[Getter Robo G]

I will interject that if the weapon in question does have a selt destruct (abort) feature, providing you can hack it in minuest, seconds or less, you could in theory neutralize it...

[castor]

Hacking would become a problem if they tried to create drones capable of replacing manned fighters/bombers.
Such things would need to be remote controllable. And they could be (more) easily captured and studied by shivans.

[Getter Robo G]

Very true, but it's all in the DESIGN.

If I may add one of my own ideas:
I have a fighter with 6-8 "drones" I can detach, These drones are updated with MY targeting info so if I shoot at something THEY shoot at it also. If I am destroyed they either lock on and kamikaze the closest enemy unit, or self-destruct.

The key in drone security is access and capability. The more your features are HARD CODED and changeable only on site and NOT via remote, the less you are able to penetrate it and hack it.

At best, if an enemy ever discovers the unique identifier for any ONE fighter and it's drones then if there is any "confusion" a drone can be programmed to self abort until the confusion is abated, or just self destruct.

Ideally this means the enemy can start neutralizing drone sets ONE at a time, but you will neer get them to turn on you. Now if you have an enemy unit broadcasting the EXACT base control IFF signal and destroy the actual controlling fighter THEn you might in theory take over that drone as it's new MASTER...

But in mass combat (and no real focused planning) do you think it would actually happen outside of a bad "sci-fi Channel" movie plot???

I seriously doubt it...   

The WORSE thing you could ever do is have a base use mass remotes and have them all ont eh  SAME FREQ. You are only begging someone with jamming or hacking knowledge to spank your arse with them...



No strategy, however brilliant, survives piss poor incompetent implementation (be it by actual or arm chair generals)...

[BengalTiger]

If I may add one of my own ideas:
I have a fighter with 6-8 "drones" I can detach, These drones are updated with MY targeting info so if I shoot at something THEY shoot at it also. If I am destroyed they either lock on and kamikaze the closest enemy unit, or self-destruct.

I believe that could be FREDable...

[Androgeos Exeunt]

The last bit is FREDdable, but everything before that is moot.

[Droid803]

Well...you could make them 'attack my target' whenever you hit 'h'.
Or perhaps it could be done through scripting...

However, that would be pretty awesome.

[Commander Zane]

Well...you could make them 'attack my target' whenever you hit 'h'.

That would work fine for me.

[eliex]

Well...you could make them 'attack my target' whenever you hit 'h'.

You'll need a repeat-count factor right? Last time I checked the max was 5 . . .

[Droid803]

every-time-argument
-<list of hostile ships>
-is-targeted (or something like that)
----<argument>
-clear-goals
----Drones (make them a wing)
-ai-add-goal
----Drones
----ai-chase
-----<argument>
-----50

Something like that...

You could also rig something together with fire-beam if the said drones use beams, using is-target and key-pressed.
They'd only fire on your target if its in their fire cone, and just have their default order be to guard you.
Crap, I kinda wanna rig together a DRAGOON system now.

[eliex]

every-time-argument
-<list of hostile ships>
-is-targeted (or something like that)
----<argument>
-clear-goals
----Drones (make them a wing)
-ai-add-goal
----Drones
----ai-chase
-----<argument>
-----50

Hmm, I didn't think of that. By all rights, it should work fine - although it might not be too practical in anything other than a specialized mission revolving around the drones.