Quote:
Originally Posted by johndallman
Hyperbolic Navigation is a TL7 radio navigation technology that's gradually replaced by GPS at TL8. There's no mention of it in Basic or High-Tech that I can find. As far as I can see, it gives a bonus to Navigation like GPS, although this requires familiarity with the receiving equipment, and maybe an Electronics Operation/TL7 (Sensors) roll.
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Hyperbolic navigation relies on relatively accurate maps and/or longitude/latitude calculations. For simplicity, just fold these systems into the generic bonus for improve equipment at higher TL. Practically, the various systems were tricky enough to use, and vulnerable enough to jamming and atmospheric effects, that Electronics Operation skill might be needed to properly take advantage of them.
Simpler Radio Direction Finding navigation aids might give the same benefit as a compass, but only to travel "on the beam" towards - or away from - the source of the radio signals. Critical failure means that you travel away from the source of the signals when you mean to travel towards it, or vice-versa. (See the story of the B-24 Liberator "Lady Be Good" for a tragic example of RDF gone wrong. For an example of critical failure/Serendipity advantage in real life, see:
http://aircrewremembered.com/capture...htfighter.html)
If you want to get fancy, allow the various techniques to be improved as Average techniques based on Navigation/TL6-7, with Electronics Operation/TL (Communications) as a prerequisite.