Allow turrets to initiate firing (using fire button) before fired upon by another craft.

[NeilF]

EDIT:-

This alternative suggestion allows a better approach across turrets. It offers more than this suggestion does so I'd recommend reading it instead - https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=123484

Spoiler

A number of times I've been interdicted and would like get a first strike in against the wanted NPC. However, to do this I need to change the turret setting to "fire forward", manually hit the NPC, then - now under attack - return the turrets back to "Fire At Will" or "Fire At Current".

Turrets are assigned to a fire button so I propose, if turrets are not currently firing, and you have a target, if you hold their assigned fire buttons down, you get a message, "Initiating turret fire at current target" and a countdown from 3...... If you hold the fire button down for this countdown, the turrets initiate firing at the current target.

This means you can start (turrets) firing at any target in a few seconds... easily...

 

[Magic Man]

Yep, see no reason not to have this manual override. Don't know whether there is any need for any message or timer, you are simply overriding their current 'auto' setting and telling them to regard the current target as hostile (rather than manually firing it as such).

 

[NeilF]

Don't know whether there is any need for any message or timer, you are simply overriding their current 'auto' setting and telling them to regard the current target as hostile (rather than manually firing it as such).

Because, without that precaution, you might just press fire by accident, and your turrents open fire immediately on what ever you have targetted.

With a warning and 3 second countdown, the CMDR is informed, and is making a considered choice to open fire (first) on a target.


Scenario - Get interdicted and see the interdictor is "Wanted". Want to open fire straight away. They're already targeted, so I simply press and hold fire. Given the warning messages, a 3 seconds countdown, and then the turrents start firing and I can release the fire button.

 

[Magic Man]

Because, without that precaution, you might just press fire by accident, and your turrents open fire immediately on what ever you have targetted.

Which would be the same as any other weapon, no confirmation period on those...

You just know that if there was a confirmation period then some people are going to say it takes too long and ask for it to be removed anyway...

 

[NeilF]

Which would be the same as any other weapon, no confirmation period on those...

You just know that if there was a confirmation period then some people are going to say it takes too long and ask for it to be removed anyway...

True, but chances are if you press fire (for a normal weapon) by accident, you most likely will not hit. A turret most likely will.

BTBH, it's a small point, and I'd be willing to forgo this suggestion for this one (which you will like) - https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=123484