TEXT:  
   
  - 00 - 
   
   
  Space Defenses and Armor 
   
   A starship defends itself with a variety of systems each designed to reduce or 
  eliminate an attack before it can inflict damage. 
   
   Space defenses include active systems (which attack incoming weapons) and passive systems (which reduce or block the 
  force of attacks). Each has its place, and a well-designed starship has a variety of defenses. 
   
  UNDERSTANDING SPACE DEFENSES 
   Space defenses are designed to reduce or eliminate 
  attacks. 
   Active Systems. Some space weapons have defensive 
  abilities; for example, a laser turret may attack and destroy 
  incoming missiles. Active systems are space weapons 
  previously created which are assigned defensive roles. 
   Passive Systems. Passive defense systems block 
  attacks, usually by interposing sum effect which interferes 
  with the attacking system. For example, a Meson Screen 
  blocks the effects of a Meson Gun. 
   Armor. The oldest form of defense is Armor. Ships may be 
  equipped with layers of defensive armor to block attacks (and 
  to block natural effects such as temperature or pressure). 
   
  IDENTIFYING SPACE DEFENSES 
   Space Defenses can be identified by Name, LongName, 
  Letter, or Model. 
   By Name. Defenses carry simple names that generally 
  identify the principle or purpose.  
   By Letter. Each Defense is assigned a single letter 
  identifier. This letter suffices as an abbreviation when 
  additional information is not required. For example, Nuclear 
  Damper is N. 
   By LongName. Specifically created Defenses are given a 
  LongName which includes its stage, type and other 
  information. For example, an Advanced Nuclear Damper-14. 
   By Model. Abbreviations for the elements of the 
  LongName are used to create the Model of a specific 
  Defense. For example, ImpN-14. 
   
  USING SPACE DEFENSES 
   Defenses function in reaction to an attack. 
   Active Defenses which have been assigned an AB Anti-
  Beam Mode or AM Anti-Missile Mode respond to such 
  attacks. 
   Absolute Defenses are interposed between the attacker 
  and the target (the ship). Each related attack must pass 
  through its Absolute Defenses before it may attack the ship. 
   For example, a G Meson Screen is an Absolute Defense 
  against a meson Gun attack. Every Meson Gun shot must 
  successfully pass through the Meson Screen before reach 
  the target. 
   Armor is the last line of defense: any attack which has 
  passed through Active and Passive Defenses finally attacks 
  the ship’s Armor. If that Armor is penetrated, damage is 
  inflicted on the Target. 
   
  THE MOUNTS 
   Mounts are the physical structures in which defenses are 
  installed. 
   Weapons As Defenses. Some weapons may be used as 
  in the defensive Anti-Beam mode or the defensive Anti-
  Missile mode. They operate from their standard weapons 
  mounts. 
   
  Defense Mounts 
   Absolute Mode Defenses may be installed in two different 
  types of Mount: Internal or Bolt-In. 
   An Internal Mount is a location within the hull for the 
  defensive mechanism. It is created during ship design 
  specifically for the Defense. 
   A Bolt-In Mount is a retrofit location for the installation of a 
  Defense at some point after construction. 
   
  Consoles 
   The operating position for a Defense is its Console. 
   The operating position for weapons used in defense is the 
  weapon crew position (the turret or weapons mount).  
   Each Absolute Mode Defense requires a 1-ton Console on 
  the Bridge. The console contains the Local Computer for the 
  Defense and a display for the operator. 
   
   
   
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Traveller/09 - Traveller5/Traveller5/T5 Underlying PDFs/T5=5420 Starship Defenses Chapter.pdf