Difference between revisions of "Target Acquisition Gear"

m
Line 35: Line 35:
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
'''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 [[26th century]].  To foil these countermeasures TAG utilizes several systems at once to accurately mark the target.  The first is a multi-frequency 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, multi-frequency laser communication system so that it tracks the correct laser designator.<ref name=ER:2750p103>''Era Report: 2750'', p. 103, "TAG"</ref><ref name="TMp238"/>
 
'''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 [[26th century]].  To foil these countermeasures TAG utilizes several systems at once to accurately mark the target.  The first is a multi-frequency 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, multi-frequency laser communication system so that it tracks the correct laser designator.<ref name=ER:2750p103>''Era Report: 2750'', p. 103, "TAG"</ref><ref name="TMp238"/>
 +
 +
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.<ref>''Shadows of War'', ch. 16</ref>
  
 
The system was first introduced by the [[Terran Hegemony]] in [[2600]], but it became [[lostech]] during the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]] until it was recovered by the [[Federated Commonwealth]] in [[3044]]. TAG is compatible with systems such as [[Arrow IV Homing Missile]]s or [[Semi-Guided LRM]] munitions.<ref name="TMp238"/>
 
The system was first introduced by the [[Terran Hegemony]] in [[2600]], but it became [[lostech]] during the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]] until it was recovered by the [[Federated Commonwealth]] in [[3044]]. TAG is compatible with systems such as [[Arrow IV Homing Missile]]s or [[Semi-Guided LRM]] munitions.<ref name="TMp238"/>
Line 84: Line 86:
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 
* ''[[Era Report: 2750]]''
 
* ''[[Era Report: 2750]]''
 +
* ''[[Shadows of War]]''
 
* ''[[TechManual]]''
 
* ''[[TechManual]]''
 
* ''[[Total Warfare]]''
 
* ''[[Total Warfare]]''

Revision as of 15:54, 19 November 2018

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 = 2600 TH[2]

Year Extinction IS = 2835 IS[2]
Year Reintroduced IS = 3044 FC[2][3]
Technology Rating E[4]
Availability Ratings E[2]/F[2]/D[2]
Technical specifications
Heat 0[4]
Damage N/A[4]
Minimum Range 0[4]
Short Range 1-5[4]
Medium Range 6-9[4]
Long Range 10-15[4]
Tons 1[4]
Critical Slots 1[4]
Ammo Per Ton N/A
Cost (unloaded) 50,000[2]
Ammo Cost (per ton) N/A[4]
BV (1.0) N/A
BV (2.0) See Semi-Guided LRM



Description

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 26th century. To foil these countermeasures TAG utilizes several systems at once to accurately mark the target. The first is a multi-frequency 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, multi-frequency laser communication system so that it tracks the correct laser designator.[5][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.[6]

The system was first introduced by the Terran Hegemony in 2600, but it became lostech during the Succession Wars until it was recovered by the Federated Commonwealth in 3044. TAG is compatible with systems such as Arrow IV Homing Missiles or Semi-Guided LRM munitions.[1]

Models

The Target Acquisition Gear is manufactured on the following planets:

Brand Planet Company Used by References
Apple Churchill 442x TAG Capella Ceres Metals Industries ??? [citation needed]
CherrySeed Bullseye Arc-Royal Winston-CherrySeed Consolidated ??? [citation needed]
Garret Mole Mendham Mendham Electronics ??? [citation needed]
Garret Mole Dalton Garret SatComm ??? [citation needed]
Tanadi Forward-1 Hachiman Tanadi Computers ??? [citation needed]

References

  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 2.7 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 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 TechManual, p. 342, "Inner Sphere Heavy Weapons And Equipment Table"
  5. Era Report: 2750, p. 103, "TAG"
  6. Shadows of War, ch. 16

Bibliography