Archaic Targeting Systems

Imperial Intelligence Report:
Files on Old Terra - Emerging Cultures Symposium, Case 2:

TL8 Integral Targeting System
(From PC Week, June 17 1991    Story by Neal Boudette)
(Headline and annotations mine)

The U.S. Army has tapped a Houston firm to develop a hand-held
"soldier's computer" with a heads-up display that could could have
applications [sic] in business as well as battle.

The 1-pound 386-based unit would include a microphone and radio for
sending voice and data, and a joystick for targeting weapons and
directing vehicles and troops, said Michael Stewart, president of
Texas Microsystems Inc.

A heads-up display, which projects a virtual image in front of the
user's eyes, would be mounted on a soldier's helmet or goggles, he
added.

In battle, the computer would allow soldiers in the field to view
real-time maps of troop positions, according to Stewart.

In business, the coputer could be used by auto mechanics, police
officers and medical technicians, he said.

...
=========

Is this a "typical" TL8 development, or is does it simply show up in
heavily militant cultures?


Using TL8 materials, what do you suppose are the "bad" side effects?
Here's a few I just thought of:

   . Is it radiation hardened?

   . How much does the HUD limit peripheral vision?

   . Can the signals from other people's units be jammed, foiled,
     confused?
	    (I assume the current position info is telemetry, not passive)

   . For that matter, can your own unit be misled?

   . Will reliance on the unit make the wearer more vulnerable when it
     breaks?

   . Does it connect to night-vision equipment?

   . Does it have RFI that gives away your position?


Too bad they're only using a first-generation 32-bit chip.  I think
it would be neat to see one of these integral suit-mounted units
with hard-wired connections to your suit-mounted weapons and
sensors.   I also think it could be done in 1991 (old earth calendar).
I also wonder if their HUD presents a flat or a 3-D image.


What's the real advantage to the nation that possesses this equipment,
both militarily and economically?  Do they have any enemies worthy
of this kind of military sophistication or are they working on
citizen suppression?


[This guy really has a predeliction for 1-sentence paragraphs, and
doesn't seem to know about using "that" and "which" -ZB:  which has
"applications", the HUD or the computer?  Oh well.  Who are we to
judge vagaries of aboriginal grammar?  RJ]
- - --
"I didn't burn Fluffy.  I _like_ cats!"               Richard Johnson
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"Uh..Not in the same way.."                    [email removed]
"Mm Hmm."            (From: 'Nice Girls Don't Explode')

No offense meant ot anyone who can actually speak, read, write, or
understand any non-"modern" language.