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SWR Productions Forum _ Theatre of War _ Aviation Monthly

Posted by: DerKrieger 13 Jan 2014, 4:32

Hey guys, this is the first installment on a magazine style review of the weapons and technology used in the ROTR world. I'll be doing most of the US aircraft first, I do plan on moving on to other faction's aircraft later on and perhaps expanding to ground vehicles, firearms, and warships. (Ever wanted to learn more about the Spirit of Freedom and it's sister ship?) Here's the first part:

Aviation Monthly: September 203x
United States Airpower, Part I
- Written by Amy Kelly
As tensions rise in Eurasia over the recent skirmishes in Africa and economic stagnation in Russia, so too has the specter of another major war in Europe and the eventual American involvement. Despite the downfall of NATO after the ill-advised US retreat from Europe 15 years ago, the Bradford administration maintains a strong anti-Russian expansionist policy and indications hint at possible military and economic action in favor of the European Continental Alliance should hostilities break out.

Ever since the Second World War, the United States military has relied extensively on air dominance to achieve battlefield superiority. As any member of the USAF or Naval Air Force can tell you, no US soldier or Marine on the ground has been killed by enemy aircraft since the Korean War. Even after the post GWOT cutbacks, the US military has maintained a strong Air Force and naval air capabilities, and seeks to further expand said capabilities in an ever more dangerous world. This article seeks to explore information about the aircraft used today by the various branches of the US armed forces.

TRANSPORT/AIRLIFT:
Though the majority of heavy airlifting by the USAF is done today by conventional aircraft such as the C-130J Super Hercules and C-17B Globemaster III, VTOL aircraft have become a more and more capable replacement for helicopters and light cargo transport.

Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey: Although the V-22 Osprey had a troubled development phase, today it serves as the main medium lift aircraft used by the US Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy. Even though newer designs such as the V-25 Goshawk are planned to eventually phase out the Osprey, it still sees heavy use as a transport aircraft by American combat forces and will see heavy use in the foreseeable future.

Bell-Boeing V-25 Goshawk: The V-25 Goshawk is one of the newest aircraft used by the US Armed forces, and is the end result of the JMR-Heavy Future Vertical Lift program. By the end of the last decade, the US Army desired a new VTOL transport to replace the aging CH-47 Chinook fleet, which had been wearing out through heavy use in the past two decades. Although the Army had declined to take part in the V-22 program, they looked with interest in the further development of tiltrotor aircraft. The V-25 Goshawk was the intermediate step between the light V-22 Osprey and the heavy V-34 Starlifter II. Compared to the CH-47 Chinook, the V-25 is capable of carrying more cargo faster, longer, and at a higher altitude. As an infantry carrier, it can transport a platoon of infantry or a single Cougar MRAP or HMMWV. In contrast to the Osprey, the Goshawk is a semi-tilt-wing with 250% more wing surface, roughly 60% of which tilts along with the engine nacelles, and a lifting body, significantly improving glide capability and allowing to remove the fancy - and heavy - transmission, converting the engines to straight-up carbon composite turbine turboprops with only standard reduction gearboxes remaining. Today, the US Army and US Navy are the main users of the V-25 Goshawk whilst the USMC and US Air Force are considering purchasing them to replace their aging Ospreys.

Bell-Boeing V-34 Starlifter II: The first examples of the V-44 entered the late prototype testing phase during the end of the GLA War, but budget cutbacks slowed its entry into service until quite recently. By the end of the last decade, the US Army desired a new VTOL transport to replace the aging CH-47 Chinook fleet, which had been wearing out through heavy use in the past two decades. Although the Army had declined to take part in the V-22 program, they looked with interest in the further development of tiltrotor aircraft. As the end result of the Bell-Boeing Quad Tilt Rotor program, the V-34 is the direct replacement of the CH-47 Chinook and the CH-53 Super Stallion, and is planned to phase out the C-130J Super Hercules. The quad tilt rotor engines give it a cruising speed of over 350 knots and allow it to land in places the C-130 cannot. It is capable of carrying around 26,000 kilograms of cargo (or several M5A1 Schwarzkopf ”Crusader” light tanks or IFVs), or 110 paratroopers/150 infantry.

Lockheed-Martin C-130J Super Hercules, Boeing C-17B Globemaster III, & Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy: When heavier lifting is required by the US military’s expeditionary forces, the fixed wing airfleet comes into play. Though the C-130J Super Hercules and C-5M Super Galaxy are old (yet proven and popular) designs, the more advanced Boeing C-17B Globemaster III is an increasingly common sight in the US Air Force as well as the air forces of other nations. The C-17 underwent a mid-life upgrade even before the newer export production run, including double-slotted flaps, an additional main landing gear on center fuselage, more powerful engines (F-117-PW-200 turbofans) and other systems for shorter landing and take-off distances, a LANTIRN AN/AAQ-13 pod and passive radar installed into the nose, and an optional bulkhead separating the troop bay from the cargo bay for passenger comfort.

~~~

I hope you enjoyed the first part, stay tuned for Part 2!

Posted by: MARS 13 Jan 2014, 7:09

Very cool premise, although some of the technical designations are off in the light of certain updates that are yet to be posted. Nothing that a simple revision after the update couldn't fix though, so nice work. The timeline is a little off though: Bradford became president in 2044, Russia's recession began after the African debacle of 2041 and in the late 2030s, the US was more concerned with Russia's expansion into Africa rather than the possibility of a Russo-European War. By the way, there will be a pre-1.85 update that'll provide some background on the USS Spirit of Freedom which you may want to wait for first just to be safe.

PS: V-25 Goshawk, eh? I appreciate the EndWar reference^^

Posted by: DerKrieger 13 Jan 2014, 20:20

Ah, my bad, I thought that WWIII started in 2039 rather than in the mid 2040s. The next update will be on some US combat aircraft (likely fighter jets) so it'll be a while until I get to work on warships. I've already kicked around ideas as for stuff about the navies and air forces but it'll be some time before I get to them much less the Spirit of Freedom and its sister ship(s).

For the most part I've been envisioning the US Navy as being fairly conservative doctrine and design-wise, using Carrier Battle Groups centered around a seabase used as a home-port when away from Hawaii, Guam, or the continental US. In addition as a floating base for aircraft that can't be deployed from carriers, the seabase would serve as a resupply, repair, and refueling station for whatever CBGs are attached to it. You'd have a CBG consisting of a Nimitz or Ford class supercarrier as a flagship with Lexington-class drone carriers serving in the same role as escort/light carriers did in WWII, in addition to Littoral Combat Ships, AEGIS destroyers & Zumwalt gunboats, submarines, amphibious assault ships, and whatever support ships are needed.

And the Goshawk is indeed an Endwar homage. Given that there are already several such homages in ROTR you can expect to see a few more from here on out. ^^

Posted by: MARS 14 Jan 2014, 9:27

As for the MOBs, I currently operate under the premise that the US only have a total of two of them, the Spirit of Freedom in the Atlantic and the Spirit of Independence in the Pacfic. They're both the size of several football fields and include three runways that can even be used by transport planes and strategic bombers when required. The USN would still use 'classic' super carriers, but also drone carriers, submersible ships and generally employ a lot of automation and AI support on their ships to reduce the size of the crews and pack more weaponry/protection in their place.

Posted by: swedishplayer-97 14 Jan 2014, 13:16

(sorry if off-topic) MARS, I think I have found a solution to this whole aircraft carrier naming convention: President Paulson was quite unpopular (y'all know why) so the sailors despise calling their carriers after Presidents. They made up their own nicknames, like Daedalus or Olympia! Does this make sense?

Posted by: MARS 14 Jan 2014, 15:25

To be honest, I'd simply ignore those two names entirely. Any attempt at explaining them would only draw more attention to how unfitting they are.

Posted by: DerKrieger 14 Jan 2014, 19:38

QUOTE (MARS @ 14 Jan 2014, 3:27) *
By the way, if you are going to talk about the Raptor, I have revised my personal take on the matter to a certain degree to keep things simple:
F-22B = The Raptor you build in-game, essentially a more affordable downgrade of the F-22A which is still the best fighter in the ROTR world
F-22N = The Sea Raptor is the carrier version used by the Navy, but in terms of appearance and function, indistinguishable from the B-version in-game
F-22A = What used to be referred to as the King Raptor in ZH plus some modular upgrades.

As for the MOBs, I currently operate under the premise that the US only have a total of two of them, the Spirit of Freedom in the Atlantic and the Spirit of Independence in the Pacfic. They're both the size of several football fields and include three runways that can even be used by transport planes and strategic bombers when required. The USN would still use 'classic' super carriers, but also drone carriers, submersible ships and generally employ a lot of automation and AI support on their ships to reduce the size of the crews and pack more weaponry/protection in their place.


I was operating under assumption that there were only two MOBs as well, one for the Atlantic and one for the Pacific.

I've already written up the F-22 article, and it is rather similar. I thought the F-22 variant in use by ROTR was called the F-22C but it looks like it's been retconned to F-22B. I took the King Raptor to be an advanced model of F-22 with more advanced avionics, an rotary arms rack in the weapons bay, a point defense laser system, and carbon-nano tube armor. Some of the avionics upgrades were later fitted to the F-22B and the F-22B can mount the point defense laser system but it isn't standard as it was on the King Raptor. The King Raptor was in part conceived as a test bed for technologies for a 6th generation fighter aircraft which will be mentioned in the article.

The Sea Raptor is an issue of controversy: an aerospace engineer friend of mine has told me in the past that converting the F-22 to a carrier based fighter would be so complicated and thus expensive (and would likely compromise the aircraft's performance) you'd might as well design an entirely new aircraft for the role. I was operating under the assumption that the US's carrier based combat aircraft are F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornets, some sort of UAV based on MQ-47C Pegasi, and F-35C Lighting IIs (F-35Bs for the USMC's amphibious assault carriers). The aforementioned 6th generation fighter jet will also have a carrier based variant.

Posted by: Kalga 14 Jan 2014, 22:19

QUOTE (MARS @ 14 Jan 2014, 9:25) *
To be honest, I'd simply ignore those two names entirely. Any attempt at explaining them would only draw more attention to how unfitting they are.


Or just explaining that they were officially classified as "aviation cruiser" (with reason being to get the budget pass through congress or some other such nonsense), they will still be called carriers by everyone else because, well, no one (except maybe congress) is fooled by that for even one minute.

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 14 Jan 2014, 13:38) *
The Sea Raptor is an issue of controversy: an aerospace engineer friend of mine has told me in the past that converting the F-22 to a carrier based fighter would be so complicated and thus expensive (and would likely compromise the aircraft's performance) you'd might as well design an entirely new aircraft for the role. I was operating under the assumption that the US's carrier based combat aircraft are F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornets, some sort of UAV based on MQ-47C Pegasi, and F-35C Lighting IIs (F-35Bs for the USMC's amphibious assault carriers). The aforementioned 6th generation fighter jet will also have a carrier based variant.


Since it's the future a quick handwave with something like "the higher state of US military infrastructure and tech base in general" make conversion more feasible... or something like the fact that the downgraded version of the Raptor is simplified enough that a sea version conversion is actually feasible.

Posted by: DerKrieger 17 Jan 2014, 2:29

GUNSHIPS:

((NB: There may be another addition to this, I'm not quite sure where to put this other airplane in. I'll likely reserve a special update for it at some later date...))

Lockheed-Martin AC-130U Spooky II: The USAF still maintains a small number of the older AC-130U gunships, although the airframes are slated to be replaced by the more advanced AC-17 Spectre II gunships in the coming decade due to age of the remaining aircraft and the ever-diminishing supply of spare parts for the aging Bofors L/60 cannons and M102 howitzers mounted on the aircraft.

Boeing AC-17 Specter II: The AC-17 Specter II first saw combat in the later part of the Global War on Terror as a replacement to the earlier C-130 based generation of gunships. Though it lacked stealth capabilities, its supersonic capability, heavy armament and armor, and advanced sensor systems made it a feared opponent for the GLA, especially during the invasion and liberation of Iran and the second Battle of Baikonur.

Though active use of the search radar is mainly relegated to reconnaissance UAVs, the Specter II retains an extensive search and targeting suite for detecting and engaging targets from long range, as well as a passive radar and multiple passive optical sensors.

As with the AC-130 the AC-17 Specter II’s main gun is located aft of the wing, enabling the cargo bay door and ramp to be used to easily load ammunition onto the aircraft. Instead of the manually-loaded 105 mm M102 of the AC-130 it uses an auto-loaded M777 155 mm howitzer, specially modified to increase inertia and thus lessen recoil. The howitzer aboard the AC-17 is normally loaded with either HEAT rounds or Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions. Each bomblet of the latter shell has enough power to punch through the top armor of a main battle tank.

Mounted under and slightly behind the wing are the twin linked radar targeted GAU-12/U Equalizer 25mm autocannons and a 6000 round magazine. When loaded with explosive shells as normal, these cannons serve as an anti-soft target weapon. The GAU-12/Us aboard the AC-17 are liquid cooled and feature advanced inertial dampeners to increase accuracy and lessen recoil.

The fore gun deck houses two Bushmaster II GAU-23/A 30mm cannons for mid-ranged targets. It was the inclusion of these two weapons, as well as the desire for the AC-17 to have a high response time, that necessitated the addition of two GE TF39 engines (in addition to the existing four F-117-PW-200 turbofans) with new compressors and digital management systems to prevent compressor stalls when the weapons were fired. The swing wing configurations and overpowered engines are enough to give the AC-17 a maximum speed in excess of Mach 1, allowing it to reach the area of operation much faster than the AC-130. There are plans to phase out the 30mm cannons on the AC-17 in favor of the new XM2342 railgun due to complications caused by the recoil.

Finally, the AC-17 features four Gunslinger launch systems capable of launching AGM-176 Griffin missiles, AIM-9X Sidewinders, GBU-44/B Viper Strike glide bombs, or AGM-305 Joint Air-to-Ground missiles. One Gunslinger is mounted on the chin, another on the upper fuselage near the tail, and one on each wing.

The AC-17 is well stocked with chaff and flares to defeat enemy ground fire, and is equipped with an ECM station, a directed infrared jamming device, as well as a towed decoy. It additionally features 20 mm ceramic plating, and the fuselage is separated into several critical compartments containing crew and armament and semi-empty non-essential areas under the outer skin. The Specter II’s fuselage features self-healing materials and a limited self-repair subsystem to increase survivability.

Posted by: MARS 17 Jan 2014, 8:40

Again, a very nice factual breakdown of the various systems some of these technical designations would be well-suited to spice up Wiki descriptions in the future. A little bit of clarification is required though: The -current- gunship, the AC-17, is actually referred to as the Spectre III and was only introduced after the GWOT when the Air Force was the only branch that came out of the crisis with its budget largely unscathed. The plane we saw in ZH was actually the Spectre II. I haven't come up with an alphanumeric designation for it, but it has been said that it was actually a project of the Navy which tried to create a compact, carrier-capable gunship that was more deployable than the classic AC-130. It was purpose-built for that function, but unfortunately prone to mechanical issues due to the booser/variable geometry setup.

Posted by: DerKrieger 17 Jan 2014, 20:02

Alright, I was under the impression that the gunship was the same one from Zero Hour due to the strong resemblance, the RotR gunship appearing to be a much more detailed model of the stock Zero Hour version. It looked a bit too large to be launched from a carrier.

Posted by: swedishplayer-97 17 Jan 2014, 20:52

Sometimes I wonder, Kriger, if you read descriptions of the renders.

Also MARS your new avatar is badass, is that a logo from a game?

Posted by: MARS 17 Jan 2014, 21:35

Easy there, Swedish, not everyone can dedicate as much attention to the fluff as you tongue.gif

The logo is from Tom Clancy's EndWar, EFEC Battlegroup 22. I liked that game ever since The_Hunter brought it to my attention because it has great futuristic unit designs and an interesting setting. Bit of a shame that there isn't much of a narrative to speak of and the gameplay isn't exactly objective-based, but it's fun and diverting every once in a while.

Posted by: Serialkillerwhale 19 Jan 2014, 12:53

They may name the carriers after presidents, but odds are the MOB series aren't considered carriers at all.

Maybe these larger craft are named after key concepts to the US (Freedom, Independence, Liberty, Patriotism, Democracy)

Posted by: DerKrieger 23 Jan 2014, 3:39

Aviation Monthly: October 203x:
US Airpower, Part II
by Dan Kim


TANKER:

Boeing KC-46B Pegasus: This tanker based on the successful Boeing 767 freighter/airliner has changed little from its original 2010’s incarnation, the B variant featuring increased automation and two wing-mounted Flight Refueling Limited MK.32B drogue hose pods that allow refueling of two fighter craft instead of one.

AWACS/AEW/RECON:
Boeing E-3 Sentry/Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS/Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint: In the past few decades the E-3 Sentry has continued to serve as the main AWACS system for the USAF, though it and its airframe cousins the E-8 Joint STARS and RC-135W Rivet Joint are currently being phased out by the EAL-797 AWACS. All three have had their original engines replaced with more reliable and fuel-efficient Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 turbofans (CFM56 on the RC-135) as well as full glass cockpits.

Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk Block II/MQ-4C Triton: The original Global Hawk was deemed too expensive for widespread use the US Air Force, although the program was salvaged by the cheaper Triton maritime surveillance variant purchased by the US Navy. During the Global War on Terror the Global Hawk proved to be a useful surveillance UAV, later being equipped with the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) radar system for tracking targets. The Global Hawk has also been developed into the KQ-4 tanker drone, augmenting the KC-46 tanker at a fraction of the cost.

Boeing P-8 Poseidon: The P-8 Poseidon, based off of the 737 airliner, serves as the US Navy’s anti-submarine and anti-ship aircraft. When compared to smaller carrier launched aircraft, the P-8 Poseidon has longer range and greater loiter capability. Furthermore, the recent deployment of the Spirit of Independence and the pending completion of its sister ship Spirit of Freedom make the P-8 Poseidon much easier to be deployed almost anywhere in the world. The P-8 Poseidon is usually armed with Mark 54 MAKO 324mm guided torpedoes or glide bombs in its internal bay, as well as AGM-84K SLAM-ER/Harpoon Block III anti-ship missiles on its underwing external mounts.

Northrop Grumman QE-2E Hawkeye: Although the US Navy’s plan for a new light utility aircraft was canceled after the GLA War, the US Navy has managed to refurbish and upgrade the E-2 Hawkeye AWACS into an unmanned aircraft. Its AN/APS-145 active-passive radar is now augmented with computer processing and is supplemented with the short-range sensors needed for optionally manned operation. In addition to the US Navy, the E-2E Hawkeye has been exported to other nations requiring carrier based AWACS systems such as France and Japan.


General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle/MQ-9 Reaper:
Derived from the first-generation MQ-1 Predator, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle & MQ-9 Reaper are the primary reconnaissance and light attack UAV (respectively) used by the US Air Force and many other militaries worldwide. Even though technically superseded by more advanced UAVs such as the AQ-360 Hunter-Killer and the FQ-47C Pegasus, the MQ-9 Reaper still is an effective reconnaissance and strike platform due to its low cost, high loitering capabilities, and Gorgon Stare surveillance system.

Posted by: DerKrieger 23 Jan 2014, 20:14

Aviation Monthly, October 203x
US Airpower, Part III
By Dan Kim

HELICOPTERS:


Sikorsky UH-60N Ghosthawk/MH-60 Seahawk:
This stealthy evolution of the UH-60 Blackhawk proved to be a less expensive alternative successor for the Blackhawk helicopter. Infamous for its first known use in the bin Laden raid in Abbottabad back in 2011, the Ghosthawk combined the proven airframe and design of the Blackhawk with a stealthier fuselage and more advanced electronics. The UH-60N features updated engines and a new lightweight composite fuselage giving it greater speed and maneuverability than the first generation Ghosthawk, and has a fly-by-wire system and a Common Avionics Architecture System cockpit suite. The US Navy uses the MH-60 Seahawk as a transportation and SAR helicopter, it's anti-submarine and reconnaissance purpose supplemented by the MQ-23A Guardian tilt-rotor.

Bell UH-1Y Venom:
The UH-1Y Venom serves as the main light transport helicopter of the US Marine Corps, and has received incremental upgrades since its initial deployment back in 2008.

McDonnell-Douglas MH-6M Little Bird: The MH-6M Little Bird is the main light attack helicopter and Special Forces utility helicopter used by the US Army's 160th SOAR. It remains in use as it can insert and extract special forces in situations the V-25 and UH-60N cannot.

Boeing AH-64E/F Apache Guardian: The AH-64E Apache Guardian was the US Army's main attack helicopter through the 2010s-2020s. During the Global War on Terror, however, concerns arose over the vulnerability of the Apache to ground fire. Losses during Operation Iraqi Freedom and an incident in Yemen early during the conflict with the GLA where several Apache gunships were shot down, necessitating a rescue operation led to the US Army to consider a new stealthier gunship design. Today the AH-64E is commonly seen in reserve units and the armed forces of foreign nations, as most front-line US attack helicopter units have since transitioned to the AH-66B and AH-64F since the end of the Global War on Terror.

The F model of the Apache further improved the Apache's electronics, speed and operational ceiling as well as introducing a faster and less-vulnerable vectored thrust ducted propeller tail design. The AH-64F model was also adopted by the Israeli Defense Force and the Japanese (under the title "Yumi") and Korean armed forces in addition to the US Army.

Bell AH-1Z Viper: Even though the US Army has mainly moved on with a new attack helicopter design, the US Marines maintain their AH-1Z Viper gunships. Like the UH-1Y little major upgrades have taken place to the airframe.

Bell MQ-23A Guardian: Due to concerns about the lack of space on warships for helicopters, particularly aboard the Freedom and Independence class littoral combat ships, the US Navy decided to develop a new UAV that would cheaply and more compactly perform reconnaissance and ASW missions. Bell's MQ-23 Guardian tilt-rotor design, based loosely on their Eagle Eye concept aircraft, won the competition and subsequently replaced the MQ-8 Fire Scout as a reconnaissance platform as well as performing anti-submarine duties.
The MQ-23A utilizes a single GE T700 turbo-shaft to power its twin transverse six-blade ducted rotors modified for low acoustic signatures, and is equipped with an AQS-13 dipping sonar as standard as well as two Mark 54 MAKO torpedoes. It is also capable of mounting Elint, FLIR, and anti-surface radar pods.

Boeing-Sikorsky AH-66B Comanche:
The AH-64 Apache’s vulnerability to AA systems was an increasingly troubling factor during the Global War on Terror. A particularly notable event was during the invasion of GLA-controlled Yemen where several Apache gunships were shot down, necessitating a rescue operation for the stranded aircrew. However, Boeing-Sikorsky had a somewhat inexpensive solution in mind; the AH-66B, an enhanced gunship version of the canceled Comanche reconnaissance helicopter.

The AH-66B Comanche was first used by units such as the 160th SOAR whenever stealth was needed. Its stealth and agility were well liked and it was only a matter of time until the US Army and Marine Corps began to order the aircraft in number. The helicopter's advanced fly-by-wire makes it easier to pilot than previous generations of helicopters and its targeting system is a unique innovation. Previous gunship targeting systems were connected to the gunner's helmet, pointing the gunship's cannon at wherever the gunner is looking. The Comanche's advanced targeting system takes this premise one step further and actually monitors the gunner's eyes making targeting virtually instantaneous and incredibly precise. Additionally, the Comanche features a sophisticated sensor suite with a low-profile rotor mounted AESA radar, passive radar and ground search radar, as well as an ECM suite, Link-16 data-links, and UAV control compatibility. The helicopter is powered by two Honeywell T800-6H hydrogen turbo-shafts with 2,100 horsepower each.

As for armament the AH-66B retains the internal arms bay of its predecessor and is capable of carrying AGM-305 Joint Air-To-Ground Missiles, Hydra-70 rockets, and AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles. The AH-66’s stub wings are capable of mounting extra armament if necessary, though this degrades the stealth capability of the helicopter as long as unstealthy armament is carried on the wings. The rotor blades are made out of ceramic nanocomposites, the same material as the bulk of the fuselage.

Posted by: DerKrieger 3 Feb 2014, 5:31

Aviation Monthly, November 203x
US Airpower, Part IV
By Richard Wynorski

FIGHTER/ATTACK:

Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block III/EA-18H Growler: Today the F/A/-18E/F Super Hornet is the main fighter aircraft of the US Navy in conjunction with the F-35 Lighting II. The latest models of the Super Hornet and the Growler electronic warfare aircraft include updated General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans, an infrared search and track system, conformal fuel tanks, and under-wing armament pods which increase the aerodynamics of the airframe as well as stealth capability. A large center-line pod is capable of carrying larger munitions such as the AGM-158B JASSM-ER. In addition to the ECM role performed by the Growler, the Super Hornet can be used as a carrier-based tanker aircraft.

Lockheed Martin F-22C Raptor: The continuation of the F-22 production line shortly before the GLA war proved to be somewhat fortuitous for the US Air Force. Fears regarding the development of 5th generation fighter aircraft from nations such as China and Russia were a major factor in deciding to resume the production of the F-22. The cost per aircraft was lowered greatly from the original due to economies of scale, though the total cost of the program was not inconsiderable. Costs saving elements from the F-35 program such as a more durable radar absorbing coating were implemented as well. Further funding was acquired for the deployment of the advanced F-22X King Raptor variant, as well as the export of the F-22 to several friendly nations. Lockheed-Martin was successfully able to export models of the F-22 to Japan, Australia, Israel, and Korea.

Initially developed as a possible midlife upgrade for the F-22 as well as a test bed for possible 6th generation fighter designs, the F-22X King Raptor was by far the most advanced fighter jet built yet. It featured more advanced avionics than the F-22A as well as a miniature Rotary Launcher Assembly within its internal weapons bays, giving it a larger internal payload. When equipped with AIM-210 Cuda missiles or the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb, the F-22X King Raptor has frightening offensive capabilities. The most ambitious features of the F-22X King Raptor were its integrated 150 kW A-THEL (Tactical High Energy Laser) laser point defense system and its carbon nano-tube armored fuselage, making the aircraft a powerful multirole tactical bomber. Alhough the A-THEL system could be mounted on most US aircraft with the capability to power it, the F-22X had it integrated as standard.

However, the high cost of the F-22X King Raptor prevented all of its upgrades from becoming a standard upgrade to the entire F-22 fleet, especially after the heavy military cuts in the wake of the GLA War. Still, the F-22C mid-life upgrade program has managed to incorporate most of the improvements of the F-22X King Raptor. The carbon-nano tube fuselage and Rotary Launcher Assembly were deemed too expensive to implement, but most of the avionics upgrades featured on the F-22X were retained. This means that the AN/APG-77 radar from the A model is still used in the F-22C rather than replacement by the more advanced AN/APG-81 of the F-35, albeit the radar and the AN/ALR-94 ESM have undergone upgrades. The latest incremental upgrade blocks to the F-22C include two L-band intercept radars, and multipoint radar capabilities and high-resolution down seeking upgrades to the AN/APG-77, as well as a “smart skin” multipoint phased radar array along the entire fuselage.

While the A-THEL system and Rotary Launcher Assembly were not made standard issue on the F-22C, the F-22C has the full capability to mount and utilize the A-THEL and has a redesigned armament bay allowing for the carrying of larger JDAMs. As of today, the A-THEL is often equipped on F-22C fighter jets deployed in theaters where they are likely to encounter significant enemy resistance. In addition, the F-22C Raptor has upgraded F119 2D thrust vectoring engines that not only have cooler exhaust, but increase the F-22's already considerable top speed and acceleration.

The normal air-to-air load-out of the F-22C are two AIM-9Z Sidewinders, one in each of the two side bays, and six AIM-120 AMRAAMs (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles) in the three main bays (twelve of the miniature AIM-210 Cuda radar-guided missiles). When equipped with the powerful ramjet AIM-120E AMRAAMs as is standard, the F-22C makes an extremely effective long range fighter. Although not as used as often as the F-35 in the air-to-ground role, the F-22C is capable of carrying most bombs 1000 lbs and less used by the USAF, including Small Diameter Bombs, GBU-35 JDAMs and the AGM-154 JSOW.

Lockheed Martin F-35A/B/C Lightning II:
Despite the expansion of the F-22 Raptor’s production line, the F-35 serves as a front line stealth attack aircraft and tactical bomber in several branches of the US armed forces. The A variant serves as the USAF’s primary strike fighter, the B variant the US Marine Corps’ rapidly deployed stealth fighter from Wasp & America class amphibious assault ships, and the C the US Navy’s primary stealth tactical fighter, based from the Nimitz & Ford class supercarriers.

Though the design has had mainly incremental updates throughout the years, most notably advancements to the avionics, stealth capabilities, weapons payload, and the ability to mount A-THEL air defense lasers, the biggest advancement was the development of the laser armed F-35 during the GLA War. Despite most of the advanced weapons systems developed by DARPA and General Townes falling by the wayside due to postwar budget cuts, lasers and particle beam weapons persisted as anti-aircraft/missile/satellite weaponry and for specific precision strikes. The F-35 Laser Lighting II was one of the very few weapons systems used by General Townes that was not completely decommissioned after the war.

Back in the first two decades of the 21st century, the high cost of the F-35 was a controversial feature of this advanced fighter jet. What was unknown to the public at large was that DARPA had discovered that the space in the F-35 A & C variants left from the absence of the vertical turbofan found in the B variant made for a perfect space to install a capacitor for a laser weapon. The apparent rising costs of the aircraft were a ruse to mask the funds being poured into developing aircraft mounted laser weaponry. General Townes, the head of the division of DARPA dedicated to directed energy weapons, jumped at this chance and led the effort to develop a powerful laser weapon based on the F-35 platform. The end result was a powerful platform for long range interdiction missions. During the war, General Townes used the F-35 modified with focused laser pulse emitters to burn out entrenched GLA as well as surgically eliminate hostiles with a minimum of collateral damage and a maximum of psychological damage to the enemy. Unsurprisingly, seeing one’s comrades vaporize instantly with no warning was often enough to make GLA fighters turn and run.

After the war, this particular advancement to the F-35’s future was in question, however. Even though laser weapons were proven to be highly effective on the battlefield, their high cost and need for intensive maintenance made them unsuited for general issue throughout the US armed forces save for specific applications such as missile and artillery defense, anti-air/missile applications, and surgical strategic strikes. The funding simply wasn’t there to equip every F-35 with laser weapons despite their unquestioned effectiveness, and further procurement of the system was put on hold until the later years of the O’Connell administration. More F-35s have been seen equipped with laser weaponry in recent years, though barring full US entry into a Eurasian conflict it will be quite some time, if ever, before directed energy weapons ever become standard on any F-35 model.

Boeing F-24 Rapier:With the possibility of hostilities with Russia over contested resources in Africa comes the possibility of the US Air Force and Navy having to deal with a modern air force equipped with a sizable number of bomber aircraft capable of carrying long-range anti-ship missiles as well as 5th generation fighter aircraft. Although the US military is confident that the F-22 and F-35 are at least a match to any other combat aircraft, the US military has never been one to rest on its laurels when it comes to technological advancement.

Boeing's F-24 Rapier is the winner of the US military's Next Generation Air Dominance competition for a new 6th generation fighter aircraft. Initially started by the US Navy in order to produce an advanced long-range fighter/bomber, it found the US Air Force as an additional backer after the post Global War on Terror economic crisis. Currently, the F-24 Rapier is planned to enter service with the US Navy and Air Force in the 2040s.

The F-24 Rapier's sensor suite consists of a hybrid AN/APG-83 AESA/PESA radar with a singular emitter for high power at long range, and emitter-capable individual elements for precise short-range operation. In addition to the radar the F-24 features an optical seeker for close range targeting, an AI suite for target analysis (and optional unmanned flying), and front and rear infrared detection.

The weapons bay of the F-24 differs greatly from the F-22 Raptor; each of the aircraft's two main weapons bays can house up to three AIM-120s or LJDAMs in a staggered column. There is also a shallow midline bay and a small bay on each side of the fuselage for AIM-9 missiles. In lieu of a Vulcan cannon, the F-24 Rapier is armed with an A-THEL laser weapon as a close-range anti-aircraft weapon. The laser also can serve as a target designator for Paveway laser guided bombs. Test pilots report that the F-24 serves as an effective bomber in addition to a fighter/interceptor, being able to use the laser to paint the target before their own bombs hit.

Its airframe is comprised of titanium alloys, ceramic scale armor, and classified metals to improve heat distribution, vital at speeds over M3. The F-24 Rapier also has a new type of stealth coating based on that used on the F/B-40 Aurora bomber in addition to the usual array of passive stealth measures and an Integrated Countermeasures Complex of ECM, chaff and flares. It is also capable of carrying ADM-141 TALDs.

Perhaps the most revolutionary feature of the F-24 is its twin General Dynamics Mk2 pulse-detonation engines. Similar in design to the pulse-detonation engines used on the new EF-3000 Hurricane fighter, these engines use plasma ignition to ignite normal JP-8 fuel to propel the aircraft to maximum speeds in excess of Mach 3 and supercruise speeds of over Mach 2. For boosts at top speed, the F-24 has a scramjet booster (similar to the engines of Boeing's Stratobird airliner and Northrop-Grumman's F/B-40 Aurora bomber).

Crew: 1 pilot (zero with AI guidance)
Length: 22.80m
Wingspan: 25.53m
Height: 4.60m
Powerplant: 2 × General Dynamics Mk2 Pulse Detonation engines
range: 4,000 nmi (7,400km+)
Max Speed: Mach 4+ (5,550km/h+)
Armament: 1 × solid-state pulse laser (100 kW output), and a wide assortment of missiles and bombs (AIM -9Z Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-210 Cuda, GBU-35 & GBU-53B SDB, GBU-16/GBU-48/GBU-50 Paveway, AGM-130, AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-88E AARGM, AGM-240 Persistent Anti-Radiation Missile, AGM-178 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, AGM-190 LRASM, 150 kW A-THEL weapons and defense system

Fairchild A-10C Thunderbolt II: The A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately referred to as the “Warthog” is the premier close air support aircraft of the US military. Its survivability from both enemy fire and attempts among the US military to retire it have been legendary, as is its capability of delivering overwhelming firepower in support to ground forces. The A-10 has changed little from its original incarnation, though the aging airframes and vulnerability to the latest anti-aircraft weaponry make it an ever less common sight on today's battlefields. Still, the effectiveness of the A-10 Thunderbolt II against ground vehicles ensure that it'll be a mainstay in close air support for the near future.

Northrop Grumman FQ-47 Vindicator II:
Unlike the earlier prototype models developed before the Navy budget cuts, the production model (based on the X-47C) is considerably larger with greater range and payload. During its initial deployment by the US Navy in the early years of the formation of the North American Union, the FQ-47 was seen as an effective choice of strike and reconnaissance aircraft due to its low cost, small size, and capability to be deployed on the Nimitz & Gerald R. Ford class supercarriers.

In spite of its low cost, it comes equipped with two dozen multipurpose optical sensors, a laser targeting designator for laser guided munitions, two (or rather, thanks to the processing system, one) wing leading edge AESA radars, and standard-issue passive radar. Its armament consists of two wing bays capable of carrying three AIM-9X/Z missiles, AGM-154s, or GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs each, in addition to a lesser number of smaller ordinance (up to 4,500 kg). The FQ-47 is also capable of carrying an Elint pod or an AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN.

Though the FQ-47 was not originally designed to use self-editing software unlike the later AQ-360 Hunter-Killer, Northrop-Grumman quickly modified the FQ-47 with an artificial intelligence core, making the aircraft capable of learning and adapting. Like the AQ-360, it is roughly about as intelligent as a large dog. Despite its size, it has comparatively long range and loiter time due to its single high-bypass afterburner-capable Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbofan.

General Atomics AQ-360 Hunter-Killer:
During the first two decades of the 21st century, the MQ-9 Reaper UAV gained notoriety for their effectiveness and capability to conduct surgical strikes on enemy targets without risking US military personnel, all at a lower operating cost than a traditional fighter bomber. Yet in recent years General Atomics have produced an even more advanced UCAV.

Dubbed the Hunter-Killer, the AQ-360 uses the latest in aerospace technology to provide a cost-effective close air support and strike fighter unmatched anywhere else in the world. Unlike previous aircraft such as the Reaper, the Hunter-Killer is controlled by an autonomous AI core. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney turbofan, the Hunter-Killer is capable of loitering over the battlefield for around 20 hours at a high sub-sonic speed without any input from the ground. Its integral weapons bay can carry over 1,600 kg in ordinance in addition to the six wing-mounted hardpoints, and the Hunter-Killer’s advanced wide-area AESA radar provides unparalleled targeting and surveillance capabilities to merit the successor to older models of UCAV.

Posted by: DerKrieger 8 Feb 2014, 21:31

Ok folks, there will be two more US aircraft that will be mentioned in the next update but this just about does it for the US faction. I haven't quite decided on what to do next but I am taking suggestions if people have anything technical about the RotR verse that they want to see me write about!

Aviation Monthly: December 203x:
US Airpower, Part V
by Richard Wynorski

BOMBERS:

Boeing B-52H Stratofortress: The long-serving B-52H is projected to remain in the USAF inventory until the 2040s, a historic record for service length of a combat aircraft. Even though strategic bombers are an arguably obsolete concept the B-52 is a cost-effective means of delivering large amounts of JDAMs and cruise missiles on target.

Boeing B-1B Lancer: Though the B-1B Lancer's role is quickly being superseded by the F/B-40 Aurora the B-1B still sees service when large weapons payloads are a requirement. The B-1B has been upgraded with more advanced electronics systems, RAM coating (though the design of te aircraft renders it less effective than that used on the B-2), the capability of carrying the latest generation of ordinance, and new F101-GE-203 afterburning turbofans that allow the aircraft to reach a top speed of Mach 2 as well as featuring new bypass contours to improve stealth from IR sensors.

Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit:
Consistent upgrades to the B-2 airframe have ensured its utility even today. In addition to upgrades to the avionics and computer systems, the B-2 (and all other stealth aircraft) has received a new, more economical radar absorbent coating that doesn't require climate controlled hangars as well as upgraded GE F118 engines that are stealthier and cheaper to maintain. The B-2 is also the only aircraft capable of carrying the GBU-57 Block 3 Massive Ordinance Penetrator, a 30000 lb bunker-buster warhead that was famously used against the GLA in the later stages of the campaigns in the Middle East. When armed with the AGM-214 Waverider HSSW cruise missile, the B-2 Spirit finally has a standoff nuclear capability.

Northrop-Grumman F/B-40 Aurora: The aircraft we know today as the F/B-40 Aurora's history stretches a long way back into the 1980s, where DARPA, along with Northrop and Lockheed's Skunk Works experimented with a hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft intended to replace the SR-71 Blackbird. This first generation Aurora had a top speed of Mach 4-5 and was powered by liquid methane-fulled ramjet engines. At the time, there was no way to correctly deploy bombs or other ordinance from an aircraft moving at such high speeds.
The development of more sophisticated spy satellites and the end of the Cold War put an end to the Aurora project in the mid 90's. The project lay dormant though the technology developed for the engines would live on in spaceplane concepts and a new generation of rocket boosters.

DARPA was currently running a black project program designed to produce a hypersonic bomber, and Northrop-Grumman saw a perfect opportunity to recycle their Aurora and F/B-23 projects. Additionally, the USAF was also seeking for a new medium strategic bomber design to replace their aging B-1B and F-117 aircraft. The resulting aircraft was dubbed the Aurora after the code name for the original prototype aircraft.

The new Aurora was powered by two ramjet engines in an over-under configuration which were far more efficient and sophisticated than the engines of the original 1980's design. General Electric's new ramjet design used methylcyclohexane (MCH) as fuel and thermal management medium instead of the cryogenic methane of the original engine. MCH has roughly ten times the energy capacity of hydrocarbon fuels and is much safer and more practical to store and utilize than hydrogen or methane, important due to the extreme heat generated due to atmospheric friction when moving at high speeds and for avoiding IR detection. The principle behind MCH thermal management is based on a catalytic reaction transforming MCH into Toluene and Hydrogen, which are then used to fuel the aircraft. A fuel pump pressurizes the fuel to avoid boiling, and the preheater heats the fuel to the proper reaction temperature while removing heat from a secondary coolant. After preheating, the fuel passes through the catalytic heat exchanger/ reactor before being ignited by the engines. The secondary coolant, Syltherm, circulates to the hot spots to maintain skin temperatures to within specified tolerances. At low speeds, the Aurora's ramjet engines act as normal turbojets; at hypersonic speeds the compressor and turbine are switched off so the engines can operate as ramjets. However, there is a cost. The fuel consumption when in hypersonic mode is significant as is the heat buildup from both the ramjet and atmospheric friction. Normally hypersonic mode is used when carrying out an attack or when going sub-orbital, and the pilot conserves fuel by flying at high altitude at a subsonic speed after the attack is complete. The F/B-40A was capable of reaching Mach 6 in the atmosphere and was capable of boosting the engine enough to reach sub-orbit for short periods of time. The fuselage of the aircraft was primarily made of titanium alloy with the outer edges being made of Inconel, a heat-resistant stainless steel. At Mach 5 speed the leading edges of the air-frame would glow red above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

As for avionics, the F/B-40 Aurora has an APG-81 LPI AESA radar based on the same radar used in the F-35. This gives the F/B-40 Aurora high-resolution SAR imaging, improved resistance to jammers, and ECM capabilities. Two APG-W-29 L-band AESA radars are implemented in the wings, and a tail-mounted APG-T-24 X-band AESA is also standard. It also incorporates the ALQ-110 Next-Generation Jammer, which uses six AESA arrays for all around coverage, a full digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) jammer, a stealthy version of the ALQ-41 Distributed Aperture System, an internal contraphasic radar jammer, and chaff and flares.

Needless to say the Aurora being submitted to the Next Generation Bomber competition was a surprise to the USAF. Northrop-Grumman had managed to deliver DARPA's hypersonic bomber project early in time for the Next Generation Bomber. Though the Aurora was highly expensive, it was deemed to be far more cost-effective than purchasing both a subsonic Next Generation Bomber and a more advanced 2037 Bomber. The USAF adopted the aircraft as the F/B-40 Aurora and intended it to replace the F-15E Strike Eagle and the B-1B Lancer. The “fighter” designation has generally been accepted as misinformation to mislead foreign intelligence agencies; though the F/B-40 could feasibly be used as an interceptor there is no evidence suggesting that it is routinely used as such.

After the full entry of US troops into the Middle East and Central Asia as a result of the Global War on Terror, the F/B-40 Aurora had its time to shine in combat. The new aircraft was used as a deep strike bomber whenever speed was needed, and the F/B-40 was forward deployed at RAF Lakenheath, Diego Garcia, Bagram, and Andersen AFB during the conflict in addition to deployments in CONUS at Whiteman, Barksdale, Mountain Home, Seymour Johnson, and Eglin. Common armaments for the F/B-40 Aurora included the JDAM series (including the GBU-31(V)4/B “bunker buster” bombs) and the devastating GBU-44 10,000 lb thermobaric bomb.

Despite its numerous successes during the war the F/B-40 Aurora's service record was marred due to the infamous Aurora scandal and the later Shakhdara incident. The Aurora was initially a top secret project that was to be revealed as the USAF's Next Generation Bomber at some later date. However, a few Air Force staffers carelessly leaked recordings and non-critical, but still classified information about the aircraft to an anonymous source. The Air Force staffers were subsequently discovered and punished but the proof of the F/B-40 Aurora existing was already out there for all to see.

The Shakdara incident came about from the aftermath of a successful covert mission to destroy a well defended convoy of GLA moving black market nuclear and chemical weapons to Afghanistan through a pass in the Shakhdara mountains of Tajikistan ended up as a PR embarrassment for the USAF when one of the Aurora strike aircraft which carried out the mission was shot down on egress over Pakistan when returning to Diego Garcia. The F/B-40 Aurora pilots had decided to fly low to avoid possible detection and international incident by Russian or Chinese radar whilst in contested airspace. As mentioned before, the Aurora had little defense from possible enemy aircraft if its fuel was low and caught at low speeds. When the Auroras were returning to Diego Garcia at low altitude over Pakistani air space, GLA fighters on the ground were able to spot the aircraft and were able to intercept them with surface-to-air missiles. Despite the Aurora's stealth features, the GLA managed to shoot down one of the aircraft, its pilot managing to eject and evade capture before being rescued. The pictures of the wreckage were circulated widely online by GLA agents and the heretofore secret operation was now public knowledge. With the Incirlik attack and public reveal of the Aurora broadly in the public mind the USAF had yet another serious blunder on their hands, made even worse since it involved one of their most advanced black projects.

Despite the Shakhdara incident, the F/B-40 Aurora served well during the Global War on Terror, and it became feared among the GLA for its capability to drop a GBU-44 bomb anytime, anywhere, with absolutely no warning. Lockheed Martin and Boeing even developed an even faster variant, the F/B-40B, with a more powerful engine capable of Mach 8 flight in the atmosphere as well as an A-THEL anti-missile laser for defense. These Aurora bombers were given a flat black paint scheme instead of the grey camouflage of the F/B-40As and the F-22 & F-35.

After the war the Aurora's future was in question due to the high cost of producing and maintaining the aircraft. It was due to the skilled manipulation and arguments of General Eugene Griffon that Congress allowed the production run of the aircraft to continue as per the original plan. Today the Aurora serves in the USAF under more auspicious circumstances.

General Characteristics:

* Crew: 1; may have unmanned capability
* Length: 35 m (115 ft)
* Wingspan: 20 m (65 ft)
* Height: 6 m (19 ft)
* Wing area: 125 m² (1,345 ft²)
* Empty weight: 29,480 kg (65,000 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 71,215 kg (157,000 lb)
* Powerplant: 2× scramjet/turbine (500 kN est. thrust) each

Performance:


* Maximum speed: Mach 5-6 at altitude (unknown at sea level); F/B-40B; Mach 8+ at altitude
* Combat radius: over 2,400 km (1,500 mi)
* Service ceiling: over 100 km (62 mi)
* Thrust/weight: unknown
Fuel types

* MCH
* Possible use of MHD (MagnetoHydroDynamics) technology.

Armament/Equipment:
Max Payload: 3,600 kg (8,000 lbs) internal ordinance capacity, optional pylons on wings adding additional 8,000 lbs of ordinance. Capable of carrying nuclear weaponry.
Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance, and command & control equipment allowing the Aurora’s pilot to direct friendly forces. C4ISR and AESA radar standard.

Posted by: swedishplayer-97 8 Feb 2014, 21:37

That's one interesting take on the Aurora scandal. Seeing as how 90% of my Auroras in ZH were shot down on the return trip I am not surprised.

Posted by: DerKrieger 9 Feb 2014, 0:07

For sure, it was the most obvious way to interpret the Aurora scandal. I also was inspired by the time that F-117 got shot down over Serbia during the NATO bombing back in 1999.

Posted by: Pepo 9 Feb 2014, 0:33

is me or did you forget the f-117 dry.gif

good job with that writings, i really like the info given about USA planes

Posted by: DerKrieger 9 Feb 2014, 0:46

I didn't, I couldn't figure out a plausible reason for it to still be flying with the F-35 and such around so I took it that the Nighthawk in Generals was a F-35.

And thanks, I have two more aircraft to cover then I'm going to move on to some other factions stuff and/or take requests. I have some ideas about some of the other tech in RotR and how it operates, so I'd like to get to them sometime.

Posted by: swedishplayer-97 9 Feb 2014, 1:40

The Nighthawk is obviously not an F-35. Maybe you could come up with something, like budget costs, cutbacks or maybe an explanation from MARS?

Posted by: Knossos 9 Feb 2014, 6:15

A credible explanation would be that when the F-35 was finally put to the test, it was a multipurpose stealth fighter jet that wasn't multipurpose, wasn't stealthy, and isn't qualified to be called a fighter credibly, necessitating the USAF to bring back the Hog and the predecessor of all stealth jets, the F-117.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 9 Feb 2014, 7:16

It might also be reasonable because the F117 is one of the few planes able to carry those bunker busters. I doubt an F35 could carry one of those...also, it could be explained as a much upgraded Nighthawk, made with more cost-effective stealth materials from other projects and better electrical systems.

Posted by: MARS 9 Feb 2014, 8:16

Personally, I've always operated under the mindset that the Nighthawks were refurbished and upgraded for export/service during the GWOT so that the leftovers of lost F-35s or other planes would not be sold off to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea or the like by some crafty GLA merchants. Not sure if I want to treat that as an official explanation myself though. The original game had the Nighthawk because it was still in service at the time and because they wanted a visual shorthand for 'this is the American stealth plane' and we left it in for the sake of nostalgia as well as the second original reason.

Posted by: DerKrieger 9 Feb 2014, 15:38

QUOTE (Knossos @ 9 Feb 2014, 0:15) *
A credible explanation would be that when the F-35 was finally put to the test, it was a multipurpose stealth fighter jet that wasn't multipurpose, wasn't stealthy, and isn't qualified to be called a fighter credibly, necessitating the USAF to bring back the Hog and the predecessor of all stealth jets, the F-117.


Given that the F-35 has been performing quite well in tests (and has already entered production) it seems unlikely.

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 9 Feb 2014, 1:16) *
It might also be reasonable because the F117 is one of the few planes able to carry those bunker busters. I doubt an F35 could carry one of those...also, it could be explained as a much upgraded Nighthawk, made with more cost-effective stealth materials from other projects and better electrical systems.


The F-35 can carry every weapon the F-117 could and then some. The thing is an upgraded Nighthawk is rather unlikely...the airframes date back from the 1980s and the tooling to produce the aircraft has long been destroyed.

QUOTE (MARS @ 9 Feb 2014, 2:16) *
Personally, I've always operated under the mindset that the Nighthawks were refurbished and upgraded for export/service during the GWOT so that the leftovers of lost F-35s or other planes would not be sold off to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea or the like by some crafty GLA merchants. Not sure if I want to treat that as an official explanation myself though. The original game had the Nighthawk because it was still in service at the time and because they wanted a visual shorthand for 'this is the American stealth plane' and we left it in for the sake of nostalgia as well as the second original reason.


Yeah, I know y'all didn't want to replace the visually identifiable Nighthawk with an airplane that closely resembles the F-22 for gameplay reasons plus adherence to the original game. I'm just chalking it up to the game being made before the F-35 was designed and before the F-117 was prematurely retired. If they had made Generals today, or if I was in charge of designing models for RotR or some other Generals mod, I would have used a F-35 or some fictional stealth bomber aircraft.

Posted by: Kalga 9 Feb 2014, 15:54

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 9 Feb 2014, 9:38) *
Given that the F-35 has been performing quite well in tests (and has already entered production) it seems unlikely.


Well the Generals timeline does deviate from our timeline... guess a few more things went wrong in their universe.

Posted by: MARS 9 Feb 2014, 15:56

^ Right. I'd probably go for the F-35 as the US main fighter, give it decent multirole and exclusive air-to-air capabilities while adding more specialised planes for CAS, precision bombing and the like in the later tiers. The F-22 would actually be reserved a stealthy air superiority fighter used for a kind of anti-air overwatch support power, i.e. you mark an area and any enemy air units that move through it will get wiped out by off-map Raptors. They would dominate every other plane in that situation and grant the enemy player a hefty XP bonus if he manages to shoot them down.

Posted by: DerKrieger 9 Feb 2014, 16:33

I had decided to go with the explanation that in the Generals timeline the US didn't cut back on the F-22 orders so the Air Force ended up with the full production run and subsequently purchased less F-35s. As a result the F-22 was used more for air superiority while the F-35A was a multipurpose light fighter as designed just like the F-16. The Navy and Marines used their variants for the same roles. During the Global War on Terror the F-22 was a relatively uncommon sight, F-16s, F/A-18s, and F-15Es were more common in the skies over Central Asia and the Middle East as the GLA didn't have that much in the way of advanced combat aircraft.

Posted by: swedishplayer-97 9 Feb 2014, 16:40

So... this... wait, now, uh... is this canon or not?

Posted by: MARS 9 Feb 2014, 17:24

Parts of it can be, yes. I'll give this some proper thought at a later point in time.

Posted by: DerKrieger 9 Feb 2014, 17:36

QUOTE (swedishplayer-97 @ 9 Feb 2014, 10:40) *
So... this... wait, now, uh... is this canon or not?


I don't see why large parts of it can't be (I'm still not 100% satisfied about the new AWACS, but I felt given the timeline they'd be developing a new AWACS/ELINT aircraft to replace the older generation), I just tried to explain the idiosyncrasies of the Generals setting being made back when certain projects were still in development/hadn't been made yet (see my explanation for the F-35 and the Comanche/Apache) to a somewhat realistic extent. For better or worse, I couldn't think up of a reason for the F-117 to be flying around the Middle East on combat missions in the 2010s. Come to think of it though, a tactical bomber spinoff of the F-35 dubbed the "Nighthawk II" that roughly resembles the F-117 could be plausible...

There'll be a little of the same (read: questionably canon) about the other sides...I was thinking of explaining away the Chinese "MiG" as a J-20 variant rather than an anachronistic MiG 1.44, the ECA Harrier has bigger changes to the original aircraft than the in-game model may imply and the ECA has an entirely new 5+ generation Eurofighter aircraft (though the EF-2000 still remains in wide service by the time of the war), and I'm thinking of an idea as to why the Russian Air Force/Navy uses what appears to be the Su-47 as a combat aircraft (spoiler: It's a new aircraft heavily based on the Su-47 design, or I may just invent a whole new aircraft to take its place). I also had an interesting idea as to why the Paladin is referred to such in game rather than the M1A4 Abrams, as well.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 10 Feb 2014, 3:47


To be honest, I believe the Nighthawk should be replaced with something filling a similar role, like the unmanned X-47B or something derivative of the A-12 Avenger II...

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 10 Feb 2014, 3:51


Also, some more research I did suggests that it could be an offshoot of the F117N program, which created some improved technology for the aircraft.

Posted by: DerKrieger 10 Feb 2014, 4:07

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 9 Feb 2014, 21:47) *
To be honest, I believe the Nighthawk should be replaced with something filling a similar role, like the unmanned X-47B or something derivative of the A-12 Avenger II...


The FQ-47C I covered in the "Fighter" section is in fact directly based off of the X-47B and would serve a very similar role to the F-117 in game (aside from being unmanned and mainly carrier based). I would have used it as a Nighthawk replacement too.

Anyone have any ideas for requests for me to do in the near future?

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 10 Feb 2014, 4:22


Ah, didn't see that about the FQ-47, thanks for pointing that out.

I'm curious as to why England still uses the retired Vulcan bombers in the mod. I know they really have no alternative, but those things would be ancient - there are only two flying right now, and those are for air shows. Did they start production of an improved variant or something?

Posted by: DerKrieger 10 Feb 2014, 4:31

No problem, the "X" designation is used for experimental aircraft if I recall. Should the X-47 enter service it'd most likely be referred to as the FQ-47 or AQ-47.

I had an explanation for that too. The short version is that the RotR Vulcan is an advanced delta wing bomber that has a strong resemblance to the original Vulcan, so it was named after the Avro Vulcan as an homage. I'll probably work on ECA aircraft and stuff next, unless someone else has an idea.

Posted by: MARS 10 Feb 2014, 7:36

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 10 Feb 2014, 4:22) *
I'm curious as to why England still uses the retired Vulcan bombers in the mod. I know they really have no alternative, but those things would be ancient - there are only two flying right now, and those are for air shows. Did they start production of an improved variant or something?


It's not so much a matter of them using the retired Vulcans again, but rather having built a new plane that's heavily based on the Vulcan, equipped with modern day electronics and named after the original plane as an hommage. The ECA mainly has these planes in order to ensure some basic capabilities when it comes to strategic bombing and strengthen their nuclear deterrent, albeit not to the same extent as America or Russia.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 11 Feb 2014, 3:15


I get it. It makes a lot of sense, and it wouldn't need a fantastic range as it is pretty much in range of everything interesting when based from England. I imagine the design sprouted when Russia started to act more aggressively, or maybe during the ECA-GLA conflicts.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 11 Feb 2014, 3:30


And I wonder about the designation for the X-47. Your explanation is feasible and realistic, but the US military has had some weird naming conventions, like the SR-71 or the MQ-1. It might be called the MQ-47. But that's just quibbling over stuff that doesn't really matter.

Posted by: DerKrieger 11 Feb 2014, 3:58

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 10 Feb 2014, 21:15) *
I get it. It makes a lot of sense, and it wouldn't need a fantastic range as it is pretty much in range of everything interesting when based from England. I imagine the design sprouted when Russia started to act more aggressively, or maybe during the ECA-GLA conflicts.

I'd assume that it'd have the same range as most aircraft its size, the ECA would want something capable of hitting north/central Africa or Russia from bases in the UK. I believe MARS was referring to the ECA having a smaller strategic bomber fleet than the US or Russia.

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 10 Feb 2014, 21:30) *
And I wonder about the designation for the X-47. Your explanation is feasible and realistic, but the US military has had some weird naming conventions, like the SR-71 or the MQ-1. It might be called the MQ-47. But that's just quibbling over stuff that doesn't really matter.

The "SR" designation is for reconnaissance aircraft so a combat/recon UAV like the X-47 wouldn't be refered to as such. "MQ" does stand for multirole drones so it could be called the MQ-47C. The Pegasus in universe is primarily designed for close air support and reconnaissance though it is quite capable of air-to-air combat if necessary, though the US Navy generally leaves the air-to-air combat to Super Bugs or Lightning IIs.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 11 Feb 2014, 6:33

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 10 Feb 2014, 21:58) *
I'd assume that it'd have the same range as most aircraft its size, the ECA would want something capable of hitting north/central Africa or Russia from bases in the UK. I believe MARS was referring to the ECA having a smaller strategic bomber fleet than the US or Russia.

The B52 actually has roughly double the range of the Vulcan, but I was actually referring to how the ECA has comparatively fewer refueling areas or tankers available compared to other powers (like Russia and the USA). The USA especially has many places it could refuel and/or rearm long-range aircraft, like the seabases.


The "SR" designation is for reconnaissance aircraft so a combat/recon UAV like the X-47 wouldn't be refered to as such. "MQ" does stand for multirole drones so it could be called the MQ-47C. The Pegasus in universe is primarily designed for close air support and reconnaissance though it is quite capable of air-to-air combat if necessary, though the US Navy generally leaves the air-to-air combat to Super Bugs or Lightning IIs.


I was using the SR71 as an example of weird naming conventions - the SR stands for Search and Rescue, which the plane would be fairly useless in as it is meant to take high-speed, high-altitude photography of military bases (I know the designation was used to fool Soviets, but they kept it even after the public reveal). And you said it yourself, the Pegasus is a multirole drone, used for CAS and recon, like the MQ-1.

Posted by: MARS 11 Feb 2014, 8:39

The Vulcan bombers were actually one of the first things that showed up during the forming of the ECA's military component in the early/mid 2030s because Europe's new politicians actively embraced the notion of having their own strategic nuclear deterrent. Russia or the GLA didn't really factor into this mindset, but rather the idea that they'd ultimately need something like this if they wanted to be a real player on the global stage after the termination of NATO. This is supposed to mark the shift in Europe's self-image, i.e. abandoning the pure 'soft power' approach which left the former in-universe EU dependent on America and vulnerable without them. It's a subtle thing, but the As The War Approaches update a while back had a section where a German minister flat-out stated that the nuclear weapons of France and Britain (and by extension, their delivery systems) serve as the ECA's strategic deterrent. Anyone with a passing familiarity of RL German politics could attest that this sort of acknowledgement is the expression of a -serious- geopolitical shift in how the ECA perceives itself and its role in the world.

Posted by: DerKrieger 11 Feb 2014, 20:26

Alright, just got to do a revised US AWACS and then I'm going to do a writeup on the new Vulcan bomber since that seems to be quite popular. I'm also going to do notes on non-aircraft as well at some point, so heads up. This particular entry is a pure lore aircraft (thus far).

SpaceX/Alliant Tech Systems X-41 Hot Eagle Hypersonic Cruise Spaceplane, Northrop Grumman/Scaled Composites Model 378 White Knight Three: DARPA's Falcon project, designed to produce a hypersonic aircraft capable of reaching anywhere on earth within two hours culminated in three working projects; Lockheed Martin's F/B-40 Aurora bomber, Boeing's AGM/RGM-214 Waverider hypersonic anti-ship/cruise missile, and last but clearly not least, the X-41 Hot Eagle spaceplane.

The X-41 Hot Eagle was not initially intended to be a military aircraft, being created by SpaceX as an optionally manned spaceplane capable of efficiently traveling to orbit and beyond without the need of an expensive atmospheric rocket booster. SpaceX was inspired by Boeing's X-37 space plane; however the X-41 was larger and capable of carrying passengers and traveling at high orbit. The atmospheric engine technology used by SpaceX came from a licensed and modified version of the ramjet engine used on the F/B-40 Aurora and Boeing's Stratobird airliner. Though the engine was powerful enough to reach sub-orbit breaking Earth's gravitational pull would require an additional rocket engine. Northrop Grumman by way of their subdivision Scaled Composites had offered SpaceX an ingenious solution to the problem of booster rockets.

Scaled Composites had tested their own suborbital spacecraft by means of launching them from high altitude from a carrier aircraft; the first such mission was the launching of SpaceShipTwo from White Knight Two in August 2013. Testing proved that the concept was indeed viable, and Northrop Grumman produced the White Knight Three carrier aircraft for the X-41 Hot Eagle. The project was a great success and the X-41 Hot Eagle soon became the premier means of travel to the Pennsylvania space station, being famous in recent years for transporting the astronauts to the Pennsylvania to prepare for their departure to Mars on the followup to SpaceX's historic 2018 Red Dragon manned mission.

As a result DARPA showed great interest in this spinoff of their own design, and the US Air Force has ordered several of these spacecraft and carrier aircraft for orbital deployment of satellites, global tactical deployment, and maintenance of the SDI network.

Posted by: DerKrieger 18 Feb 2014, 0:14

Since this one was revealed in Doomhammer's livecast I don't think my balls are in danger of being cut off with a rusty spoon if I post this here. And that's just about it for the US aircraft!

Boeing EAL-797 Guardian Angel: The success of DARPA's High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS) mounted on the F-22X King Raptor and select other US aircraft during the Global War on Terror, as well as its spinoff the Perimeter And Local Area Defense Integrated Network (PALADIN) system on the M1A4 Abrams and AN/TWQ-1L Laser Avenger inspired the US Air Force to take a bold step with the next generation of AWACS aircraft.

As problems with maintaining the aging Boeing 707-based airframes of the USAF's AWACS and ELINT aircraft became prevalent during the first few decades of the 21st century, it became apparent that a successor was needed. Even though the Air Force had to deal with post-war spending cuts, advances in computer technology allowed for all AWACS and ELINT tasks to be consolidated in one aircraft type. The US Air Force was highly pleased by the performance of the HELLADS system during the Global War on Terror but the funding wasn't there to retrofit the entire current generation of aircraft. That said, the USAF didn't wish to leave the airfleet without the protection afforded by laser defenses. However, DARPA had a radical plan for the USAF's needs.

Boeing's EAL-797 was an innovative solution to the problem. Based off of Boeing's new 797 airliner, the EAL-797 combined AWACS and ELINT devices in one airframe, as well as a scaled down version of Westinghouse's chemical oxygen iodine high energy laser that was the competitor to General Dynamics' high amperage tritium charged particle beam SDI system. Although the Advanced Tactical Laser mounted on the EAL-797's energy output is much lower than the emplaced SDI version, the ATL is more than powerful enough to disintegrate missiles and aircraft fuselages from long range. Details are still classified but it is known that the laser has an energy output in excess of 150 kW and a range of at least 300 km, giving it longer range than Raytheon's more compact but more expensive solid state laser combat tested on F-35s.

Given the immense amount of data collected by an EAL-797 Guardian Angel while in operation an AI core is far more efficient and effective than an on-board team of human operators. The aircraft's radome contains a powerful multi-frequency phased array radar which serves as both an active and passive sensor. The aircraft also has a LANTIRN-type TERFLW kit and a Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) radar system underneath the main fuselage, and its computers can easily interact with the sensors and communication systems of friendly UAVs and the F-22 and F-35 aircraft, using them to gather information for tactical analysis which is then broadcast back to friendly forces in the area. For defense, the Guardian Angel has an AN/ASQ-184 system controlling the AN/ALQ-161 ECM block, chaff-flare dispensers, and an IR jammer in addition to the nose mounted Advanced Tactical Laser.

Posted by: DerKrieger 18 Feb 2014, 19:27

Alright, here's a short write-up on the new Vulcan bomber. I wasn't sure what sort of designation it'd have, though. As far as I recall the original Vulcan didn't have one either so I stuck with "Vulcan II."

BAE/Reaction Engines Limited Vulcan II: The relatively poor performance of the British, Italian, and French air forces and naval air wings in Libya just prior to the Global War on Terror was well in mind of European defense strategists during the foundation of the European Continental Army. Not only did the air forces of these nations find themselves running out of munitions at an alarmingly rapid pace, it was clear that without American backing the ECA needed long-range strategic bombers of their own. During the first NATO invasion of Afghanistan and at several points in the Global War on Terror, once-thought obsolete strategic bombers made effective “bomb trucks” for extended tactical bombing as well as effective tools for bunker-buster/penetration bomb delivery.

To this end, the ECA quickly arranged a competition for a long-range strategic bomber. It wasn't long before BAE's submission was found to stand out above all others. Dubbed the Vulcan II due to its strong similarity to the Cold War era Avro Vulcan, the Vulcan II featured some design elements from British aerospace company Reaction Engines Limited, the creators of the revolutionary Skylon spaceplane. The Vulcan II is a delta wing supersonic bomber with low-visibility radar signature. Its four EuroJet Euroluft turbojet engines allow a top afterburning speed of nearly Mach 2; though not as stealthy as the B2 Spirit or Tu-424 its greater speed was seen as an acceptable tradeoff. The Vulcan II relies on an AESA radar for ground search, and a passive radar and Galileo SatNav suite for navigation. With a payload of 25 metric tons, the Vulcan II can carry any ground ordinance from dumb bombs to hypersonic cruise missiles to nuclear ordinance.

Posted by: Karpet 21 Feb 2014, 3:44

The last Avro Vulcan type is the Vulcan B.2 so I guess it could be the Vulcan B.3 but I'm not sure because as MARS said it is built from scratch but heavily based on the Vulcan.

Posted by: DerKrieger 27 Feb 2014, 21:22

Going to switch gears here for a moment and do something that's not an aircraft. I have further plans for other future updates in the same vein, but I'm still taking requests in case any of y'all want to read about your favorite RotR/Generals units.


ZTZ-200H Overlord tank with mounted gattling cannon and Chinese infantry during a combat exercise in the Tarim Basin.


ZTZ-200 Overlord series:
Super-heavy tanks are nothing new in the field of armored warfare. However, the immense weight of such a vehicle and the difficulty of finding an engine powerful enough for these armored behemoths, not to mention the high costs of developing and manufacturing them, made them nothing more than engineering curiosities.

It came as no surprise that the (often regarded as eccentric) People's Liberation Army General Ta Hun Kwai came up with the idea of the revival of a heavy breakthrough tank to support armored columns. Kwai's idea was extremely controversial among Politburo members and PLA strategic planners, to say the least, but it narrowly managed to attain enough funding for development of such a project.

Norinco's end result of the project was the ZTZ-200 “Overlord.” It was nothing short of excessive, with obscenely thick multi-layer composite armor and mounting twin 140mm smoothbore autoloading cannons. Initial designs had it with high velocity twin 125mm cannons based on the same gun used on the ZTZ-99 main battle tank in order to simplify logistics, but the larger experimental 140mm cannon had far more range and firepower suiting a heavy assault vehicle. Furthermore, the large chassis of the ZTZ-200 made it a perfect platform for the gun. Most interestingly, however, was the modular turret design. The Overlord could be modified in field for a variety of support roles. In all, three packages were developed for the Overlord. One was a reinforced small bunker with room for an infantry squad complete with heavy weaponry, allowing them to use the Overlord as protection. The second possible configuration was mounting a loudspeaker on the turret, allowing for broadcasting of psy-ops material to either friendly troops or the enemy. Lastly, the Overlord could mount a twin 30mm auto-targeted rotary cannon AA mount to deal with attack helicopters or targets with which the 140mm cannons would be overkill.

Regardless of the Overlord's capability on paper, the tank was plagued with problems. The presence of an Overlord on a battlefield meant that it was by its nature vulnerable to enemy fire. It was a given to the PLA that the Overlord was not to be used in combat against an enemy with air superiority as it could easily be targeted and destroyed by aircraft. The Overlord was ponderously slow, even with its notoriously fuel-guzzling turbine engines. Not only did the engines require a great deal of fuel to power the Overlord, the engines were prone to breakdown and the weight of the Overlord meant that its treads had to be frequently replaced.

There was an ingenious solution to both the problem of fuel consumption and the maintenance intensive engines, however; Chinese engineers had come up with the possibility of mounting nuclear reactors to the Overlord in order to power such a beast. Despite initial concerns about the ability to shield tank crews properly from radiation, the project was given full funding. The end result was more promising than the PLA had initially hoped; the mini-reactors, fully compatible with the Overlord's turbines, could easily be retrofitted to the Overlord tank fleet and were much more reliable and powerful than the fossil fuel based turbine engine. In fact, further development made an even smaller engine that could be retrofitted to all other existing PLA tanks. The nuclear engines would be later mass produced as a kit to refurbish PLA tanks from the Type 99 main battle tank to the Type-124 “Hopper” tankette.

An additional improvement to the baseline Overlord was personally commissioned by General Kwai for his troops. Dubbed the ZTZ-200G Emperor, the Emperor was an advanced model with additional armor, improved higher velocity 140mm cannons and a redesigned turret that had a loudspeaker installed by default at the cost of the ability to install a bunker. Though extremely effective, the tactical inflexibility and additional cost of the ZTZ-200G made it infeasible as a complete successor to the Overlord. Regardless, the improved cannons and fire control systems and applique armor made it to the ZTZ-200H upgrade to the existing Overlord fleet.

Posted by: swedishplayer-97 28 Feb 2014, 10:07

Hmm, MARS and DerKriger, would it be okay if we used some of these descriptions for the wiki?

Posted by: DerKrieger 28 Feb 2014, 16:25

You have my permission to use any of the descriptions I use here for the wiki.

Posted by: Dylan 5 Mar 2014, 17:40

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 28 Feb 2014, 1:52) *
Going to switch gears here for a moment and do something that's not an aircraft. I have further plans for other future updates in the same vein, but I'm still taking requests in case any of y'all want to read about your favorite RotR/Generals units.


Awesome Thread. smile.gif

And I would like information on these units :-

Sentinel Tank.
Kodiak Tank.
Twin Fang.
Microwave Tank.

Posted by: DerKrieger 10 Mar 2014, 20:24

Due to request, I've decided to do something on the Kodiak and Sentinel Tanks next.

T-90M2 Kad'jak “Kodiak”: Following the reorganization of the over-budget and constantly delayed T-99 Armata program in 2017 due to the newly elected President's desire to focus on other priorities, the Russian Army searched for an affordable replacement for their aging T-72 fleet. Uralvagonzavod's ultimately successful entry was an upgraded version of their T-90A tank, currently in service with the Russian Army. Costing only a fraction of the cost of the Armata program, the T-90M2 Kodiak was a fairly conservative design featuring a 6-roller chassis, an improved 1300 hp diesel engine, & a remotely controlled turret with a 2A46M-5 125mm smoothbore maingun capable of firing the Refleks ATGM, Kord heavy machine gun, and separated turret bustle for ammunition storage. The advanced integrated tactical system, Catherine-FC thermal imaging sensor, and GLONASS navigation system on the Kodiak in addition to Relikt ERA and composite armor give it more combat effectiveness than the earlier generation of T-90 tanks.

Reports have shown lately that the Russian Army has pulled a number of T-80 tanks out of storage and given them similar upgrades to the T-90M2, as well as at least one example with its 125mm cannon replaced with a railgun, dubbed the T-80R. It is likely that the T-80 was chosen as a test bed for the railgun due to its powerful turbine engine. This tank is likely a test bed for a tank mounted electromagnetic cannon, a possibility compounded by recent reports of T-90M2s armed with experimental electromagnetic cannons and even man-portable railguns. The CIA and DIA suggest that Russian development in lightweight super-conducting materials as well as compact reactors have allowed them to miniaturize electromagnetic weapons to such an extent; previously railguns were reserved for warships such as the Zumwalt Flight II destroyers and Gangut class cruisers due to the energy requirement and scale of the weapons themselves. With the recent development of the conventionally armed T-100 Ogre and T-279 Golem, however, it seems unlikely that railguns will be standard issue on any future Russian tanks at this time.

Micro capacitors and fusion reactors have made smaller railguns as well as the practical development of directed energy weapons possible; DARPA briefly considered developing armored vehicles armed with railguns, albeit the downscaling of the railguns in order to mount them on tanks and IFVs lowered their power and range to scarcely above that of conventional chemical-powered munitions. DARPA therefore decided that it was a better plan to invest in the more effective laser weaponry for infantry and vehicles/aircraft.

NT-28M3 Ochrannik “Sentinel”: The development of the ZTZ-200 Overlord led to the development of similar super-heavy breakthrough tanks in several other nations. Two of the more notable designs coming out of Russia and Eastern Europe were Uralvagonzavod's NT-28 Ochrannik and the T-88 Bastion assault tank designed by the Charkiv Morozov Design Bureau. The original NT-28, first seen at the 2014 Victory Day parade, was generally seen by the Russian Army as a white elephant made solely to poorly counter the Chinese Overlord tank, and only saw a very limited rate production run. It was equipped with dual proprietary 160mm cannons that were seen as a logistic burden, and its turbines were at least as malfunction prone as those found on the Overlord.

Its closest rival aside from the Overlord was the T-88 Bastion, designed and built shortly before the Russian integration of the eastern Ukraine. The T-88 was also heavily based on the Overlord but was in many cases seen as a more practical improvement; featuring twin 135mm main guns derived from naval guns, dual turret mounted 30mm AA autocannons, Warden anti-aircraft missiles, and a full active defense and advanced ECM suite, the T-88 was nearly as fearsome as the ZTZ-200 Overlord in a smaller, lighter weight package. In addition, the Bastion featured a nuclear reactor as a power source by default, giving it more than enough power to run its defensive systems and engine. Regardless, the Bastion was not chosen as an successor to the first-generation Sentinel tank when the eastern Ukraine was absorbed into the Russian Federation due to the high per-unit cost of the Bastion and the Russian government's desire to support indigenous Russian designs. The T-88 Bastion would live on as a tank exported in small numbers to Russian allies in Eastern Europe such as Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria and it would end up influencing the design of the later models of the Sentinel tank.

Both Morozov and Uralvagonzavod were tasked with designing a new model of the NT-28 Sentinel from the ground up. First off was the main armament; the Overlord had originally been equipped with twin cannons as to simplify logistics, but the engineers in charge of the new Sentinel project postulated that a superheavy tank would be better served armed with a single high-calibre cannon instead of two normal tank guns. To this end a monstrous 220mm heavy gun, more akin to an artillery piece than a tank gun, was developed for the NT-28M1. A new drive train was created, based on prototype designs from the 20th century; the NT-28M1 would move on quad articulated treads that would better distribute the massive weight of the tank. As with the previous model,the NT-28M1 was powered by a miniature lead-bismuth-alloy-cooled fast-neutron reactor based on that designed for the next generation of Russian naval vessels. The Warden missile system and Arena active defense had been part of the Sentinel project since the beginning, but subsequent upgrades such as the M2 and M3 improved upon the systems. Like all Russian armored fighting vehicles it is fully compatible with Relikt ERA.

The revised Sentinel would prove its worth in conflicts in the Caucasus, Africa, and Europe. Many times ECA forces would find Sentinels a tough opponent to crack, especially in the later phases of the war as the ECA and US forces launched their counter attack. The Sentinel's slow speed was of little concern when on the defensive and when the tanks were covered by sufficient air support or SAM cover. Prior to the Russo-European War, India took interest in the Sentinel tank and purchased export models dubbed the “Vidhwansak.”

Posted by: Svea Rike Soldier 10 Mar 2014, 20:50

Interesting backstories, there man. I was wondering what your take on the Jagdmammut Tank Destroyer is, and maybe the Leopard 3 or even the Manticore (basically any European tank)?

Posted by: MARS 10 Mar 2014, 21:00

Very nice. It kinda branches off from canon, but I always enjoy the more grounded, technical and RL-inspired style of your writings. For those who've been wondering by the way, the multiple M-designations I mentioned in my official description for the Sentinel are a reference to the many iterations that the in-game model itself went through. As for the Kodiak, The_Hunter didn't want me to straight-up identify it as an upgraded T-80 or T-90 but I still snuck in a little reference to a 1.300hp gas engine, which makes it more of an upgrade to the T-80. I also wanted to differentiate it from other tanks which presumably run on some sort of (bio-)diesel, hybrid fuel, electricity or whatever else might fit the setting.

Posted by: DerKrieger 10 Mar 2014, 21:30

I intended for the Kodiak to be a T-90 variant but also implied that some T-80s were upgraded to rough parity with the existing T-90s. Additionally, I was going to mention a fictional T-80 variant made by Morozov armed with twin 125mm cannons, dubbed the Voevoda. The Voevoda was another design that went the same way as the Bastion, in that it gained some interest from export markets in east Asia but fell by the wayside to to a lack of interest from the Russian government after eastern Ukraine was incorporated into the federation. In case you haven't noticed, this is a reference to the APA's main battle tank from the (mercifully) cancelled Command & Conquer reboot, and the Bastion is a reference to a tank from the in-development indie RTS (and former C&C3 mod) Rogue Republic.

I'll likely do the Twin Fang and Microwave Tank next, then I'll get to work on some of the ECA ground vehicles suggested.

Posted by: TornadoADV 12 Mar 2014, 12:52

There is plenty of logical reasons for the F-117 to still be present in today's battlefield. The A was about to be upgraded to the C, the Grey Dragon. Which would of given the F-117 daylight operating capability through selective system upgrades from F-22 Raptor based technology. One would assume a full digital class cockpit, uprated turbines capable of supercruise (still no afterburner) and replacing the RAM coating with a more modern Mesh that's more effective and isn't as hazardous to the health of ground crews.

Anyway, the Nighthawk had a niche just like the Thunderbolt II, it was a deep interdiction airframe focused around C2-5 neutralizing missions, paralyzing the enemy by taking out vital nodes of command and logistics. So to replace it with the F-35 is more of an insult then anything.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 12 Mar 2014, 16:19

QUOTE (TornadoADV @ 12 Mar 2014, 6:52) *
There is plenty of logical reasons for the F-117 to still be present in today's battlefield. The A was about to be upgraded to the C, the Grey Dragon. Which would of given the F-117 daylight operating capability through selective system upgrades from F-22 Raptor based technology. One would assume a full digital class cockpit, uprated turbines capable of supercruise (still no afterburner) and replacing the RAM coating with a more modern Mesh that's more effective and isn't as hazardous to the health of ground crews.

Anyway, the Nighthawk had a niche just like the Thunderbolt II, it was a deep interdiction airframe focused around C2-5 neutralizing missions, paralyzing the enemy by taking out vital nodes of command and logistics. So to replace it with the F-35 is more of an insult then anything.



But, the F-117 IS out of service. They are still in storage, yes, but the US has been focusing on other stealth aircraft, like the F-35. Them being in service again almost 50 years AFTER being taken out of service seems ridiculously improbable. However, this could be more feasible if the Nighthawk was never taken out of service in the RotR universe, and instead upgraded incrementally over the years.

I would like to see the F-35 somewhere in game...maybe as the delivery platform for the USA's tech airport airstrike?

Posted by: TornadoADV 12 Mar 2014, 21:13

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 12 Mar 2014, 10:19) *
But, the F-117 IS out of service. They are still in storage, yes, but the US has been focusing on other stealth aircraft, like the F-35. Them being in service again almost 50 years AFTER being taken out of service seems ridiculously improbable. However, this could be more feasible if the Nighthawk was never taken out of service in the RotR universe, and instead upgraded incrementally over the years.

I would like to see the F-35 somewhere in game...maybe as the delivery platform for the USA's tech airport airstrike?


You just admitted you made a post out of context of the universe the game takes part in. What happened for us has nothing to do with what happened in the RotR universe. (Anyway, it'd be 33 years, not 50) The upgrade plan existed before the Nighthawk was retired obviously, so it's safe to assume for the purposes of the First GLA War in 2019, the Nighthawk inventory was already F-117C Grey Dragons.

Posted by: DerKrieger 13 Mar 2014, 13:53

Back when I first started this series, I was considering creating a fictional "Nighthawk II" aircraft which was spun off from the F-35 program. I decided to go with the F-35 as it was the closest equivalent to the obsolescent F-117 and the "dedicated tactical bomber" niche was already filled by the F/B-40. I'm also going to describe the Chinese MiG as a J-20 variant and I have an idea for the Russian Berkut...thinking of describing it as a variant of the Su-47 that won the Russian 5th generation light fighter program.

Posted by: TornadoADV 13 Mar 2014, 17:00

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 13 Mar 2014, 7:53) *
Back when I first started this series, I was considering creating a fictional "Nighthawk II" aircraft which was spun off from the F-35 program. I decided to go with the F-35 as it was the closest equivalent to the obsolescent F-117 and the "dedicated tactical bomber" niche was already filled by the F/B-40. I'm also going to describe the Chinese MiG as a J-20 variant and I have an idea for the Russian Berkut...thinking of describing it as a variant of the Su-47 that won the Russian 5th generation light fighter program.


There'd be no reason to use the F-35 as a replacement with the Grey Dragons present, since in the context of their battlefield (gameplay) use they use extremely heavy laser guided bombs to take out hardened underground structures and defenses. (Which the F-35 cannot carry internally but the F-117 can) Plus they can super cruise with no A/B because of using the Raptor's F119s and maintain superior all angle/aspect stealth.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 14 Mar 2014, 2:44

QUOTE (TornadoADV @ 13 Mar 2014, 11:00) *
There'd be no reason to use the F-35 as a replacement with the Grey Dragons present, since in the context of their battlefield (gameplay) use they use extremely heavy laser guided bombs to take out hardened underground structures and defenses. (Which the F-35 cannot carry internally but the F-117 can) Plus they can super cruise with no A/B because of using the Raptor's F119s and maintain superior all angle/aspect stealth.



All variants of the F-35 can carry internally (although, the F-35B internal payload is relatively small comparatively to the other F-35s and F-117). The Nighthawks were withdrawn from service in 2008, although with the Raptors being so common in the game (far more than their ~200 production run), I don't take too much offense to that (also, when I said 50 years, I was more referring to the fact that in-game, it's still in use during the 2050s). The problem is, the Grey Dragons were not a cost-effective upgrade, and the F-117 was withdrawn because of the Raptor being introduced, which, in every respect, is far superior (albeit more expensive). Seriously, the F-22 can carry a larger payload at higher speeds (more than double!), with equivalent or better stealth. Even with the downgraded version in RotR (the F-22B), it would still be so far superior in so many aspects that the Nighthawk would be irrelevant. Same goes with the F-35 - same internal payload, better capabilities. The Nighthawk is a one-trick pony - fly in undetected, drop ordinance (which is at most two 2000lb bombs), fly back undetected. If that gig is up, then they are SCREWED. The F-35 and F-22 can jump to supersonic, fly low, or fight back with AA or AG missiles. Multirole is the game, and the Nighthawk...can't do that.

Posted by: TornadoADV 14 Mar 2014, 5:30

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 13 Mar 2014, 20:44) *
All variants of the F-35 can carry internally (although, the F-35B internal payload is relatively small comparatively to the other F-35s and F-117). The Nighthawks were withdrawn from service in 2008, although with the Raptors being so common in the game (far more than their ~200 production run), I don't take too much offense to that (also, when I said 50 years, I was more referring to the fact that in-game, it's still in use during the 2050s). The problem is, the Grey Dragons were not a cost-effective upgrade, and the F-117 was withdrawn because of the Raptor being introduced, which, in every respect, is far superior (albeit more expensive). Seriously, the F-22 can carry a larger payload at higher speeds (more than double!), with equivalent or better stealth. Even with the downgraded version in RotR (the F-22B), it would still be so far superior in so many aspects that the Nighthawk would be irrelevant. Same goes with the F-35 - same internal payload, better capabilities. The Nighthawk is a one-trick pony - fly in undetected, drop ordinance (which is at most two 2000lb bombs), fly back undetected. If that gig is up, then they are SCREWED. The F-35 and F-22 can jump to supersonic, fly low, or fight back with AA or AG missiles. Multirole is the game, and the Nighthawk...can't do that.


The Grey Dragons exist because of the F-22, they werent competing designs for the same niche and neither is the F-35, which is more a F-16/AV-8 replacement. (FYI, the Grey Dragon upgrades were never completed in our timeline, SoD Gates stole that funding to buy more F-35s and then retired the now un overhauled Nighthawks). No other airframe in the US Inventory can carry the GBU-27 Have Void, the Nighthawks signature weapon. Also, as I stated before the Grey Dragon would have the Raptor's F119s, while it wouldn't be able to go A/B for obvious reasons, it could now super cruise (Mach 1+ without using A/B). The Raptor may be able to carry more internal payload, but it cannot carry 2,000 pounders, only 4 1,000 pounders and it cannot lase it's own target. The Lightning has the same problem with internal weapon size, but can laze it's own targets, but also suffers from inferior stealth design across all spectrums and bands compared to the Nighthawk/Grey Dragon.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 15 Mar 2014, 21:54

QUOTE (TornadoADV @ 13 Mar 2014, 23:30) *
The Grey Dragons exist because of the F-22, they werent competing designs for the same niche and neither is the F-35, which is more a F-16/AV-8 replacement. (FYI, the Grey Dragon upgrades were never completed in our timeline, SoD Gates stole that funding to buy more F-35s and then retired the now un overhauled Nighthawks). No other airframe in the US Inventory can carry the GBU-27 Have Void, the Nighthawks signature weapon. Also, as I stated before the Grey Dragon would have the Raptor's F119s, while it wouldn't be able to go A/B for obvious reasons, it could now super cruise (Mach 1+ without using A/B). The Raptor may be able to carry more internal payload, but it cannot carry 2,000 pounders, only 4 1,000 pounders and it cannot lase it's own target. The Lightning has the same problem with internal weapon size, but can laze it's own targets, but also suffers from inferior stealth design across all spectrums and bands compared to the Nighthawk/Grey Dragon.



I'm not saying that they competed for the same niche, I'm just saying that the Nighthawk is quite irrelevant with F-22s in service. If their only plus is being able to carry the GBU-27 (which actually can be carried by a plethora of other craft, just not internally), their battlefield role is limited compared to the F-22, making it more of a novelty than a commonality. I'm pretty sure laser-guidance could be added on to the F-22 if needed (hell, it happens in-game already). But...why should I bother...there's enough strangeness in RotR that this is basically nitpicking. I can believe it being possible, I just can't really see why it would be used over other aircraft unless there was a REALLY good driving reason - maybe it's significantly cheaper, somehow? Or has more efficient production?

Posted by: TornadoADV 15 Mar 2014, 22:40

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 15 Mar 2014, 15:54) *
I'm not saying that they competed for the same niche, I'm just saying that the Nighthawk is quite irrelevant with F-22s in service. If their only plus is being able to carry the GBU-27 (which actually can be carried by a plethora of other craft, just not internally), their battlefield role is limited compared to the F-22, making it more of a novelty than a commonality. I'm pretty sure laser-guidance could be added on to the F-22 if needed (hell, it happens in-game already). But...why should I bother...there's enough strangeness in RotR that this is basically nitpicking. I can believe it being possible, I just can't really see why it would be used over other aircraft unless there was a REALLY good driving reason - maybe it's significantly cheaper, somehow? Or has more efficient production?


Nobody can carry the GBU-27 besides the Nighthawk, you're thinking of the GBU-24. As for the Raptors, I guess MARS and company would have to explain where the Lazing pod was mounted on the Raptor for it's LGMs (Since in RL, it has no lazing pod).

Posted by: DerKrieger 15 Mar 2014, 23:10

Allow me to step in. Recently I had the idea that the Nighthawk as of Generals/ZH was indeed a F-117B upgraded Nighthawk as during 2013-2016/7 the F-35 wouldn't be in wide service and the F/B-40 was very new. By RotR FQ-47s, F/B-40s, or F-35s would be used instead, however.

Posted by: Pepo 15 Mar 2014, 23:30

the only logical explanation would be that the USA didn't want the russians to get advanced stealth jet and the nigthhawk was reintroduced.however they are also using f-22 that are far more advanced than the nigthhawk

Posted by: TornadoADV 16 Mar 2014, 3:10

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 15 Mar 2014, 17:10) *
Allow me to step in. Recently I had the idea that the Nighthawk as of Generals/ZH was indeed a F-117B upgraded Nighthawk as during 2013-2016/7 the F-35 wouldn't be in wide service and the F/B-40 was very new. By RotR FQ-47s, F/B-40s, or F-35s would be used instead, however.


Something is better then nothing!

Posted by: MARS 16 Mar 2014, 7:09

Just to add some insight from our perspective: The main reason we still use the Nighthawk is a.) the fact that it was an iconic unit in the original game and b.) because it still fits the most popular image of a stealth plane whereas both the F-22 and the F-35 just look like generic modern day jets on the surface. Visual variety is important because it adds character to a unit but also because every asset in the game has to be instantly recognisable at a quick glance. If we didn't have this whole continuity thing to worry about, we'd probably use a fictional design of our own that invokes a few elements of the F-117 but call it something else.

Posted by: DerKrieger 27 Mar 2014, 16:44

And here's the second request, the Chinese Twin Fang AAA!

Type 112 Twin Fang AAA: Somewhat unusually for a Chinese anti-aircraft weapons platform, the Type 112's chassis is heavily based on that of a South African mobile howitzer, the G6 Rhino. During the Chinese invasion of East Africa a Chinese government-owned shadow enterprise managed to covertly purchase a few G6 howitzers from Denel in the hopes of using them as a basis for a new artillery piece. The project would be canceled however, as an advancement over the existing PLZ-05 series of mobile howitzers was soon found to be uneconomical at this time. Even so, the robust mine-resistant chassis of the G6 Rhino was found to be an effective basis for armored fighting vehicles.

Around this time the People's Liberation Army was searching for a new medium-range anti-aircraft artillery. The HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system was highly effective at area denial but the threat of the GLA required a more mobile and economical platform to supplement the HQ-9. Most of the aging, if not obsolete, fixed-wing aircraft of the GLA didn't require the latest in anti-aircraft hardware to defeat. Furthermore, the heavy ECM use by the PLA had an unfortunate side effect. There were reports of even friendly guided missiles malfunctioning in areas of particularly heavy ECM interference. Though the Chinese quickly managed to deal with this issue, it was enough for the PLA to consider non-missile based AA weapons for this mobile heavy AA project.

The result, named the Type 112 Twin Fang, combined a new flak-based AA system combined with powerful search & targeting radar, all mounted on a copy of the robust G6 Rhino chassis and produced at a low cost. The Twin Fang's armament consists of two 57mm flak cannons, based on those used by the Cold War era Type 80 AAA vehicle (itself based on the ZSU-57-2). However, the calibre of the cannons and the feed system are where the similarity stops. The Twin Fang's cannons have much longer barrels than the obsolete Type 59 cannons used by the Type 80, and the 57mm cartridges are considerably longer, giving the Twin Fang's cannons a much higher muzzle velocity and effective range. These modernized 57mm cannons are married to a state-of-the-art fire control computer and are lethally effective against low-flying-aircraft. Ammunition for the cannons are loaded in 6 round clips that must be reloaded by hand, a notable defect in the weapon's design given the high fire rate of the Twin Fang's cannons. While the Type 59 cannons were targeted manually using the human eye, the Type 112 Twin Fang uses a powerful AESA search and targeting radar, nearly as powerful as those used on warships, to detect and engage aircraft. Crews report having to exercise caution when utilizing the radar in the field, as the radar is powerful enough to kill or injure any wildlife in front of the array when it is active. When in conjunction with the HT-233 search radar series, also used by the HQ-9, the Type 112 has a truly impressive detection and engagement range. The Type 112's mine-resistant chassis proved to be extremely useful in Africa when facing the GLA.

Posted by: MARS 27 Mar 2014, 20:25

A very nice take on the decidedly non-Chinese visual appearance of the vehicle. I should also point out that the Twin Fang is getting all new custom voice overs in 1.85.

Posted by: DerKrieger 30 Mar 2014, 18:31

A little side item for the Twin Fang:

Type 23 Personal Flak Cannon: The establishment of the millions-strong Red Guard irregular force presented the People's Republic of China with a dire logistical problem. With so many volunteers, there was no way they could all be equipped with the latest gear issued the regular forces of the People's Liberation Army. To that end, many Red Guard during the Global War on Terror and the later campaigns in East Africa were armed with surplus Cold War gear such as Type 56 SKS rifles and Type 88G tanks.

Still, the extended logistical chain necessitated by the invasion of Africa proved to be a problem. Furthermore, weapons such as the PF-89/98 rocket launchers and the QW-2 MANPADS were often seen as overkill against the lightly armored vehicles and aging aircraft used by the GLA. Having troops carry both weapons systems through rugged terrain in pursuit of more mobile GLA fighters was burdensome. All these factors led to an alternate solution to these problems in the form of the Type 23 cannon.

The Type 23, a shoulder fired recoil-less rifle, used a short version of the 57mm cartridge used in the larger Twin Fang AA vehicle. Two shells were designed for it; a HEAT round designed to be used against armored vehicles, and a flak round designed to be used against low flying aircraft. The idea behind the Type 23 was simple; though the Type 23 was less effective against armor than the PF-98 and less effective against aircraft than the QW-2, it and its ammunition were considerably simpler to produce and could be used against multiple types of targets. Any lack of performance against more modern vehicles was a moot point against the weapons used by the GLA. As a result, the weapon was issued to Red Guard units and many examples ended up in the hands of PLA troops. Though the Type 23 was far less popular among the PLA due to its lack of effectiveness compared to the more specialized anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, it had its place when logistics were tight and when PLA troops were fighting lightly equipped irregular forces.

Posted by: TornadoADV 1 Apr 2014, 2:41

No update for the Grey Dragon? sad.gif

Posted by: teslashark 1 Apr 2014, 3:44

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 27 Mar 2014, 8:44) *
And here's the second request, the Chinese Twin Fang AAA!

Type 112 Twin Fang AAA: Somewhat unusually for a Chinese anti-aircraft weapons platform, the Type 112's chassis is heavily based on that of a South African mobile howitzer, the G6 Rhino. During the Chinese invasion of East Africa a Chinese government-owned shadow enterprise managed to covertly purchase a few G6 howitzers from Denel in the hopes of using them as a basis for a new artillery piece. The project would be canceled however, as an advancement over the existing PLZ-05 series of mobile howitzers was soon found to be uneconomical at this time. Even so, the robust mine-resistant chassis of the G6 Rhino was found to be an effective basis for armored fighting vehicles.

Around this time the People's Liberation Army was searching for a new medium-range anti-aircraft artillery. The HQ-9 surface-to-air missile system was highly effective at area denial but the threat of the GLA required a more mobile and economical platform to supplement the HQ-9. Most of the aging, if not obsolete, fixed-wing aircraft of the GLA didn't require the latest in anti-aircraft hardware to defeat. Furthermore, the heavy ECM use by the PLA had an unfortunate side effect. There were reports of even friendly guided missiles malfunctioning in areas of particularly heavy ECM interference. Though the Chinese quickly managed to deal with this issue, it was enough for the PLA to consider non-missile based AA weapons for this mobile heavy AA project.

The result, named the Type 112 Twin Fang, combined a new flak-based AA system combined with powerful search & targeting radar, all mounted on a copy of the robust G6 Rhino chassis and produced at a low cost. The Twin Fang's armament consists of two 57mm flak cannons, based on those used by the Cold War era Type 80 AAA vehicle (itself based on the ZSU-57-2). However, the calibre of the cannons and the feed system are where the similarity stops. The Twin Fang's cannons have much longer barrels than the obsolete Type 59 cannons used by the Type 80, and the 57mm cartridges are considerably longer, giving the Twin Fang's cannons a much higher muzzle velocity and effective range. These modernized 57mm cannons are married to a state-of-the-art fire control computer and are lethally effective against low-flying-aircraft. Ammunition for the cannons are loaded in 6 round clips that must be reloaded by hand, a notable defect in the weapon's design given the high fire rate of the Twin Fang's cannons. While the Type 59 cannons were targeted manually using the human eye, the Type 112 Twin Fang uses a powerful AESA search and targeting radar, nearly as powerful as those used on warships, to detect and engage aircraft. Crews report having to exercise caution when utilizing the radar in the field, as the radar is powerful enough to kill or injure any wildlife in front of the array when it is active. When in conjunction with the HT-233 search radar series, also used by the HQ-9, the Type 112 has a truly impressive detection and engagement range. The Type 112's mine-resistant chassis proved to be extremely useful in Africa when facing the GLA.

Great story!
A minor nitpicking: all Chinese vehicles and firearms put into survice would have a 2-digit year desination, so it would be Type 12 just like the Type 05 SPG.

Posted by: DerKrieger 2 Apr 2014, 21:05

Ok, here's a quick one:

F-117B Nighthawk: During the Global War on Terror, the GLA saw many of their worst defeats at the direct hand of US/NATO combat aircraft. The GLA did in fact have access to combat aircraft of their own, looted from Cold War-era abandoned armories of Central Asian states, but the aging MiGs were of limited effectiveness against the more advanced aircraft and highly trained pilots the Americans and Chinese possessed. Finding or training skilled pilots and maintenance personnel was often difficult and expensive. The GLA found it more effective in many cases to rely on cheaper and easier to maintain surface-to-air missiles which were extremely easy to obtain on the black market. Extensive AA networks were set up around GLA strongholds, restricting the airspace to all but high-altitude aircraft.

Stealth aircraft were able to bypass the GLA's radar networks to deliver surgical strikes on targets. However, there was a lack of suitable stealth aircraft in the US military's inventory. The only stealth aircraft in sizable service numbers at that time was the F-22 Raptor, designed for air superiority. Though the F-22 was a passable tactical bomber when equipped with GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs, the GBU-39 and other standard JDAMs were of limited effectiveness against fortified GLA structures and could not clear out underground tunnels or fortified structures. The F-15E could carry bunker busting munitions, but its lack of stealth made it vulnerable to heavy anti-aircraft weaponry; the MQ-9 Reaper was stealthier than the F-15E but it too was unable to carry heavier munitions.

There were three new or in development combat aircraft that could carry out such missions; the F/B-40 Aurora, the F-35 Lighting II, and the FQ-47C Pegasus. However, the Aurora and Lighting II were both very new and there weren't quite enough at the onset of hostilities to fit the Air Force and Navy's demands. The US Navy's FQ-47C Pegasus program was early in development and was not complete until after the war. To this end, the US Air Force decided to refit a number of F-117 airframes with modern technology as a stopgap measure.

The F-117B Nighthawk was repainted a dark grey scheme to improve stealth in daylight conditions and was equipped with a glass cockpit, a modernized ECM suite with an AESA radar and GPS device, and a modified bomb bay, allowing it to carry missiles such as the AGM-88 HARM. The F-117Bs were forward deployed at Bagram Air Base, and aided in the counterattack in Afghanistan and Operation Stormbringer in Pakistan, operations in Yemen, and were instrumental in neutralizing enemy AA and fortifications during the Battle of Akmola.

After the war the F-117B Nighthawk was retired and placed in mothballs, its mission being performed today by the F/B-40 Aurora, F-35 Lighting II, and FQ-47C Pegasus.

Posted by: Svea Rike Soldier 2 Apr 2014, 21:26

Very nice explanation there, but the US still use them during the Russo-European War, or is this a case of Gameplay and Story Segregration? Anyway, very nice indeed and I wonder with MARS, are some of these fit for the wiki?

Oh, and a sidenote I believe Operation Stormbringer took place in Kazakhstan not Pakistan.

Posted by: DerKrieger 2 Apr 2014, 22:14

Oh, as an addendum the F-117B's engines would be upgraded to non-afterburning General Electric F414 turbofans, forgot to add that in there.

The world map showed Kazakhstan, but the close-up showed the Pakistani coast I recall. Generals had a bunch of geography errors, placing cities and geographical features in the wrong country on the world map. Since Kazakhstan is landlocked save for the inland Caspian Sea, I was thinking that Operation Stormbringer would be the code name for the invasion of GLA-occupied Pakistan, if not the opening phases. I was thinking that the GLA led to some sort of coup/revolt in Pakistan in an attempt to grab the country's sizeable military assets and the US and Chinese were brought in to put it down. The US invaded via the coast and moved north into Afghanistan, Aldastan, and Kazakhstan, meeting up with the Chinese in the latter two, where they defeated the GLA in the region at Akmola. I'll likely write more about this late-war offensive later.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 3 Apr 2014, 18:29


Nice addendum on the Nighthawk, makes much more sense when viewed from that angle. Their use in later years, though, is somewhat inexplicable...

Posted by: Neo3602 3 Apr 2014, 21:40

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 3 Apr 2014, 11:29) *
Nice addendum on the Nighthawk, makes much more sense when viewed from that angle. Their use in later years, though, is somewhat inexplicable...


Well in the story it only talks about the nighthawk that was armed with missiles and not the one in ROTR armed with a single bomb, maybe there will be a part to where the nighthawk gets reactivated after the Aurora scandal as a replacement bomber..

Posted by: DerKrieger 4 Apr 2014, 0:22

The F-117B retained the ability to deploy Paveway bombs and JDAMs, I thought it was obvious so more detail on abilities the real life F-117A had wasn't included.

Posted by: Svea Rike Soldier 12 Apr 2014, 22:58

A question: Will you cover small-arms weapons, such as the HKFN-22 or a fictional M16 variant?

Posted by: DerKrieger 12 Apr 2014, 23:32

A very good question! I do take requests for firearms, man-portable missile systems, and the like. Right now I've been busy with other stuff but I have been working on the Jagdmammut and will do more on other ECA tanks.

Posted by: Svea Rike Soldier 12 Apr 2014, 23:37

Okay nice, 'cause I've always wondered the M16 is a pretty dated platform in the ROTR-timeline at least and it would be strange for Green Berets (or was it Deltas?) to use them A4 variant in the 2040s, right? Plus it would be interesting to hear your take on the fictional HKFN-22 and G22A1 rifles mentioned by MARS.

EDIT: And the Conscripts have an AK variant with no pistol grip?

Posted by: DerKrieger 13 Apr 2014, 0:02

I've been thinking about it. I believe the US troops are still using the M16/M4 by the outbreak of WWIII but I was also kicking around an idea of production variants of the LSAT program. Maybe it'll be for Colonel Burton, at least.

I don't recall hearing about the G22A1, is it a fictional version of the G22 sniper rifle? (German designation of the AWM sniper rifle)

I'm pretty sure the Conscripts carry AK-12 assault rifles.

Posted by: TheD3rp 13 Apr 2014, 0:52

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 12 Apr 2014, 16:02) *
I'm pretty sure the Conscripts carry AK-12 assault rifles.

Nope, they still use the reliable AK-74.

Posted by: MARS 13 Apr 2014, 7:05

^ Seeing how they're literally Conscripts, these guys would be given AK74Ms by sheer virtue of availability whereas the regulars or more seasoned soldiers could use any of the newer AK models.

Posted by: TornadoADV 13 Apr 2014, 9:20

Could use the 6.8mm Grendel CAR variant, the M-416, the M27 IAR, etc.

Posted by: Svea Rike Soldier 13 Apr 2014, 13:24

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 13 Apr 2014, 1:02) *
I've been thinking about it. I believe the US troops are still using the M16/M4 by the outbreak of WWIII but I was also kicking around an idea of production variants of the LSAT program. Maybe it'll be for Colonel Burton, at least.

Yes, that seems interesting.

QUOTE
I don't recall hearing about the G22A1, is it a fictional version of the G22 sniper rifle? (German designation of the AWM sniper rifle)

I used the designation G22A1 in one of my fics because I thought I had heard about it sometime before. I might be deluding myself, but I'm pretty sure the HKFN-22 has been established as the primary armament for FELIN infantry.

QUOTE
I'm pretty sure the Conscripts carry AK-12 assault rifles.

The in-game model doesn't have a grip, so I was wondering. But that might yet be another case of gameplay and story segregration (or in this case, technical limits and story segregration).

Posted by: DerKrieger 13 Apr 2014, 14:03

QUOTE (TornadoADV @ 13 Apr 2014, 4:20) *
Could use the 6.8mm Grendel CAR variant, the M-416, the M27 IAR, etc.

I was thinking that the H&K 416 could have been formally adopted, by SOCOM at least if not the US military as a whole. That said, the gas piston for the AR-15 is a solution looking for a problem, so I was also considering that the DI M4/M16 are still used. Same with the 6.8mm SPC cartridge. However, a 6.8mm cartridge could be a possibility for the telescoped polymer cased/caseless ammunition using LSAT weapons.

QUOTE (Svea Rike Soldier @ 13 Apr 2014, 8:24) *
Yes, that seems interesting.


I used the designation G22A1 in one of my fics because I thought I had heard about it sometime before. I might be deluding myself, but I'm pretty sure the HKFN-22 has been established as the primary armament for FELIN infantry.


The in-game model doesn't have a grip, so I was wondering. But that might yet be another case of gameplay and story segregration (or in this case, technical limits and story segregration).


As far as I recall few of the other weapons in game have grips, mainly due to performance concerns and that the grips aren't visible.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 14 Apr 2014, 22:31


I always thought it would be interesting to see the Germans employ an updated version of the G11. Technically, they still have a few in service (probably far less than 100) now, so I don't see it as completely unlikely. It would be an awesome weapon for some German special forces unit - or, an upscaled version for a German Venom? That could be freaking awesome - a super machine gunner Venom, that could also shoot aircraft...now I want to go write that fan-fic...

Posted by: Svea Rike Soldier 14 Apr 2014, 22:49

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 14 Apr 2014, 22:31) *
I always thought it would be interesting to see the Germans employ an updated version of the G11. Technically, they still have a few in service (probably far less than 100) now, so I don't see it as completely unlikely. It would be an awesome weapon for some German special forces unit - or, an upscaled version for a German Venom? That could be freaking awesome - a super machine gunner Venom, that could also shoot aircraft...now I want to go write that fan-fic...


MARS has said the HKFN-22 is a H&K and Fabrique Nationale collaboration to modernize, update and mass produce the G11 rifle.

Posted by: DerKrieger 15 Apr 2014, 4:58

Here's an update on the Jagdmammut!

Rheinmetall/Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Jagdmammut: By the outbreak of the Global War on Terror, weapons manufacturers in the United States and China had developed means to deal with the missile-heavy arsenal of the Global Liberation Army. The United States had introduced the Raytheon Quick Kill active defense system on their armored vehicles, which was improved upon by Raytheon's advanced Perimeter And Local Area Defense Integrated Network (PALADIN) active laser defense system; originally designed for warships to replace the Phalanx radar targeted Vulcan cannon, miniaturized versions of the PALADIN and its AI suite were later installed on aircraft and the latest generation of the Abrams tank and Avenger AA vehicle. Meanwhile, the Chinese created advanced and effective ECM emitters that could be mounted on tank chassis as well as aircraft and warships.

Such advancements did not go unnoticed by the German military, which had heretofore relied on defense-in-depth by means of a wide array of anti-tank missiles and rockets. Not long after the establishment of the European Continental Army, funding was procured for the development of a heavy tank destroyer that would provide reliable anti-armor support in the case of heavy anti-missile weaponry. A design based on the prototype VT tank destroyer was proposed by Rheinmetall and KMW and was soon approved for production. The Jagdmammut was a controversial choice due to its lack of mobility and turreted guns, but its defenders cited its heavy armor and powerful dual Rheinmetall 140mm cannons as proof of its suitability for defensive actions in Central and Eastern Europe. The 140mm twin cannons are an ingenious gas operated auto-loading design that is capable of using specialized Jormund jet-assisted laser-guided graphene penetrator rounds. Originally developed for an upgrade program for the Leopard 2, the 140mm cannon was briefly resurrected for the Leopard 3 program before being rejected again due to logistical concerns and the large size and mass of the cannon and its projectiles. The extreme specialization of the 140mm cannon turned out to be perfect for a tank destroyer, however. Even without the combustion light gas shells later created for the Jagdmammut's cannons, the 140mm anti-tank gun was theoretically capable of knocking out even the Overlord tank at range. As with most ECA vehicles, the Jagdmammut is powered by a highly efficient multi-fuel engine fitted to an electrical transmission.

During the Russo-European War the Jagdmammut proved itself in combat. Its heavy armor and powerful, long-ranged guns were more than adequate against Russian armor, and there were many reports of the tungsten alloy penetrators destroying multiple tanks with one shot.

Posted by: Svea Rike Soldier 15 Apr 2014, 15:27

Fascinating story, Krieger.

Posted by: TornadoADV 16 Apr 2014, 5:41

Just as an aside, you don't want to use laser guided shells. Any decent MBT today, much less 60 years in the future has lazing detection equipment that will alert the crew when they are being painted. To which they pop filament laced smoke, deploy electro-optical jammers or simply find cover.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 17 Apr 2014, 4:40

QUOTE (Svea Rike Soldier @ 14 Apr 2014, 16:49) *
MARS has said the HKFN-22 is a H&K and Fabrique Nationale collaboration to modernize, update and mass produce the G11 rifle.


Really? Can you shoot me a link? I would like to read about that.

Posted by: MARS 17 Apr 2014, 6:26

It's down in the Felin render description in http://forums.swr-productions.com/index.php?showtopic=3596.

Basically, I thought of the Felin rifle as a joint development of Heckler & Koch and Fabrique Nationale (hence the HKFN) which is pretty much a serial production G11 with modern features (hence the 22) that fires a stronger assault rifle version of the 5.7mm round used in the P90 and FiveseveN. This was partly done to emphasise the fact that the ECA is not merely a stand-in for NATO and more detached from the United States in that they're using new standardised equipment of their own. The ECA was established as a self-contained entity that exists alongside the national militaries. Within itself, the ECA would be standardised whereas the national armies would still use non-standard /ex-NATO gear, produce their own equipment or simply find themselves in the transition to ECA standard. For example, 5.7mm seems to be their new intermediate cartridge while the smaller, original RL version is also used for SMGs and PDWs like the MP57 used by Combat Pioneers, the new Leopard tanks use Rheinmetall-made 125mm cannon, etc. One of the fics also mentioned a G22A1 rifle which, as I would assume, would be the German designation of the HKFN-22 (we simply stick a G in front of it which stands for 'Gewehr' which means rifle). This does create confusion with the RL G22 sniper rifle which is our designation for the AWM, but we could simply operate under the assumption that it has been replaced or re-designated as the SG22 (=Scharfschützengewehr) which would have been a more reasonable thing to begin with, seeing how the pure G-designation generally denotes assault/battle rifles.

Posted by: teslashark 18 Apr 2014, 0:38

Just posting the link to my plane story here for Krieger...
http://forums.swr-productions.com/index.php?showtopic=6229

From what I know, FN would prefer an acronym for their gun, it's a tradition that started with the HP and continued through the FNAC and EGLM. Germany, it seems, would be continuing their G- serial numbers over 28 (HK417/MR762) and they tend to start a new gun classification with an 1 (Beretta 49 as MP1, FN FAL as G1, etc).

Posted by: DerKrieger 18 Apr 2014, 22:32

Pretty cool, I was thinking about stating that the Hellfire was a J-7 converted into a UCAV.

And here's something about the HKFN-22:

The HKFN-22 assault rifle has its genesis in two late 20th century designs, Heckler & Koch's G11 assault rifle and Fabrique Nationale's P90 personal defense weapon. The creation of the ECA allowed Heckler and Koch to resurrect its stillborn G11 concept, as finally military budgets would cover the start-up costs and logistical hurdle of fielding the rifle. While the ECA adopted Beretta's ARX-160 and amounts of the G36A2 and L85A2 as medium-term rifles, HK considered their next move.

However, Heckler and Koch knew that the aging design needed improvement. The overly complicated loading and firing mechanism of the G11 was a troublesome issue in manufacturing and in combat, and the ECA was unimpressed with the range of the 4.7x33mm caseless cartridge. To that end, an unlikely alliance was forged between the two European firearms giants H&K and Fabrique Nationale. FN modified the G11's mechanism with one taking design cues from the P90; the magazine and gas-operated rotary breech were rotated to lie along the rifle's longitudinal axis, allowing for a larger 5.7x50mm caseless cartridge to be used. Ammunition was fed by a 45 round magazine (based on the P90 magazine) at the cost of a slightly longer rifle body and correspondingly higher weight. The integrated optical sight was replaced with a Picatinny rail mount, and a second rail mount was put on the lower for-end of the rifle allowing users to install foregrips, grenade launchers, and other attachments. Like the G11, the HKFN-22 had three fire modes; semi-auto, three-round burst, and a full auto mode at 460 RPM. A light machine gun variant was also produced.

The new rifle, dubbed the HKFN-22, entered service with ECA infantry shortly before the outbreak of war with Russia. Though the rifle itself was fairly heavy (around 4.75 kg when loaded), its light weight caseless ammunition allowed soldiers to carry large amounts of it, nearly twice as much as they would with the 5.56mm NATO chambered rifles heretofore used by the ECA and various European militaries. This would pay off in many instances where ECA troops had to hold territory in the face of intense Russian numbers.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 19 Apr 2014, 1:34


I see. Very interesting stuff, and makes a lot of sense. I'm pretty curious as to what the USA uses in their assault rifles then - 6.8 mm SPC? Also, anything on standard pistols for the various factions (not that it would matter in-game)? I feel like the USA would be using something like the FN45 Tactical, the ECA a burst pistol using FN5.7 rounds (the VP70 seems like a fit, maybe updated with a better trigger and sights), Russia some full-blown machine pistol using 7N31, China some sort of other armor-piercing pistol, and GLA whatever the hell they can find - maybe Lugers? Good for a chuckle.

Posted by: TheD3rp 19 Apr 2014, 5:22

Can we have some info on the main US recon plane?(SR-72?)

Posted by: teslashark 19 Apr 2014, 5:28

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 18 Apr 2014, 14:32) *
Pretty cool, I was thinking about stating that the Hellfire was a J-7 converted into a UCAV.


It turns out manned planes can't be converted into UCAVs outright because a large number of them are still operated with physical steering so motors and signal receiving system requires a lot of weight and technology. I've seen some pictures of a J-6 unmanned subspecies, but I suppose they would simply be used as improvised missles or practice targets. These J-7s still requires human brains and BALLS to fly.

Posted by: MARS 19 Apr 2014, 7:43

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 19 Apr 2014, 2:34) *
I see. Very interesting stuff, and makes a lot of sense. I'm pretty curious as to what the USA uses in their assault rifles then - 6.8 mm SPC? Also, anything on standard pistols for the various factions (not that it would matter in-game)? I feel like the USA would be using something like the FN45 Tactical, the ECA a burst pistol using FN5.7 rounds (the VP70 seems like a fit, maybe updated with a better trigger and sights), Russia some full-blown machine pistol using 7N31, China some sort of other armor-piercing pistol, and GLA whatever the hell they can find - maybe Lugers? Good for a chuckle.


Pistols are kind of a blank spot at this time. All we know is that some Russians, including Boris, still use the Makarov PM although that might be more due to personal affections than the fact that they don't have anything better. At worst, they'd still be using the MP443 Grach as their standard issue sidearm for the regulars. At best, it'd be a newer/fictional weapon.

Posted by: Svea Rike Soldier 19 Apr 2014, 12:38

I don't think pistols would be anything interesting to explore. Only firearms that have been mentioned in the lore would need an explanation, IMHO. But this is Krieger's fic and he gets to decide whether or not to write about pistols.

Posted by: DerKrieger 19 Apr 2014, 15:27

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 18 Apr 2014, 20:34) *
I see. Very interesting stuff, and makes a lot of sense. I'm pretty curious as to what the USA uses in their assault rifles then - 6.8 mm SPC? Also, anything on standard pistols for the various factions (not that it would matter in-game)? I feel like the USA would be using something like the FN45 Tactical, the ECA a burst pistol using FN5.7 rounds (the VP70 seems like a fit, maybe updated with a better trigger and sights), Russia some full-blown machine pistol using 7N31, China some sort of other armor-piercing pistol, and GLA whatever the hell they can find - maybe Lugers? Good for a chuckle.

If they're still using the M-16/M4 and M249 SAW, which lore suggests that they are to some extent, then their rifles would still use 5.56mm NATO. However, I'm thinking by the time of the Russo-European War they may have started introducing a LSAT based firearms family using telescoped polymer cased ammunition, possibly in 6.8mm.

As for handguns? Good question. The US probably still uses M9s and M1911 variants, along with HK45Cs and Glock family used by SOCOM. The ECA could use the P226 and FN Five-Seven, possibly also the CZ P01 and members of the Glock family or Beretta Px4. It'd be like with their rifles prior to the introduction of the HKFN-22; any given soldier would be using his nations' rifle, be it the F2000, ARX-160, HK416, CZ-805, L85A2, AUG A3, FAMAS, G36A2, or AK-5C. The Russian Federation likely uses the MP443 and the PP-2000 sub-machine gun. China, the QSZ-92. As for the GLA, probably whatever they can get their hands on. Probably a lot of stuff like TT-33s, Makarov PMs, and so on.

QUOTE (TheD3rp @ 19 Apr 2014, 0:22) *
Can we have some info on the main US recon plane?(SR-72?)

I could write something on that, I decided that the Aurora was an armed variant of the SR-72.

Posted by: TheD3rp 19 Apr 2014, 19:42

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 19 Apr 2014, 7:27) *
I could write something on that, I decided that the Aurora was an armed variant of the SR-72.

I don't think so, if I remember correctly the Aurora's history is something along these lines(And the SR-72 is a drone):

Blah blah blah, 1980's US hypersonic bomber project named "Aurora", Blah blah blah, Conspiracy, blah blah blah, US Generals leak the existence of the Aurora around 2020, forcing it to be pushed into combat service, Blah blah blah, Auroa suffers heavy losses, Blah blah blah, Aurora is withdrawn from service.

Posted by: __CrUsHeR 19 Apr 2014, 19:53

^ And probably was tested in the Area 51 being sighted as an UFO over the past decades, as well as the most secret aircrafts of the USA. wink.gif The resume that you posted seems to be plausible and suitable for the Aurora project.

Posted by: DerKrieger 19 Apr 2014, 20:49

QUOTE (TheD3rp @ 19 Apr 2014, 14:42) *
I don't think so, if I remember correctly the Aurora's history is something along these lines(And the SR-72 is a drone):

Blah blah blah, 1980's US hypersonic bomber project named "Aurora", Blah blah blah, Conspiracy, blah blah blah, US Generals leak the existence of the Aurora around 2020, forcing it to be pushed into combat service, Blah blah blah, Auroa suffers heavy losses, Blah blah blah, Aurora is withdrawn from service.


http://forums.swr-productions.com/index.php?showtopic=5758&view=findpost&p=77122 I decided a variant of a proposed hypersonic aircraft based on the Aurora spy plane and SR-72 drone was a feasible explanation.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 19 Apr 2014, 20:49

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 19 Apr 2014, 9:27) *
If they're still using the M-16/M4 and M249 SAW, which lore suggests that they are to some extent, then their rifles would still use 5.56mm NATO. However, I'm thinking by the time of the Russo-European War they may have started introducing a LSAT based firearms family using telescoped polymer cased ammunition, possibly in 6.8mm.

As for handguns? Good question. The US probably still uses M9s and M1911 variants, along with HK45Cs and Glock family used by SOCOM. The ECA could use the P226 and FN Five-Seven, possibly also the CZ P01 and members of the Glock family or Beretta Px4. It'd be like with their rifles prior to the introduction of the HKFN-22; any given soldier would be using his nations' rifle, be it the F2000, ARX-160, HK416, CZ-805, L85A2, AUG A3, FAMAS, G36A2, or AK-5C. The Russian Federation likely uses the MP443 and the PP-2000 sub-machine gun. China, the QSZ-92. As for the GLA, probably whatever they can get their hands on. Probably a lot of stuff like TT-33s, Makarov PMs, and so on.


Man, that makes the M16 family in service for roughly 80 years! The SAWs probably have been phased out by the LSAT and IAR by then, but we really haven't seen a replacement coming up for the M16 in recent years, so this seems quite plausible. Probably with budget cuts after the War on Terror, they might not develop alternatives for a while.

I don't know, M9s and M1911s would be old as hell by then, and soldiers would probably just buy newer, more advanced weapons from Any Gun Store, USA (which would probably be something along the lines of the USP45 or FN45 Tactical), which would then be a sort of de facto standard. I feel like the ECA would have some sort of standard pistol for troops, probably still in 5.7 mm. I mentioned the VP70 because of its intended purpose as a Volkspistole, which seems like something the ECA might be using in their later desperate state. PP2000 is used by Igla trooper, but for some reason Boris uses a Makarov...I would say that's a personal pistol, but he's an enlisted man, right? Anyways, the MP443 sounds like the norm, or else the GSh-18 (although the GSh-18 has already been adopted, so more likely that). Yeah, China would probably stick with the QSZ-92. For GLA, I said Luger because of a VICE news video I watched on gun markets in Pakistan, which showed them still producing lots of the weapons. It would make sort of sense for them to use it, as they use old, antiquated equipment, and it definitely distinguishes them from the "imperialist heathens" (yeah, no one *reasonable* uses toggle-locks anymore).

Posted by: teslashark 20 Apr 2014, 19:17

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 19 Apr 2014, 12:49) *
Man, that makes the M16 family in service for roughly 80 years! The SAWs probably have been phased out by the LSAT and IAR by then, but we really haven't seen a replacement coming up for the M16 in recent years, so this seems quite plausible. Probably with budget cuts after the War on Terror, they might not develop alternatives for a while.

I don't know, M9s and M1911s would be old as hell by then, and soldiers would probably just buy newer, more advanced weapons from Any Gun Store, USA (which would probably be something along the lines of the USP45 or FN45 Tactical), which would then be a sort of de facto standard. I feel like the ECA would have some sort of standard pistol for troops, probably still in 5.7 mm. I mentioned the VP70 because of its intended purpose as a Volkspistole, which seems like something the ECA might be using in their later desperate state. PP2000 is used by Igla trooper, but for some reason Boris uses a Makarov...I would say that's a personal pistol, but he's an enlisted man, right? Anyways, the MP443 sounds like the norm, or else the GSh-18 (although the GSh-18 has already been adopted, so more likely that). Yeah, China would probably stick with the QSZ-92. For GLA, I said Luger because of a VICE news video I watched on gun markets in Pakistan, which showed them still producing lots of the weapons. It would make sort of sense for them to use it, as they use old, antiquated equipment, and it definitely distinguishes them from the "imperialist heathens" (yeah, no one *reasonable* uses toggle-locks anymore).

There's no way you can call the 1911 old because a .45 is still a .45 and bare skin is still bare skin. Seriously, most of the pistols you mentioned here are not really that fancy but pretty decent.
The VP70 is relatively more expensive than the Glock 19, and phased out rifles (or even imported M16s) would make better Last Ditch weapons than pistols.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 21 Apr 2014, 0:02

QUOTE (teslashark @ 20 Apr 2014, 13:17) *
There's no way you can call the 1911 old because a .45 is still a .45 and bare skin is still bare skin. Seriously, most of the pistols you mentioned here are not really that fancy but pretty decent.
The VP70 is relatively more expensive than the Glock 19, and phased out rifles (or even imported M16s) would make better Last Ditch weapons than pistols.


When I say old, I don't mean old as in "this is old, therefore it's completely useless" so much as "we like to stay current with our weapons, sort of." The US military seems to change weapons every couple of decades seemingly just for the sake of change - the M9 was a prime example of this, as the M1911 is still preferred over it many times. I could see them in use, just not as a standard pistol - unless it was an updated version, with double stack mags. The M9 less so, as there have been questions over its utility against fanatical terrorists (not fantastic stopping power, requiring multiple shots to incapacitate) - unless it was an updated .45 version.

The VP70 is more expensive than the Glock because it is out of production, and there weren't too many made (whereas roughly 8 out of 10 pistols are Glocks). With resumed production and an optimized design, it would be quite competitive, and perhaps better - it's accuracy was significantly higher in tests, and it can handle pretty much everything a Glock can. The ECA would still have Last Ditch rifles and stuff, I'm just making a sort of comparison with WWII Germany. At the end, they didn't just focus on rifles or pistols - they worked on both. Hence, the Volksturmgewehr and the Volkspistole programs. They may use other weapons if they had them, but chances are that their retreat would leave them under-equipped, and getting old guns from elsewhere would be more difficult than self-producing them.


Posted by: teslashark 21 Apr 2014, 2:57

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 20 Apr 2014, 16:02) *
When I say old, I don't mean old as in "this is old, therefore it's completely useless" so much as "we like to stay current with our weapons, sort of." The US military seems to change weapons every couple of decades seemingly just for the sake of change - the M9 was a prime example of this, as the M1911 is still preferred over it many times. I could see them in use, just not as a standard pistol - unless it was an updated version, with double stack mags. The M9 less so, as there have been questions over its utility against fanatical terrorists (not fantastic stopping power, requiring multiple shots to incapacitate) - unless it was an updated .45 version.

The VP70 is more expensive than the Glock because it is out of production, and there weren't too many made (whereas roughly 8 out of 10 pistols are Glocks). With resumed production and an optimized design, it would be quite competitive, and perhaps better - it's accuracy was significantly higher in tests, and it can handle pretty much everything a Glock can. The ECA would still have Last Ditch rifles and stuff, I'm just making a sort of comparison with WWII Germany. At the end, they didn't just focus on rifles or pistols - they worked on both. Hence, the Volksturmgewehr and the Volkspistole programs. They may use other weapons if they had them, but chances are that their retreat would leave them under-equipped, and getting old guns from elsewhere would be more difficult than self-producing them.

The Kimber M45 MEUSOC is a 1911 subspecies that is relatively unchanged yet freshly produced and regularly used by the US military. 1911s are continuously produced by a ridiculously large number of producers, so their performance and cost efficiency could be reviewed any time, and there is no need to restart a specefic prduction.
Glocks are pretty much the same story: Still pumping out at commercial markets, plenty of licenced producers and knockoffs so production lines or blueprints could be shipped straight fom the United States. The VP70 is a model discontinued and almost no interchangeable parts with other HK weapons.

Posted by: DerKrieger 21 Apr 2014, 3:07

The M1911 was officially replaced as the US government had stopped ordering them after WWII came to an end...which meant that by the 1980s, the *newest* handguns were around 40 years old and had been heavily used since that time. There was also a lot of pressure to switch to the 9mm round used by other NATO countries as well. However, lately the USMC and SOCOM have received new build M1911s with modern components. The VP70 just wasn't a very good gun. I've never fired one, mind, but apparently the trigger pull was absolutely terrible. The Glock is apparently a much superior handgun in nearly every manner.

Posted by: MARS 21 Apr 2014, 7:08

Well, the notion of NATO standardisation has gone out of the window as far as ROTR's concerned. We usually operated under the notion that both the ECA and the US kept some of these standardisations in place while abandoning others wherever it suited them. If the ECA is using variants of a 5.7mm for their firearms and 125mm smoothbores on their Leopards, the Americans might as well introduce a .45 handgun as their standard issue.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 24 Apr 2014, 0:11


So many people hate on the VP70...I know where they are coming from, but for what it was designed for, it excelled (except the Cold War never got red hot, so, never really needed). I mean, it even says it in the name: Volkspistole 70. It was made during the Cold War as a weapon that could be mass produced in emergency. It was quite ahead of its time - a decade before Glocks, yet made of polymer with 18-round mags, and burst fire for the military version. It did have problems, especially with trigger pull and sights, but with some ironing out, they could be easily fixed for a new standard pistol. And it wasn't a "bad" gun, by any stretch. Bad commercial gun, yes, but not a half-bad military weapon for the time (more than double capacity of most contemporary sidearms, great accuracy, controllable, sturdy, and very reliable). Again, I'm not saying it would be a flat-out copy of the VP70, just an improved and updated version, chambered for 5.7 mm. It's unique, interesting, and works as an ECA weapon - updated and venerable. A Glock would make sense, yes, but what's the fun in that? Hell, maybe it could be some odd H&K and Glock hybrid, kind of like the FN-H&K22.

Posted by: DerKrieger 27 Apr 2014, 15:55

The thing is the VP70 was an interesting idea poorly executed, and today there's better designs in widespread production now that achieve what H&K sought.

Also, with the recent ROTR news update I'm reminded of an idea I had to elaborate on the navies of the ROTR-verse. I'll have to work on that one soon, got plenty of ideas I've already alluded to here.

Posted by: Svea Rike Soldier 27 Apr 2014, 16:15

^Please do the aircraft carriers first so the whole debate can settle finally.

Posted by: DerKrieger 27 Apr 2014, 18:55

I was planning to go from bottom to top as far as navies are concerned but I already have everything planned out. Basically the Russians and Chinese have their own nuclear powered supercarriers (Chinese have the Liaoning and both likely have amphibious assault ships of some sort), the ECA uses the two Queen Elizabeth class conventional/STOVL carriers as well as two French nuclear/CATOBAR carriers based on the same design, plus Spanish, French, and Italian amphibious assault ships. The US has the most carriers overall, with the Wasp and America amphibious assault ships, Nimitz and Ford supercarriers, as well as light drone carriers that would serve a similar role to the WWII era light carriers. The large Spirit of Independence megaships are floating USAF bases (think Diego Garcia or some such that can be located anywhere on the globe) and theatre-level command centers.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 27 Apr 2014, 23:35

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 27 Apr 2014, 10:55) *
The thing is the VP70 was an interesting idea poorly executed, and today there's better designs in widespread production now that achieve what H&K sought.


I just have it out there as something that the ECA might have, considering that they (and pretty much every other side) also have a lot of other things that seem somewhat anachronistic or silly for use in 20 - 30 years from now, like the MG3s on tanks and guardtowers, Harriers, and the Medic's sidearm (a Glock 18). A similar thing happened for the G11 in the RotR universe, in that a somewhat clumsy design (awesome and advanced, but ridiculously complex) got looked at again decades later and became standard (H&KFN22). If this was a game based on real life, I wouldn't bother.

Posted by: Karpet 28 Apr 2014, 1:16

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 27 Apr 2014, 18:35) *
I just have it out there as something that the ECA might have, considering that they (and pretty much every other side) also have a lot of other things that seem somewhat anachronistic or silly for use in 20 - 30 years from now, like the MG3s on tanks and guardtowers, Harriers, and the Medic's sidearm (a Glock 18). A similar thing happened for the G11 in the RotR universe, in that a somewhat clumsy design (awesome and advanced, but ridiculously complex) got looked at again decades later and became standard (H&KFN22). If this was a game based on real life, I wouldn't bother.


They don't use the Glock (unless it is capable of being a machine pistol). According to lore they use surplus machine pistols to protect themselves.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 28 Apr 2014, 4:33

QUOTE (Karpet @ 27 Apr 2014, 20:16) *
They don't use the Glock (unless it is capable of being a machine pistol). According to lore they use surplus machine pistols to protect themselves.


In-game, the model appears to be a Glock 18, which is the machine pistol variant of the Glock 17. And lore-wise, that includes Glock 18s, TMP, Skorpions, Uzis, etc., with several of those mentioned by name.

Posted by: teslashark 28 Apr 2014, 5:58

Might also throw the UCP or some variant in since the MP7 is used by the Pioneer. I've tried to see whether a Medic or an Igla's sidearm is better by ctrl-ing them to fire at friendly AI's Workers, and both are pretty bad.

Posted by: Svea Rike Soldier 28 Apr 2014, 7:34

Hmm, Krieger, have you accounted for the Rise of the Reds timeline to be an alternate history sometime in the 90s/00s? I think this makes it a possibility that the F-35 JSF program was never conceived and the "stealth fighter" F-117 kept receiving upgrades instead of the U.S. war dept. making new designs all the time. Would coincide well with their damaged economy, no more new planes = better budget. IMHO it would be a lot more interesting reads if you just made some stuff up, like a fictional aircraft carrier class instead of using the Gerald R. Ford whose specs I can look up on Wikipedia. But hey, it's your fan-fic!

Posted by: MARS 28 Apr 2014, 9:06

^ The existence of the F-35 was acknowledged, it's just that it's treated as a procurement disaster with a myriad of technical issues in-lore which is why the US chose to diversify the capabilities of the F-22 instead while the F-35 only entered limited service in the US military and was exported to the likes of Canada, Israel, Japan and Turkey.

Posted by: TornadoADV 28 Apr 2014, 12:16

Basically meaning that the Raptors got their AtG FCS right at the start and the Grey Dragons didn't get their funding stolen to purchase more Lightnings. Really removes any reason to have the F-35, at least in the number we're trying to get them in this world.

Posted by: DerKrieger 28 Apr 2014, 14:40

QUOTE (Svea Rike Soldier @ 28 Apr 2014, 2:34) *
Hmm, Krieger, have you accounted for the Rise of the Reds timeline to be an alternate history sometime in the 90s/00s? I think this makes it a possibility that the F-35 JSF program was never conceived and the "stealth fighter" F-117 kept receiving upgrades instead of the U.S. war dept. making new designs all the time. Would coincide well with their damaged economy, no more new planes = better budget. IMHO it would be a lot more interesting reads if you just made some stuff up, like a fictional aircraft carrier class instead of using the Gerald R. Ford whose specs I can look up on Wikipedia. But hey, it's your fan-fic!


I have. I recall EA was pretty much considering Generals to be an alternate timeline by the time they were making Generals 2, given the dates of the game, the point of divergence was sometime in the early oughties. The plan is that the F-35 did indeed exist in some form, mainly for the US Marine Corps and Navy. In order to continue with their "high/low" fighter strategy, the Air Force managed to continue the F-22 program (or the F-22s production was not prematurely stopped) including the F-22C upgrade program, so USAF F-35A procurement was less than is currently planned. More or less, the USAF went with their original procurement plan where the F-22 replaced the F-15 while the F-35 replaced the F-16; about 300-400 F-22s and about 1200 F-35As. There's no feasible way to put a lift fan in a F-22 or to make it carrier capable so the Navy and USMC continued buying F-35 variants. However, the US Navy is the lead customer thus far of the new F/A-24 Rapier that is entering service in the 2040s. The F-117 upgrade was a stopgap due to the need for a stealth attacker against the GLA in a time when the F-35 was just entering service; its possible that a few F-117Bs may still be flying during the Russo-European War but for the most part they've been replaced by FQ-47s, F-35s, and Auroras.

Don't worry, there will be a fair bit of real life stuff, as well as some new designs and who's to say the real life based weapons will be exactly like their 2010's predecessors?

Posted by: Planardweller 28 Apr 2014, 19:35

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 28 Apr 2014, 16:40) *
I have. I recall EA was pretty much considering Generals to be an alternate timeline by the time they were making Generals 2, given the dates of the game, the point of divergence was sometime in the early oughties. The plan is that the F-35 did indeed exist in some form, mainly for the US Marine Corps and Navy. In order to continue with their "high/low" fighter strategy, the Air Force managed to continue the F-22 program (or the F-22s production was not prematurely stopped) including the F-22C upgrade program, so USAF F-35A procurement was less than is currently planned. More or less, the USAF went with their original procurement plan where the F-22 replaced the F-15 while the F-35 replaced the F-16; about 300-400 F-22s and about 1200 F-35As. There's no feasible way to put a lift fan in a F-22 or to make it carrier capable so the Navy and USMC continued buying F-35 variants. However, the US Navy is the lead customer thus far of the new F/A-24 Rapier that is entering service in the 2040s. The F-117 upgrade was a stopgap due to the need for a stealth attacker against the GLA in a time when the F-35 was just entering service; its possible that a few F-117Bs may still be flying during the Russo-European War but for the most part they've been replaced by FQ-47s, F-35s, and Auroras.

Don't worry, there will be a fair bit of real life stuff, as well as some new designs and who's to say the real life based weapons will be exactly like their 2010's predecessors?


DerKrieger, you can also make a case that the reduction in procurement for F-35 was because non-USA coutries decided not to buy it. Also F-22 could get an export model, reducing these numbers further(though not much, i would think).

Posted by: DerKrieger 28 Apr 2014, 23:41

I was considering that Japan and possibly other US allied nations could have bought export/licensed versions of the F-22.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 29 Apr 2014, 17:03

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 28 Apr 2014, 18:41) *
I was considering that Japan and possibly other US allied nations could have bought export/licensed versions of the F-22.


With or without the downgraded stealth capabilities the US tries to sell other nations : P

Posted by: TornadoADV 30 Apr 2014, 4:50

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 29 Apr 2014, 11:03) *
With or without the downgraded stealth capabilities the US tries to sell other nations : P


You can't really "downgrade" the stealth of the F-22 besides taking out it's LPI radar and datalinks. Changing the composition of the airframe and canopy would basically require a whole other assembly line, pushing the price up even higher for the first shipments.

Posted by: Kalga 30 Apr 2014, 11:57

QUOTE (TornadoADV @ 29 Apr 2014, 23:50) *
You can't really "downgrade" the stealth of the F-22 besides taking out it's LPI radar and datalinks. Changing the composition of the airframe and canopy would basically require a whole other assembly line, pushing the price up even higher for the first shipments.


I thought you could downgrade the stealth simply by not applying that expansive coat of radar absorbing paint...

Posted by: D' WRTHBRNGR 30 Apr 2014, 14:50

Or perhaps, use a less effective and cheaper RAM coating (since most fighters of this generation onwards would have it as standard feature anyway) and then a nerfed radar/avionics suite...which would give it around 1/3 the flyaway price or a RL Raptor.

The Starlifter is probably an interesting one for your fanfic, my hunch: judging from its size, it would've replaced not just fixed-wing medium-lift transports (in the likes of C-27s and CN-235s etc) but also supplementing/partially replacing C-130s in the heavy-lift and spec-ops roles, IMHO.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 30 Apr 2014, 15:07


My comment was a reference to the current predicament the real-life F-35 is in. The US is trying to sell export versions with several notable features absent, one of these specifically being some stealth capabilities. Which is silly - if they want to buy it, let them buy it. They are allies, and it's not like it would give them a huge advantage against US aircraft, as we still have the ~200 F-22s in service, which are superior interceptors and fighters (presumably the best worldwide, though the PAK FA and J-20 could be rivals for that title).

Posted by: DerKrieger 30 Apr 2014, 17:22

QUOTE (Kalga @ 30 Apr 2014, 6:57) *
I thought you could downgrade the stealth simply by not applying that expansive coat of radar absorbing paint...


The F-22B/C/whatever it is now replaced the older-generation radar paint with the "baked in" coating used on the F-35 that's much cheaper to maintain.


QUOTE (D' WRTHBRNGR @ 30 Apr 2014, 9:50) *
The Starlifter is probably an interesting one for your fanfic, my hunch: judging from its size, it would've replaced not just fixed-wing medium-lift transports (in the likes of C-27s and CN-235s etc) but also supplementing/partially replacing C-130s in the heavy-lift and spec-ops roles, IMHO.


I already included something on the Starlifter in my first post, and that's the general idea of it.

Posted by: TornadoADV 30 Apr 2014, 19:59

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 30 Apr 2014, 9:07) *
My comment was a reference to the current predicament the real-life F-35 is in. The US is trying to sell export versions with several notable features absent, one of these specifically being some stealth capabilities. Which is silly - if they want to buy it, let them buy it. They are allies, and it's not like it would give them a huge advantage against US aircraft, as we still have the ~200 F-22s in service, which are superior interceptors and fighters (presumably the best worldwide, though the PAK FA and J-20 could be rivals for that title).


J-20 really isn't in the running at all, mostly because it's job will be more like the Silent Eagle then the Raptor.

QUOTE
The F-22B/C/whatever it is now replaced the older-generation radar paint with the "baked in" coating used on the F-35 that's much cheaper to maintain.


It's actually a stealth "mat" thats put right into the composite layer of the airframe, which means it's no longer damaged by external weather conditions and replacement is as easy as replacing the damaged panel.

Posted by: 8igDaddy8lake 1 May 2014, 0:07

QUOTE (TornadoADV @ 30 Apr 2014, 14:59) *
J-20 really isn't in the running at all, mostly because it's job will be more like the Silent Eagle then the Raptor.


I'm not really sure, as I haven't seen many specs on the J-20 (actually, I don't think many people have). I highly doubt it will be comparable to the Raptor, though, so I agree with you.

Posted by: TornadoADV 1 May 2014, 0:35

QUOTE (8igDaddy8lake @ 30 Apr 2014, 18:07) *
I'm not really sure, as I haven't seen many specs on the J-20 (actually, I don't think many people have). I highly doubt it will be comparable to the Raptor, though, so I agree with you.


Considering it's airframe is based on the MiG-1.44, it's safe to say the Chinese are going the fighter bomber route with the J-20. They don't have the money like the US does to be able to build Air Superiority only stealth aircraft when that's only half the problem of fighting a land war.

Posted by: DerKrieger 13 May 2014, 22:05

Ok, next are two ones people have been requesting from me for a while now, the Leopard 3 tank; the Manticore will be done soon afterwards.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Pzkfw Leopard 3: The Leopard 3 has its roots in the EU's next generation tank program. Originally designed as a pan-European main battle tank family for the European Union's expanded EURRFOR (European Union Rapid Reaction Force), the R&D program resulted in three advanced prototypes the Aegis MBT and two models of the railgun-armed Paragon heavy assault tank. Like many of the prototype next generation weapons systems created for the EU's Rapid Reaction Force, the tanks each used technology and components sourced from various EU member nations and were to promote a face of a modern, unified European military that combined the best of each countries technological, military, and industrial base.

However, much as with the European Union itself, the reality conflicted greatly with the original intention. The Rapid Reaction Force, an international armed force under the jurisdiction of the European Union itself, found itself under harsh criticism from both sides of the political spectrum, with concerns over the possibility of "neo-imperialism" in other countries and the present threat of the EURRFOR being used to quash nationalist opposition to the EU in Europe. On a more immediate level, the implementation of the EURRFOR was anything but perfect. The chain of command was a confusing nightmare and many of the advanced weapons prototypes, designed in an effort to develop a first-rate military-industrial complex almost completely free of reliance on foreign powers, proved to be costly boondoggles. The Aegis MBT was particularly controversial as it turned out that much of the design was heavily plagiarized from the Merkava MkIV tank, resulting in a lawsuit from Israeli Military Industries, whereas the prototype lightweight railguns developed for the Paragon and other vehicles (even a hand-held variant!) turned out to be temperamental, heavy, and power-hungry designs.

Due to the political, financial, and legal issues surrounding numerous aspects of the EU Rapid Reaction Force project, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann threw up their hands in disgust and frustration and withdrew from the tank program. KMW used the technology they devised for the Aegis to design their own tank for the Bundeswehr and export customers, the Leopard 3 (often dubbed the "Europanzer"). Despite having a rocky beginning due to the economic troubles in the former EU at the time, the Leopard 3 would later find itself as the main battle tank of the European Continental Army as well as later equipping the elite armored units of the Bundeswehr. It is notable that the Leopard 3 was the only truly "next-generation" MBT to come out of the aborted EU program; the national armies of Britain, France, Germany, and others would continue on with heavily upgraded models of their existing 21st century tanks for much of the Russo-European War.

In contrast to many of its contemporary armored vehicle designs, the Leopard 3 was designed for a defensive strategy. Mobility was considered a secondary concern when compared to armor and raw firepower. The tank's armor (including smoke grenades, and radio and multispectral jammers) consists of several layers of a ceramic-metal hybrid superalloy, and the tank is capable of being upgraded with nano-shock absorber side skirts and glacis plating. Basically, these are two plates of high-conductivity alloy kept apart by 20 mm of dielectric gel. Both plates are under power, linked to a very large central capacitor. The moment any large auto-cannon shell, kinetic penetrator or shaped charge jet penetrates both plates to complete the circuit, the offending object is disintegrated. But since the circuit is not interrupted and the plates are only lightly damaged, the capacitor will be eventually recharged, using power from the Leopard 3's engine. The Leopard 3 is powered by a highly efficient supercharged multi-fuel engine connected to an electric transmission, and can be upgraded with a new, even more powerful hydrogen fuel cell.

The Leopard 3 uses an unmanned turret, notable for its massive ammunition bustle in the rear. Its armament is of fairly conservative design on the surface; a new generation 120mm smoothbore high-velocity cannon with a MG3 co-axial machine gun, in addition to a second machine gun mount on the turret cupola. The main cannon is capable of using HEAT/HEDP rounds, tungsten penetrator shells, or specialized Shredder anti-personnel canister shot based on the US' M1098 anti-personnel round, and an upgrade enabling it to use new more powerful light gas ignition rounds is available. Additionally, the Leopard 3 is equipped with the Aegis hard-kill anti-infantry/missile weapons system. Though less effective against missiles than the US' PALADIN, the Aegis proved its worth as an anti-infantry system during the invasion of North Africa.

Posted by: Svea Rike Soldier 14 May 2014, 6:25

Very nice Krieger, also a nice shout-out/take that to Generals 2.

Posted by: DerKrieger 14 May 2014, 15:30

Thanks, I had the idea a while back that many of the new Generals 2 units could have existed in some form in the RotR universe, usually as failed prototypes as a nice take that to the generally uninspired design of the EU units. I earlier mentioned the APA's Warlord Tank as the "Voevoda Tank" in an earlier article about the Kodiak. It was an experimental Ukrainian MBT that was adopted by the Donec'k Republic's army before it was incorporated into the Russian Federation, and had success when it was exported to several Asian countries.

Posted by: Pepo 14 May 2014, 18:48

I really liked the post about the leopard, althougth i belive that in lore the leopard has a manual reload system,thus not an ai controlled turret. I basing my information in the manticore update,that says that the crew of four was reduced to three

Posted by: Planardweller 14 May 2014, 18:54

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 14 May 2014, 17:30) *
Thanks, I had the idea a while back that many of the new Generals 2 units could have existed in some form in the RotR universe, usually as failed prototypes as a nice take that to the generally uninspired design of the EU units. I earlier mentioned the APA's Warlord Tank as the "Voevoda Tank" in an earlier article about the Kodiak. It was an experimental Ukrainian MBT that was adopted by the Donec'k Republic's army before it was incorporated into the Russian Federation, and had success when it was exported to several Asian countries.


Pretty interesting take on Leopard, but why so many railguns? Merkava thing is a nod to Endwar?
Btw, british Electric Reactive Armor (ERA) for the win!
Guess that AI suite is more like Siri for IPhones

And minor nibble - MARS earlier said that the new cannon for Leopard is 125 mm.

Posted by: DerKrieger 16 May 2014, 1:01

Pepo: I may retcon the targeting AI to a highly advanced yet not self-editing targeting computer - its unclear if the ECA's AI systems are barely out of prototype stage (only used on the Manticore and a certain other ECA hi-tech unit). However, the M1A4 Paladin has an AI system aboard so it may be possible that the Leopard 3 has something similar.

Planardweller: The EU tanks mentioned are in fact those from the cancelled Command & Conquer Generals 2 FTP game. Many people here on these forums, including myself, weren't huge fans of the derivative design of the EU units in the game, and the resemblance of the Aegis tank to the Merkava was noted (as well as the similarity to Endwar's Panther). I'll likely do something similar with other ECA (and possibly some GLA) units, mentioning similarities to Generals 2 units. As for the cannon it seemed unlikely that they'd reinvent the wheel with a completely different cannon that was only slightly different in size than an existing weapon they already had loads of ammunition and spare parts for, so I thought it made more sense for the Leopard 3 to have a cannon that used 120mm shells. I thought about how the Nano Armor could work and decided it was a nanite maintained version of the prototype electrical reactive armor.

Posted by: Planardweller 18 May 2014, 15:03

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 16 May 2014, 3:01) *
Pepo: I may retcon the targeting AI to a highly advanced yet not self-editing targeting computer - its unclear if the ECA's AI systems are barely out of prototype stage (only used on the Manticore and a certain other ECA hi-tech unit). However, the M1A4 Paladin has an AI system aboard so it may be possible that the Leopard 3 has something similar.

Planardweller: The EU tanks mentioned are in fact those from the cancelled Command & Conquer Generals 2 FTP game. Many people here on these forums, including myself, weren't huge fans of the derivative design of the EU units in the game, and the resemblance of the Aegis tank to the Merkava was noted (as well as the similarity to Endwar's Panther). I'll likely do something similar with other ECA (and possibly some GLA) units, mentioning similarities to Generals 2 units. As for the cannon it seemed unlikely that they'd reinvent the wheel with a completely different cannon that was only slightly different in size than an existing weapon they already had loads of ammunition and spare parts for, so I thought it made more sense for the Leopard 3 to have a cannon that used 120mm shells. I thought about how the Nano Armor could work and decided it was a nanite maintained version of the prototype electrical reactive armor.


Thanks for the explanation. I didn't follow Generals 2 closely, so that's the reason i missed the clues.

Posted by: DerKrieger 6 Jun 2014, 0:55

And here's another I've been getting a lot of requests for, the Manticore:

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Manticore: The development of the ZTZ-200 Overlord led to the design of weaponry designed to rival or counter it, both on the battlefield and export market. Chief among these super heavy tank designs were the NT-28 Sentinel and the T-88 Bastion. The reveal of these weapons by potentially hostile eastern powers did not go unnoticed by the newly-founded European Continental Alliance and a project of their own was created. Since the ECA relied on a defensive posture save for limited counter-terrorist operations in North Africa, the deployment of a new super-heavy breakthrough tank was seen as a necessary step.

The end result of the tender was the selection of a new super-heavy tank design by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, codenamed “Manticore.” Since it's advent in the Bundeswehr, the Manticore was, and still is, the most advanced tank design in the world. The Manticore features twin Rheinmetall 155mm autoloading cannons based on the L52 used on the PzH-2000 howitzer, a twin-linked 30mm auto cannon unmanned turret mounted atop the main turret, and Gungnir HEAT laser-guided missile containers built into the sides of the main turret. Its 155mm cannons are capable of a maximum fire-rate of 30 RPM together.

Crew complement is three personnel thanks to AI support; a commander, driver, and gunner. The AI is based on a low-level neural network chip-based system and is responsible for recognition, targeting and tracking, including predictive gun stabilization, as well as maintaining the Manticore's nano-foam dispenser robots. The self-hardening nano-foam is deployed via a network of robots that orbit around the Manticore and respond to any damage sustained to the Manticore or other friendly vehicles by spraying the nano-foam onto damaged surfaces.

The power source for the Manticore is a liquid fluoride thorium reactor, the experience with the Overlord showing the power necessary to fuel such a weapon. Using mass-fabricated carbon nanotubes as well as other lightweight high-strength materials in its construction, the Manticore is much lighter than it looks, weighing at about 100 tons. During the Russo-European War the Manticore became renowned as the only tank in the war that could stand up singlehandedly to a Sentinel tank and win, and was often used as a command tank for armored divisions since the war's outbreak.

Posted by: Serialkillerwhale 7 Jun 2014, 17:28

I'm gonna have to cut you off on the Carbon Nanotubes bit.

I really, really doubt they can just invent "Spray on nanotubes" that attach to the rest perfectly, and even more so doubt it can work on simpler tanks as well.

Posted by: DerKrieger 8 Jul 2014, 17:55

Perhaps, I just went with the "nano-foam" description in the Eisenfresser news update. It may not be spray-on nanotubes but something close enough for short term repair. Anyways, I know some folks have been requesting a write-up on US tanks, and I have been working on it. But for now, there's something else that I wanted to get out of the way first, the Berkut fighter jet:

Suchoj Su-47S "Firkin":


A picture of a Su-47S Firkin on low altitude maneuvers

Russia's first foray into 5+th generation fighters, the Su-50 Sokol (dubbed "Firefox" by NATO/US military intelligence), found itself suffering from the same issues all early 5th generation aircraft. After a series of delays, technical issues, and cost overruns, the Russian Air Force had no choice to refurbish and upgrade its fleet of MiG-29s and Su-27s to 4+ generation standards as a stop-gap measure, and opened up a tender for a 5+ generation light fighter that was intended to help bridge the gap until the Su-50 Firefox was ready for service.

The MiG corporation submitted two designs for consideration; the MiG-41S, a stealthy light fighter designed in the same vein as the MiG-21 and MiG-29, and the more radical MiG-39 forward-swept-wing VTOL fighter jet which was also considered for the Russian Navy's VTOL multi-role aircraft program. Suchoj submitted the Su-47S Berkut (Firkin by NATO), based off of their Su-47 tech demonstrator. Although the MiG aircraft designs were extremely capable, the Su-47S's much lower comparative cost was very attractive to the currently budget minded Russian Air Force, in particular the fact that the Su-47S shared many components with the Su-27 series and Su-50. While losing the tender, the MiG-39 would find success as an export 5th generation fighter to Russian client states in the Middle East and East Africa, and some reports during the Russo-European War claim that small numbers of the MiG-41S were used by the Russian Air Force. MiG's other contemporary project, the Skat UCAV, was considerably more successful than its manned designs and would be adopted by the Russian Air Force and Navy.

Compared to the original PAK-FA the Su-47S initially sacrificed the high-upkeep RAM coating along with using AL-31 Saturn 2d thrust-vectoring engines taken from the Su-35BM program, albeit later blocks would come with RAM coating and the Su-50's 3d thrust-vectoring AL-41F1 supercruising engines as standard, thereby allowing parts commonality with the current fighters used at the time. The Su-47S's thrust-vectoring engines along with its forward-swept wing gave the aircraft an extreme degree of maneuverability. It is important to note that the Su-47S's sole radical advancement in Russian aircraft design is the use of carbon-nanotube materials in the fuselage, solving the problems of fragility and lack of flexibility found in traditional forward swept wings. Further advancements are the extremely advanced fly-by-wire, modern electronic systems, second-generation optronic targeting, armor plating and integral signature reduction measures. The Su-47S is capable of in-flight refueling like all modern military aircraft.

The heavy use of off-the-shelf technology allowed for very low costs and a rapid research and development time; the project took about a year and a half from inception to flying prototype. Design philosophy was simple; Suchoj engineers postulated that multi-role aircraft were more expensive and less effective than specialized aircraft, and built the Su-47S from a "not a pound for air-to-ground" principle. As a result, the Su-47S lacks any air-to-surface optronics and fire control systems for anything more advanced than dumb bombs and rockets.

The Su-47S borrows the electronic suites of the modernized Su-27 family: N035 Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array, an OEPS-29 passive optronic sensor system, an infrared tail-mounted missile sensor, and the L-150 passive radar. In addition, the Su-47S Berkut features four all-around OEPS-29 optronic sensors giving full coverage around the aircraft, a rear facing attack warning radar, two phased-array side radars, and an attack LADAR linked to the gun's fire control system. Later blocks were equipped with the N036 Belka AESA radar from the Su-50 in lieu of the Irbis-E.

While the Su-47S has six underwing hardpoints in total, it has two integral underbelly weapons bays with four hardpoints in each. For close range combat, the Su-47S is armed with a single-barrel GSh-30-1 with 500 shells in the magazine and 700 cm3 of alcohol in the liquid cooling sleeve as well as two dedicated internal bays for a R-73M infrared-guided missiles with off-boresight helmet-mounted targeting each. Depending on the mission, the Su-47S can carry R-73 infrared AAMs, R-77M family of active air-to-air missiles, R-27R semi-active air-to-air missiles, R-73 family of AAMs, fuel tanks, radar and radar seeker pods, FLIR and laser designator pods, FAB-500 and KAB-500 "JDAMski" bombs, and Ch-38MLE laser guided missiles (when equipped with a laser designator pod). As for defensive systems, the Su-47S has chaff and flare as well as a radar-band jammer and a towed decoy, as well as ceramic and titanium plating around the cockpit and engines.

The Su-47S Berkut was a fairly successful design, being adopted by the Russian/CSTO, Indonesian, and Indian air forces. A Su-47K carrier-capable variant was considered but was ultimately rejected due to the Russian Navy being committed to the MiG-29K, Skat, and Su-50K programs. Likewise with the proposed "Slamhound" ground attack variant, which was deemed too expensive to produce due to the necessary heavy redesign of the aircraft and extensive use of carbon-nanotube armor.

Posted by: Svea Rike 8 Jul 2014, 17:58

Very nice description, Krieger, but the picture shows the APA (read: Chinese) expy of the Berkut from C&C2013. It just bugs me a little, but nice description nonetheless.

Also I want an official response from MARS; can we use these descriptions on the wiki?

Posted by: DerKrieger 8 Jul 2014, 18:01

I actually was considering using a pic/concept art of the Su-38 from Endwar but decided to go with a pic of the jet from C&C2013 instead.

Posted by: MARS 8 Jul 2014, 19:47

This is a very well thought out take on the Berkut. I would consider it fully compatible with the canon, even the Su-49 designation. Suppose the Russians could still refer it as the Berkut since this is, for all intents and purposes, a fully developed production model based on the original plane. Great work, Krieger. Someone feel free to add this to the lore section of the Berkut article. I'm pretty sure the plane hasn't been strictly identified as an Su-47 in any official lore text.

Posted by: DerKrieger 8 Jul 2014, 20:09

Thanks! I decided to use the "Su-49" designation as I imagined the aircraft would have only a rough physical resemblance to the Su-47, in reality, and as an homage to the "Su-38" in Endwar. Its basically a Su-35S with forward swept wings, canards, updated engines and avionics, and a modified tail that resembles the Su-47s.

Posted by: Pepo 8 Jul 2014, 20:19

i really like the lore , althougth i find it strange that you use suchoj instead of sukhoi
ps: no mention to the other big company of russian planes, Yakolev

Posted by: DerKrieger 8 Jul 2014, 20:33

Suchoj/Sukhoi/Suhoj are all acceptable Romanizations of "Сухой." I have plans for Jakovlev in the future; look closely and you'll notice a minor reference to a VTOL jet program for the Russian Navy...

Posted by: Svea Rike 8 Jul 2014, 20:58

QUOTE (MARS @ 8 Jul 2014, 20:47) *
This is a very well thought out take on the Berkut. I would consider it fully compatible with the canon, even the Su-49 designation. Suppose the Russians could still refer it as the Berkut since this is, for all intents and purposes, a fully developed production model based on the original plane. Great work, Krieger. Someone feel free to add this to the lore section of the Berkut article. I'm pretty sure the plane hasn't been strictly identified as an Su-47 in any official lore text.


Can we do this for all his other in-depth descriptions, too? Heck, why not just have Kriger help with the unit descriptions?

Posted by: Planardweller 8 Jul 2014, 22:06

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 8 Jul 2014, 22:33) *
Suchoj/Sukhoi/Suhoj are all acceptable Romanizations of "Сухой." I have plans for Jakovlev in the future; look closely and you'll notice a minor reference to a VTOL jet program for the Russian Navy...


Sorry but no, the correct and currently used romanization is Sukhoi, because of the "kh" consonant - which is close enough to the respective cyrillic "х" consonant. By the same logic the correct name of the city is Kharkiv and respectively Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau

There is a speculation about "Suhoj" variant, but both russian and ukrainian official rules on romanizations use "kh"
"Ch" is equivalent to cyrillic "ч" consonant like in Ernesto "Che" Guevara.

Just a minor grammar-nazi moment from me. Please, continue writing your very well written fluff for aircraft and tanks.

Posted by: DerKrieger 29 Jul 2014, 21:29

Yes, I realize updates have been sporadic, but I am working on them intermittently. The big question right now is what I want to concentrate on first. One of the suggestions I got a while back was something on the US tanks, getting that one done. I also want to do something on naval technology and warships and something on directed energy weapons as well. If any of y'all have a burning desire to have something explained, speak up!

Posted by: Svea Rike 29 Jul 2014, 22:05

I've always wondered, do the US still use battleships? They used them in Zero Hour, and some stories and fan-fics suggest they do. If so, why? Budget cuts, again? The US did sell many of their newer vessels in "Farewell to Foreign Shores".

Posted by: MARS 30 Jul 2014, 7:02

I'd like to see some more on American tanks. I already tried to get a few old hiccups in order with http://forums.swr-productions.com/index.php?showtopic=5826, perhaps you can expand on that.

Quick breakdown:
Acolyte = M8 'Acolyte', mounts a 90mm gun
OLD Crusader = M4 'Crusader', has no established information aside from what's been said in manuals and the like, so you have a lot of leeway here
NEW Crusader = M5 'Crusader II', A1 version was in use during the 2030s and mounted a rather odd 90mm cannon according to old lore while the A2 version was updated with a 105mm gun prior to the Sino-American attack on Kurmuk in 2040. Made by a company called Mondo Armor Systems according to older lore. The Crusader name was kept to bullshit it through Congress as merely being an upgrade instead of a whole new vehicle.
OLD Paladin = M1A4 'Paladin', actually an M1A3 'Abrams' with massive upgrades, including PDL and AI assistance
NEW Paladin = M10 'Paladin II', completely new baseline vehicle that includes all M1A4 upgrades as default. The update provided more information on the history of the vehicle than its technical specs (presumably to keep some things classified, since it was presented on a TV programme), so you could really come up with some cool stuff here. The only thing we know is that the tank mounts a 120mm cannon and that it is an all-American design (according to Bradley anyway) with no components of European origin/design.

That aside, maybe you can also think up an explanation for the vaguely religious inspired naming scheme. I kinda operated under the assumption that the GWOT partly escalated in the way it did because the US government at the time had a strong religious vibe and hyped it up to a literal clash of civilisations, a fight for the very survival of western/christian society, against the ravaging hordes of the GLA, which at the time was A LOT more religiously motivated than it is under Sulaymaan, essentially ISIS on steroids (interesting how times change, we still called it 'Al Qaeda on steroids' a few years ago)

Posted by: DerKrieger 30 Jul 2014, 14:35

QUOTE (Svea Rike @ 29 Jul 2014, 17:05) *
I've always wondered, do the US still use battleships? They used them in Zero Hour, and some stories and fan-fics suggest they do. If so, why? Budget cuts, again? The US did sell many of their newer vessels in "Farewell to Foreign Shores".

It looked to me in "Farewell to Foreign Shores" like they were selling a lot of the older mothballed vessels from the Cold War. Perhaps they brought out some battleships or heavy cruisers out of mothballs during Zero Hour for the purpose of shore bombardment. I'm thinking some variant of the Zumwalt class destroyer could serve a similar role now.

QUOTE (MARS @ 30 Jul 2014, 2:02) *
I'd like to see some more on American tanks. I already tried to get a few old hiccups in order with http://forums.swr-productions.com/index.php?showtopic=5826, perhaps you can expand on that.

Quick breakdown:
Acolyte = M8 'Acolyte', mounts a 90mm gun
OLD Crusader = M4 'Crusader', has no established information aside from what's been said in manuals and the like, so you have a lot of leeway here
NEW Crusader = M5 'Crusader II', A1 version was in use during the 2030s and mounted a rather odd 90mm cannon according to old lore while the A2 version was updated with a 105mm gun prior to the Sino-American attack on Kurmuk in 2040. Made by a company called Mondo Armor Systems according to older lore. The Crusader name was kept to bullshit it through Congress as merely being an upgrade instead of a whole new vehicle.
OLD Paladin = M1A4 'Paladin', actually an M1A3 'Abrams' with massive upgrades, including PDL and AI assistance
NEW Paladin = M10 'Paladin II', completely new baseline vehicle that includes all M1A4 upgrades as default. The update provided more information on the history of the vehicle than its technical specs (presumably to keep some things classified, since it was presented on a TV programme), so you could really come up with some cool stuff here. The only thing we know is that the tank mounts a 120mm cannon and that it is an all-American design (according to Bradley anyway) with no components of European origin/design.

That aside, maybe you can also think up an explanation for the vaguely religious inspired naming scheme. I kinda operated under the assumption that the GWOT partly escalated in the way it did because the US government at the time had a strong religious vibe and hyped it up to a literal clash of civilisations, a fight for the very survival of western/christian society, against the ravaging hordes of the GLA, which at the time was A LOT more religiously motivated than it is under Sulaymaan, essentially ISIS on steroids (interesting how times change, we still called it 'Al Qaeda on steroids' a few years ago)


I actually do have a very good explanation for the names, its a bit unconventional but I think it works.

Posted by: Omnius64 2 Sep 2014, 18:43

Love the technicals description you write , DerKrieger!

Would you do for the Harrier , the Gepard Flakpanzer, Golem and Tesla tank?

Posted by: DerKrieger 3 Sep 2014, 19:00

Sure thing, I was thinking about the Harrier a while back. Right now I've been working off and on about US armor as someone requested it a while back.

Posted by: Omnius64 3 Sep 2014, 19:05

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 3 Sep 2014, 20:00) *
Sure thing, I was thinking about the Harrier a while back. Right now I've been working off and on about US armor as someone requested it a while back.

Thanks. After all, I dont think the Harrier in-game is the same model of Harrier of the 70s-80s, after all.

Posted by: DerKrieger 3 Sep 2014, 19:08

I don't think it is, either. My take is that its a very different new build aircraft that has a lot of design similarities to the original Harrier due to it serving the same role. Sorta like my take on the Berkut, actually.

Posted by: Omnius64 3 Sep 2014, 19:41

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 3 Sep 2014, 20:08) *
I don't think it is, either. My take is that its a very different new build aircraft that has a lot of design similarities to the original Harrier due to it serving the same role. Sorta like my take on the Berkut, actually.

Not not like the Harrier. IT IS A HARRIER.
The Harrier we se ingame are mostly from the Spanish Navy, because England sold them the Harriers.
Now the think is, I dont think the Harrier of ROTR are the same Harriers that were sold in 2010s.

Posted by: Omnius64 3 Sep 2014, 19:42

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 3 Sep 2014, 20:08) *
I don't think it is, either. My take is that its a very different new build aircraft that has a lot of design similarities to the original Harrier due to it serving the same role. Sorta like my take on the Berkut, actually.

No, it is not like the Harrier. IT IS A HARRIER.
The Harrier we see ingame are mostly from the Spanish Navy, because England sold them the Harriers.
Now the think is, I dont think the Harrier of ROTR are the same Harriers that were sold in 2010s.
I believe England did made a new Harrier model in the 2020s, and then England retired them during late 2030/early 2040, selling them to other countries, most of them being adquired by Spain.

Posted by: DerKrieger 3 Sep 2014, 23:58

Oh, it's a Harrier, just a Harrier III. In other words a new generation of Harrier jet, though perhaps existing airframes could be refit to Harrier III standard. It'll be a Royal Navy program that was exported to Spain and Italy just like the prior model of the Harrier.

Posted by: DerKrieger 9 Sep 2014, 16:42

Here's some stuff on American armor. I'll likely do the Microwave Tank, Bradley, and Humvee some other time, give them their own update. This one took long enough as is!

General Dynamics M1 Abrams Series: As tensions rose in Central Asia along with the appearance of makeshift armored vehicles among GLA warlords, the US Army and Marine Corps sought the acceleration of the M1A3 upgrade project for the long-serving Abrams tank. Initially slated for entry into service in 2017, the first M1A3 entered service in 2013. With the thousands of Cold War surplus M1 tanks and literal mountains of spare parts, it is projected that the M1 Abrams will remain in service well into the 21st century.

The M1A3 was seen as a comprehensive upgrade program for the existing stock of M1A1 and A2 tanks, centered around making the Abrams lighter weight and more easily deployable as well as giving it a comprehensive systems update for 21st century warfare. The tanks electronics were replaced with new fiber-optic wiring and the tank's body and treads were upgraded with lighter weight but still robust materials, resulting in a tank weighing 55 tons. Plans to reduce the crew to three members were scrapped early on, and the tank's crew still consists of a driver, gunner, commander, and loader.

For armament, the M1A3 is armed with the M256A2 120mm smoothbore cannon, a variant of the Rheinmetall L/44 cannon made with lightweight composites and tailored for the latest generation of projectiles, namely the M829A4 APFSDS and M1028 canister shot. The M1A3 retains the co-axial M240 and has an M2 Browning machine gun on a CROWS mount on the right side of the turret.

Like all US military combat vehicles, the M1A3 is capable of connecting with a variety of UAVs for support missions such as reconnaissance, fire support, and repair. Chief among these are the MQ-24 Cypher, equipped with a M249 machine gun, welding torch, and instacrete applicators, the new MQ-3 Scryer reconnaissance & attack drone, and the RQ-32 Targeteer spotter. Additionally, the M1A3 features the thermal viewer from the M1A2, a forward-looking phased array radar for fire control, and a tactical laser designator paired to the commander's viewer.

Armor consists of reinforced metal-ceramic composites with DU inserts and reinforced interior, and the M1A3 is completely compatible with active defenses such as the Quick Kill active protection system as well as non-explosive reactive armor. Nano composite armor is available as an upgrade package for the tank, giving even greater survivability at a negligible increase in weight (albeit a considerable increase in cost). The M1A3 features the same AGT-1500 gas turbine and X-1100-#B transmission, albeit with higher performance intakes and radiators mounted in the bottom of the tank to increase stealth versus IR.

During the Global War on Terror, the M1 Abrams earned the nickname Crusader after the US Armed Forces' victory at the Battle of Baghdad. After the rapid assault under heavy air support to retake the Iraqi capital from GLA militants, pro-GLA news networks repeatedly broadcast footage of US and Iraqi Abrams rolling through the re-conquered streets of Baghdad, with hysterical narration by GLA propagandists condemning the western crusaders. Ironically enough, GLA propaganda had heretofore stated how the Americans and their allies were in effect committing suicide by attacking the brave GLA mujihadeen, that there were no American or Iraqi loyalist troops within kilometers of the Iraqi border, much less in the vicinity of Baghdad or other strategic cities, and had even gone so far as to blame the GLA chemical attack in Baghdad on US & allied forces (which utterly failed to halt the US/Allied advance and had killed thousands of Iraqis who the GLA claimed to be protecting from Western secularism and imperialism). The unofficial nick-name stuck with the American and Australian crews of Abrams, enjoying how the term irritated GLA fighters (as well as many US intelligence officers, who frequently instructed American troops not to colloquially refer to the Abrams as Crusaders).

The M1A4 Abrams was conceived as an alternative, even more ambitious upgrade for the Abrams fleet. Seeing the success of the Quick Kill missile defense system on vehicles, Raytheon unveiled the next step in point defense; the Point Active Laser Armed Defense Integrated Network (PALADIN) system. The PALADIN was a comprehensive AI battle network system integrated into an M1 Abrams tank, allowing for the crew to be reduced to one. It included a 60 kW solid-state point defense laser based off of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions' Laser Weapons System developed for the US Navy, and is comparable to the HELLADS system devised by Textron for US combat aircraft. The defensive laser system on the M1A4 and AN/TWQ-1L Avenger were likewise extremely effective against the missile and rocket heavy GLA arsenal. As the AI targeted point defense laser was capable of targeting and destroying rockets, ATGMs, and mortar shells aimed at other vehicles within range, the M1A4 and Avenger-L were extremely effective as force multipliers. The acronym PALADIN became shorthand for the M1A4 variant in part to the defense laser acting like a knight's shield to protect tank platoons. However, the name never became official due to confusion with the M109 Paladin mobile howitzer. Due to the high costs of development, it only entered limited service in the US Army during the Global War on Terror. Today however, it is a more common sight in the US military.

The active defense laser and PALADIN weren't the only additions to the M1A4 model, as the tank featured a new M341 120mm auto-loaded high-pressure cannon. Configured for new rocket-assisted APFSDS rounds, the M341 featured a rifled breech lock and multipoint plasma ignition of the primary propellant stage. The initial propellant would activate a rocket motor, designed to boost the range of the M829 APFSDS round and to prevent the pressure reduction that normally occurs as a round moves down the barrel. The M1A4's AI system was also designed to rapidly calculate the most optimal firing solution for each target. The M341 also comes with an integral cooling system, comprised of a passive radiator and a forced air cooling system powered by the cannon's own muzzle flash.

General Townes and DARPA saw potential in the Abrams' gas turbine engine as a power source for directed energy weapons. Both advanced models of the Abrams would be used as combat testbeds for the General Dynamics XM34 laser cannon, as was the AH-64E Apache gunship during the Global War on Terror. The M1A3L was equipped with a modified turret containing the same XM34 laser cannon used on attack gunships, while the M1A4L was outfitted with the heavier XM34A1.

The General Dynamics M34 laser was an extremely effective anti-tank weapon, though like all energy weapons of the time its high cost of production and the need for regular maintenance hampered it. Power issues surrounding portable directed energy weapons were another factor. Aircraft and warship mounted laser weapons and anti-air/anti-missile weapons necessitated either less energy to run or had their own power supply, unlike laser small arms and anti-tank armament. However, DARPA and General Dynamics came up with a solution of sorts. Laser weapons could be powered by a capacitor, which was charged before use by a General Atomics fusion reactor. This had the downside of meaning that the weapons needed to be frequently recharged at a fusion reactor away from the front lines of battle, limiting their battlefield effectiveness despite their great power. When taken into account with the production cost (especially compared with traditional kinetic weapons) and maintenance difficulties with laser weapons, it meant that anti-armor and small arms lasers would not see widespread issue with the United States armed forces for quite some time afterwards.

Mondo Armor Systems M5A2 Schwartzkopf: The M5A2 Schwartzkopf was the first tank created from the Acolyte program for a lightweight armored vehicle to replace the M1128 Mobile Gun System and serve as a lightweight, air-droppable alternative to the M1 Abrams, particularly for US Army Airborne, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the US Marine Corps. During the War on Terror, the Mobile Gun System was an effective support system for infantry facing light armor, though its wheeled chassis and lack of armor made it too vulnerable for the open battlefield. In response, the Acolyte program called for a new lightweight tank that would limit the M1128's weaknesses.

Upstart challenger Mondo Armor Systems' M5 was a radical new design submitted to the tender. The M5 features a quad track drive system powered by the same gas turbine engine used on the M1 Abrams. Having an overpowered engine on the 22 ton (empty) tank not only gave it a maximum speed of 80km/h on ground, it allowed for the most revolutionary feature on the M5; the four track units can swivel outboard, revealing ducted fan thrusters capable of lifting the vehicle over a meter off the ground and propelling it forward at a maximum speed of 160 km/h. This feature allows for the M5 Schwartzkopf to cross any body of water as well as jump cliffs. However, the instability of the tank when in hover mode means that it cannot fire its main gun rapidly due to the inability to manage recoil while hovering over the ground. An advanced computer system allows for the entire tank to be crewed by a single person.

The M5A2 features a M68A2 105mm cannon and a coaxial M240 machine gun. Early in the design phase, an experimental lightweight 120mm cannon salvaged from the canceled Future Combat Systems program was considered but was rejected due to weight and research & development cost concerns. Since the M5A2 was primarily intended to deal with foes such as the Global Liberation Army, however, the M68 was deemed more than adequate for the task.

The Schwartzkopf is armored by a composite metal/polymer weave that keeps weight down whilst giving the M5A2 a high degree of survivability for a tank its size, and the tank body itself is constructed from aluminum. Furthermore, the tank can be equipped with the same nano composite inserts designed for the M1A3 and A4. Like all US ground vehicles, the M5A2 Schwartzkopf is capable of using the standard variety of UAVs for support tasks.

United Defense M8 Buford Armored Gun System: While M5 Schwartzkopf was clearly a capable vehicle, it wasn't as air-droppable as the US Army Airborne corps wanted. Fortunately, there was an off-the-shelf solution to their problem. A cancelled prototype from the 1990s, the M8 Buford Armored Gun System, fit the design parameters perfectly.

The production model of the M8 Buford has aluminum/titanium composite armor, in addition to a 580 horsepower Detroit Diesel 6V-92TIA diesel engine. It is armed with the same M35 105mm cannon and coaxial M240 machine gun as the original, and is capable of mounting a M2 Browning in a CROWS mount over the commander's hatch.

While the design has been for the most part unchanged apart from the electronics and armor composition, the changes are enough to lower the weight significantly, down to 22 tons with a full combat load and supplemental nano composite armor. A level III fully armored and battle ready M8 can be transported and air-dropped by a C-130, and several such tanks can be transported by a C-17.

Posted by: Svea Rike 9 Sep 2014, 16:53

Very nice descriptions, Krieger. Could these be put under a sub-section on the lore for the wiki called 'description'?

Posted by: Omnius64 18 Sep 2014, 15:39

We need to make one for the new GLA Interceptor aircraft.

Posted by: DerKrieger 18 Sep 2014, 23:14

Thanks guys! I can do the Interceptor next, since it's a Su-17/22 it should be fairly simple to write. For now, here's the Harrier III:


British Aerospace FX.3A Sea Harrier III: The F-35B proved to be an effective combat aircraft, but concerns persisted about its suitability as a close air support aircraft for the Royal Marines, especially in light of the impending invasion of GLA held North Africa. In response, the Ministry of Defence floated a tender for a new VTOL aircraft specifically designed for close air support that was capable of operations from the deck of the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. Upon hearing of the project, interest from the Spanish and Italian navies grew, eventually leading to orders from said organizations.

BAE wasted no time on producing a new aircraft design that was more or less a modernization of the 20th century Harrier. The FX.3A Harrier III variant features omnidirectional LIDAR sensors and a CAPTOR-X AESA radar. It's powered by a Rolls-Royce Pegasus II non-afterburning turbofan engine, which is for all intents and purposes a Pegasus engine rebuilt with the latest materials, and has a maximum speed of Mach 0.8. Additionally, the hull has a radar signature reducing shape, although not to the extent of the F-22 or F-35. Since VTOL aircraft need to keep their weight down, the Harrier III is not nearly as well armored as an A-10, but has lightweight ceramic plating around the engine and other critical areas of the airframe and a titanium "bathtub" surrounding the cockpit, in addition to a heavy array of chaff/flares/decoys and standard IR and radio-band jammers. The Harrier III entered service just in time for Operation Nemesis where it proved to an efficient strike bomber when deployed from carriers in the Mediterranean.

Standard loadout consists of Brimstone air-to-ground missiles and two GAU-22 25mm rotary cannons, and the Harrier III also is capable of carrying small bombs and IRIS-T and Sidewinder infra-red guided AAMs. A notable weapon specifically designed for use on the Harrier III during Operation Nemesis was the Artemis missile. The Artemis system consists of a datalink pod with optional imaging analysis AI connected to a quad missile rack, all mounted on an underwing hard-point. With the all-encompassing squad-level tactical infantry networking provided by the FELIN system, a highly mobile autonomous platform with precision anti-personnel weaponry was made feasible. The continuous rod (or zirconium sleeve incendiary) warhead is too thin for anti-armor use, necessitating other aircraft with Brimstone missiles to provide anti-armor support if needed.

Later during the war, BAE produced an experimental cyclotronic plasma cannon loosely based on the laser weapon developed for the F-35 during the Global War On Terror. The plasma cannon, introduced during the later phases of the war, replaces the twin autocannons with a cyclotronic generator installed in the main body of the jet powering a plasma beam cannon specifically designed for use against armored vehicles. Though the plasma cannon was a rare sight, it was reportedly highly effective against heavy Russian armor.

Many of the Sea Harriers used during the Russo-European War were supplied by the Spanish Navy, seeing as their naval air wing was for the most part spared from the Russian air offensive against most European air forces. Both Spanish and Italian Harriers, launched from assault carriers, aided British sea and ground based aircraft in providing air support to the defenders during the unsuccessful Russian invasion of the United Kingdom.

Posted by: Svea Rike 19 Sep 2014, 6:31

Great story, but what's Operation Vengeance?

Posted by: MARS 19 Sep 2014, 6:33

Perhaps a little confusion with Operation Nemesis (the ECA invasion of North Africa). A great take on the Harrier premise though. I also like the plasma part at the end which would be a very cool sight in-game, but alas...

Posted by: Svea Rike 19 Sep 2014, 8:06

Yes... plasma, the supposed "weaponizable" state of matter. Wouldn't it be better with a magnetohydrodynamic cannon?

Posted by: Planardweller 19 Sep 2014, 8:44

QUOTE (Svea Rike @ 19 Sep 2014, 10:06) *
Yes... plasma, the supposed "weaponizable" state of matter. Wouldn't it be better with a magnetohydrodynamic cannon?


Mass effect reaper cannons? They just don't work, metals lose magnetic properties at that temperature, uless it fires just another unobtainium

Posted by: Svea Rike 19 Sep 2014, 8:46

QUOTE (Planardweller @ 19 Sep 2014, 9:44) *
Mass effect reaper cannons? They just don't work, metals lose magnetic properties at that temperature, uless it fires just another unobtainium


At those temperatures they become liquid metals. But I just realized plasma is part of magnetyhydrodynamics. My mistake, carry on.

Posted by: DerKrieger 19 Sep 2014, 12:50

Thanks guys! Edited the Harrier description with the correct name for the invasion of North Africa, and expanded a bit on the Harrier III's engine and defensive systems.

Posted by: DerKrieger 23 Sep 2014, 20:10

And here's the Interceptor:

Suhoj Su-17/Su-22 "Fitter:" Ever since the GLA resurfaced in central Africa, intelligence organizations worldwide have noticed several firms purchasing retired combat aircraft and aircraft components from a variety of former Soviet Bloc, southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern states. In addition, reports confirm that there has been large scale theft of equipment from military installations from multiple failed states in central Africa, much like the thefts of equipment in the Middle East prior to the ISIS/GLA uprising during the 2010s. More troubling is the choice of equipment that these firms, now widely believed to be front groups for GLA-affiliated arms dealers, have been acquiring. Though the GLA did use small numbers of combat aircraft during the Global War on Terror, unsubstantiated reports from The Zone seem to imply that the GLA have been establishing a large and organized, if rudimentary, air force.

By far the most common aircraft seen is the Su-17 or Su-22 Fitter. Popular due to its ease of maintenance in the harsh climate of central Africa, the Su-17/22 is also well liked by the GLA for it's versatility in both fighter and bomber roles. Thus far, the Su-17/22s in GLA service have been seen equipped with the standard twin 30mm NR-30 autocannons as well as a variety of Soviet Bloc missiles, rockets, and bombs such as the R-30 infrared guided AAM. Though the Su-17/22s are no match for modern aircraft and AA missiles, reports indicate that the GLA have managed to upgrade most of the fleet with a variety of upgrade packages, and all are at least S-52 standard. Most of the Su-17/22s are in fact upgraded to S-54 (Su-17M4) standard, with radio, beacon, and inertial navigation systems, a Kljon-54 improved laser rangefinder, radio compass, SPO-15LE radar-warning system, an improved AL-21F-3, and capability to use TV-guided and anti-radiation missiles. Some have even been upgraded with a modernized cockpit and avionics, hands-on-throttle-and-stick controls, and a more modern Phazotron/Thompson Phathom radar.

Posted by: Svea Rike 23 Sep 2014, 21:09

Very nice description, although the part with the ISIS/GLA bit: Is it really necessary to tie in those events with ROTR canon? ISIS could be the progenitor of the GLA, although the GLA was founded in Central Asia. They could be a part of the Brotherhood of the White Falcon, which like ISIS used to be part of al-Qaida. Question to MARS: What current events should and shouldn't be part of the ROTR canon? 2014 is a bit into the timeline, suppose an alternate history/reality timeline, and the Manchuria nuclear disaster hasn't happened in real life (as far as we know).

Posted by: DerKrieger 23 Sep 2014, 22:25

Pretty much all of the events alluded to in Generals are supposed to have already happened, Generals itself was supposed to have started in 2013. I just consider it an alternate universe ala Red Alert at this point.

Posted by: MARS 24 Sep 2014, 6:51

I would also consider it an alternate universe/timeline, albeit one where the main point of divergence from our own isn't clearly identified. There isn't any real use in constantly re-interpreting canon based on current events (hence why I'll stay clear of anything Ukraine or Middle East related for the foreseeable future) and we should simply keep the story rolling as we did before unless specifically noted. Al Qaeda, Al Nusra, ISIS and now that new Khorasan group are all connected in some way, spawned out of each other and whatever. The notion that Yusuuf's Brotherhood was involved with them as well and eventually linked up with Deathstrike's budding GLA still works, no matter how many more splinter groups anyhow.

Posted by: Mcbob 24 Sep 2014, 8:51

I noted that the Leopard 3 uses the MG3 as its coaxial gun. I recall however that the MG3 is currently being phased out by the HK121 which is also expected to be produced in a coaxial configuration for armored vehicles.

Posted by: Svea Rike 24 Sep 2014, 9:31

Bah! The MG3 looks way cooler than the HK121. Aesthetics over functionality, baby!

Posted by: DarkyPwnz 24 Sep 2014, 10:38

Shockwave's Mammoth Tank please?

And the Wraith Tank.

And the first generation (Armor General's) Bradleys. Thanks in advance!

Posted by: MARS 24 Sep 2014, 11:15

QUOTE (Mcbob @ 24 Sep 2014, 9:51) *
I noted that the Leopard 3 uses the MG3 as its coaxial gun. I recall however that the MG3 is currently being phased out by the HK121 which is also expected to be produced in a coaxial configuration for armored vehicles.


Actually, the turret-top machine gun of the Leopard is entirely fictionalised. AaronAsh designed it with that sci-fi looking barrel cover as a futuristic callback to the Vickers machine gun. The only ECA weapon that is directly modelled after the MG3 is the one on the Guard tower (which could also be a Spanish Ameli which looks very similar) and we used that because it's iconic for its appearance and high-rate of fire, being derived from the MG42. We always considered it a more interesting choice than all those newer LMGs, particularly that HK121 or its smaller cousin the MG4. We intentionally went for a retro Cold War/WW2 look with some elements of the ECA.

Posted by: Mcbob 24 Sep 2014, 16:40

QUOTE (MARS @ 24 Sep 2014, 12:15) *
Actually, the turret-top machine gun of the Leopard is entirely fictionalised. AaronAsh designed it with that sci-fi looking barrel cover as a futuristic callback to the Vickers machine gun. The only ECA weapon that is directly modelled after the MG3 is the one on the Guard tower (which could also be a Spanish Ameli which looks very similar) and we used that because it's iconic for its appearance and high-rate of fire, being derived from the MG42. We always considered it a more interesting choice than all those newer LMGs, particularly that HK121 or its smaller cousin the MG4. We intentionally went for a retro Cold War/WW2 look with some elements of the ECA.


Oh whoops, should have specified that my comment was based off the Leopard 3 lore written in an earlier post, but yeah that makes sense, especially considering that the 121 superficially follows the same pattern as the FN Minimi and SAW and every early 21st century LMG/GMG configuration since.

Posted by: DerKrieger 25 Sep 2014, 21:23

Doing something a little different for now, though I will be writing more tech stuff once this is out of the way. I just got inspired to do something different for now. Here's my attempt to explain some of the backstory of the General's verse in an in-character manner. I'll be covering the Generals and ZH campaigns, mostly stuff not covered in detail by the ROTR timeline as well as my own interpretations. Since this'll be likely too long to put in one post by itself I'll divide it into multiple parts. Here's the first part, the backstory leading up to the Chinese campaign.

A Brief History of the Global War on Terror

Introduction

Out of all the conflicts of the turbulent first decades of the 21st century, the most influential on the course of the century was the Global War on Terror. Having its root in the brushfire wars of the first decade, the Global War on Terror was the most destructive conflict seen since the end of the Second World War. Millions, mainly from the nuclear war in Middle East, are estimated to have died during the conflict. The war resulted in the branching of the world into a more fractious, multilateral political landscape, the political splintering of the Middle East, and the devastation of considerable parts of the Middle East, Central Asia, and regions of China and central Europe.

The Sunni Islamist group known as the Global Liberation Army had its genesis in groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Qaeda, and was born in the crucible of the conflicts in the wake of the Arab Spring. CIA reports trace the foundation of the group by links between ISIS and other rebel Sunni insurgent groups with Mohmar Deathstrike's Central Asian militia, which was in the process of taking control of former al-Qaeda affiliated groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as Uyghur nationalist and Sunni fundamentalist groups.

In the meantime, the world's attention was focused on other matters. Most nations were continuing to move on from the 2008 economic recession. The United States and NATO were extricating themselves from the Middle East after the destruction of Al-Qaeda and the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011. There was little political will for further conflict in the Middle East and many began to question the reasoning for the presence of American troops in Europe and Western Asia, calling for a withdrawal of troops there in the face of a growing Chinese power in Asia.

Interesting Times In East Asia

Western concerns about China reached a fever pitch during the Taiwan Conflict of October 2009. Over concerns about the economy both in China and Taiwan, hardliners in the People's Liberation Army overruled the Politburo and launched an invasion of Taiwan. Colonel Shin Fai, an up and coming infantry commander of the PLANMC, was chosen to lead the risky amphibious assault on the fortified island. As the US Navy was currently occupied with concerns about North Korean nuclear tests as well as operations in the Middle East, it was seen as the perfect time to make a grab for Taiwan. On October 1st, a single Chinese marine division landed on the northern province of Chilung, catching the Taiwanese military off guard and seizing Taipei within two days. Within hours of taking Taipei, the Chinese had landed more divisions on Taiwan, and the US Navy had dispatched Carrier Strike Group Eleven to aid the Taiwanese military in retaking the island.

The PLAAF and PLAN sent forces to intercept the American fleet, but an unknown commander of a PLAAF squadron refused the order to fire on the American warships. His decision reverberated throughout the other Chinese forces, and a major war in the Pacific was thus averted. As Taiwan had completely fallen to the PLA troops, the US fleet was called off.

In response to the political fallout from the Taiwan Conflict, a new reformist politician named Zhao Wei seized control of the chair of the Premier in a bloodless coup. Zhao Wei promptly initiated hisModern Way reforms targeted toward further economic liberalization and a lowering of China's notorious level of political corruption. Zhao still believed that the unification of Taiwan with the mainland was crucial to China's future prosperity. Colonel Shin was fortunate enough to be the only major officer involved with the invasion to not be dishonorably discharged and imprisoned. Zhao Wei personally vouched for Colonel Shin's expertise at taking Taiwan expediently and avoiding war with the United States.

The Second Korean War

By June 2012, the unresolved conflict on the Korean Peninsula had again come to a boil. A border incident where North Korean soldiers opened fire on South Korean border guards led to a full scale invasion of the South. Kim Jong-Un ordered a million strong invasion of South Korea, believing that the South Koreans and their American allies would be unable to stop a full force attack. South Korea wasted no time in launching its full military force against the attacking forces, and the United States deployed Carrier Strike Group Five to give sea and air support to the Eighth US Army, Seventh Air Force, and USMC regiments present in country.

Much to the North Koreans' chagrin, their under-equipped and poorly trained troops were no match for the American and South Korean armed forces. A notable incident was when an entire KPA battalion assaulted a forward USMC logistical outpost, overseen by then-Colonel Alexis Alexander, in the first weeks of the war. The vastly outnumbered US Marines held the line for hours, with air support from the USS George Washington and nearby air bases, until a US Army battalion arrived to relieve them and destroy the remnants of the KPA battalion.

The Second Korean War also was the proving ground for a few new technologies devised by the United States. As North Korean tanks poured across the 38th parallel, the US Army deployed a number of the experimental M1A4 Abrams tanks for battlefield testing. The M1A4 was more than a match for any armored vehicle the KPA had, and its PALADIN point defense laser system was valuable for neutralizing KPA ATGMs. Even more influential and noteworthy than the M1A4 PALADIN was the first battlefield use of the SDI particle cannon network. Created to serve as an anti-ballistic missile system, the particle cannon network proved to be just as effective when used as a large scale tactical and strategic weapon. US troops on the ground would call in strikes from particle accelerators positioned in Alaska and Hawaii. Entire KPA companies, weapons factories, arms depots, and missile launch sites would vanish from the face of the earth under the particle accelerator's white hot directed energy beam. The particle beam accelerators, in addition to the AEGIS warships present with the Carrier Strike Group, prevented North Korea from successfully utilizing their nuclear arsenal as South Korean and US forces pushed the KPA back over into North Korea with minimal casualties to the American and South Koreans.

The United States and Republic of Korea took the initiative, crossing the border and making an amphibious landing at the coastal North Korean city of Wonsan in July. Colonel Alexander was placed in a major commanding role in the amphibious landing. The US and ROK Marines destroyed Wonsan's weapons manufacturing capabilities, crippling the North Korean war machine and clearing the path to Pyongyang.

By this point in the war, the North Korean government had resorted to sending unarmed civilians to slow down advancing troops, relying on the fact that South Korean and US troops would be inclined to give the refugees aid and shelter. Kim Jong-un was subsequently removed from power by a putsch launched by several KPA generals. The KPA high command had seen the writing on the wall and knew that they had no chance of stopping the Americans and South Koreans from conquering all of North Korea. Their best bet was to surrender now and hope for relatively favorable peace terms. Fortunately for the coup-de-etat forces, South Korea had no political will to annex North Korea. The non-existent infrastructure and widespread poverty and lack of education would be a significant drain on South Korea's economy for decades to come, should the Republic of Korea take in the failed state. To the United States' frustration, the ROK government decided to let the new North Korean military government remain in power albeit with a much diminished military force. Interestingly enough, the Chinese had elected to stay out of the conflict entirely, leaving Kim Jong-un to fend for himself as the US/ROK forces conducted a lightning offensive all the way to the outskirts of Pyongyang.

The Dragon Awakes

Regardless of the origins of their ideology, the newly created Global Liberation Army had a clear goal; to oust foreign powers from what they viewed as Islamic lands. As the world's eyes were focused on the GLA-initiated wars in Syria and Iraq, a Uyghur Chinese general, Ismail Khan, had secretly supplied Uyghur rebels with information and codes for Chinese nuclear warheads. While NATO debated sending airstrikes to back the Iraqi government and Free Syrian Army as they prematurely withdrew from Afghanistan, the GLA believed that it was time to send a message to the People's Republic of China in order to convince the major power to withdraw from Turkic lands in the west.

Their target was no less than the 2013 National Day parade in Beijing. Thanks to their contact in the PLA, General Khan, GLA terrorists were able to infiltrate the city and prepare a major terror attack that would dwarf any other before it. Chaos erupted during the commemorative military parade as GLA suicide bombers and gun men attacked civilian onlookers. Due to security concerns before the parade, however, the honor guard at the parade had been armed with live ammunition for their Type 56 rifles and were able to engage and defeat the terrorists. Unfortunately, their brave efforts were in vain as the GLA terrorists were able to detonate one of the stolen 5-kiloton nuclear bombs provided by Ismail Khan, smuggled into the city before the parade by means of a truck. The result was the most devastating terrorist attack in history, with thousands dead, including Premier Zhao Wei and several other high ranking members of the Politburo, and Beijing's Forbidden City utterly destroyed. A PLA security detail located nearby were able to locate where the GLA had been hiding as well as their remaining stocks of nuclear weapons. Enraged by the savage attack on Beijing, the security detail rounded up any military survivors of the attack and charged in with air support, destroying the bunker and any GLA fighters in the area. A new premier, Hu Xiaolin, was quickly selected in an emergency meeting of the Politburo. Hu immediately addressed the nation in an impassioned speech. The speech was short, but it would be considered one of most rousing speeches in known memory. After the GLA had publicly claimed responsibility for the attack, the Chinese government immediately organized a counter offensive, recruiting a national defense force known as the Red Guard. Recruiting officers were swarmed by millions of young Chinese men willing to give whatever it took to defend their homeland from the Islamist threat.

Four leading PLA generals were appointed to head the offensive; General Ta Hun Kwai, a commander of an elite armored division; General Shin Fai, head of the PLAMC's commando units; General Tsing Shi Tao, the chief of the PLA's nuclear energy program and expert in nuclear arms, brought in to help deal with and secure any nuclear arms the GLA might have acquired; and General Leiong Leang, commander of the PLA's special weapons division. GLA cells had surfaced in Hong Kong and near the Three Gorges Dam, destroying the Tsing Ma bridge (along with the bulk of PLA reinforcements tasked with ousting the GLA) and seizing the Hong Kong Convention Center, necessitating its destruction by the PLA as they retook the city. However, even with the Chinese deploying their Black Lotus agent to the field, the GLA managed to destroy the Three Gorges Dam. The effects were catastrophic, causing heavy damage to the Chinese economy and flooding the immediate area.

Despite the nearly crippling loss of the dam, the PLA discovered the GLA's plan to poison the Yangtze river. The Chinese quickly mobilized to the Tanggula mountains in Tibet to destroy the GLA chemical weapons factory as well as invading the GLA occupied nation of Kyrgyzstan in order to pursue the perpetrators of the Beijing terrorist attack. As the conflict had spread out of China's borders, the United States gave the Chinese troops air cover from Diego Garcia, aircraft carriers in the Indian Ocean, and Bagram Air Base as the PLA advanced into Central Asia in pursuit of the retreating GLA. In the meantime, US Special Forces and other American troops were highly active in Afghanistan, capturing and killing GLA officers and destroying GLA supply operations in a series of highly effective lighting raids.

Balykchy and Bishkek soon fell to the Chinese onslaught, and soon the GLA were pushed back to Dushanbe in Tajikistan. The Uyghur separatists, aided by the mercenary sniper Jarmen Kell, made their final stand on a large base and chemical weapons facility located on a plateau near the capital city, where they were attacked by an entire PLA battalion. Though the GLA had constructed their ultimate weapon, the Scud Storm, on the plateau, the Chinese made use of nuclear arms including tactical nuclear weaponry to destroy the entrenched GLA forces in a long and brutal siege. After the main GLA base on the plateau fell, the GLA retreated to fortified positions in the now IED covered mountains, hoping to outlast the PLA forces in a vicious war of attrition. The Chinese forces responded with heavy use of nuclear and incendiary weaponry. Given the GLA's poor reputation to civilized people, the Chinese faced little opprobrium for their usage of such weaponry. Despite the heavy casualties and the fact that a portion of the GLA forces had escaped into the hinterlands, the Chinese threw a victory parade in the grateful city of Dushanbe.

Posted by: Svea Rike 25 Sep 2014, 21:55

It is a very nice story although I think it is just a bit too early, timeline-wise. The GWOT has already been established to start in 2019 with the nuclear attack in Beijing and in my own opinion these dates are just too early. If you change the dates then it is perfect in my eyes, completely canon-worthy.

Posted by: Svea Rike 1 Oct 2014, 12:37

Krieger, do you think graphene would be a potential armor, and if so why isn't it widespread?

Posted by: (USA)Bruce 1 Oct 2014, 13:13

Economicly I get why annexing north korea would be a bad idea...Dont they have like untapped natural resources?

Plus Its a matter of pride culture and alot of other factors....Just because the north says NORTH KOREA BEST KOREA doesnt mean the south doesnt whisper it under thier breath....
For the US to leave north alone and the cheap manpower and not even put bases there doesnt make much sense either

Posted by: MARS 1 Oct 2014, 13:27

An excellent retelling of the GWOT period of the story, Krieger. This is entirely canon-compatible aside from the fact that you seem to be operating in a different, more present day oriented time scale. But the story itself is definitely one of the best I've seen here so far. I'm very much looking forward to a similar take on the other half of the GWOT, the aftermath, the African resource rush and other periods.

As for your point, Bruce, it -does- actually seem believable to me that SK would lack the political will to unify with NK under the circumstances of this story. In reality, they might be more inclined to install a puppet regime or establish a two-state federation kinda thing in the event that the Workers' Party government should die, but I don't think they would be very thrilled at the prospect of integrating a bankrupt 1950s economy along with an impoverished, uneducated and politically indoctrinated population into their own at a moment's notice. For a modern industrial country like SK, this would amount to chaining themselves to a decaying corpse for decades to come, which is why the ROTR canon take on the Korean unification started off with a more successful Northern invasion that destroyed so much of SK's economy that they might as well rebuild the -entire- country from scratch after the DPRK was abolished and annexed.

Posted by: Svea Rike 1 Oct 2014, 13:42

So what you guys never noticed his story until I asked about graphene? Hrmph...

Posted by: MARS 1 Oct 2014, 14:14

I did notice it, when I returned from my trip at 23:30 in the evening when I couldn't muster the attention to read through and process it. It was on my list of stuff to catch up on though.

Posted by: DerKrieger 1 Oct 2014, 14:41

QUOTE (Svea Rike @ 1 Oct 2014, 7:37) *
Krieger, do you think graphene would be a potential armor, and if so why isn't it widespread?

I recall there are efforts to make armor using graphene today, so I suppose graphene-like composites could be used as armor.

QUOTE ((USA)Bruce @ 1 Oct 2014, 8:13) *
Economicly I get why annexing north korea would be a bad idea...Dont they have like untapped natural resources?

Plus Its a matter of pride culture and alot of other factors....Just because the north says NORTH KOREA BEST KOREA doesnt mean the south doesnt whisper it under thier breath....
For the US to leave north alone and the cheap manpower and not even put bases there doesnt make much sense either



QUOTE (MARS @ 1 Oct 2014, 8:27) *
An excellent retelling of the GWOT period of the story, Krieger. This is entirely canon-compatible aside from the fact that you seem to be operating in a different, more present day oriented time scale. But the story itself is definitely one of the best I've seen here so far. I'm very much looking forward to a similar take on the other half of the GWOT, the aftermath, the African resource rush and other periods.

As for your point, Bruce, it -does- actually seem believable to me that SK would lack the political will to unify with NK under the circumstances of this story. In reality, they might be more inclined to install a puppet regime or establish a two-state federation kinda thing in the event that the Workers' Party government should die, but I don't think they would be very thrilled at the prospect of integrating a bankrupt 1950s economy along with an impoverished, uneducated and politically indoctrinated population into their own at a moment's notice. For a modern industrial country like SK, this would amount to chaining themselves to a decaying corpse for decades to come, which is why the ROTR canon take on the Korean unification started off with a more successful Northern invasion that destroyed so much of SK's economy that they might as well rebuild the -entire- country from scratch after the DPRK was abolished and annexed.


I would have thought that the US would have put forward bases in North Korea and finished the job once and for all, for fear of it happening again, or at least installed a pro-Southern head of state, but in ROTR's take it was already decided that the Second Korean War wouldn't resolve the Korean question completely as South Korea didn't have the political will to unite with NK. You could also say that events in the Middle East started to draw attention away from the Korean peninsula, and given that the Second War was much more one sided than the first, resulting in NK losing its head of state, people may have figured it was "good enough" for now.

Posted by: Svea Rike 1 Oct 2014, 19:41

Okay, I've made some edits to the http://generalsrotr.wikia.com/wiki/Crusader_Tank. Does this work or are there any preliminary edits required?

Posted by: Darky 2 Oct 2014, 1:47

QUOTE (DarkyPwnz @ 24 Sep 2014, 11:38) *
Shockwave's Mammoth Tank please?

And the Wraith Tank.

And the first generation (Armor General's) Bradleys. Thanks in advance!


Hello, have you missed my requests? I am re-posting them just in case, and if you didn't, please simply ignore this and I won't post again. Thanks.

Posted by: RikerZZZ 28 Oct 2014, 11:35

Hey DerKrieger,
Are you currently working on any new updates too this?
Your writing is awesome biggrin.gif

Posted by: DerKrieger 29 Oct 2014, 17:57

Sadly I haven't as of yet, but I do have further plans to write more. I've just been quite busy lately.

Posted by: Svea Rike 14 May 2015, 17:07

So... you still working on something Krieger? Cause I would love your take on the Venom suit.

Posted by: DerKrieger 18 May 2015, 2:04

Yeah, I'm working on part II of the Generals backstory (the GLA part). I can do something on the Venom once I'm done with all that, though!

Posted by: DerKrieger 18 Aug 2015, 12:25

The GLA Counter-Offensive:

GLA forces regrouped in southeastern Kazakhstan, destroying a Chinese forward base and looting UN relief supplies from an American-led outpost outside of Almaty, as well as committing an abominable massacre by using anthrax weaponry to wipe out a Uzbek village that had been giving support to Chinese troops. In order to attain more supplies and to further demoralize their enemies, the GLA then moved to assault the Kazakh capital of Astana, fomenting unrest and riots to spearhead their assault. Experienced Iraqi mercenary sniper Jarmen Kell was present in Astana overseeing the GLA task force sent to take the city. Jarmen Kell had earned his fame as a sniper in the US invasion of Iraq a decade prior, as well as the Islamic State war in Syria and Iraq just prior to the foundation of the GLA. The Chinese occupational garrison and small US peacekeeping task force headquartered at the air port could not stop the GLA forces from taking the city and were forced to retreat as the GLA assaulted their respective headquarters in the city. Astana, a shining jewel of the growing Kazakh economy, was nearly razed to the ground by the savage assault, and the Kazakh president and his family were forced to flee with the rest of the government. The GLA set up fortifications and IEDs outside the city to prevent a further counter attack on the city. Meanwhile in Iraq, the GLA forces had routed the Iraqi government's counteroffensive and had pushed on to seize Baghdad, leaving the Iraqi military to regroup in the Shia east and south. Iraq and much of Syria would remain as a GLA stronghold until their crushing defeat by the US later.

The leader of the Global Liberation Army was a man known only as Mohmar Deathstrike, a charismatic Central Asian warlord who had earned a degree of renown among fighters in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Though Deathstrike was more interested in a pan-Turkic federation of states in Central Asia that would have more to do with secular and tribal nationalism than the ideal of a caliphate, Deathstrike was a skilled politician who had no qualms about allying himself with Islamist groups world wide in order to bring the fight to his enemies elsewhere. Deathstrike built his militant group around affiliations with local extremist organizations such as the Islamic State (and former Taliban allies), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement.

An early and pivotal ally was the extremist imam Abdul bin Yusuuf, an extremely controversial firebrand cleric from Saudi Arabia whose Brotherhood of the White Falcon was responsible for numerous terror attacks on the Arabian peninsula. Bin Yusuuf and many members of the Brotherhood of the White Falcon were ex-Al Qaeda who had left due to feeling that the organization was too passive and ineffectual for them. The Brotherhood was infamous for their attacks, intent on killing Jews, Shia Muslims, and anyone else they viewed as undesirable or heretical, and saw their prime goal as the overthrowing of the House of Sa'ud in favor of a new government more favorable to their brand of Sunni fundamentalism. Bin Yusuuf was the prime individual in the linking of the Middle Eastern ISIL with Deathstrike's Central Asian group to found the core of the GLA.

Deathstrike's immediate subordinates were all from middle-class or higher origin and shared a common ideology. Rodall Juhziz was of middle-class Palestinian origin, and earned his infamy as a demolitions expert for Hamas after graduating from university with a degree in engineering and went underground, upset at what he viewed as illegal occupation of his homeland by Israelis. Juhziz soon earned infamy as one of the organizations most effective demolitions experts, and eventually became a leader in the group. Later on, he found the rhetoric and effectiveness of ISIL to be far more suited to his tactics and joined the group, staying with it as it metamorphosed into the GLA. It is notable that Juhziz saw the infamous Mufti Amin al-Husseini as his political idol. In fact, Juhziz did not deny the existence of the Holocaust, but rather saw the tragedy as a model to be followed by Middle Eastern governments in order to prevent further conflict with Israel which Juhziz saw as inevitable. Juhziz would first come to the attention of the United States by his bombing of the littoral combat ship USS Nelsen and the attack on the US embassy in Cairo.

The enigmatic figure known as Dr. Thrax, his actual name to this day still classified, was a Jordanian immunologist of upper-middle class origin. Educated in the top universities of Jordan, Dr. Thrax was radicalized by contact with Muslim Brotherhood members at his university and would end up making biological weaponry for Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated extremist groups in the Middle East. It wasn't long before Dr. Thrax was declared an outlaw by the Jordanian government and he was forced to flee to Muslim Brotherhood territory in Egypt by 1995. There, he continued research on more virulent strains of anthrax. Dr. Thrax went on to establish numerous labs across the Middle East and Asia to develop chemical and biological arms for the highest bidder. Sources indicate that Dr. Thrax is extremely paranoid of assassination attempts and never sleeps in the same bed twice in a row. Many note that he undergoes frequent plastic surgery to alter his appearance; some unsubstantiated reports claim that Dr. Thrax is actually a codename referring to multiple individuals involved in the production of bio-chemical weapons for extremist groups in the Middle East. When the GLA arose, Dr. Thrax was one of the first Muslim Brotherhood members to swear allegiance to the group, handing over his notable experience in bio-chemical warfare. Dr. Thrax also developed the more lethal Anthrax Beta and Anthrax Gamma strains.

Prince Kassad was a minor Sa'udi prince who grew up with little responsibility and surrounded by opulence and luxury. As Kassad grew older, he became disillusioned with the decadence of the Sa'ud clan and the Western culture that had influenced them, seeing the leadership of Sa'udi Arabia as nothing more than spoiled takfiri (apostates) who allowed American soldiers and Western decadence into the sacred land of Sa'udi Arabia. Prince Kassad went underground in 2008 and joined Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb, starting a three-year stretch of terrorist attacks in the Mediterranean area. He would later head to Libya in 2011 to join the fight against the corrupt autocrat Muammar Gaddafi, and would establish his organization, the Cobra Cell and its base of operations in Tripoli.

Emboldened by their recent successes against small NATO and Chinese forces, the GLA decided on their next target. Ever since the Chinese offensive into Central Asia and the US invasion of Afghanistan, the presence of American aircraft had regularly stymied the GLA. US forces could be supplied and reinforced by air and could bomb GLA militants with impunity. Mohmar Deathstrike, emboldened by GLA successes in the Middle East while the rest of the world's eyes were on Central Asia and Mesopotamia, proposed a raid on Incirlik Air Base in Turkey while he launched his plan to start a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The attack was clearly not without risk, but the GLA were confident that with support from backers in Turkey their mission would be successful. So too was the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran; many of the GLA's backers were influential Wahhabi individuals in Saudi Arabia who disapproved of the more moderate and pro-Western aspects of the ruling family, and Iran had even sent aid to GLA operatives in order to destabilize Sa'udi Arabia and to keep the Americans out of the Middle East. Yet, Deathstrike saw it as a necessary move in order to build the new Caliphate.

To that end, a force from occupied Syria was dispatched to eliminate the NATO airbase at Incirlik. Incirlik was home to NATO tanker and transport aircraft which were vital to continued operations in the Middle East and Central Asia, as well as a small detachment of combat aircraft. The GLA raiding force set up their command post on the edge of the Taurus mountains facing Incirlik, seeing the mountains as an ideal place to put artillery and surface to air missiles. This decision proved crucial; though the first attack wave was wiped out to the man by a passing combat air patrol, the GLA fighters were able to hole up in the mountains and shoot down subsequent waves of aircraft before sending down a task force to nearly destroy Incirlik completely, destroying several landed transport and supply aircraft and temporarily denying use of the base.

The aftermath of the Incirlik raid shocked the American government, and a small task force in Central Asia, led by famed Special Forces member Colonel John Burton, was deployed to seize the GLA's main source of anthrax and other bioweapons, the former Soviet bio-warfare laboratory on Vozroděnija peninsula in the Aral Sea. The American task force quickly defeated the GLA garrison on Vozroděnija and sent in specialists to permanently decommission the toxins. Horrified by the loss of one of their most devastating weapons, the GLA quickly sent a sizeable army to retake the facility, including their top commando Jarmen Kell. As the current president had promised to draw down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and avoid future engagements overseas during his first presidential campaign, the American task force was relatively small and lightly armed, and found themselves unable to stop the GLA army attacking the island. Realizing this, the US Army troops decided to destroy the bunkers before the GLA got to them. Despite a hard fought battle where Colonel Burton personally took the field to fight against the terrorists, the outnumbered American soldiers were forced to retreat from the depot before they had managed to destroy all the the depot's stockpiles.

In the meantime the Chinese viewed the battle at Vozroděnija with apprehension, but they had a plan to repay the GLA for the nuclear attack on Beijing. Chinese and Pakistani agents contacted a GLA-affiliated Afghan warlord and rival to Mohmar Deathstrike, Usman Gulbuddin Muttawakil, and promised to aid him if he led a revolt against his former ally. Such aid came in the form of money and arms, including several nuclear warheads to use against the loyalist GLA cells. Muttawakil took the offer gladly and planned his revolt from a forward base near the Kazakh city of Lenger. However, Deathstrikes' spies had learned of Muttawakil's treachery, as well as when and where the Chinese would be transporting the nuclear weapons to Muttawakil's base. An ambush was prepared in a hilly pass on the way to Lenger, and the nuclear weaponry was secured in Deathstrike's men's hands. The loyalist GLA commander decided to send the nuclear bomb trucks into Muttawakil's base as planned and detonate them once there as a fitting end to the traitor, and message to anyone else who dared break away from the GLA. While Muttawakil's army had discovered the loyalists and attacked in force, the convoy, now under loyalist control, made its way into Muttawakil's base and detonated themselves once within, killing Muttawakil and destroying much of the base. The loyalist GLA managed to defeat the remaining rebels as well as a Chinese support force that arrived in a late attempt to aid Muttawakil's forces. Though the crushed rebellion was a success for Deathstrike, it foreshadowed future splits in GLA command when victory would elude them.

With the way in Kazakhstan clear, Deathstrike and his colleagues decided that it was time for their greatest undertaking yet. The Bajkonur Cosmodrome is one of the world's premier space launch facilities, and Sojuz and other rockets were frequently used there to launch payloads into space. Deathstrike reasoned as most Russian-designed rockets were derived from ICBMs, then it would be possible to convert them into makeshift missiles for the transcontinental delivery of WMD weaponry. If they could seize the launch facility intact, then no infidel land would be safe from attack.

However, a multinational force had been garrisoned at Bajkonur due to intelligence reports suggesting that the GLA may attempt to take the facility. Both the US and Chinese deployed an entire division of troops to defend Bajkonur, the largest US deployment of troops in the war thus far. Kazakh and other local troops were present at the garrison as well. Regardless, GLA scouts were able to reconnoitre the facility from afar, gaining valuable intel on the defensive garrison at Bajkonur.

The allied forces managed to detect the GLA offensive as they neared Bajkonur, but the GLA fighters were able to use the terrain effectively to stop the defenders from slaughtering the GLA troops. Allied aircraft and artillery fire dealt a heavy toll on the jihadist attackers, however, and the fighting increased in intensity as the GLA neared the cosmodrome, the defenders managing to raid the GLA forward base with varying degree of success.

It became apparent to the defenders that the GLA force was numerous enough to warrant the usage of tactical nuclear missiles and a particle beam cannon. The defending coalition suspected that the GLA would not use their Scud Storm weapon to destroy Bajkonur but had installed a particle beam to intercept any ballistic missiles, based off of the latest installment of the United States' defensive anti-ballistic missile network. The Chinese military had stockpiled a very small number of tactical nuclear missiles in the case of a large GLA attack. Both of these weapons would be used offensively during the GLA attack on the Cosmodrome, destroying a good portion of the GLA's forward base. Yet neither were able to decisively defeat the attacking force.

Fearing another strike, the GLA commander used the common GLA tactic of deploying bomb trucks disguised as allied military vehicles and captured Humvees loaded with bombs into the US and Chinese garrisons to destroy the power plants powering their tactical weapons and defensive networks. The attack was a great success, crippling the defender's efforts and leaving them open for attack from the GLA's armored spearhead. Tanks, artillery, and other support vehicles stormed the coalition base, forcing them to retreat from the command facility. Fearing a total loss, the coalition forces changed their strategy from defense to destroying the command facility. The GLA had established a Scud Storm weapon and used it to strike the defenders before routing them with a two front attack. In the end, the coalition forces could not hold the launch pad and were forced to retreat.

Despite heavy casualties, the GLA were able to capture the Bajkonur launch site and arm a missile with a biological warhead. Deathstrike now had multiple choices of a target. A further attack on China was considered but rejected; China had already taken significant damage by means of the GLA. Elements of the Russian government had given support to the GLA in their efforts to break American control of the Middle East, so an attack on Russia was out. Europe was a strong candidate, and the Americans had not yet installed the particle beam defenses in their small bases there. Many of Deathstrike's subordinates thought that an attack on Rome, the heart of western Christianity, would be a severe blow to their enemies' morale. London, Paris, or Berlin were also choice targets. One of the Gulf cities such as Dubai was seen as a possible target; destroying an outpost of western decadence so close to Mecca was a tempting idea but was likewise rejected due to the need to strike a more militarily and politically damaging target.

Despite Deathstrike's subordinates' protests, the United States was deemed too risky; the Americans had started to retreat from the world stage due to war weariness and concern over economic issues, as well as the recent construction of a layered anti-ballistic missile system. Local energy resource exploitation and the recent development of practical fusion reactors greatly lessened the US reliance on fossil fuels from foreign sources as well. Launching a missile at the United States would not only have a very low chance of reaching the target, it would also bring the full attention of the world's most powerful military on the GLA.

But there was another target that was a prime choice for the GLA. The Israelis had not yet received particle beam defensive cannons from the United States. Tel Aviv, Israel's financial capital, was seen as an affront to the self-proclaimed defenders of monotheism; the Israelis were seen as foreign invaders who time and time again had managed to defeat armies led by Muslims when they attempted to purge them from the region. This time, however, the GLA had a weapon potentially capable of crushing the invader state in one blow. The decision was quickly made, and a Sojuz rocket was prepared with an anthrax warhead. That evening, downtown Tel Aviv was hit with the worst terror attack in Israel's history, throwing the Middle Eastern nation into chaos and outraging American and Israelis alike. With such a display of power, the United States and NATO saw the GLA as an imminent threat and moved towards a far more direct role in the war.

Posted by: Svea Rike 18 Aug 2015, 12:32

Yes, finally! An excellent story, Krieger! It's a bit difficult to form a timeline since I find no dates, but still a superb job. I hope the next part comes sooner than later.

Posted by: RikerZZZ 19 Aug 2015, 4:41

Awesome dude smile.gif
Can't wait for the next

Posted by: Svea Rike 3 Sep 2015, 12:30

I have linked several sources to various posts here on the wiki timeline. I hope you're okay with that.

Posted by: DerKrieger 3 Sep 2015, 16:32

Sure, in fact it's appreciated!

Posted by: Svea Rike 10 Oct 2015, 16:43

Yo Krieger, ever figuring about writing something for the US Navy's mobile offshore bases, Spirit of Freedom and Independence?

Posted by: DerKrieger 10 Oct 2015, 21:18

Yeah, sure, I plan on doing so in the future, at least after I finish the Generals & Zero Hour recap. I've gotten some stuff outlined for it and the US Navy (and other navies) in general already.

Posted by: DerKrieger 30 Jan 2016, 1:48

It's been a while so I figured I'd let y'all know that I'm still working on stuff here, namely a summary of the US campaign in Generals. I plan to do a ZH one afterwards, then continue on with information about some other tech seen in the ROTR universe. I know the Venom suit and the Mobile Offshore Bases have been bandied about as possible subjects!

Here's a little preview, subject to change:

QUOTE
The wartime commander of US forces in the CENTCOM region was a somewhat controversial among the current administration, but well-respected among his troops, US Army general named George D. Ironside. Ironside, a veteran of the Second Korean War and master of strategy and combined arms tactics, had incited controversy about his claim that the Global Liberation Army needed to be dealt with by means of direct action in order to bring about a rapid end to the conflict. His appointment to lead the US forces against the GLA was a surprise, albeit there remained concerns that his ability to lead would be constrained by the current administration, itself heavily in favor of a limited response and letting local forces handle the GLA threat.

General James Pinpoint Townes was another major figure in the US campaign against the Global Liberation Army. Townes was a descendant of the physicist and inventor Dr. Charles Townes, and followed him into a career centered around the research of lasers and direct energy weapons for the US military. It was a team led by General Townes who patented and spearheaded the development of the laser and particle beam cannon SDI network and laser weapons for the US armed forces. After a brief stint of teaching engineering at West Point, Townes returned to research and military command in 2010. Though finicky, his experimental laser weapons would prove to be fairly effective in several of the conflicts to come.

Another veteran of the Second Korean War leading American troops in the Middle East was USMC General Alexis Alexander. Alexander was promoted to General after her performance in the Second Korean War where she managed to organize flawless logistics to her USMC troops in the field, allowing them to overcome the numerically superior North Korean attackers and push them back over the 38th parallel. She would become renowned for her flawless support and defense of supply lines during the Global War on Terror.

Finally, the senior USAF commander in the theatre was General Malcolm Granger. A long time veteran of the US Air Force and native of Iowa who had taken out four Iraqi SAM sites in a single sortie during Operation Desert Storm, Granger had cultivated a background as a strong advocate for the effective use of airpower. His air wings had long held a reputation of precision strikes and efficiency in prior events in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now would be once more put to the test in enforcing a no-fly zone over Iraq.

Posted by: Svea Rike 30 Jan 2016, 12:09

^I like it, although Townes' first name is canonically Gregory. Can't wait to read about it.

Posted by: DerKrieger 31 Jan 2016, 18:59

Thanks for the correction! I hope I can get this done soon.

Posted by: DerKrieger 3 May 2016, 0:16

Taking a short break from the USA campaign write up to update an older entry (the FQ-47) given recent events:

Northrop-Grumman MQ-25 Stingray: Initially devised as a carrier based tanker and based off of the X-47 program, the scope of the MQ-25 Stingray has been expanded incrementally over the years to become only slightly less versatile than the wheel. During its initial deployment by the US Navy in the 2020s the MQ-25 was seen as an effective choice of aircraft due to its low cost, small size, and capability to be deployed on the Nimitz & Gerald R. Ford classes of aircraft carriers. With the right load-out, the Stingray is capable of refueling aircraft mid-flight, performing reconnaissance missions, and deploying a variety of munitions for various roles. It has proven to be quite effective in anti-submarine warfare.

In spite of its low cost, the Stingray comes equipped with two dozen multipurpose optical sensors, a laser targeting designator for laser guided munitions, two (or rather, thanks to the processing system, one) wing leading edge AESA radars, and standard-issue passive radar. Its armament consists of two wing bays capable of carrying three AIM-9X missiles or GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs each, (or one AGM-154 each) in addition to a lesser number of smaller ordinance (up to 4,500 kg). The MQ-25 is also equipped as standard with an ELINT pod and a AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN.

Though the MQ-25 was not originally designed to use self-editing software unlike the later AQ-360 Hunter-Killer, Northrop-Grumman quickly modified the MQ-25 with artificial intelligence programming, making the aircraft capable of learning and adapting. Like the AQ-360, it is roughly about as intelligent as a large dog. Despite its size, it has comparatively long range and loiter time due to its single high-bypass afterburner-capable Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbofan.

Posted by: {Lads}RikerZZZ 4 May 2016, 3:34

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 3 May 2016, 0:16) *
Taking a short break from the USA campaign write up to update an older entry (the FQ-47) given recent events:

Northrop-Grumman MQ-25 Stingray: Initially devised as a carrier based tanker and based off of the X-47 program, the scope of the MQ-25 Stingray has been expanded incrementally over the years to become only slightly less versatile than the wheel. During its initial deployment by the US Navy in the 2020s the MQ-25 was seen as an effective choice of aircraft due to its low cost, small size, and capability to be deployed on the Nimitz & Gerald R. Ford classes of aircraft carriers. With the right load-out, the Stingray is capable of refueling aircraft mid-flight, performing reconnaissance missions, and deploying a variety of munitions for various roles. It has proven to be quite effective in anti-submarine warfare.

In spite of its low cost, the Stingray comes equipped with two dozen multipurpose optical sensors, a laser targeting designator for laser guided munitions, two (or rather, thanks to the processing system, one) wing leading edge AESA radars, and standard-issue passive radar. Its armament consists of two wing bays capable of carrying three AIM-9X missiles or GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs each, (or one AGM-154 each) in addition to a lesser number of smaller ordinance (up to 4,500 kg). The MQ-25 is also equipped as standard with an ELINT pod and a AN/AAQ-13 LANTIRN.

Though the MQ-25 was not originally designed to use self-editing software unlike the later AQ-360 Hunter-Killer, Northrop-Grumman quickly modified the MQ-25 with artificial intelligence programming, making the aircraft capable of learning and adapting. Like the AQ-360, it is roughly about as intelligent as a large dog. Despite its size, it has comparatively long range and loiter time due to its single high-bypass afterburner-capable Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbofan.


You just made we want a new unit on rotr. Thanks for making my dreams even harder tongue.gif

Posted by: DerKrieger 9 May 2016, 19:30

And finally, here's the US campaign overview from Generals:

Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue:
As Islamic State was folded into the GLA coalition, the GLA found itself with a windfall of funding and members. The merger between the two groups led to the GLA taking control of Syria and Iraq. Intelligence analysts had previously suspected that Islamic State and the GLA might come to blows, but were sadly proven wrong. Baghdad's bloody fall was, along with the missile attack on Tel Aviv, the final straw for the United States to become directly involved once more in the Global War on Terror. With Bajkonur under GLA control the GLA placed the continental US under direct threat.

The current president had campaigned in the past two elections on prioritizing domestic politics and extracting the United States from the protracted conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, accomplishing the first within his first term of office. However, the rise of Islamic State and the GLA sabotaged his plans to be a more domestically focused president and forced his hand, especially after the raid on Incirlik and the attacks on US troops in Kazakhstan. Hand in hand with the withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan was the breakthrough in fusion power by American nuclear companies and the ongoing shale oil revolution which contributed to low oil prices. Such events further lowered American interest in becoming engaged in the Middle East.

Debt had reached new highs during the current administration, and the economy remained relatively weak ever since the current president took office. Even more troubling in light of the turbulent geopolitical climate of the first two decades of the 21st century was the force reduction of the US military. At a time when Russia, China, and Iran were increasing their military capabilities, and the growing threat of non-state actors such as the GLA, the United States and its allies were reducing their troop numbers and cutting back on future weapons programs.

All this came to a reluctant end with the fall of Baghdad. Military spending was raised and the armed forces were mobilized in an effort to bring the GLA crisis to an end. Though the US had previously directly faced the GLA by raiding and destroying a GLA force establishing a chemical weapons factory and foothold near the village of Mazar in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan and had helped out, albeit with limited forces, with peacekeeping efforts in Kazakhstan. The raid in Badakhshan, known as Operation Silent Dawn consisted of an airborne special forces attack on the chemical plant, destroying it and all GLA forces in the vicinity. As a result, GLA attempts to subvert northern Afghanistan and supply its regional troops with chemical weapons were stalled. The Mazar raid also turned up information on the mysterious Dr. Thrax, the former immunologist who was designing the GLAs lethal biological weapons.

However, the liberation of Iraq would be of a much larger scale. Controversially, US and British troops were ordered back to Iraq within two years of being withdrawn from the country. A coalition of NATO, Saudi-led troops, and Iraqi Armed Forces remnants organized in northern Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf to launch Operation Final Justice, the third invasion of Iraq within the past 25 years. Operation Final Justice would showcase many of the leading military leaders of the US military of the time. The battle was feared to be a hard fought one; the GLA forces in Iraq were made up of many former members of Saddam Husseins Republican Guard and Islamic State die hards. The President, recently elected to a second term, was extremely concerned over an unpopular invasion of Iraq harming the chances of his party in future elections but could not sit back and let Iraq fall into the hands of the Global Liberation Army. Under the advice of several in the Pentagon he decided to step back and let the most qualified generals handle Operation Final Justice.

The wartime commander of US forces in the CENTCOM region was an extremely controversial among the current administration, but well-respected among his troops, US Army general named George D. Ironside. Ironside, a veteran of the Second Korean War and master of strategy and combined arms tactics, had incited controversy about his claim that the Global Liberation Army needed to be dealt with by means of direct action in order to bring about a rapid end to the conflict. His appointment to lead the US forces against the GLA was a surprise, albeit there remained concerns that his ability to lead would be constrained by the current administration, itself heavily in favor of a limited response and letting local forces handle the GLA threat.

General Gregory Pinpoint Townes was another major figure in the US campaign against the Global Liberation Army. Townes was a descendant of the physicist and inventor Dr. Charles Townes, and followed him into a career centered around the research of lasers and direct energy weapons for the US military. It was a team led by General Townes who patented and spearheaded the development of the laser and particle beam cannon SDI network and laser weapons for the US armed forces. After a brief stint of teaching engineering at West Point, Townes returned to research and military command in 2010. Though finicky, his experimental laser weapons would prove to be effective in several of the conflicts to come.

Another veteran of the Second Korean War leading American troops in the Middle East was USMC General Alexis Alexander. Alexander was promoted to General after her performance in the Second Korean War where she managed to organize flawless logistics to her USMC troops in the field, allowing them to overcome the numerically superior North Korean attackers and push them back over the 38th parallel. She would become renowned for her flawless support and defense of supply lines during the Global War on Terror.

Finally, the senior USAF commander in the theatre was General Malcolm Granger. A long time veteran of the US Air Force and native of Iowa who had taken out four Iraqi SAM sites in a single sortie during Operation Desert Storm, Granger had cultivated a background as a strong advocate for the effective use of airpower. His air wings had long held a reputation of precision strikes and efficiency in prior events in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now would be once more put to the test in enforcing a no-fly zone over Iraq.

Operation Final Justice:
The Iraq campaign, led by General Ironside, played out much like a replay of Operation Desert Storm as the US led coalition charged through southern Iraq under heavy air support flying in from the George H.W. Bush carrier battle group and air bases in the Persian Gulf. The GLA initially tried to meet the invasion force in battle, but after initial defeats retreated back to Baghdad while littering the roads with IEDs. News networks worldwide showed footage of burning GLA vehicles and aircraft littering the highways of Iraq, and within a few short weeks the coalition forces were at the gates of Baghdad. A three day siege and air campaign against the GLA troops in Baghdad ensued. The GLA air defense network made the bombing campaign difficult, necessitating the use of reactivated F-117 Nighthawk and the new F-35 Lighting II aircraft on SEAD missions. F-22 Raptors based out of Al Dhafra Air Base were deployed to take down GLA aircraft while evading detection from SAMs. A small number of Coalition aircraft from various nations would be shot down during the siege, and by the third day the GLA had managed to capture several of the surviving aircrews of the downed aircraft. The Coalition quickly realized that it could not risk having prisoners executed on live television and quickly arranged for a full on assault on occupied Baghdad.

The Global Liberation Army defenders had well fortified Baghdad in anticipation of the US-led assault. Rebel fighters had taken up positions in the extensive urban sprawl of the city and awaited the inevitable push from the Coalition armor and aircraft lined up outside Baghdad. Most of the GLAs remaining armored forces in central Iraq made a futile last stand outside Baghdad against the vanguard of the US Army armored division present in theatre backed by full air support courtesy of General Malcolm Granger. General Gregory Townes also dispatched several of his own troops to the Iraq campaign, equipped with experimental laser and microwave weaponry. Though expensive, bulky, and temperamental, the weapons proved extremely effective against the lighter-armored GLA forces. The directed energy weaponry burned through their targets and were just as much of a psychological deterrent against the GLA as their chemical and biological weapons were versus the GLAs foes.

Seeing the crushing defeat of their lead force outside the gates of Baghdad at the hands of American armor and airpower, Anwar Sulaymaan, the young GLA commander who led the conquest of Baghdad quickly took decisive action. He and his command staff retreated from their stronghold in the Republican Palace to a base north of the city and ordered an immediate launch of their heretofore concealed Scud Storm located there. Tragically for the people of Baghdad, the missiles had not yet been properly programmed for launch at the time of firing. The toxin-loaded missiles went off course shortly after launch and struck a commercial area of the Al-Rusafa district, killing or horrifically wounding thousands of Iraqi civilians. The missiles failed completely to hit the Coalition forces about to move into the city and the failed attack was seen as emblematic of the GLAs indifference to the welfare of the Iraqi people. Chaotic protests broke out throughout Baghdad as the US-led attack force pressed through the city, despite frequently broadcast GLA propaganda that the infidels and their apostate allies were nowhere near Baghdad and were being slaughtered en masse by the brave defenders.

As the GLA had well fortified the city against armor, troops from the 75th Ranger Regiment and 101st Airborne were quickly deployed via helicopter to eliminate the GLA defenders hiding in the suburban outskirts. GLA fighters with Stinger missiles managed to shoot down a Blackhawk helicopter, but quick intervention by friendly aircraft managed to prevent the passengers of the downed helicopter from being overrun. In a lighting bout of urban combat, the American soldiers quickly eliminated the GLA defenders with minimum casualties and allowed the Coalition armor to enter the city away from the heavily mined main roads.

Coalition tanks drove through the streets of Baghdad, easily crushing all resistance in their path and liberating the small makeshift prison the GLA constructed to hold the captured pilots as well as the Republican Palace. The Rangers went on to secure vital infrastructure in the city and prevent the GLA from carrying out further theft or reprisals on the city and its populace.

What was apparent to General Ironside was that the Scud Storm needed to be eliminated as soon as possible in order to prevent another GLA attack. The ground forces were ordered north as an arclite B-52 mission with accompanying aircraft was called in to level the remaining GLA mechanized units defending the Scud Storm. As the last GLA vehicles in the area were reduced to scrap metal, the Rangers entered the remains of the GLA base via helicopter and captured the Scud Storm, putting an end to the GLA threat in Iraq.

News reporters followed the Coalition troops into Baghdad, where the world once again saw the outcome of the GLAs infamous brutality. Religious minorities, non-believers, homosexuals, and anyone the GLA saw as insufficiently Islamic had been routinely publically executed during the GLA occupation. Non-Sunni women had been considered fair game for the GLA militants and it is reported that many leaders in Baghdad had maintained slave harems. It is still up for debate if many of the GLA defenders refused to surrender or were summarily executed on sight by Iraqi Armed Forces soldiers.

The downfall of the GLA in Iraq was the worst defeat suffered yet by the jihadist organization and shattered their momentum in the Middle East. The Battle of Baghdad as well as the entirety of Operation Final Justice was grim reminder to the GLA that they were no match for the superior technology and training of the US military in a direct fight. Mohmar Deathstrike and Abdul bin Yusuf quickly called for a meeting of GLA leaders in Yemen, a failed state and major stronghold for the GLA. Yemens Iranian backed de facto government had found itself losing ground to the GLA recently in the wake of Saudi Arabias faltering air offensive against Yemen. Iran saw the GLA as a useful tool to use against their Saudi enemy, however, and the GLA was happy to accept Iranian aid in order to defeat what they saw as a corrupt American puppet state.

Operation Treasure Hunt:
CIA contacts picked up the location of the meeting in the small coastal town of Al-Hanad, and the US deployed a squadron of attack helicopters to assassinate the GLA leaders meeting there. However, GLA scouts had detected the approaching helicopters and sounded the alarm. Gunmen armed with Stinger missiles were in wait for the helicopters and shot three helicopters down before they could eliminate all their targets. With the surviving crew captured, the US once again had to launch a rescue mission.

Lt. Colonel John Burton, a celebrated US Army Ranger officer, led a small team to rescue the downed helicopter pilots in what would be called Operation Treasure Hunt. Due to the presence of GLA MANPADS and ongoing rules of engagement in urban areas, air support would be minimal. Despite the continuing high restrictions on rules of engagement, Colonel Burton was able to get armor support from the Coalition as well as Reaper drones from a nearby CIA held airbase. A long-time friend of General George Ironside, Lt. Colonel Burton preferred to lead his men from the front, and would personally accompany them on the Al-Hanad raid.

Al-Hanad was swarming with large numbers of GLA militants, as the defenders expected an imminent US attack to rescue the captured pilots. Colonel Burton and his team entered Al Hanad by means of HMMWVs and quickly eliminated the GLA units in the city with the aid of the US militarys new M1A4 Abrams tanks. The PALADIN point defense lasers proved to be extremely effective versus the GLAs anti-tank missiles and RPGs, while UAVs were able to detect IEDs and terminate enemy patrols before they saw the Rangers. GLA agents had managed to organize several mobs of armed thugs to patrol the streets and engage the Americans, but the Rangers used flashbangs to suppress and eliminate the unorganized gangs. With the GLA vehicles neutralized Col. Burton and the Rangers rescued all of the captured aircrew and exfiltrated with negligible casualties to the rescue team. Enraged by the humiliating defeat, the remaining local GLA militants gave chase in force but were easily dispatched by the Coalition rearguard. Despite the impressive success of the rescue mission and the elimination of a key GLA stronghold in Yemen however, the key GLA leaders including Deathstrike and Yusuf managed to escape and re-enter hiding. Deathstrike in particular would have difficulty coordinating GLA cells during much of this time, a fact that would greatly hinder the group in the near future.

Operation Guardian Angel:
That said, the US campaign in Afghanistan and Central Asia had hit unforeseen difficulties. Though the ISAF force had managed to control much of the urban areas of Afghanistan the GLA had managed to usurp the Taliban factions and controlled much of the countryside. The American president had, aside from a few high profile actions such as Operation Silent Dawn, continued his course of letting Special Forces trained Afghan Armed Forces and police forces fight the GLA while keeping US forces out of combat. However, the Afghan military and police remained intensely corrupt and were for the most part ineffective in stopping the GLA from carrying out attacks on locals and foreigners alike, if not actively aiding the GLA militants. To make matters worse, the Pakistani government had lost control of the tribal lands in northern Pakistan to the GLA. Corrupt Pakistani military officers and politicians funneled arms and funding to GLA militants and there was a very real fear that Pakistans nuclear arsenal could soon follow. To that end, the President authorized a raid into Pakistan via the contested Hindu Kush mountain pass in order to capture high-value targets and disrupt GLA operations. Due to the Presidents desire to let Afghanistan and other nations handle the GLA, the US contribution to the attack was limited to a US heavy infantry company with minimal air support from a handful of Reaper drones. The President also feared antagonizing heretofore neutral elements in Pakistan with a heavy American presence. Most other ISAF nations could not afford to send large forces themselves either at the time. When questioned, the President cited intelligence reports that the GLA forces immediately south of the Hindu Kush pass were as of yet small in number and poorly organized.

What had been assumed by intelligence to be a small GLA force was in reality much stronger and more numerous than was anticipated, and the task force was ambushed as they passed through the Hindu Kush pass. Most of the Afghan National Army regular troops were killed in action or ran from battle shortly after hostilities began. As a result, the ISAF troops were forced to make a tactical retreat back into Afghanistan in the face of a counter-offensive, although not without managing to capture several GLA high-value targets. With this latest turn of events, GLA in Pakistan became overconfident with the possibility of a real victory against an American force and had committed the bulk of their forces in northern Pakistan to a pursuit operation. Furthermore, the nature of the quick pursuit meant that the GLA were unable to send most of their heavy anti-air arsenal with the vanguard force.

General Grangers and Ironsides forces were responsible for the rear guard defense of the retreat, codenamed Operation Guardian Angel. Significant close air support was deployed from Bagram Air Base in order to defeat the GLA force and safeguard the retreating ISAF troops. Various combat aircraft including the new Comanche stealth attack helicopter and A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support jets relentlessly bombed and strafed the unsuspecting GLA pursuit force, turning the GLA counter-offensive through the Hindu Kush mountain pass into a one-sided slaughter. There was no shelter for the GLA forces in the narrow mountain pass; their short ranged anti-air missiles and artillery were worthless against high flying fixed wing aircraft and the geography ensured that the husks of destroyed GLA combat vehicles would box in the next waves. Panicked GLA fighters radioed regional cells with requests to attack Bagram, but the disorganized and scattered attacks on the airbase were utterly unsuccessful. In a matter of hours the GLA offensive was entirely reduced to corpses and burning scrap metal. Whatever militants survived the intense bombing surrendered to the closest ISAF troops. Meanwhile, the surviving ISAF troops from the aborted attack made it safely back to Afghanistan to prepare for the inevitable second attempt at an invasion of Pakistan.

Operation Stormbringer:
Despite the success of Operation Guardian Angel, the situation in Pakistan continued to deteriorate. Entire regiments of the Pakistani armed forces had defected to the GLA and the USA and India feared that the country would be on the brink of collapse just as Iraq, Kazakhstan, and Yemen did. It was around this time that Deathstrike would resurface as supreme commander of the GLA, overseeing operations in Pakistan. The CIA rightly believed that it was Deathstrike who masterminded the subversion of the Pakistani military. It was only a matter of time before Pakistans nuclear arsenal fell into GLA hands. As the GLA still controlled Bajkonur after a failed Russian attempt to retake the launch site, the GLA would be then able to strike any city on earth with nuclear warheads. To that end, Operation Stormbringer, the US-led invasion of Pakistan, was quickly organized by General Ironside. Operation Stormbringer consisted of a two-pronged offensive by ISAF in the north and a US/British led coalition landing by sea in the south supported by US, British, French, and Indian carrier battle groups. General Alexander would oversee the southern invasion along with a USMC officer specializing in armored warfare, Colonel Jeremiah Bradley.

This time, the northern invasion was far more successful, breaking through the depleted GLA lines without much difficulty. The large scale amphibious invasion in the south was the biggest conducted by the US military since the Inchon Landing during the first Korean War. Despite stiff resistance from GLA militants and former Pakistani soldiers, the US Marines were undeterred as they advanced up the beach rapidly, backed by intense bombardment via Tomahawk missiles and carrier-based fighter aircraft. With further aid from a flight of B-52H bombers from Diego Garcia Air Base and other air support, the US Marine Expeditionary Unit leading the operation quickly cleared out the western side of coastal stronghold serving as the GLAs main base of operations and training centers in south Asia first.

Once they had established a beachhead to bring in the second wave of Coalition troops, General Alexander received some disturbing intel. All GLA forces in the area were converging on the USMC beachhead to launch an attack that would push the Americans back into the sea. Further air support from Bagram was on its way, but the carrier battle groups might not suffice to stop the GLA attack. But General Alexander and Colonel Bradley had a plan. The GLA had heavily fortified the town leading to the eastern part of the training compound, making it suicide for armor to pass through. But teams of light infantry could get in and eliminate the fortified GLA infantry without much risk. Colonel Bradley deployed his tanks in ambush positions along the northern roads and the coast to eliminate the GLA reinforcements. US Marine fire teams advanced under cover of air support to capture the makeshift fortifications set up by the GLA in the town before the GLA forces from the eastern base arrived, thereby turning the GLA defensive positions against them. The plan was a success; any GLA forces that managed to evade being destroyed by fighter aircraft were shot to pieces as they made their way through what had been believed to be a GLA fortified town. Heavy air support from Bagram and Diego Garcia arrived in time to aid the carrier based fighters in leveling much of the GLA eastern camp to the ground, allowing the US Marines and Coalition forces to capture what remained. With the success of the landing, GLA combat capabilities in southern Pakistan were effectively broken.

The campaign would last for several months as the Coalition forces and loyalist Pakistani military hunted down and crushed the GLA presence in Pakistan. Colonel Bradley would make a name for himself as he led his Marines in battle all the way to meet up with the ISAF forces at the confluence of the Indus River and its tributaries in Punjab. The event would be memorialized as Indus Day, signifying the liberation of Pakistan from the GLA.

Operation White Knight:
Despite the efforts of Somalias new government, the East African country had become a home for GLA militants. The government again requested American aid to capture or kill a local warlord who had become a rising star in the jihadist organization. Fearing another Deathstrike, the US government gave the go ahead for the assassination operation. A small team was dispatched to Mogadishu to accomplish the operation. GLA rocket buggies detected the armor present and launched an attack, destroying some of the Americans tanks. Regardless, the US commandos quickly responded and eliminated the warlords defenders, eliminating his guards patrolling the Bakaara market without difficulty. The warlord had well fortified his fortress located near the Baakara market against ground attacks with emplaced weapons and IEDs, but his headquarters was vulnerable to raid via air. A team of Rangers infiltrated enemy lines by Blackhawk helicopter and destroyed the warlords headquarters with him inside of it. The operation was a success, but GLA elements still remained in country, albeit left without effective leadership for the time being.

Operation Blue Eagle:
Meanwhile at the UN, the United States faced possible veto action from Russia and China for their activity in Central Asia. Russia feared losing friendly governments in Central Asia to the United States, and the Chinese also became more and more concerned over the possibility of increased American influence in the region. Making matters worse, the tense truce between Saudi Arabia and Iran was breaking down rapidly. Iranian aircraft had sunk a Saudi Arabian destroyer due to a communication error, and the Saudis had openly announced their nuclear program in return. Ostensibly it was a counter to a potential GLA nuclear threat, but everyone knew that Saudi Arabias nuclear missiles would be targeted at Iran.

It around this time that the Global Liberation Army announced their willingness to negotiate a cease fire after their defeats at the hands of the United States. Despite official skepticism from the CIA and the US government at large, even from the more pacifistic President, the US allowed for the United Nations to send a diplomat to meet with GLA warlords near Kabul, Afghanistan. Kabul and the surrounding region had been declared a demilitarized zone by the UN prior to the intended meeting. A multinational force including elements from General Grangers army and a PLA light infantry regiment was sent to oversee the meeting in case the GLA attempted to interfere.

Unfortunately, it turned out that the CIAs predictions were correct; the meeting near Kabul was a trap by the GLA after all. Suicide bombers killed the entire negotiation team within seconds, prompting a swift reprisal on GLA forces in the area. The GLA militants were quickly surrounded by US troops and were subsequently eliminated when they refused to surrender. It turned out that the GLA were stalling for time to build up a force across the Kabul River to conquer Kabul and attempt to drive the Americans and their allies out of the country once and for all. Despite a marked numerical disadvantage, the troops that had been guarding the UN team quickly mounted an assault across the river on the forward GLA forces, capturing their camp before the GLA troops could march on Kabul. A squadron of helicopter gunships was sent to eliminate the heavy GLA defenses, allowing the US tanks and Chinese infantry to overrun the GLA forward operating post.

It was soon discovered that the GLA had recently encamped a significant army outside of Kabul in preparation to assault the undefended city. Seeing his vanguard force eliminated, the local GLA commander ordered the demolition of a nearby dam to isolate the Coalition raiding force from their base on the other side of the Kabul River before sending out another attack force. With the dam destroyed, the bridge connecting the two banks was taken out along with a fishing village down river. However, the Coalition force would not be deterred so easily. The stranded troops were supplied and reinforced by aircraft, preventing the GLA from cutting them off and defeating them. General Granger sent further combat air support from Bagram Air Base to help the Coalition troops on the ground to destroy the GLA army and eliminate their Scud Storm weapon before it could fire on the Americans or Kabul. The Chinese commander even went so far as to requisition a tactical nuke to use on the GLA should they have been able to deploy their Scud Storm. In the resulting lighting strike, the encamped GLA force was completely wiped out.

Operation Desperate Union:
With the ousting of the GLA presence in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan was left as the only country under total GLA control in Central Asia. However, the GLA forces there were personally led by Deathstrike and the traitorous PLA General Ismail Khan. General Khan had assembled his Uyghur separatist troops with the forces of multiple GLA warlords in the mountains on the Kazakhstan/Aldastan border in order to deter the US strike into Kazakhstan. Fearing an international incident, the Chinese government quietly gave the United States the authorization to capture or kill General Khan and his officers.

Having deduced the location of the enemy army, a small US task force was rapidly assembled to break the GLA forces before they became too entrenched. The initial attack was successful in breaking through the GLA defenders until they received fire from Scud launchers. Fearing bombardment from missiles loaded with anthrax, the embattled US troops called for reinforcements and a strike from the US latest weapon - the Particle Cannon. Derived from an anti-ballistic missile defense system, the ground-based Particle Cannon used mirrored satellites to reflect focused particle beams back down to targets on Earth. The Particle Cannon strike destroyed the GLAs long range artillery and allowed the embattled US task force to fall back and regroup.

With respite granted, the surviving members of the US assault team received reinforcements in the form of air support and a full brigade of troops personally led by Colonel Burton. Unfortunately, by this time the Chinese renegades had met up with the GLA defenders, along with a nuclear missile stolen from the PLA. The US forces in the area could not afford to let the GLA utilize the missile. Colonel Burton led a commando team to infiltrate the GLA base in the north and thereby bypass the heavily defended and IED and sniper filled town in the center of the AO, allowing for a joint Particle Cannon strike and heavy aerial bombardment to destroy the local center of GLA resistance. A team of American paratroopers surreptitiously dropped into the GLA headquarters and captured their command center, although Deathstrike was nowhere to be found.

General Khan and his men had some of the best weaponry China had to offer, including two Overlord tanks stationed in the GLA compound. The Overlord tanks managed to inflict casualties on US armor during the attack but were soon eliminated by Small Diameter Bombs dropped from American jet fighters. That accomplished, the main US strike force under Colonel Burton headed south to eliminate General Khans forces before they could prepare the nuclear missile for launch.

The presence of Chinese fighter aircraft was another unusual issue US forces had to deal with. F-22 Raptor fighter jets were deployed to intercept the renegade J-11 fighters, and Apache gunships were deployed to hunt down and destroy the entrances to the remaining GLA tunnel network in the area. Fortunately, the advanced American fighter jets were more than a match for General Khans aircraft and no Americans were killed by enemy aircraft.

With the GLAs entrance to the mountainous area denied, the US force rallied for a final assault on General Khans base. The Particle Cannon was again used to break the rebel PLA troops defensive lines, allowing for the US troops to rush in under air support and capture General Ismail Khans command center and nuclear missile silo before the nuclear missile could be used. General Ismail Khan and his remaining troops surrendered to Colonel Burton and were repatriated to China to stand trial for treason and conspiracy against the Peoples Republic. Operation Desperate Union would be known as one of Colonel Burtons finest hours during the war.

Operation Last Call:
With the fall of General Ismail Khans forces the GLA were forced to withdraw to their final Central Asian stronghold in Astana, currently under the direct military supervision of Mohmar Deathstrike. Extensive US intelligence reports showed that nearly all GLA forces still active in Central Asia had gathered within the Astana area to mount a last stand against the NATO/Chinese allied forces, with a significant stockpile of biological weaponry. The other remnants of the local GLA troops still held Bajkonur, yet Deathstrike had yet to transfer the biological weaponry to the launch site at Bajkonur. After much debate, it was decided to mount an attack on Astana first to liberate Kazakhstans capital and capture or eliminate Deathstrike and most of the GLA leaders. General Ironside and Colonel Burton were once again placed in charge of planning and directing the attack on Astana.

A reconnaissance team of US special operations agents personally led by Colonel Burton, codenamed Colt, extensively reconnoitred the Astana area, revealing the massive GLA presence in Astana and the fact that much of the city limits had been fortified in preparation for the NATO/Chinese attack. Colt was able to locate and track a convoy of Scud launchers making their way to the city, subsequently designating them for an airstrike. Having destroyed the ballistic missiles and their escorts, Colt exfiltrated from the area before the GLA could launch a retaliatory strike. It is unanimously agreed that the members of Colt team struck a great blow to the GLAs fighting capabilities in the Battle of Astana.

The combined NATO/Chinese force sent aircraft to eliminate GLA vanguard forces and the tunnel networks leading from Astana to prevent the GLA from mounting a breakout assault. Air support was key in preventing the GLA from mounting a counter attack and aided the US troops immensely as they went through the passes, crushing all GLA resistance they encountered.

Intelligence had shown that the GLA had fortified makeshift walls outside their base right outside of Astana with large amounts of surface-to-air missiles and anti-tank rockets, but the US had an ace up their sleeve. A new hypersonic bomber aircraft, the F/B-40 Aurora, saw its first combat deployment at Astana where it was utilized to surgically eliminate GLA defensive positions and strategic targets without fear of ground fire. The GLA had managed to construct a Scud Storm as well, but it was easy prey for a high altitude bombing run. As the walls were sighted by Predator drones and cleared out by Aurora bombers, US aircraft could finally take the offensive once more. Fighter aircraft relentlessly bombed the GLA defensive positions as well as the massive armored force within the formerly fortified encampment, paving the way for the NATO/Chinese push forwards. With the walls gone and the skies ruled by the Americans, the GLA could not defend their base against the American led onslaught. The joint NATO/Chinese task force smashed through the GLA defending forces and razed their base to the ground, liberating the city in the process. Resistance from the fanatics was fierce but the jihadist force eventually surrendered under relentless air bombardment and the approaching Coalition army.

All the GLA commanders in Central Asia were killed or captured during the Battle of Astana, save for Mohmar Deathstrike himself. Deathstrike managed to flee Astana for the Arabian peninsula before the American force destroyed the GLA base, as well as signaling to the GLA cell holding Bajkonur about the next move for the Global Liberation Army

But for now, the Battle of Astana was a massive success for the US led coalition. Coalition casualties were low and the GLA had suffered a severe existential blow, losing most of their leaders and their grasp on Asia east of Syria. GLA forces in Africa and the Arabian peninsula fragmented, blaming each other for the crippling blow dealt to them. To celebrate the event and of the heroism of the Coalition troops, the President publicly addressed the American people about the victory.

Posted by: MARS 10 May 2016, 7:19

Another excellent fic that adds context and authenticity to the events of the Generals USA campaign. In retrospect, I too feel that Operation Stormbringer would have made much better sense had it been set in Pakistan instead of the Caspian Sea coast of Kazakhstan as depicted in the game. Are you planning on continuing this series to cover more of the campaigns? I would be particularly interested to see your take on the ZH missions, especially those during the endgame of the war where the GLA kicks of the insurrection in Europe. It might be interesting to tie those events into the bigger context of the EU's general state at that time that was hinted upon in previous updates.

Posted by: DerKrieger 10 May 2016, 14:41

Thanks, I decided to play through the ProGen version of the US campaign for this one rather than relying on YouTube "Let's Plays" of the Generals campaign as a guide because most of the Let's Plays I could find, frankly, sucked. I know the mission briefing/text crawl of Stormbringer mentioned the Caspian Sea, but the presence of US naval warships would put that in question. I figured Pakistan would make sense as a potential flashpoint, and its not as if Generals didn't make geographic errors (like the 3rd US mission being explicitly stated as taking place in the Hindu Kush mountains but the text crawl stating "northern Kazakhstan").

I do plan on covering the Zero Hour campaigns, though I plan on adding a bit more on events "behind the scenes" as to how things turned out the way they did. I will cover to some extent the US homefront and the election that brought Paulson to the White House, the GLA power struggle and Deathstrike's daring, all or nothing plan to attack Europe, and maybe a bit on how the Chinese were faring during this time.

Posted by: {Lads}RikerZZZ 11 May 2016, 1:18

This is fantastic work Kreiger smile.gif
Is this gonna go on the wiki, because I'm feeling it should

Posted by: DerKrieger 11 May 2016, 2:03

Thanks! I'm not sure at this time if it'll go on the wiki, as there's been a fair bit of debate on what to do with it. We'll see.

Posted by: {Lads}RikerZZZ 11 May 2016, 6:05

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 11 May 2016, 3:03) *
Thanks! I'm not sure at this time if it'll go on the wiki, as there's been a fair bit of debate on what to do with it. We'll see.


Honestly, this sort of writing would fit in perfectly as it is well written and very clear and concise lore written in the short paragraph format that wikis love.
Not that my opinion means much, but i would say go for it and slap it up there smile.gif

Posted by: DerKrieger 12 May 2016, 14:25

I believe the wiki's still being updated so I could get to it sometime. I might even expand on it a bit more. Before I'll get started on the Zero Hour recap I might go ahead and write up something on the Mobile Offshore Bases.

Posted by: GDSpathe 5 Jan 2017, 1:05

You know in my humble opinion now that the Devs had added the widowmaker AKA F35 I think people can effectively consider most of the US aircraft Der Krieger has wrote up cannon

Posted by: DerKrieger 13 Jan 2017, 22:21

Maybe, perhaps due to the fact that I'm co-writer with MARS and GeneralCamo.

Posted by: Rohan 14 Jan 2017, 11:33

Can there be an index in the first post ?

Posted by: DerKrieger 17 Jan 2017, 1:48

I'll likely have to do something around those lines. Unfortunately, with the format being what it is, it'll be impossible to create an index unless I delete the first post.

Posted by: Rohan 17 Jan 2017, 17:02

QUOTE (DerKrieger @ 17 Jan 2017, 6:18) *
I'll likely have to do something around those lines. Unfortunately, with the format being what it is, it'll be impossible to create an index unless I delete the first post.


Just ask a mod to edit in the index at the top of the first post.

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