as a Freelancer MIS owner I have to ask -
what the hell is Missile Operator Mode?
I CBA to look on Spectrum
To answare you question in a simple way: Missile Operator Mode (MOM... lol), will be the new way to control missile on combat ships.
Right now missile are controller within "normal" HUD display (compared to "scanning mode" and "mining mode"), that makes them "just another weapon". With MOM introduction the missile use will be moved on a separate HUD mode, like scanning and minning, so a pilot will have to shoose beteween controlloling the ship weapons and controlling the missiles, the good thing is that copilot could eventually enter MOM while pilot still using standard HUD and controlling ship weapons.
With the introduction of MOM GIC will also compleately change how missiles work.
First and foremost missiles will now use IFCS system so they'll behave like ship do, with speed, manuvering trusters capacity and in the futture probably control surface for in-atmo flight.
second the firing mechanincs will chage: now you'll lock n° missiles into a target and fire them, with MOM you'll lock into a target, then you have to whait for each missiles to arm, and only them you'll be able to fire.
The good thing is that you are not required to lock into a target, you can dumpfire missile! That will be usefull both for ground target AND for steath attack, since no, lock, means no warning on the receiving end of the missiles.
Oh and you can acttually pre-set how many misiles will be fired like, I espect, the contermesure.
There will be other limitation on the type and number of missile you can fire simultaneusly but I dont' really understand them and is a bit confusing right now.
Thats all we know right now on MOM, there will be a LOT to learn about it as soon as it will be released.