Approved Tech CS-Seeker Tracking/Targeting System

[Matt the Radar Tech]

CS-SEEKER TRACKING/TARGETING SYSTEM​

​

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To create a military-grade tracking/target system that is able to function differently than standard sensor-based systems, which is used by the Chiss Ascendancy on military vessels
• Image Source: escapistmagazine.com
• Canon Link: Targeting Computer; Individual components linked to appropriate wiki entries
• Restricted Missions: N/A
• Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: Chiss Ascendancy
• Model: CS-333 Seeker Tracking/Targeting System
• Affiliation: Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet
• Modularity: Yes; additional sub-systems or routines can be incorporated into or around this packages systems
• 
  Production: Minor
  
• Material: Durasteel, electronics, circuitry, insulators, other appropriate materials specific to military-grade systems included

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Targeting Computer
• Targeting Laser
• Targeting System
• Macrolaser Tracker
• Ranging Laser system
• Imaging System
• Combat Multi-view Display
• Target-Aggressor Attack Resolution Software

Strengths:

• Able to provide targeting solutions when sensor or scanner jamming is active, due to reliance on laser technology.
• Non-standard sensor reliant targeting methods that improve firing solutions and enemy transitional data on the battlefield via system-specific targeting computers.
• Seeker systems able to work either in conjunction with, or independently from, existing Chiss vessel sensors and scanners for improved battle targeting.
• Adaptable for targeting stealth ships, with improved accuracy via laser triangulation compared to blind sensor-based weapon fire, so long as detected visually or by other means (ion emissions, comm waves/bursts, etc).

Weaknesses:

• Ineffective against visually-impairing cloaking systems.
• Cannot detect sensor cloaking stealth ships, they must be detected by others means prior to manually maintaining triangulation targeting.
• Individual components and systems retain typical properties and technical weaknesses.
• Prone to standard weaknesses offered by electronics and machinery, such as EMP.
• Requires dedicated crew to use, maintain and update data to standard targeting systems of the vessel.
• Due to specific systems, heavily damaged components require replacement at Chiss shipping yards, limiting field repairs.
• Requires integration into Chiss-specific vessel systems, unable to be used on other ship designs.
• Requires adequate system and component space, and cannot be installed on Chiss craft smaller than 500m in length.

DESCRIPTION
The Seeker Tracking/Targeting System is a multi-spectrum laser-based targeting system that is able to target, lock and track multiple vessels at one time. The primary use of this system is to overcome shortcomings with sensor and scanner modules, and the weaknesses exploited by EWAR and disruptive effects. Additionally, due to the nature of triangular laser targeting, this system even offers improved weapon accuracy against stealth craft, which use sensor disruption coating technology, once detected by various means (visually, ion emissions, comm waves/bursts, proximity, etc). And while the laser systems used are able to estimate locations against sensor disruption coatings, it isn't one-hundred-percent accurate, and the system still retains no effect against visually cloaked targets - yet, compared to blocked sensor-based weaponry, this system is much improved for the purpose.

As such, it uses a method of ranged triangulation lasers, targeting modules, imaging, tracking and display systems; these work together to pinpoint vessels, gauge range, estimate headings and offer a targeting computer this information for more accurate firing solutions. Also, this system is engineered to work in conjunction with other targeting data, by supplementing standard sensor data sent via Seeker system crew, which can assist with improved battle data and efficiency of weapons and aim.

The system was created and manufactured by the technicians of the CEDF, and offer a high degree of precision and workmanship. As a result, heavily damaged components require specialist repairs, which limits field repairs. There still remains the standard limitations of electronics and machinery when exposed to unprotected EMP or ion properties. Additionally, this system requires Chiss-specific military craft to be used on; as such, it cannot be installed on other species' designed vessels. Can only be installed on Chiss vessels larger than 500m in length.

Additional standard sensor-based targeting systems or sub-routines involved with tracking or targeting will be listed alongside this targeting system on technical data.

 

[Gir Quee]

Under Review.

 

[Gir Quee]

Use of multi-spectrum laser systems for targeting allow improved accuracy against sensor disruption coatings on stealth ships.

Ineffective against visually-impairing cloaking systems.

To clarify, does this allow ships to detect "stealth craft" that aren't cloaked?

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

[member="Gir Quee"]

Correct. It allows laser 'bounce' off mass, which would be considered 'stealth' by means of anti-sensor coating; such as Nightshadow.

Any stealth craft that is visually cloaked (ie: invisible) is disguising it's mass, and the lasers won't register it.

 

[Gir Quee]

Correct. It allows laser 'bounce' off mass, which would be considered 'stealth' by means of anti-sensor coating; such as Nightshadow.

I'm not sure about this, in part because we don't know how materials like Nightshadow or Nutorium. Another common coating we see here is Reflec, which appears to warp light around the coated object. However, I think it's possible that this could show some anomalies that would suggest a stealth craft's presence.

Any stealth craft that is visually cloaked (ie: invisible) is disguising it's mass, and the lasers won't register it.

How do the lasers and mass interact? Do the lasers detect mass somehow?

Before we get too much farther, I have to warn you that the more effective this is at detecting or targeting stealth craft, the lower the production this submission will have per the starship rules: significant anti-stealth technologies are restricted to Semi-unique production starships. If this is something that you want to see on most of your warships, I recommend keeping its anti-stealth abilities pretty limited.

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

[member="Gir Quee"]

From my understanding, and the method I've tried to incorporate here, it's more a combination of multiple lasers which converge to a point in space where they are able to measure a close approximation of the point the primary targeting laser is being affected by the sensor coating. In this instance, it's using multiple lasers to triangulate a point in space based on the coated ship.

Simpler example would be pointing a laser pointer at a mirror, then using two (or more) laser pointers to track to the point where the first hits the mirror surface - and using that to target that area.

So that's why it needs that 'mass', and visually invisible targets aren't able to utilize this method as there's no mirror surface to approximate - as it would appear an empty room.

Before we get too much farther, I have to warn you that the more effective this is at detecting or targeting stealth craft, the lower the production this submission will have per the starship rules: significant anti-stealth technologies are restricted to Semi-unique production starships. If this is something that you want to see on most of your warships, I recommend keeping its anti-stealth abilities pretty limited.

What if I adjust this to be more primarily a non-sensor reliant targeting method (to counter jamming, EWAR, etc), and include it's possible to use against visible stealth craft if they are big and close enough, or otherwise give themselves away - such as moving too fast with Nightshadow, or opening fire with missiles, or using communications capable of being detected, etc?

It will still require Seeker crews to maintain visual lock, and to follow the craft/s with the laser systems - so the method is manual in nature.

 

[Gir Quee]

So that's why it needs that 'mass', and visually invisible targets aren't able to utilize this method as there's no mirror surface to approximate - as it would appear an empty room.

Triangulation is a pretty valid way to target things, but with lasers, I'm not sure if they'll also be a hundred percent effective against things like Reflec, because it is sometimes written as bending light, which probably would throw off some of the calculations.

What if I adjust this to be more primarily a non-sensor reliant targeting method (to counter jamming, EWAR, etc), and include it's possible to use against visible stealth craft if they are big and close enough, or otherwise give themselves away - such as moving too fast with Nightshadow, or opening fire with missiles, or using communications capable of being detected, etc? It will still require Seeker crews to maintain visual lock, and to follow the craft/s with the laser systems - so the method is manual in nature.

I think it definitely makes sense in an EWAR context.

As far as the stealth is concerned, I think that is probably fine if it is explicitly written that this sensor suite doesn't actually detect stealth ships, but it aids in targeting them if they are spotted by some other means (seeing them visually, detecting a comm wave, etc). Does that make sense?

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

Triangulation is a pretty valid way to target things, but with lasers, I'm not sure if they'll also be a hundred percent effective against things like Reflec, because it is sometimes written as bending light, which probably would throw off some of the calculations.




I think it definitely makes sense in an EWAR context.

As far as the stealth is concerned, I think that is probably fine if it is explicitly written that this sensor suite doesn't actually detect stealth ships, but it aids in targeting them if they are spotted by some other means (seeing them visually, detecting a comm wave, etc). Does that make sense?

I can adjust for these points, definitely.

I'll do so now.

[member="Gir Quee"] Adjusted.

 

[Gir Quee]

Awesome. Pending Secondary Approval. Thanks! [member="Jamie Pyne"]

 

[Zef Halo]

Approved.