[UNSDB] Just in case someone's interested: Shadow Cloaking Device and IFF

["Burn" <Burn@xxxxxxxxxx>]

This is a transcript from one of the Robotech.Com forums. I am currently
discussing some technical aspects of Robotech with Pieter Thomassen there
and am interested what you guys think of this.

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Author
Burn
Rank: Corporal

Message

Subject: About the Shadow Cloaking Device and IFF signals
Posted On: April 27, 2002 08:38:58 AM

I just wondered: Would any mecha equipped with a Shadow Device have an IFF
transponder?
IMO yes. Think about it: If the mecha were invisible to the sensors of
fellow fighters they could slam into each other given the circumstances. So
they would need a signal/means to detect fellow cloaked mecha and ships.

But on the other hand, wouldn't the Invid be able to detect that signal? I
know they seem to ingnore anything but Protoculture emanations but
nevertheless?

What do you guys think? Are there any sources on this?

-Burn

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Author
P Thomassen
Rank: Commander

Message

Subject: It's not an invisibility device!
Posted On: April 27, 2002 08:53:23 AM

Shadow fighters may not show up on Invid sensors but remember that a) they
are visible and thus show up on every visual sensor and b) the Invid can and
do hit them regularly in the series, meaning they can see them at least at
gun range.

The Shadow fighter is cloaked from protoculture sensors and possibly other
sensors as well, but it is not equivalent to a Star Trek total invisibility
device.

That said, Shadow fighters likely do have IFF and radar transponders, if
only for air traffic control. However, during combat, these are either
switched off or operate on secure and directed (and unlikely to be traced)
communication channels.

I don't believe the show goes in detail about this, we do hear that the
shadow device cloaks p~ emissions, and that the Invid have trouble picking
them up. If the Invid use only p~ and visual sensors as seen on the show, it
matters not whether other sensors are also (or not) interfered with.

However, considering that in the show the p~ sensor is a relative new Invid
invention when Scott falls to Earth, one must ask the question what the
Invid used before that sensor came along. If that is something like radar,
then the shadow fighter, to be effective against the Invid, must be able to
counter those as well.

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Author
Burn
Rank: Corporal

Message

Subject: IFF ctd
Posted On: April 27, 2002 09:47:26 AM

I know that the Shadow Cloaking Device (SCD) is does not render a VT
invisible.
Although I know that these sources are not canon I have read in the RPG and
(yes yes I know) the novels that the SCD renders the mecha invisible to P
and conventional sensors.
Which makes sense because, why would an active cloaking device just dampen P
emissions?
Your point about the P sensor being new is valid and it is IMO only
reasonable to assume that any race capable of building high tech mecha and
interstellar travel would not exclusively rely on P emissions to pick up
other mecha.
The hive mind of the Invid also allows for their behaviour in the show, that
they to large parts ignore anything but P emissions does not exclude their
being able to pick up other emissions.

Which again makes it necessary to hide all other possible emissions, "just
in case" so to speak. Which in turn brings us back to the initial question,
IFF or not. So if the SCD hides ALL emissions shouldn't that rule out any
IFF activity at least while it (SCD) is engaged? So it's just visual ID? If
not, wouldn't having IFF and SCD engaged at the same time increase the risk
of being detected?

Sorry for being nerdy but I just got curious...

-Burn

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