Difference between revisions of "Terminology:Electronic Counter Measures"

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== What does it do ==
 
== What does it do ==
 
'''Electronic Counter Measures''' are designed to foil [[Terminology:Missile|missile]] and [[Terminology:Torpedo|torpedo]] attacks against the craft on which they are installed. Activation of '''ECM''' lets loose a barrage of electromagnetic noise, focused false radar/lidar images, infrared beams and altered signatures intended to confuse missile targeting systems by causing them to misjudge the size, location, and direction of the ECM enabled craft. While not necessarily 100% failsafe, such measures do reduce the number of successful attacks with such weapons. ECM foils an opponent’s attempts to reduce [[Terminology:Shields|shields]] and armor on your ship as well as preventing the effects of more sophisticated attack methods.
 
'''Electronic Counter Measures''' are designed to foil [[Terminology:Missile|missile]] and [[Terminology:Torpedo|torpedo]] attacks against the craft on which they are installed. Activation of '''ECM''' lets loose a barrage of electromagnetic noise, focused false radar/lidar images, infrared beams and altered signatures intended to confuse missile targeting systems by causing them to misjudge the size, location, and direction of the ECM enabled craft. While not necessarily 100% failsafe, such measures do reduce the number of successful attacks with such weapons. ECM foils an opponent’s attempts to reduce [[Terminology:Shields|shields]] and armor on your ship as well as preventing the effects of more sophisticated attack methods.
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The probability of jamming each missile aimed at a ship is directly proportional to this ship's ECM Rating. The missile will self-destruct (in [[Manual:Config:Advanced:Variables|physics/max_lost_target_live_time]], default 30 seconds) after its target is lost. Practically, this means that guided missiles usually will be removed if launched at a long enough range, at medium range they will be more likely to act like dumbfire missiles instead (easy to dodge, but still explode if approach within their detonation range) and at ranges short enough that dumbfire missiles work well, ECM will not noticeably change anything.
  
 
== Activation ==
 
== Activation ==
'''ECM''' can be activated and de-activated using the {{Key:EN:E}} key. It is also self-activating on detection of an approaching missile or torpedo. <BR/> {{Fixme}} ''Is this last sentence true?''
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'''ECM''' can be activated and de-activated using the {{Key:EN:E}} key.
  
 
== Energy consumption ==
 
== Energy consumption ==
The use of '''ECM''' is draining on your ship's reactor. Therefore, you will note that weapon and [[Terminology:Jump|jump]] energy may reduce while ECM is activated. Provided your ship's reactor has spare capacity, de-activating your ECM will restore those energy levels.
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The use of '''ECM''' is draining on your ship's reactor (consumption is ECM Rating x <code>[[Manual:Config:Advanced:Variables|physics/ecm_energy_cost]]</code>). Therefore, you will note that weapon and [[Terminology:Jump|jump]] energy may reduce while ECM is activated. De-activating your ECM will help to restore those energy levels - or to restore them somewhat faster, if your reactor has spare capacity.
  
 
= See also =
 
= See also =

Revision as of 18:19, 21 June 2013

thumb_arrow_up.png Terminology

Electronic Counter Measures or short ECM

Usage in Vegastrike

What does it do

Electronic Counter Measures are designed to foil missile and torpedo attacks against the craft on which they are installed. Activation of ECM lets loose a barrage of electromagnetic noise, focused false radar/lidar images, infrared beams and altered signatures intended to confuse missile targeting systems by causing them to misjudge the size, location, and direction of the ECM enabled craft. While not necessarily 100% failsafe, such measures do reduce the number of successful attacks with such weapons. ECM foils an opponent’s attempts to reduce shields and armor on your ship as well as preventing the effects of more sophisticated attack methods.

The probability of jamming each missile aimed at a ship is directly proportional to this ship's ECM Rating. The missile will self-destruct (in physics/max_lost_target_live_time, default 30 seconds) after its target is lost. Practically, this means that guided missiles usually will be removed if launched at a long enough range, at medium range they will be more likely to act like dumbfire missiles instead (easy to dodge, but still explode if approach within their detonation range) and at ranges short enough that dumbfire missiles work well, ECM will not noticeably change anything.

Activation

ECM can be activated and de-activated using the E_EN.png key.

Energy consumption

The use of ECM is draining on your ship's reactor (consumption is ECM Rating x physics/ecm_energy_cost). Therefore, you will note that weapon and jump energy may reduce while ECM is activated. De-activating your ECM will help to restore those energy levels - or to restore them somewhat faster, if your reactor has spare capacity.

See also