Low-Altitude Vectored Thrust Vehicles Todd Montgomery (tmont@cerc.wvu.edu) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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