Target Acquisition Gear

Target Acquisition Gear
Production information
Type Equipment
Tech Base Clan / Inner Sphere (IS)[1]
Year Availability Clan = 2830

IS = 3044[2][3]

Year Introduced Clan = 2830 CHH

IS = 2593 TH[4]

Year Extinction IS = 2835 IS[2]
Year Reintroduced IS = 3044 FC[2][3]
Technology Rating E[5]
Availability Ratings E[2]/F[2]/D[2]
Technical specifications
Heat 0[5]
Damage N/A[5]
Minimum Range 0[5]
Short Range 1-5[5]
Medium Range 6-9[5]
Long Range 10-15[5]
Tons 1[5]
Critical Slots 1[5]
Ammo Per Ton N/A
Cost (unloaded) 50,000[2]
Ammo Cost (per ton) N/A[5]
BV (1.0) N/A
BV (2.0) See Semi-Guided LRM



Description[edit]

Target Acquisition Gear (TAG) is an advanced targeting device for use by artillery spotters. While laser designators had been in use for centuries, the development of laser-spoofing systems had decreased their usability by the twenty-sixth century. To foil these countermeasures TAG utilizes several systems at once to accurately mark the target. The first is a multifrequency laser emission diode which paints the target with an infrared laser beam for a smart weapon to track. Mated to the designator is a highly sensitive polarized electromagnetic sensor which detects if the target starts emitting corresponding laser beams to throw off the incoming smart weapon. If the sensor does detect these countermeasures in action, the targeting laser begins quickly shifting the frequency of its beam at random to throw off the countermeasures. Information on the changing frequencies are continually transmitted to the smart weapon via tight-beam, multifrequency laser communication system so that it tracks the correct laser designator.[6][1]

One drawback to using TAG is that it emits enough electromagnetic energy to reveal the location of the unit using it. Additionally, aircraft using TAG to paint a target are forced to fly straight and level to maintain an accurate lock, putting them in greater danger from air defenses.[7]

The system was first introduced by the Terran Hegemony in 2593 as a bulkier prototype, and then mass produced in 2600, but it became lostech during the Succession Wars until it was recovered by the Federated Commonwealth in 3044.

The Clans never lost the ability to make the system but their focus on ritualized warfare favoring personal glory over supporting roles meant that the Arrow-IV and TAG system saw little use even in the most pragmatic of Clans and so they never refined the system, with modern Clan examples being no different than recovered Star League and modern Inner Sphere examples.

TAG is compatible with systems such as Arrow IV Homing Missiles or Semi-Guided LRM munitions.[1][4]

Game Rules[edit]

TAG has its own special phase, in which it must be fired immediately after the movement phase, but before the actual fire phase. The weapon to hit is identical to any other standard laser weapon. If the TAG hits, the target is tagged for any potential allied homing missiles, artillery and shells to target. If the TAG misses however, nothing happens and play continues as normal.[8]

Models[edit]

Target Acquisition Gear is used on designs manufactured on the following planets:

A-Track[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Wallis Ronin Incorporated Patriot, Tufana [9][10]

Apple Churchill 442x[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Sian Ceres Metals Industries Raven, Sha Yu [11][12]

Bundesweyth Target Acquisition Gear[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Terra Grumman Industries Zephyr [13]

CherrySeed Bullseye TAG[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Coventry Coventry Metal Works Scarabus [14]

Diverse Optics TAG[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Detroit Detroit Consolidated MechWorks Eyleuka [15]

Forward 1[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Aix-la-Chapelle Diplan 'Mechyards Hitman [16]
New Samarkand Yan Manufacturing Crow [17]

Garret Mole[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Connaught Kong Interstellar Corporation Ostscout [18]

Hellion Class Homing TAG[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Hector Hector MechWorks Facility Beta Icestorm [19]

ICD Type 4 Target Acquisition Gear[edit]

Manufactured on Manufactured by Typically used in References
Various Various Asshur [20]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 TechManual, p. 238: "Target Acquisition Gear (Tag)"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 TechManual, p. 292: "Heavy Weapons and Equipment (Cont) - Table"
  3. 3.0 3.1 TechManual Errata v3.1, p. 20
  4. 4.0 4.1 Interstellar Operations, p. 73: "TAG-P"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 TechManual, p. 342: "Inner Sphere Heavy Weapons and Equipment Table"
  6. Era Report: 2750, p. 103: "TAG"
  7. Shadows of War, ch. 16
  8. Total Warfare, p. 142: "TAG"
  9. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 82
  10. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 20
  11. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 30
  12. Technical Readout: 3067, p. 60
  13. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 162
  14. Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, p. 22
  15. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 78
  16. Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, p. 18
  17. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 42
  18. Technical Readout: 3050, pp. 82–83
  19. Technical Readout: 3060, p. 138
  20. Technical Readout: 3060, p. 36

Bibliography[edit]