Roycelandia
08-12-2003, 01:56
DATELINE: PORT ROYAL
More surprises today as His Imperial Majesty Emperor Royce I continues his expansion and development program for the Roycelandian Imperial Armed Forces.
“Our unique geography has called for a unique solution to our Defence requirements” His Majesty announced as he officially opened the hangar of the newly formed Imperial Airship Fleet.
“Our scientists have been working on some of the practical applications of LTA transport technology, and combined with the Roycelandia Institute of Technology and Imperial Armaments, we have designed what may well be the world’s first fleet of military airships” boasted His Majesty at an official function after the opening.
All airships in the fleet will be designated as Imperial Roycelandian AirShips, and utilise the latest technology in armour, weapons, and communications.
Three of the enormous airships have been completed to date, comprising of the IRAS Red Dwarf, the IRAS Terrordactyl, and the IRAS Bird of Prey.
Perhaps uniquely, all three airships have been constructed with Advanced Kevlar-esque envelopes and additional reinforcement to render the gasbags nearly invulnerable to small arms fire.
“No, they aren’t invincible” joked His Majesty to amazed onlookers “but it will take a lot more than Coltlandian Rebels with antique machine guns to bring them down. And, as a bonus, they’re almost invulnerable to EMP. Detonate an EMP device and the airship won’t crash, since it’s lighter than air.”
IRAS Red Dwarf is the Fleet Command Vessel, and aside from the very latest communications equipment, it mounts an impressive array of missiles and guns.
The role of Transport and light attack- or “Active Defence”, as Commander Sword refers to it- falls to the IRAS Terrordactyl, which can carry an entire Company of Paratroopers, as well as equipment, or, alternatively, 3 medium tanks and 6 Jeeps. Defence is provided by Anti-Missile systems, Bombs, Missiles, and Machine Gun turrets.
Most interestingly though, was the INAS Bird of Prey, which has been developed as an Aircraft Carrier!
“We have modified a squadron of Spitfire fighters and a squadron of Kookaburra ground attack/light bomber aircraft for use in the Bird of Prey” explained a Defence spokeswoman. “The aircraft are stored within the airship’s envelope and hull and are lowered underneath for takeoff and retrieval via a special crane and hook system. It sounds complicated, but it works very well and the testing we have undertaken has given us very positive results.” It is understood that the [i[Bird of Prey[/i] is armed with AA guns, Missiles, and a vast array of guns.
Somewhat understandably, the Bureau of Defence isn’t being too specific on any of the Airship fleet’s armour or defences.
“Obviously we aren’t saying too much at the moment” explained Commander In Chief Jack Sword “But should there be any financial or Defence interest in these airships then we would be prepared to make a considerably more, ah, detailed explanation to those parties.”
More surprises today as His Imperial Majesty Emperor Royce I continues his expansion and development program for the Roycelandian Imperial Armed Forces.
“Our unique geography has called for a unique solution to our Defence requirements” His Majesty announced as he officially opened the hangar of the newly formed Imperial Airship Fleet.
“Our scientists have been working on some of the practical applications of LTA transport technology, and combined with the Roycelandia Institute of Technology and Imperial Armaments, we have designed what may well be the world’s first fleet of military airships” boasted His Majesty at an official function after the opening.
All airships in the fleet will be designated as Imperial Roycelandian AirShips, and utilise the latest technology in armour, weapons, and communications.
Three of the enormous airships have been completed to date, comprising of the IRAS Red Dwarf, the IRAS Terrordactyl, and the IRAS Bird of Prey.
Perhaps uniquely, all three airships have been constructed with Advanced Kevlar-esque envelopes and additional reinforcement to render the gasbags nearly invulnerable to small arms fire.
“No, they aren’t invincible” joked His Majesty to amazed onlookers “but it will take a lot more than Coltlandian Rebels with antique machine guns to bring them down. And, as a bonus, they’re almost invulnerable to EMP. Detonate an EMP device and the airship won’t crash, since it’s lighter than air.”
IRAS Red Dwarf is the Fleet Command Vessel, and aside from the very latest communications equipment, it mounts an impressive array of missiles and guns.
The role of Transport and light attack- or “Active Defence”, as Commander Sword refers to it- falls to the IRAS Terrordactyl, which can carry an entire Company of Paratroopers, as well as equipment, or, alternatively, 3 medium tanks and 6 Jeeps. Defence is provided by Anti-Missile systems, Bombs, Missiles, and Machine Gun turrets.
Most interestingly though, was the INAS Bird of Prey, which has been developed as an Aircraft Carrier!
“We have modified a squadron of Spitfire fighters and a squadron of Kookaburra ground attack/light bomber aircraft for use in the Bird of Prey” explained a Defence spokeswoman. “The aircraft are stored within the airship’s envelope and hull and are lowered underneath for takeoff and retrieval via a special crane and hook system. It sounds complicated, but it works very well and the testing we have undertaken has given us very positive results.” It is understood that the [i[Bird of Prey[/i] is armed with AA guns, Missiles, and a vast array of guns.
Somewhat understandably, the Bureau of Defence isn’t being too specific on any of the Airship fleet’s armour or defences.
“Obviously we aren’t saying too much at the moment” explained Commander In Chief Jack Sword “But should there be any financial or Defence interest in these airships then we would be prepared to make a considerably more, ah, detailed explanation to those parties.”