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Low-Altitude Vectored Thrust Vehicles
by Todd Montgomery
Direct article from Magnus BBS of Chicago
Date: February 23, 2054
Time: 03:23:57CST
TSCS - Traffic Speed Control System
The UCAS Traffic Speed Control System (TSCS) was put online on December 18th., 2038. This system, contracted to Fuchi Industries, controls the traffic lights and speed monitors across a city, or district. With this advance the need for police monitoring of traffic speed under the Federal Transportation Act was eliminated. The speed monitors contain sensors to monitor a vehicles speed and optics to identify the vehicle by its license plate. Once a vehicle is identified as exceeding the posted speed and identified by the optical system, the vehicle is logged in the police records as speeding and a ticket is sent to the offenders bank and a draft is taken directly from their account. This system was further upgraded in 2041 by the addition of a transmitter in all licensed vehicles for the UCAS. This transmitter which connects to either the autopilot or replaces the license plate itself, eliminates the need for the speed monitor optical system.
Although some systems still use the optical system to pinpoint fleeing criminals and the identify stolen cars. This contract, the largest UCAS civil contract to go to Fuchi, reportedly has raised City, State, and Federal revenues by 500%. “The system more than procures enough funds to supplement itself.”, said Arthur Cronner, Assistant Treasurer for the City of New York. Since the implementation of this system, many other North American nations have adopted the system as part of their own highway systems.
>>>>[ We are certainly all familiar with the TSCS.
But what is not known very well is the fact that
the system is as corrupt as everything else
political. There are a lot of extra fees tacked onto
these tickets and a lot of tickets given to
people with multiple licensed vehicles. Since
this is a Federal Highway System (FHS)
component, a collection of what was seperate
states Department of Motor Vehicles
departments, all the funds go directly to the
Fed. Nice! The cities or the security agencies that
patrol don't get a dime directly. But they
suppliment their incomes by issuing tickets from
security patrols. The system really is low tech
in the telecommunications department. The
system is drone to intrusion and doesn't really
put up much of a fight. For unlicensed vehicles,
this system is the great loophole. Anyone with a
little skill can dump a fake ID connection to their
license and make some poor fool take the
money draft. When these system spot an
unregistered vehicle, they log the vehicle and a
report is sent to the local FHS department and
another report is sent to the regional security
agency. Needless to say with all the Go-Gang
activity, these systems log a LOT of
unregistered vehicles. The only things to worry
about are the systems with optics. They log a
scan of all unregistered vehicles and the vehicle
is marked stolen. Fortunately, the optical
systems are very few now because of their
expense. But they still do pose a threat to the
rigger community. Although very slight.]<<<<
--Quiktek<03:22:47/02-23-54>
SOME NEW FORMS OF VEHICLES
An Excerpt from the WorldNet NewsFAX,
February 23, 2054; 03:23:43 GMT
Ford, Saab, and Mitsubishi Release LAVTs for Public Use
LAVTs,Low-Altitude Vector Thrust vehicles, were put on the public market today all over the UCAS, CAS, and NAN. Ford released its Aerodyne series of LAVTs by releasing the Jayhawk. Saab has released its Ultra’. And Mitsubishi released its Vector and Artemis models. The first day sales figures are estimated to be 10M, 8M, and 12M for the three manufacturers respectively. In accordance with Federal Transportation Act, FTA-4563, the LAVT owners are required to pass federal tests in order to receive their license, as well as, their vehicles. All three of the manufacturers provide training classes and practice vehicles for their customers. The price of LAVTs depends very heavily on the manufacturer and model. But with all three manufacturers offering 36 to 60 month payment plans with APRs of 12.0% and less, a growing number of upper middle and lower high class families are thinking of LAVTs as their solution to growing traffic threats and problems. Several large corporations, Fuchi, Ares, MCT, etc. , are planning to purchase LAVTs for use by regional executives and visiting officials. And in accordance with FTA-4564, Ford, Saab, and Mitsubishi have already provided public security forces [Lone Star in Seattle areas] with security level LAVTs.
Direct article from Magnus BBS of Chicago
Date: February 23, 2054
Time: 03:25:46 CST
Low Altitude Vectored Thrust (LAVT) Vehicles
In 2051, UCAS Government and several other governments made provisions for laws to govern the use of Low Altitude Vectored Thrust vehicles (LAVTs), STD-17-LAVT001 through STD-17-LAVT298. Such vehicles were planned to be introduced by three of the major auto. manufacturers by the year 2055, Ford, Saab, and Mitsubishi. These vehicles were to be designed for low altitude (less than 150 meters) transports of people and cargo. The laws passed by UCAS are very stringent with regard to emissions, noise level, and economy. So stringent in fact that it was assumed that most manufacturers would abandon the LAVT concept for a while. But the researchers pushed on to meet the laws and make civilian LAVTs a reality to traffic congested metroplexes, like New York. and LA. The research has paid off, This year (2054) all four manufacturers plan to introduce their lines of LAVTs. And in accord with government regulations, security configured LAVTs are to be distributed to Security agencies that are to enforce the government regulations.
>>>>[ Back in October of '53, Ford presented the
Lone Star Security Agency with the Ford LAVT
Enforcer. This security configured LAVT was put
into active duty by Lone Star on December 28th.
2053. I have also heard that Saab and Mitsubishi
have provided other agencies, Knight Errant,
NYPD Inc., etc. with their own pre-public releases.
]<<<<
--Quiktek<03:27:18/02-23-54>
The propulsion plants used in these craft are very complex for civilian vehicles. The detailed design varies from manufacturer and model, but the basic design is taken from the Rolls Royce Pegasus IIIc Micro-Turbofan used in some racing “Rocket Cars”. This engine uses a basic Turbine design, but the intakes use a special compression system to compress the air as it is forced into the combustion chamber. This system can produce incredible amounts of thrust than would be expected from an engine the size of a V12 block. The Pegasus IIIc was just the start though. The economy and noise of these engines would have to be adjusted to the point were they were feasible for public use. Currently, patents are held by all three LAVT manufacturers for their specific engine improvements. Generally the support systems, Noise Reduction, Emissions Control, and Control Service Control, are slightly more complex than would be found onboard commercial jet aircraft. These power plants were also required to provide electricity to the LAVT electric systems.
>>>>[ The Rolls Pegasus IIIc is a great engine. The
compression is its real selling point. And since it
is patented tens ways to Sunday, it is one of a
kind. The way that the thrust is channeled to
the different thrust controllers is pretty T-Bird like
in function. But the amount of thrust being
channeled is a lot less than any
T-Bird.]<<<<
--Cooper<03:26:14/02-23-54>
LAWS APPLICABLE FOR LAVTs
LAVTs must follow the same roadways as land craft. But at altitude levels between 20 meters and 150 meters. Speed of LAVTs are not to exceed limits determined by zone descriptions. Speeds are to be enforced with specially modified TSCS systems.
Zone Description Max Speed
--------------------------------------
1 Suburban Areas 140
2 Buildings < 100m 110
3 Buildings > 100m 90
No LAVT shall exceed the 150 meter ceiling. If a craft does so then it will be considered an aircraft and MUST contact air traffic control or be considered unidentified and be under investigation.
It is permissible for a craft to request permission from air traffic control to exceed 150 meters. But a flight plan must be filed on-line and the craft must thereafter conform to all air traffic regulations.
In accordance with STD-17-LAVT003, all commercial LAVTs are to have three modes of operation, Hover Vehicle (HV), Wheeled Vehicle (WV), and Low Altitude Vector Thrust Vehicle (LAVT). HV Mode conforms to STD-06-HOVER015, the standard in use for Hovercraft vehicles worldwide. WV Mode conforms to STD-03-WHEELED027, the new international standard for Wheeled Vehicles. LAVT Mode must conform to the standards below:
- LAVT Mode is illegal under altitudes of 4 meters from earth ground unless government provisions have been made.
- LAVT Mode must conform to STD-10-HELI248 and STD-10-HELI249 which determine location for Helicopter class vehicle to land and takeoff.
- Ceilings of 1000 meters are to be minimum for LAVT mode. And 5000 meters are to be maximum for 1st. generation LAVTs.
- Autopilots of civilian rating 3 are REQUIRED on all LAVTs. The autopilot, in addition to performing its usual duties, will not allow the above standards to be broken.
- All LAVTs must be capable of attaining an altitude of 5 meters in HV Mode at 60 kph for use in engaging LAVT mode.
- WV and HV Mode must be propelled by the propulsion system at a level that is not harmful to pedestrians.
>>>>[ The HV mode was the hardest to meet. WV
mode was fairly easy to engineer. Use the turbine
at idle, connect up a small set of electric
generators. Power the wheels by electric. Same
technique used in some early planes to generate
onboard electric. HV mode was different. The
feds made the restrictions so that the LAVTs had
to be able to operate in traffic with a hover mode.
I have heard that Saab pulled it off by using a very
sophisticated combination of micro control thrust
ports that are used ONLY for HV mode. The main
force to get the thing in the air is still the same
power plant, but the level of thrust output is
supposedly safe.]<<<<
--Cooper<03:29:39/02-23-54>
LAVT Takeoff and Landing Procedures
LAVTs may use Helicopter Pads of Class M or better.
Under the UCAS LAVT Transportation laws STD-17-LAVT049, LAVTs are limited to ground use until regional governments pass local laws to control LAVT takeoff and landing constraints. It is the local governments responsibility to use the set aside government funding for LAVTs to determine local laws governing LAVT takeoff and landing.
In Seattle: As well as Los Angeles and parts of Chicago. In NAN Territory this is a national standard.
LAVT takeoff ramps are to be constructed on major highways. These ramps will be in their own special lanes and will have these dimensions:
Length of Rise: greater than 100 meters
Height of Rise: greater than 5 meters
Length of Level Top Platform: greater than 50 meters
Width of Ramp: greater than 4 meters
Length of Descending Ramp: greater than 100 meters
Each ramp will have a small communications system which LAVTs must contact before takeoff and landing. This ensures that no two LAVTs are to use the ramp at the same time. This control is to be done directly by the autopilot which will not allow the LAVT to perform a disastrous action.
These LAVT ramps are to assist LAVTs in gaining the required altitude for activation of the Vector Thrust engines. LAVTs can activate the engine upon entering the ramp section. A Speed of 60 kph must be attained before the Level Top Platform of the ramp is reached. It is here that the vehicle may fully engage the vector thrust engine and lift off in a VSTOL manner. From there the LAVT must reach 20 meters. Vehicles may land on the Level Top Platform of the ramp in either VTOL or VSTOL manners and use the descending ramp to join with traffic in either HV or WV modes.
Until these ramps are constructed, LAVTs may use fast lanes to attain speeds of greater than 60 kph so that an altitude of 5 meters may be reached. Upon reaching this altitude an LAVT must engage LAVT mode and proceed to 20 meters. After the ramps are constructed, LAVTs must use them for attaining LAVT mode.
In New York: As well as parts of Chicago. Japan has adopted this as a national standard. And in Downtown Seattle and other congested areas.
LAVT Pads are to be constructed. These pads which may be placed in parking lots, top of buildings, or placed with special permission. Pads are to be of no less than 40 feet in diameter and provide limited communications to LAVTs Autopilots requesting Landing/Takeoff clearance. The LAVT autopilots will disallow any Landing/Takeoff which puts the LAVT in danger of collision.
LAVT Pads are to allow LAVTs in HV or WV Mode to join traffic.
LAVTs require a separate governmental license to operate. LAVT skill is another concentration under Vectored Thrust Skill.
>>>>[ What a confusing bunch of drek. Basically
it boils down to is that LAVTs can operate like
cars and hovercraft in traffic. And can only takeoff
or land in specific places and ways. I assume
that the Hover Mode is much better handled
than regular hovercraft. If it wasn't then how did
it make it to being legal to use in traffic. And
don't forget that these things can get up to 5
meters in altitude at 60 kph in Hover Mode. This
is a minimum by LAW! In order to get an LAVT
license, a person must go through a lot of classes
and testing. Right now the LAVT manufacturers
are making these classes required before
purchase of an LAVTs may be finalized. With the
prices of this 1st. generation batch being
upwards of 300KY, the likelihood of our skies
becoming filled with LAVTs is small. Supposedly
the UCAS is supplying up to 1.5 Billion Nuyen
for LAVT support. With Japan supplying almost
twice that for its cities. It seems to me that both
governments want to make LAVTs usable by the
public in a hurry. ]<<<<
--Quiktek<03:43:30/02-23-54>
>>>>[ Hey Dandy Eater, I am gonna make a term
link so that what I says will be legible to ya non-
Cajun terms. ]<<<<
--Mickey<03:45:13/02-23-54>
***** Terminal Link Established
>>>>[ LAVTs are pretty sweet. I love them! I used
to run a T-Bird in the CAS Territory. All a LAVT
is a scaled down T-Bird with civilian control
systems. ... Well, add in a few other niceties and
you're really close... I am in the middle of
swinging a Saab deal right now. Don't believe all
the hype about autopilots and laws. I know of a
buddy who "confiscated" a NYPD Inc. LAVT and
has done some minor mods to disable all the
autopilot overrides and the altitude governors. It
may not make the security people happy when a
rigger blasts on the Vector engine in traffic, but it
sure do make the perfect getting away vehicle.
Without the governers, the LAVT will be able to
VTOL from anywhere. Just remember that the
VTOL takeoff capability still burns a drek load of
fuel. ]<<<<
--Mickey<03:45:57/02-23-54>
Price of Fuel: 1D6 x 30Y/liter, or 30Y to 180Y per liter.
SAMPLE VEHICLES
Ford AeroDyne Jayhawk
Price: $400,000
Handling: 4 (LAVT)/ 4/8 (WV)/ 4 (HV)
Speed: 140/300 (LAVT):
30/90 (WV):
40/120 (HV)
B/A: 2/0
Signature: 2 (LAVT)/ 4 (WV)/ 3 (HV)
Autopilot: 3
Seating: Twin bucket seats + bench
Access: 2 standard
Economy: 1 km per liter
Fuel: IC/120 liters
Storage: 2 CF trunk
Accessories: APPS (tm), Rollbars,
Anti-Theft System (3)
Landing/Takeoff
Protocol: VTOL/VSTOL
Availability:: 24/18 dys
Street Index: 4
Mitsubishi Vector
Price: $600,000
Handling: 3 (LAVT)/ 4/10 (WV)/ 3 (HV)
Speed: 160/320 (LAVT):
30/90 (WV):
60/180 (HV)
B/A: 2/0
Signature: 2 (LAVT)/ 4 (WV)/ 4 (HV)
Autopilot: 4
Seating: Twin bucket seats
Access: 2 Gull Wing
Economy: 0.8 km per liter
Fuel: IC/160 liters
Storage: 2 CF trunk
Accessories: APPS (tm), Rollbars,
Anti-Theft System (4)
Landing/Takeoff
Protocol: VTOL/VSTOL
Availability: 26/20 dys
Street Index: 4
Ford LAVT Enforcer
Very similar in appearance to the Ford Jayhawk. This Security LAVT fills a needed role in Helicopter support and riot control. Currently in use by Lone Star, NYPD Inc, and Knight Errant, these LAVTs will become even more prominent in the future.
Price: $800,000
Handling: 4 (LAVT)/ 4/10 (WV)/ 3(HV)
Speed: 160/320 (LAVT):
30/90 (WV):
60/180 (HV)
B/A: 2/3
Signature: 3 (LAVT)/ 4 (WV)/ 4 (HV)
Autopilot: 3
Seating: Twin bucket seats + bench
Access: 2 standard
Economy: 0.8 km per liter
Fuel: IC/250 liters
Storage: 2 CF trunk
Accessories: APPS (tm), Rollbars,
Anti-Theft System (4)
1 Firmpoint (Front),
Remote Control Gear,
Rigger Control Gear
Landing/Takeoff
Protocol: VTOL/VSTOL
Armaments: Grenade Launcher or
Missile Launcher. Some
have sacrificed trunk space
for ammo in of front
mounted LMG.
Sensors: Security I (4)
ECM/ECCM: None/Security I (1)
Availability: NA
Street Index: NA