Post by Marcus Starkiller on Jul 17, 2005 13:20:44 GMT -5
The HardTek CATS-2 is the second generation of targeting computers manufactured by HardTek for use in their line of superior personal weaponry. CATS or Computer Assisted Targeting Computer is a device installed onto a HardTek Type IV Accessory Mount. It is designed to allow enhanced accuracy and improved situational awareness to a soldier. Unlike the CATS-1, this second generation relies on a wearable neural monitor for input instead of tracking eye movement. This new interface is called ‘Think and Do’ technology and offers many benefits over the old ‘Look and Blink’ system of the CATS-1.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: 30 cm
Width: 2 cm
Height: 2 cm
Weight: 0.25 kg
Mount Type: Type IV
HISTORY:
After the development of the CATS-1, HardTek began the Soldier Weapon Integration Program or SWIP to create weapons which would be more of an extension of the user and less of a tool. To accomplish this HardTek created a bio-medical division that would complement their already top notch weapons engineers.
A proof-of-concept design created by these two divisions working closely was an improved targeting computer. While the standard CATS-1 used eye movements to control its various functions, designers felt that brain waves would be better suited at this task, and so began work on HardTek’s first ‘Think and Do’ device.
FEATURES:
Like its predecessor the CATS-1 has been designed to be reliable and durable under almost any conditions and circumstances. While many competing products offer similar reliability under controlled conditions, they frequently have problems when exposed to the dirty environments that battle has to offer. The unit is constructed of high-grade durasteel and shields its delicate internal components from EMP damage with a layering of non-conductive Mylex that coats the interior walls. The entire unit is vacuum-sealed at the factory to prevent any contamination from foreign liquids or gasses.
The targeting computer provides real-time targeting data to the user through a set of goggles that it communicates with via a high-speed wireless data link. The wireless link can boost it signal if jamming is detected, but under normal circumstances it will communicate with the weapon at range of 50 meters. Users are able to attach an optical line between the weapon and the goggles if jamming might become a problem. A user wearing the goggles will be aware of several things that an unaided soldier would not. The first benefit that a wearer will notice is that a targeting reticule is transposed over his vision and shows where the weapon is pointing at any given moment. Secondly a numerical counter displays the current state of his energy matrix and gives an estimation of how many shots he has remaining before he needs to reload. Finally if the targeting computer senses a problem with the weapon it will relay that information to the user in text format.
Unlike the CATS-1 the system does not use the ‘Look and Blink’ method of controlling the unit. The specialized goggles can monitor brain waves using a flexible sensor net that is worn over the scalp like a thin cap. While the sensor net is very sensitive, HardTek recommends the user shave any hair from their head for maximum effectiveness. In order to function properly the unit must adapt itself to a new user, this typically takes 40 hours of training time done in the calibration mode. After this initial investment of time, the user can begin to take advantage of the great features that the ‘Think and Do’ technology has to offer.
After a unit has been calibrated the micro-droid brain begins to learn the neural patterns of the users and to anticipate their needs quickly. As a result the unit will begin to respond to neural commands before the user fully realizes that they have them. This allows the user to concentrate on the fight at hand and not on having to switch settings or hunt for data that the targeting computer may not be displaying prominently. For example whenever the targeting computer detects a users concern on the state of the energy matrix it will immediately flash that information for the user, and even the most specific diagnostic checks are just a thought away. Since the droid-brain learns from the user there is no longer a need to have specific settings to customize, as the unit learns the user it learns what the user prefers as it operates.
But perhaps the most amazing part of the ‘Think and Do’ features is how the fire control system is changed. Once the calibration routine is complete the manual trigger for the weapon can be disabled at the users request. This allows the user the benefit of being able to fire the weapon using nothing but neural impulses that would normally be sent to their trigger finger. The feature offers the user two major advantages, first of which is the ability to fire snap-shots slightly quicker than by using a manual trigger. The second major advantage is that the weapon in this mode is useless to anyone but user, this prevents it from being taken and used against him or being used by the enemy should he fall in combat.
The CATS-2 also offers a weapon’s-eye view feature, when this is selected the user vision is overlaid with a semi-transparent image from the perspective of the weapon. This gives a CATS-2 enhanced soldier the ability to look around corners without having to put him into harm’s way. With the ‘Think and Do’ technology this change is usually accomplished before the user has time to realize their need.
HardTek also offers the CATS interface in wide variety of combat helmets, which may be suitable for some users who already wear helmets. Additionally HardTek can usually custom modify a customer’s current helmet to accommodate the CATS at a nominal fee.
Customers who register their CATS-2 with HardTek are entitled to a 3-standard year transferable-warranty. Additionally HardTek will provide firmware upgrades to users at no cost as they are released.
Type: Targeting Computer
Scale: Character
Skill: N/A
Cost: 1000
Availability: 2, R
Special: Fire Control +3 at medium range, +2D at long range after 40 hours of calibration time.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: 30 cm
Width: 2 cm
Height: 2 cm
Weight: 0.25 kg
Mount Type: Type IV
HISTORY:
After the development of the CATS-1, HardTek began the Soldier Weapon Integration Program or SWIP to create weapons which would be more of an extension of the user and less of a tool. To accomplish this HardTek created a bio-medical division that would complement their already top notch weapons engineers.
A proof-of-concept design created by these two divisions working closely was an improved targeting computer. While the standard CATS-1 used eye movements to control its various functions, designers felt that brain waves would be better suited at this task, and so began work on HardTek’s first ‘Think and Do’ device.
FEATURES:
Like its predecessor the CATS-1 has been designed to be reliable and durable under almost any conditions and circumstances. While many competing products offer similar reliability under controlled conditions, they frequently have problems when exposed to the dirty environments that battle has to offer. The unit is constructed of high-grade durasteel and shields its delicate internal components from EMP damage with a layering of non-conductive Mylex that coats the interior walls. The entire unit is vacuum-sealed at the factory to prevent any contamination from foreign liquids or gasses.
The targeting computer provides real-time targeting data to the user through a set of goggles that it communicates with via a high-speed wireless data link. The wireless link can boost it signal if jamming is detected, but under normal circumstances it will communicate with the weapon at range of 50 meters. Users are able to attach an optical line between the weapon and the goggles if jamming might become a problem. A user wearing the goggles will be aware of several things that an unaided soldier would not. The first benefit that a wearer will notice is that a targeting reticule is transposed over his vision and shows where the weapon is pointing at any given moment. Secondly a numerical counter displays the current state of his energy matrix and gives an estimation of how many shots he has remaining before he needs to reload. Finally if the targeting computer senses a problem with the weapon it will relay that information to the user in text format.
Unlike the CATS-1 the system does not use the ‘Look and Blink’ method of controlling the unit. The specialized goggles can monitor brain waves using a flexible sensor net that is worn over the scalp like a thin cap. While the sensor net is very sensitive, HardTek recommends the user shave any hair from their head for maximum effectiveness. In order to function properly the unit must adapt itself to a new user, this typically takes 40 hours of training time done in the calibration mode. After this initial investment of time, the user can begin to take advantage of the great features that the ‘Think and Do’ technology has to offer.
After a unit has been calibrated the micro-droid brain begins to learn the neural patterns of the users and to anticipate their needs quickly. As a result the unit will begin to respond to neural commands before the user fully realizes that they have them. This allows the user to concentrate on the fight at hand and not on having to switch settings or hunt for data that the targeting computer may not be displaying prominently. For example whenever the targeting computer detects a users concern on the state of the energy matrix it will immediately flash that information for the user, and even the most specific diagnostic checks are just a thought away. Since the droid-brain learns from the user there is no longer a need to have specific settings to customize, as the unit learns the user it learns what the user prefers as it operates.
But perhaps the most amazing part of the ‘Think and Do’ features is how the fire control system is changed. Once the calibration routine is complete the manual trigger for the weapon can be disabled at the users request. This allows the user the benefit of being able to fire the weapon using nothing but neural impulses that would normally be sent to their trigger finger. The feature offers the user two major advantages, first of which is the ability to fire snap-shots slightly quicker than by using a manual trigger. The second major advantage is that the weapon in this mode is useless to anyone but user, this prevents it from being taken and used against him or being used by the enemy should he fall in combat.
The CATS-2 also offers a weapon’s-eye view feature, when this is selected the user vision is overlaid with a semi-transparent image from the perspective of the weapon. This gives a CATS-2 enhanced soldier the ability to look around corners without having to put him into harm’s way. With the ‘Think and Do’ technology this change is usually accomplished before the user has time to realize their need.
HardTek also offers the CATS interface in wide variety of combat helmets, which may be suitable for some users who already wear helmets. Additionally HardTek can usually custom modify a customer’s current helmet to accommodate the CATS at a nominal fee.
Customers who register their CATS-2 with HardTek are entitled to a 3-standard year transferable-warranty. Additionally HardTek will provide firmware upgrades to users at no cost as they are released.
Type: Targeting Computer
Scale: Character
Skill: N/A
Cost: 1000
Availability: 2, R
Special: Fire Control +3 at medium range, +2D at long range after 40 hours of calibration time.