1. EM attacks seem a secondary worry in warfare where it may be present.
For example all bomb pumped X-Ray laser warheads from space ship missiles
produce EM fields when they detonate to produce the laser energy.
2. in the 70s the common person even the folks that designed TNE knew very
little about EM effects as compared to today. However the fact that a
nuclear explosions produced this effect was uncommon knowledge at the time
which is why it was probably left out. Also it may have assumed that, yes
the TL levels made it a moot point.
If we assume that TL 15ish construction tech is sufficient to
build habitats that are dangerous to human life, radiation, toxins, ect.
the the shielding technology probably does exist to protect common
electronics at a given introductory tech level and beyond. Otherwise
planets/solar systems with particularly strong EM fields would be Amber
Zones for travel and worlds would simply would be skipped.
However the effectiveness of such weaponry where the tech isn't maintained
properly or at a TL lower then the introduction point of battlefield
effective EM weaponry may very well be a major boon to a combat force
engaging enemies not properly protected.
EMP: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_pulse
Pinch device: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinch_(plasma_physics) somewhat
related.
On Wed, Feb 22, 2012 at 6:54 AM, DED <> wrote:
> **
>
>
> Obviously a game created in the 70's isn't going to get everything
> right. However, except for /Emperor's Arsenal/ (from T4), there's really
> a dearth of non-lethal weapons in most of Traveller's subsequent
> editions. Ok, I'll admit I don't know what Mongoose gave us, but I'd be
> surprised if there was a fundamental shift.
>
> This article (www.economist.com/node/21532245) talks about EM weapons
> being used to disable the electronics on vehicles. It's not something
> over the horizon. It's here now and in use
> (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EA-18_Growler).
>
> In applying this towards Traveller, what would we say their use is? Is
> it primarily a weapon that higher TL armies use against lower TL armies
> as an act of mercy? Do higher TL worlds have the capability to provide
> affordable shielding against EM attacks such that it really isn't a
> factor? Is it just a means for local police and armies to control the
> civilian population during uprisings without directly harming then
> (though vehicles still have residual momentum)? Perhaps it's another
> avenue that Virus exploited when bringing about the Collapse.
>
> The article mentions that the Active Denial System
> (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Denial_System) was deployed in Afghanistan
> but never used. In fact, it was shipped home. It's too bad because it
> would've been an excellent test of the concept.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> \_/
> DED
>
>
--
If the world was fair then every bad thing that has ever happened to you
would have been deserved.