TCAS-781 is a multipurpose missile defense system that generally serves to keep enemy airpower out of Second Coalition airspace. TCAS-781's are mounted on ATV templates and are constituted of five main mechanisms: -TIR systems (one or more, depending on the level of focus for them) to identify heat signatures at ranges from 6,000 to under 1,000 kilometers, depending on the scope -ITC systems (amount depending on location relative to other defenses) to calculate the trajectory of any projectile identified by a TIR* -ML&L** system to fire an intercepting missile at the target identified by the ITC, the missile fired depending on the situation -Comms network connection to alert all nearby military installations of an approaching threat by sending an initial warning message, to be manually supplemented with details on the threat and finally what actions the TCAS-781 took -Command post***, which holds a maximum of two TIR and one ITC, as well as housing the network connection and the crew of the vehicle A relatively unique aspect of the TCAS-781 is the fact that it's constructed almost as might a puzzle, and in that the systems can be prioritized or disregarded based on situation and intent. For example, to protect a small military base close to enemy territory, a TCAS with four different TIR systems (each one focusing on a different quadrant for greatly increased range) and multiple ITC systems might be constructed, as it might lack help form other TCAS or old Iron Angel systems. Meanwhile a TCAS helping to form a line (with other TCAS) along a border might only have one or two TIR systems, as their range would almost certainly overlap with the other TCAS along the line, reducing the risk by having failsafes (distributing along multiple ATV shells). The cost of each vehicle depends heavily on the components, and generally ranges from ~10m SGC to upwards of ~130m SGC, with both the mechanisms utilized and the missiles carried heavily affecting the cost (mostly the missiles). Currently only a dozen TCAS-781s have been produced and distributed in a way that might other the best protection to SC territories, however a goal has been set to have at least fifty within the next sixth months. Needless to say, Coalition citizens are not very happy about taxes right now, although the ability for SC industrial sectors to produce for the government to pay off taxes (production pays off 1.25x in tax what the product would be worth to sell) has helped alleviate that concern. TCAS - Transportable Comprehensive Aerodefense System ATV - Armoured Transport Vehicle TIR - Thermal Interception Radar ITC - Intermediate Tracking Computer ML&L - Missile Library and Launch *ITCs have two main functionalities, either to calculate trajectories or to track and predict future locations, used for such as missiles and aircraft respectively. By default they will use the former, so a manned crew is required to identify if it is a vehicle so they can switch the targeting type. **The mentioned missile library contains missiles for any variety of ranges, although generally only up to the ones supported by the TCAS-781. There are also distinct types for different air threats, such as a special type of homing missiles that work off of info provided by the ITC (drastically reducing the effectiveness of common missile deterrents such as flares). ***Command posts are never situated in the driver compartment of the vehicle, except when there is sufficient area behind it that will not interfere with either of the operations.
