Guardian ECM Suite
- This article is about the ECM Suite. For other uses, see Guardian (disambiguation).
Description
The Guardian ECM Suite was introduced in 2597 by the Terran Hegemony[1]. Designed to interfere with guided weaponry, targeting computers, and communication systems, the Guardian is 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]
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.[2]
The Clans used the Guardian as the basis for their own ECM Suite, which is lighter and more compact than the Inner Sphere model but functions identically. The Draconis Combine used the Guardian as the basis for their experimental Angel ECM Suite.[5]
Manufacturing
Guardian ECM Suite is manufactured on the following planets:
Brand | Planet | Company |
---|---|---|
Apple Churchill Golden Shield | Capella | Ceres Metals Industries |
CherrySeed Cloak | Arc-Royal | Winston-CherrySeed Consolidated |
Garret-Guardian Interface 2B | Mendham | Mendham Electronics |
Garret-Guardian Interface 2B | Dalton | Garret SatComm |
New Samarkand Nimbus | New Samarkand | New Samarkand Metals |
Norse Guardian ECM | Loxley | Norse-Storm Technologies Incorporated |
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.[6][7] The Guardian ECM Suite has a defensive Battle Value of 61.[8]
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.[9][10]