TML Categories: TNE, DES, GEN
Roger Myhre [email removed] posted:
>>>>>>>>>>>>
Actually I don't buy the idea of remote controlled fighters. Ever
thought about the time lag in communications? And what kind of
communicator do you use for control?
(et cetera)
>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ohhh noooo someone is trying to put the science in my sci fi. I don't
entirely agree with the difficulty in laser communicators (also FFS has
maser and meson communicators that are also tight-beam) but you are
correct about comm lags over a distance. Possibly an electronics
/control craft would need to accompany each squadron.
Insomuch as keeping comm links with the remotely piloted vehicles (rpv)
should you lose contact the rpv should have rudimentary programming to
either allow it to continue the mission or break off and withdraw to a
programmed marshalling point. Also a radio backup could come online to
attempt recommunication before switching back to tight-beam modes.
Also my theoretical tender/carrier would have an extensive suite of all
the best electronic/communication gear that would enable it to monitor
the precise location of all craft invloved in the action, especially its
rpvs, so if a comm lock was momentarily lost with a particular unit its
position could be scanned, adjusted for its vector, and tight-beam comm
reestablished.
Unless I missed an important section of the official rules nothing is
mentioned in either TNE or FFS about communication lags (which I agree
would definitely exist) or major difficulties with maintaining laser (or
maser, meson) communications.
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