The setting of the Array is intentionally Traveller, in the ways that don’t relate to culture, politics, races and interstellar mapping. We use all of the standard Mongoose supplements for tech, and find uses for T5, Cepheus, or earlier editions, as well as the Imperial Encyclopedia, for how technology works. Mongoose 2E references are standard across all the campaigns, but the other material is by referee approval and adoption.
Tech levels in the Array are the same as they are in standard Traveller. The exception is jump drives. Due to the half-parsec scale, jump range is actually twice the jump drive’s rating. As with standard Traveller, jump tech is generally one rating higher than the tech level, so that at TL-12.5, you can have jump-3.5, with jump range of 7. Here, jump-0.5 means a range of a half parsec, at TL-9.
Artificial Intelligence
In the Array, a computer network of TL-14 or more is vulnerable to ‘ghosts’ forming in the net, and these are emergent sentient beings that were not intended. Also, designed AI of TL-14 or more can have full self-awareness, and these are called ‘demons’. There is a prohibition on AI of TL-14 or more without approved monitoring and restrictions, that the Compact enforces even outside of signatory space. None of the Great Kingdoms openly violates the First Edict, not even Triene. Moments in history have shown the folly in allowing computers to become fully sentient, and also, archaeologists have interpreted some of the artifact tablets as bearing warnings about allowing artificial minds to exist.
Almerand was put on probation about 500 years ago, for stepping over the line.
Drugs
The usual Traveller drugs can be found in the Array, if you’re willing to travel in your search. In addition, there are a few new drugs:
Hafferin: Triene mass produces a mild addictive narcotic called Hafferin, for use by most of the citizens and servants. The Hafferin bliss is why so few emmigrate from Triene.
New Technologies
The Array has access to technologies from the Mongoose source books, up through TL-16 at the cutting experimental edge. In addition, some unique technologies have been innovated by certain kingdoms and corporations.
Pearl Turrets: CASIC weapons that function as particle barbettes, or as deflectors, using the same domed turret. While expensive, pearl turrets provide powerful weapons in a small space.
Reaction+ drives: CASIC also has innovated Reaction+ drives. These are very expensive reaction drives that use 1/5 of the fuel as that listed in High Guard. They cost 10 times what a standard reaction drive goes for.
Degenerate matter: CFS has learned to harvest matter from a white dwarf, and use it in components and in currency. DM weapons may be possible, but they would be experimental, as their cost would be prohibitive beyond their massive destructive power.