Operations Manual Image

Autonomous Combat Training Drone (ACTD)

Amun Ra Stellar Systems

The Autonomous Combat Training Drone (ACTD) is a highly advanced system that can be used for fighter combat training. Featuring a sophisticated collision avoidance system and flight algorithms it intelligently navigates its environment. This also makes the ACTD a rather cagey target, more accurately simulating the reactions of an actual opponent. All accomplished with exceptionally low SIM resource usage.

Setup

  1. Rez the ACTD Hangar.
    Place it in the center of an open area, the middle of the SIM (x=128, y=128) is best for maximum range.
  2. Click the Hangar and choose System ON from the menu.

The first wave of drones will immediately launch.

Operation

Operation is simple and all of the information you need is provided in the menu dialog windows. Below is a review.

  • System ON/OFF
    When you turn the system on it will launch the first wave of drones based on the last Level and Squad settings selected.
    When you turn the System OFF, all current drones are destroyed and the scores are cleared
  • Beacon
    The beacon allows you to define a rally point for the drones other than the hangar. Rez the beacon then move it to where you would like the drones to swarm. If you Destroy or delete the beacon the drones will self destruct and a new wave will launch around the hangar. You can also Hide/Reveal the beacon from the menu.
  • Kill Drones
    This will destroy all rezzed drones and clear current scores and launch a new wave.
  • Score ON/OFF
    This will enable/disable the score shout feature. When set to off, the system will continue to keep score but will not announce the scores until the option is turned back on.
  • Skill Level
    Sets the difficulty level of the drones. Higher levels give the drones more speed, maneuverability and armor.
  • Squad Count
    Sets the number of persistent drones active at a given time. NOTE: Selecting a number lower than the current setting (going from 12 to 3 for example) will destroy all active drones and reset the scores.
  • Range
    Sets how far from the hangar the drones will roam before turning back. Be aware that if you select a higher range you will need to make sure your hangar is an adequate distance from the edge of the SIM.
  • Phantom ON/OFF
    This feature is for people with limited space. If you have your drone range set low you can set the hangar phantom to prevent them from bumping into it or flying back in and getting stuck.
  • Wave ON/OFF
    With wave mode drones are not sent out in a continues stream. All drones are launched and no more launch until the current wave is destroyed.
  • Access
    Sets the access control for who can control the hangar settings
  • Help
    Gives you a link to this page.

Scoring

While active the system will automatically keep track of each players score. To join in the fun all anyone has to do is kill a drone. If someone drops out of the fight their score will automatically be cleared after a given time.

NOTE: Any time the drones are destroyed by the system, either with the Kill command or changing settings, the scores will be reset.

Clean Up

The ACTD system is designed so that you can never have lost drones flying around aimlessly. If the hangar is moved the drones will change position to find it. If the hangar is deleted, the drones will self destruct.

Change Log

Version 3.5

  • Updated drone model
  • Overall improvement in flight characteristics
  • Reduced resource usage
  • Added Saga scoring system
  • Updated self destruct effects
  • Drones no longer returned if they hit edge of the SIM
  • Improved avoidance system
  • Fixed bug when wave rez interrupted

Version 3.0

  • Redesigned hangar with doors
  • Redesigned drones, 1PE
  • Smoother more natural flight characteristics
  • On-the-fly drone configuration. No more starting over to change skill level, squad count, etc.
  • Access control system for hangar settings

Version 2.0

  • Added wave mode
  • Improved flight characteristics
  • General improvement to system performance

Version 1.73

  • Improved explosion effects with debris (can damage you)
  • Improved avoidance system
  • Added 3 new skill levels 4 – 6
  • Updated damage system, now can be repaired

Version 1.61

  • Fixed scoring system with beacon
  • Made beacon stay when system is turned off
  • Improved drone explosion effects
  • Added self destruct to the hangar

Version 1.57

  • Added phantom hangar feature
  • Added rally beacon system
  • Tweaked object avoidance tolerance
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