Editing Black Globe Generator

[[File:Globe-Symbol-MWM-Artist-T5-Core-Rules-Pg-400 18-July-2018a.jpg|right]]
[[Black Globe Generator]]s are advanced force field projectors or defensive screen devices, which are more advanced than the [[TL-15]] [[technology level]] standard in the [[Golden Age]] of [[Charted Space]] {{Unpublished cite |author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}, but are standard military equipment in the [[Galaxiad]] era. {{Unpublished cite |author= [[Robert-Eaglestone]] }}.
* Black Globe Generators project a barrier which absorbs all energy (light, heat, radiation, impact).
* It is a kind of high technology [[Ship Equipment]].
  
== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
'''Traveller5''': The Black Globe blocks the entry of matter and absorbs all incoming energy (light, heat, radiation, impact). Absorbed energy becomes heat which raises the overall interior temperature. The globe is black because no energy is re-emitted or reflected. Because a black globe does not emit or reflect energy, it is undetectable by many [[sensors]].  {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 400 }}

'''High Guard''': Black Globe Generators project a barrier which absorbs all energy, shunting it to on-board capacitors. The barrier prevents all transit across it, and a [[ship]] with its [[black globe]] activated cannot maneuver, fire its [[weapon]]s, or communicate. In addition, the field may be overloaded, causing the failure of the storage capacitors and destruction of the ship. {{Page cite|name= High Guard |page= 19 |version= Classic Traveller}}

Since a black globe absorbs all energy, a [[ship]] with its field on is protected from all fire. Unfortunately, the force field works in both directions; the ship may not fire, maneuver, or even see out. These limitations would make the black globe of little value in battle if not for the ability of the field generator to flicker - switch the field on and off many times per second— giving the ship part-time protection while still allowing it to fire, maneuver, and track enemy ships during the "off" intervals. A black globe screen's Factor is its maximum rate of flicker; a screen may be on up to 10% of the time times its Factor. For instance, a screen with a Factor of 2 may flicker at a maximum rate of 20%; it is on 20% of the time in every second. Unlike normal [[armor]], a black globe also affects [[meson gun]]s. {{Page cite|name= High Guard |page= 42 |version= Classic Traveller}}

Energy striking a black globe screen is diverted to the ship's capacitors. Each ton of capacitors will hold a large quantity of deflected energy from enemy fire. When the screen is flickering, a percentage of the incoming energy equal to the flicker rate is absorbed. The amount of energy a weapon transfers depends on its type and factor. {{Page cite|name= High Guard |page= 42 |version= Classic Traveller}}

=== Black Globe Invisibility ===
'''Invisibility:''' Since a black globe field absorbs all energy, a [[ship]] with its field completely activated is, at any range over a few kilometers, effectively invisible. In battle this will have no effect, since a [[ship]] that suddenly disappears from enemy [[sensor]]s in this way will have its course predicted on the basis of its last known position; since the ship cannot maneuver while in the field, the prediction will always be correct.

However, the advantages to a fleet which has not yet been detected by the enemy are immense. Suppose, for instance, that a fleet were to jump into a [[system]] with its [[black globe]]s on and its velocity set upon a predetermined course. It could drift unseen past any defending fleet and drop its screens at a preplanned moment, to bombard a [[planet]] or to engage enemy fleets by surprise. Further tactical possibilities are left to the imaginations of admirals, [[spacer]]s, and ship captains lucky enough to possess such a [[device]]. {{Page cite|name= High Guard |page= 43 |version= Classic Traveller}}

=== Ship Agility & Movement With a Black Globe ===
A ship's agility is reduced by around 10.0% of its performance parameters for each 10.0% of flicker rate of its black globe. {{Page cite|name= High Guard |page= 42 |version= Classic Traveller}}

Instead of flickering, any black globe may be completely activated. No enemy fire will affect it, but the ship may not fire or maneuver. While the black globe is on, all enemy fire automatically hits the screen, and 100% of its energy is absorbed. No energy may be removed from the ship's capacitors while the screen is on. If a ship absorbs enough energy to make a jump, and is supplied with sufficient [[fuel]], it may jump at the end of the turn. {{Page cite|name= High Guard |page= 43 |version= Classic Traveller}}

=== Overcoming Black Globe Generators ===
[[Missile|Non-nuclear missile]]s typically cannot overload a black globe unless in fired in large barrages; [[nuclear missile]]s can typically quickly overload a globe. [[Meson gun]]s, very large bay weapon batteries, and [[spinal mount]] [[weapon]]s can be very effective against them although a sufficiently powerful black globe can hold out for some time. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]]}}

If a black globe absorbs energy and the ship's capacitors are already full, the ship is destroyed. A ship without additional capacitors installed has capacitors (for the jump drive) equal to 0.5% capacity. {{Page cite|name= High Guard |page= 42 |version= Classic Traveller}}

Stored energy may be removed from the capacitors by using it to power the ship. Energy may only leave the ship, however, when the black globe is off (…or during the off intervals of its flicker). During an inactive timespan, a ship with a black globe generator may dispose of its energy from its capacitors. The screen also affects a ship's ability to maneuver. {{Page cite|name= High Guard |page= 42 |version= Classic Traveller}}

=== Known Globe Device Technologies ===
The '''Globe Principle''' establishes a barrier which prohibits the entry of matter and absorbs (…or in some cases reflects) incoming energy. It derives its name from the characteristic globe-shaped field it establishes centered on the [[device]]. {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 400 }}
* [[Black Globe Generator]] {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 400-403 }}
** [[Alpha class Black Globe Generator]] {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 403 }}
** [[Beta class Black Globe Generator]] {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 403 }}
** [[Gamma class Black Globe Generator]] {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 403 }}  
* [[Silver Globe Generator]] {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 400-403 }}
* [[Stasis Globe Generator]] {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 400-403 }}
* [[White Globe Generator]] {{Page cite|name= T5 Core Rules |page= 400-403 }}

== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
Black globe generators are not available commercially; they are recovered [[artifact]]s installed on a makeshift basis or experimental versions installed on [[TL-15|Tech Level 15]] Imperial [[warship]]s. [[Black globe]]s have no energy point cost. The acquisition of any black globe generator is probably the result of a lucky find on the part of a [[government]], [[Traveller Gene|individual]], or [[corporation]]. {{Page cite|name= High Guard |page= 31 |version= Classic Traveller}}

It is believed that several [[Imperial Research Station]]s are researching Black Globe Generator [[technology]]. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]]}}
 
=== Technological Overview of Defensive Ship Technology ===
'''[[Force Field Generator]] ("Globe Series"):'''
* [[Black Globe Generator]] → [[White Globe Generator]] → [[Silver Globe Generator]] → [[Stasis Globe Generator]] 

'''[[Damper Series]]:'''
* [[Electrostatic Screen]] → [[Nuclear Damper]] → [[Meson Screen]] → [[Proton Screen]]

=== White Globe Generators ===
A [[White Globe Generator]] is a more advanced force field projector or defensive screen device that possesses most of the advantages of a black globe generator, fewer of the disadvantages, and is far more capable. While black globe generators block the emission of all energy rendering a [[ship’s sensor suite]] blind, [[white globe generator]]s can selectively allow the entry or exit of electromagnetic emissions… meaning that [[sensor]]s can be used unlike the [[black globe]]s. 

The [[device]] is much higher tech than the [[black globe generator]]s, which current industry believes it can better understand and even manufacture within the upcoming [[TL:16-18]] epoch. This is not currently possible as of the year [[1105]] [[IC]]. [[TL-15]] industry cannot create black globe generator devices. [[White Globe Generator]]s are much more complex [[device]]s and might not be viable until the [[TL:19-21]] epoch or later. It is believed that [[Ancients]] and possibly several other advanced [[precursor]] sophont species possessed [[white globe generator]] [[technology]]. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]]}}

== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
{{Metadata}}
{{Advanced}}
{{Sources
 | {{Ludography cite |name= The Kinunir |page= 38 |version= Classic Traveller}}
 | {{Ludography cite |name= High Guard |page= 19, 31, 42-43  |version= Classic Traveller}}
 | {{Ludography cite |name= Research Station Gamma |page= TBD |version= Classic Traveller}}
 | {{Ludography cite |name= Referee's Manual|page=60,80,95-96}}
 | {{Ludography cite|name= Fire, Fusion, & Steel| page=59-50}}
 | {{Ludography cite |name= The Traveller's Handbook |page= 156-157}}
 | {{Ludography cite |name= Encyclopaedia Dagudashaag |page=49}}
 | {{Ludography cite |name= T5 Core Rules |page= 400-403 |article= How Screens Work}}
 | {{Ludography cite |name= Agent of the Imperium |page=}}
 | EXTERNAL LINK: [http://freelancetraveller.com/features/shipyard/shields.html Plantier Shields - An Alternative to Black Globes] at [[Freelance Traveller]] by [[Ken Pick]]
 | Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]] 
}}

[[Category: Ancients]]
[[Category: Ship Equipment]]
{{LE|Artifact|Defensive Technology}}