Difference between revisions of "Guardian ECM Suite"

(copyedits)
m (copyedits)
(26 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
''This article refers to the Guardian ECM Suite. For the conventional fighter, see [[Guardian (Conventional Fighter)]].''{{stub}}
+
{{otheruses|the [[ECM Suite]]|other uses|Guardian (disambiguation)}}
  
Electronic Counter Measures - Designed to interfere with guided weaponry, targeting computers, and communication systems. These units are typically used to shield allied units from such weapons/sensors. These includes such equipment using Streak, [[Artemis IV]], [[Targeting Computer|Targeting Computers]], [[C3 Computer|C3 Computers systems]], and [[C3i Computer]]
+
{{InfoBoxWeapon
 +
| name =
 +
Clan = ECM Suite
 +
'''IS = Guardian ECM Suite'''
 +
| Type = Equipment (Electronics)
 +
| Tech Base =
 +
[[Clan]]/[[Inner Sphere|IS]]<ref name="TMp213"/>
 +
| Year Availability =
 +
Clan = [[2832]]
 +
IS = [[3045]]
 +
| Year Introduced = 
 +
Clan = [[2832]] [[Clan Smoke Jaguar|CSJ]]
 +
IS = [[2597]] [[Terran Hegemony|TH]]<ref name="TMp213"/>
 +
| Year Extinction = 
 +
IS = [[2845]]<ref name="TMp213"/>
 +
| Year Reintroduced =  
 +
IS = [[3045]] [[Capellan Confederation|CC]]<ref name="TMp213"/>
 +
| Tech Rating = [[Technology Rating#E|E]]
 +
| Availability Rating =
 +
| Age of War–Star League = [[Availability Rating#E|E]]
 +
| Succession Wars = [[Availability Rating#F|F]]
 +
| Clan Invasion – Present = [[Availability Rating#D|D]]
 +
| Heat = 0<ref name="TMp342"/>
 +
| Minimum Range = 0<ref name="TMp342"/>
 +
| Short Range = 0<ref name="TMp342"/>
 +
| Medium Range = 0<ref name="TMp342"/>
 +
| Long Range = 6<ref name="TMp342"/>
 +
| Tons =
 +
Clan = 1
 +
IS = 1,5<ref name="TMp342"/>
 +
| Critical Slots =
 +
Clan = 1
 +
IS = 2<ref name="TMp342"/>
 +
| Cost (unloaded) = 200,000
 +
| BV (1.0) =
 +
| BV (2.0) = 61<ref name="TMp317">''Tactical Operations'', p. 317, "Inner Sphere Weapons And Equipment BV Table"</ref>
 +
}}
  
The Inner Sphere Guardian ECM weighs 1.5 tons and takes up 2 critical spaces. It has an operational range of 6 hexes. <ref>[[Technical Readout: 3050]] page 220</ref>
+
== Description ==
 +
The '''Guardian ECM Suite''' was introduced in [[2597]] by [[Johnston Industries]] of the [[Terran Hegemony]] for the new ''[[Nightshade]]'' [[VTOL]].<ref name="TMp213">''TechManual'', p. 213, "ECM Suite"</ref> Designed to interfere with guided weaponry, targeting computers, and communication systems, the Guardian was typically used to shield allied units from such equipment by emitting a broad-band signal meant to confuse radar, infrared, ultraviolet, magscan and sonar sensors.<ref name="TRO:3050p197>''Technical Readout: 3050'', p. 197, "Shogune"</ref>  The Terran Hegemony built the Guardian for fear that their own [[Beagle Active Probe]], constructed as a counter to [[ECM]] suites in use at the time, might fall into the hands of the other [[Great Houses]] and be used against them.<ref name="ER:2750p102+">''Era Report: 2750'', pp. 102-103, "Guardian ECM Suite"</ref>
  
 +
The Guardian was notable for its discriminatory nature, able to scramble all hostile electronics within range while not affecting friendly communications and targeting enhancers.<ref name="TMp213"/> The suite itself consisted of a dedicated countermeasures computer tied to electromagnetic sensors positioned around the operating unit.  When these sensors detected an electromagnetic wave within range, such as that given off by an active radar, this data was sent to the computer which identified the threat, adapted to it, and fired a focused electromagnetic pulse at the source.  This intense burst of EM radiation could confuse and misdirect the sensor or even force the entire targeting system to reboot.<ref name="ER:2750p102+"/>  The system was also very adaptable and could be updated to deal with new advances in electronic warfare.<ref name="TMp213"/>
 +
 +
Affected systems include [[Artemis IV]],  [[C3]] and [[C3i Computer]] networks, and [[Narc Missile Beacon|Narc Missile Beacons]]. A Guardian can jam a Beagle Active Probe (or its Clan [[Active Probe|equivalent]]), but the probe-equipped unit will be aware of the jamming. The [[Capellan Confederation]] expanded the utility of the Guardian even more with the introduction of [[Stealth Armor]].<ref name="TMp213"/> Contemporary guided missiles such as standard [[Long Range Missile|LRM]] or [[Streak Missile Launcher|Streak SRMs]] are not affected by the Guardian suite and will be able to achieve hard lock as normal.<ref>''[http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,27035.0.html Battletech.com]''</ref>
 +
 +
The greatest drawback to the Guardian is its limited range, which extends out to only 180 meters.  Sensors can sometimes override this jamming, though by that point the enemy unit is already within visual range and can track the opposition with their own eyes.<ref name="TRO:3050p197/>  Another is the fact that the Guardian's highly-adaptable operating software requires constant patching and custom recoding for each unit model on which it's mounted.  While this was no problem for the [[Star League]], for the Great Houses it proved to be a time-consuming process.<ref name="ER:2750p102+"/>
 +
 +
The Clans used the Guardian as the basis for their own [[ECM Suite]], which was lighter and more compact than the Inner Sphere model but functioned identically.  In the honor-bound fighting style of the Clans, the system did not see much use, but following their [[Operation Revival|return to the Inner Sphere]] the Clans had since begun to outfit more machines with ECM systems.<ref name="TMp213"/> The [[Draconis Combine]] also used the Guardian as the basis for their [[Experimental Technology|experimental]] [[Angel ECM Suite]].<ref name="TOp279">''Tactical Operations'', p. 279, "Angel ECM Suite"</ref>
  
 
== Models ==
 
== Models ==
Guardian ECM Suite is manufactured on the following planets:
+
The Guardian ECM Suite is manufactured on the following planets:
  
{| width='600'
+
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
 
! Brand
 
! Brand
 
! Planet
 
! Planet
 
! Company
 
! Company
 +
! Used by
 +
! References
 
|-
 
|-
| Apple Churchill Golden Shield
+
| [[Apple Churchill Golden Shield]]
 
| [[Capella]]
 
| [[Capella]]
 
| [[Ceres Metals Industries]]
 
| [[Ceres Metals Industries]]
 +
| ???
 +
| {{cn}}
 
|-
 
|-
| CherrySeed Cloak
+
| [[CherrySeed Cloak]]
 
| [[Arc-Royal]]
 
| [[Arc-Royal]]
 
| [[Winston-CherrySeed Consolidated]]
 
| [[Winston-CherrySeed Consolidated]]
 +
| ???
 +
| {{cn}}
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Garret-Guardian Interface 2B
 
| Garret-Guardian Interface 2B
| [[Mendham]]
+
| [[Mendham]]<br>[[Dalton]]
| [[Mendham Electronics]]
+
| [[Mendham Electronics]]<br>[[Garret SatComm]]
|-
+
| ???
| Garret-Guardian Interface 2B
+
| {{cn}}
| [[Dalton]]
 
| [[Garret SatComm]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
| New Samarkand Nimbus
+
| [[New Samarkand Nimbus]]
 
| [[New Samarkand]]
 
| [[New Samarkand]]
 
| [[New Samarkand Metals]]
 
| [[New Samarkand Metals]]
 +
| ???
 +
| {{cn}}
 
|-
 
|-
| Norse Guardian ECM
+
| [[Norse Guardian ECM]]
 
| [[Loxley]]
 
| [[Loxley]]
 
| [[Norse-Storm Technologies Incorporated ]]
 
| [[Norse-Storm Technologies Incorporated ]]
 +
| ???
 +
| {{cn}}
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
== Rules ==
 +
<div class="gamerules">
 +
=== Game Rules ===
 +
The Inner Sphere Guardian ECM weighs 1.5 tons and takes up 2 critical spaces. It has an operational range of six hexes.<ref name="TRO:3050p220">''Technical Readout: 3050'', p. 220, "Guardian ECM Suite"</ref><ref name="TMp342">''TechManual'', p. 342, "Inner Sphere Weapons And Equipment Table (Cont) - Table"</ref> The Guardian ECM Suite has a defensive [[Battle Value]] of 61.<ref name="TMp317"/>
 +
 +
The Clan ECM Suite system weighs 1 ton and occupies a single critical space. In every other way it's identical to the Inner Sphere version.<ref name="TMp317"/>
 +
<ref name="TMp342"/>
 +
</div>
  
==References==
+
== References ==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
 +
== Bibliography ==
 +
* ''[[Era Report: 2750]]''
 +
* ''[[Tactical Operations]]''
 +
* ''[[TechManual]]''
 +
* ''[[Technical Readout: 2750]]''
 +
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]''
  
==Bibliography==
+
[[Category: Technology|Guardian ECM Suite]]
*''[[Technical Readout: 2750]]''
+
[[Category: Defensive System|Guardian ECM Suite]]
*''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]''
 
 
 
 
 
[[Category:Technology]]
 

Revision as of 04:31, 1 May 2016

This article is about the ECM Suite. For other uses, see Guardian (disambiguation).


Clan = ECM Suite

IS = Guardian ECM Suite

Production information
Type Equipment (Electronics)
Tech Base Clan/IS[1]
Year Availability Clan = 2832

IS = 3045

Year Introduced Clan = 2832 CSJ

IS = 2597 TH[1]

Year Extinction IS = 2845[1]
Year Reintroduced IS = 3045 CC[1]
Technology Rating E
Availability Ratings E/F/D
Technical specifications
Heat 0[2]
Minimum Range 0[2]
Short Range 0[2]
Medium Range 0[2]
Long Range 6[2]
Tons Clan = 1

IS = 1,5[2]

Critical Slots Clan = 1

IS = 2[2]

Cost (unloaded) 200,000
BV (2.0) 61[3]



Description

The Guardian ECM Suite was introduced in 2597 by Johnston Industries of the Terran Hegemony for the new Nightshade VTOL.[1] Designed to interfere with guided weaponry, targeting computers, and communication systems, the Guardian was typically used to shield allied units from such equipment by emitting a broad-band signal meant to confuse radar, infrared, ultraviolet, magscan and sonar sensors.[4] The Terran Hegemony built the Guardian for fear that their own Beagle Active Probe, constructed as a counter to ECM suites in use at the time, might fall into the hands of the other Great Houses and be used against them.[5]

The Guardian was notable for its discriminatory nature, able to scramble all hostile electronics within range while not affecting friendly communications and targeting enhancers.[1] The suite itself consisted of a dedicated countermeasures computer tied to electromagnetic sensors positioned around the operating unit. When these sensors detected an electromagnetic wave within range, such as that given off by an active radar, this data was sent to the computer which identified the threat, adapted to it, and fired a focused electromagnetic pulse at the source. This intense burst of EM radiation could confuse and misdirect the sensor or even force the entire targeting system to reboot.[5] The system was also very adaptable and could be updated to deal with new advances in electronic warfare.[1]

Affected systems include Artemis IV, C3 and C3i Computer networks, and Narc Missile Beacons. A Guardian can jam a Beagle Active Probe (or its Clan equivalent), but the probe-equipped unit will be aware of the jamming. The Capellan Confederation expanded the utility of the Guardian even more with the introduction of Stealth Armor.[1] Contemporary guided missiles such as standard LRM or Streak SRMs are not affected by the Guardian suite and will be able to achieve hard lock as normal.[6]

The greatest drawback to the Guardian is its limited range, which extends out to only 180 meters. Sensors can sometimes override this jamming, though by that point the enemy unit is already within visual range and can track the opposition with their own eyes.[4] Another is the fact that the Guardian's highly-adaptable operating software requires constant patching and custom recoding for each unit model on which it's mounted. While this was no problem for the Star League, for the Great Houses it proved to be a time-consuming process.[5]

The Clans used the Guardian as the basis for their own ECM Suite, which was lighter and more compact than the Inner Sphere model but functioned identically. In the honor-bound fighting style of the Clans, the system did not see much use, but following their return to the Inner Sphere the Clans had since begun to outfit more machines with ECM systems.[1] The Draconis Combine also used the Guardian as the basis for their experimental Angel ECM Suite.[7]

Models

The Guardian ECM Suite is manufactured on the following planets:

Brand Planet Company Used by References
Apple Churchill Golden Shield Capella Ceres Metals Industries ??? [citation needed]
CherrySeed Cloak Arc-Royal Winston-CherrySeed Consolidated ??? [citation needed]
Garret-Guardian Interface 2B Mendham
Dalton
Mendham Electronics
Garret SatComm
??? [citation needed]
New Samarkand Nimbus New Samarkand New Samarkand Metals ??? [citation needed]
Norse Guardian ECM Loxley Norse-Storm Technologies Incorporated ??? [citation needed]

Rules

Game Rules

The Inner Sphere Guardian ECM weighs 1.5 tons and takes up 2 critical spaces. It has an operational range of six hexes.[8][2] The Guardian ECM Suite has a defensive Battle Value of 61.[3]

The Clan ECM Suite system weighs 1 ton and occupies a single critical space. In every other way it's identical to the Inner Sphere version.[3] [2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 TechManual, p. 213, "ECM Suite"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 TechManual, p. 342, "Inner Sphere Weapons And Equipment Table (Cont) - Table"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Tactical Operations, p. 317, "Inner Sphere Weapons And Equipment BV Table"
  4. 4.0 4.1 Technical Readout: 3050, p. 197, "Shogune"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Era Report: 2750, pp. 102-103, "Guardian ECM Suite"
  6. Battletech.com
  7. Tactical Operations, p. 279, "Angel ECM Suite"
  8. Technical Readout: 3050, p. 220, "Guardian ECM Suite"

Bibliography