Detection of targets that could not be detected by the mothership at the range the mothership is currently at. If the mothership's sensors have only a 2 light-second range, any ships beyond that are invisible. But a drone out at the 2 light-second limit can extend that vision another 2 light-seconds.

2. Going with the first, detection of stealthy targets at a range sufficient to do something about them. If an enemy ship is attempting to avoid detection sensor range against it is cut in half (according to LBB Book 2 rules). A drone's sensor range would be cut in half as well, but if you put enough drones out on patrol one of them should be within range to detect the enemy far enough out to give adequate warning.

3. Classification of targets at a greater distance. It's not enough to see a target, you have to know what it is. While Book 2 doesn't address this, I know enough about sensors and electronic warfare to know that often you can't identify what you'd detected. A (expendable if necessary) sensor drone can close to a range that allows for identification of detected targets.
 
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