SD.Net World Redux Comment Thread VII

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Does anybody on Nova Terra use anything similar to the XM29 by any chance?

Some of us use the H&K G36 rifle which is similar in many ways.

He's talking about the grenade launcher component of the OICW, not the assault rifle component. As far as I'm aware, nobody in Nova Terra fields the XM29 or an equivalent thereof.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

He's talking about the grenade launcher component of the OICW, not the assault rifle component. As far as I'm aware, nobody in Nova Terra fields the XM29 or an equivalent thereof.

Certainly not grenades of that calibre. Most air burst grenade rounds are the 30mm or 40mm variety.

[TimothyC]

Ok Quick update, the "Manned space flight" Will be a sub-orbital shot with the SX-1 peaking out at about 110 km, after an air launch.

[K. A. Pital]

Building a large number of big shuttles is a tad unreasonable from a strategic perspective... these are Earth-to-orbit returnable vehicles, not suited for interplanetary flight - what will the IRT achieve with a fleet of such machines (other than use them as space-borne bombers or missile platforms, of course)...?

I always thought it's wiser to think a little ahead, and build purely trans-planetary ships when you have the booster to lift up the cargo.

[Siege]

Just what the hell has been going on in Omango and Sabika lately anyway? I don't believe they've been drawn into anyone's alliance lately. The last I really remember about them was that the FTO had gotten a peace deal with them that might have been good enough for a lasting peace.

What Steve said; Sabika is basically slowly being drawn into NFT orbit. Omago has been very quiet recently, I was planning on doing a story on them but I haven't got anything specific in mind yet (other than that it preferably wouldn't be the usual Frequesuan 'zomg revolution -> WAR!' bit).

Also, concerning Eastern Occidental... It isn't being occupied. It is ruling itself fairly efficiently, and the foreign troops remaining there at this stage are primarily trainers and advisors. The NFT has scaled its presence down from an entire mechanized brigade plus some airborne elements to a mere 500 troops total. Basically it's a functioning small state, and I was gunning for including them as an NFT Overseas Department (self-ruling territory under the Syndicate) in the near future. I guess we can talk about that at the conference.

[DarthShady]

Shinn check your PM's.

[Ryan Thunder]

Does anybody on Nova Terra use anything similar to the XM29 by any chance?

Some of us use the H&K G36 rifle which is similar in many ways.

You're thinking of the XM8, which is pretty much a G36 derivative. I'm referring to this.

I'm mostly interested in its effectiveness as a support weapon more than anything else. I was considering acquiring a hundred or so if they already exist.

[phongn]

Building a large number of big shuttles is a tad unreasonable from a strategic perspective... these are Earth-to-orbit returnable vehicles, not suited for interplanetary flight - what will the IRT achieve with a fleet of such machines (other than use them as space-borne bombers or missile platforms, of course)...?

Well, yes, I can use them as missile trucks (and that is an intended strategic goal, hence the large pool for high-availability, the ability to use storable solids, etc). But they'll also try and realize NASA's hopes for a variety of missions that require major earth-return capacity (like if anyone ever gets a space station up and wants to return usable amounts of cargo).

I always thought it's wiser to think a little ahead, and build purely trans-planetary ships when you have the booster to lift up the cargo.

Eventually the IRT will plan in-orbit assembly of such vehicles, or use the Shuttle as a sort of reusable command stage. I've been considering a bunch of options

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

Shinn check your PM's.

Yeah, I don't have a Gmail account...yet. Once I do, I'll let you and the other CATO folks know.

[Ryan Thunder]

Shinn check your PM's.

Yeah, I don't have a Gmail account...yet. Once I do, I'll let you and the other CATO folks know.

Just FYI, its pretty fast to do. I did it in about 5 mins or so.

Then you should set up a profile so we can identify you. That takes a minute or two once you figure out how to get to it.

[DarthShady]

Shinn check your PM's.

Yeah, I don't have a Gmail account...yet. Once I do, I'll let you and the other CATO folks know.

Alright PM me, when you set one up.

[Raj Ahten]

Just what the hell has been going on in Omango and Sabika lately anyway? I don't believe they've been drawn into anyone's alliance lately. The last I really remember about them was that the FTO had gotten a peace deal with them that might have been good enough for a lasting peace.

What Steve said; Sabika is basically slowly being drawn into NFT orbit. Omago has been very quiet recently, I was planning on doing a story on them but I haven't got anything specific in mind yet (other than that it preferably wouldn't be the usual Frequesuan 'zomg revolution -> WAR!' bit).

Well depending on how the Occidental negotiations end up resolving themselves Indhopal and San Dorado could have an influence battle to see whether Omango joins Indhopal in armed neutrality or joins up with CATO. Or we could try to figure out some sort of bizarre middle path based on the nation's history which has yet to be written!

[Czechmate]

Preliminary Tanvarikan OOB (Yulanti and al-Itani come later) here;

http://sdnworld.wikia.com/wiki/Tanvarikan_Defense_Force

Suggestions as to what maritime assets they should have are welcome. Their military paradigm is, roughly, 'South Americans with 1960s tech', so I was thinking they might have a couple frigates and perhaps an oldish cruiser as their dilapidated flagship.

They have some of these!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albatros_c ... tack_craft

[Ryan Thunder]

He's talking about the grenade launcher component of the OICW, not the assault rifle component. As far as I'm aware, nobody in Nova Terra fields the XM29 or an equivalent thereof.

Certainly not grenades of that calibre. Most air burst grenade rounds are the 30mm or 40mm variety.

Close enough. I was thinking of the OICW package, but for some reason I thought the kinetic component was what amounted to an under-barrel MP7. Maybe the thought of an under-barrel G36 just seemed a tad... excessive.

Anyways, 30-40mm is close enough if I can put it in a semi-automatic shoulder-fired gun that won't *injure* the firer.

[Raj Ahten]

While we are on the topic of weapons technology, has anyone developed Metal Storm style systems in this world? That might make an interesting basis for a grenade launcher system similar to the XM29 in which the barrels are changed out instead of magazines (In fact I believe that's what Australia thought their "future weapons" infantry system was going to be for awhile).

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

While we are on the topic of weapons technology, has anyone developed Metal Storm style systems in this world? That might make an interesting basis for a grenade launcher system similar to the XM29 in which the barrels are changed out instead of magazines (In fact I believe that's what Australia thought their "future weapons" infantry system was going to be for awhile).

Yes I have, for point defence systems, and for heavy fire support on support vehicles.

Though according to some in this forum, it seems the company is on the brink of bankruptcy. Not sure why.

Close enough. I was thinking of the OICW package, but for some reason I thought the kinetic component was what amounted to an under-barrel MP7. Maybe the thought of an under-barrel G36 just seemed a tad... excessive.

Anyways, 30-40mm is close enough if I can put it in a semi-automatic shoulder-fired gun that won't *injure* the firer.

Well, I do employ them on vehicles, and also dedicated grenade launchers etc. I forgot what calibers though.

[PeZook]

Anyways, 30-40mm is close enough if I can put it in a semi-automatic shoulder-fired gun that won't *injure* the firer.

Oh, you mean something like this?

[Siege]

Close enough. I was thinking of the OICW package, but for some reason I thought the kinetic component was what amounted to an under-barrel MP7. Maybe the thought of an under-barrel G36 just seemed a tad... excessive.

Anyways, 30-40mm is close enough if I can put it in a semi-automatic shoulder-fired gun that won't *injure* the firer.

I manufacture this in case you're interested.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

I wonder if it's a good idea to bring so much electronics to the field. Overheating and what not will be a nightmare. Nevermind the maintenance issues...

[Siege]

I'm equipping a few elite air assault units with the gun (as well as the rest of the Feline infantry system) to trial how reliable it is. Even if it works I don't intend to outfit every grunt with it; too expensive, and they don't need its capability to effectively fight the usual rag-tag militia anyway.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

I'm equipping a few elite air assault units with the gun (as well as the rest of the Feline infantry system) to trial how reliable it is. Even if it works I don't intend to outfit every grunt with it; too expensive, and they don't need its capability to effectively fight the usual rag-tag militia anyway.

Well, I have been thinking about a next generation infantry system, but my biggest worry is that I operate in a desert environment, and this is pretty harsh. At the moment, the most the infantry get is each a PDA for situational awareness and for receiving encrypted instructions, map etc.

And officer training incorporates one tidbit borrowed from the Israelis; they have to make their way across the desert with only the bare minimum, and no maps.

[Coyote]

I shall officially begin researching this fun new toy for Canissian issue. Mmm, yes, very nice. It'd be in 6.8mm for the rifle, though. While it'd be cool to issue one to each soldier, more likely it'll be 1-3 per combat squad (Infantry, Combat Engineers, etc). It'd be too expensive and unwieldy for universal issue like staff, cooks, etc... and downright impractical for tank crewers.

[Shroom Man 777]

I was thinking of the same thing, actually mang!

[Beowulf]

I'm going with a more conventional, though still different, new rifle based on CTA technology. Using plastic cases, this enables more rounds to be carried for a given weight. Still a 6.8mm round. Rifle looks like: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushmaster_ACR

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Bah... I think I will continue H&K G36 development with 20mm grenade attachment. Either an upgrade or a comprehensive new one similar to the XM29 or XM8, mixing some MetalStorm technology in between.