NationStates Jolt Archive

Many things give reasons to be grateful this year and optimistic about the next. In spite of several short-term unfortunate occurrences, there is much more to appreciate.

The Western Asian territory of Malta has experienced great economic growth recently as the international conflict rates have dropped to nearly nothing for the first time in several years. While conflicts near the Black Sea between Fyreheart and Ferrussia have caused some lag in trade, overland transportation routes through the Turkish province (by rail, truck, and ULA) have allowed trade between the Mediterranean and the Black seas to continue at some strength.

The state of war between several of Western Asia’s major trade partners, including Delta Triumvirate ally Sniper Country and major economic partner Omz222) has lead to a loss of strength in the military supply industry, a cause of some concern with recent drop-offs, but there is new hope. WAAMA (The Western Asian Arms Manufacturing Association), has begun to organize and publish a "WAAMA Catalogue (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=88338&highlight=)" for international arms buyers, which presents WA-produced weaponry by category and with in-depth descriptions and full statistical information. A few purchases of large warships, particularly aircraft carriers, have floated the naval master GINY in spite of the financial losses in the closing down of the main venues for the sale of their ships during an internal reorganization and slimming down of productions.

Some growth has been seen in the Pacific territories of the Wake, Midway, and Guam islands as the local merchants make profits through NAFTA connections and in recent IDF-initiated social revitalization projects. IDF Naval Corps and IDF Marine Corps bases in Gradenk, Sniper Country, Mega Tau, and Liberated Asia have improved ties to other bases and local relations are reported to be good, as are the relations between bases of several of those countries and surrounding areas in Western Asia.

New oil reserves in the southeastern portion of the Jordan province rallied energy markets as the calendar year ended and advances in fusion and fission power at national nuclear laboratories aided the advance. Tourism has thrived in the northern territories of SE Ellesmere Island as well as around the historical sites in Israel and Jordan provinces. The Syria and Lebanon provinces have reported great progress in building the once-crumbling towns and cities into thriving modern cities while maintaining a great deal of the historical characters of those places.

Tree planting and irrigation efforts have revitalized the famous ‘Cedars of Lebanon’ and have allowed for new or reborn forests to spring up across the Israel province, especially in the once-contested Judea region.

New influence in Cuba (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=101300&highlight=), as a part of the rebuilding and recovery efforts headed by DNS, seems ready to promise Western Asia’s military a permanent base in the region. This prospect has excited many Western Asian military figures as the prospect of a firm worldwide naval reach is greatly anticipated.

OOC: A bump for you afternoon folks.

Nice WA.

Anyway why dont yopu join the Middle East region?

We have a great map:

http://www.freewebs.com/patrua/middle%20east%20mapgif.GIF

If you want the Israel part, I can arrange it.

Also we have a very cool new forum that replaces the old one at:

http://s3.invisionfree.com/mideast

Anyway we need a good strong, active Jewish nation in the region, so please consider it.

OOC: Oh shit...I forgot to send my reply to your TM from a bit back.

Let me look at a few things and get back to you via TM.

As for things, this is mostly to show that I take account of the territories I've claimed/gained/procured in my RPs.And some stealth advertising of my new claims and storefront never hurt

It is nice to see your nation doing so well. I send my respects and may your nation continue to grow and prosper. Best wishes to you and your citizens.

Respectfully,
Mwto'ar Uganda
CEO/Aero-Tech/IVA Industries
-APTO-
-NATO-
-NAIA-
-UTP-
-TFA-
-LFW-
-UPPS-

We congratulate our fellow economic and trading partner and friend, Western Asia, for their recent achievment on their economy.

Indeed, with the Sniper Country-Omz222 war, the Omzian economy has been hit hard. While arms trades have been frozen for some time between the OHDF and WA arms contractors, decreased oil exports and imports and loss of profit are visible among Omzian oil refining industries, since Omz222 is a major importer of crude oil and exporter of refined petroleum. Also with the allied relationship between Sniper Country and Western Asia, some companies in Omz222 has already chosen alternative business partners. Also with that, the Omzian administration also fears that relationship between Western Asia and Omz222 may strain due to our war with one of WA's allies.

It is our hope that trade and business coopreation between Western Asian and Omzian companies could be re-estabilished and improved after the war, therefore benefitting both.

Omzian Economics Relations Board,
Omzian Federal Administration

OOC: Is your storefront ready? Can I post on it?

OOC: I'll post a link to a thread where orders can be placed. I'd like to maintain the main thread as a catalogue for orders as much as possible...expect the purchasing thread to be up by the end of the night.

If you'd like to order /now/ then feel free to post here OOCly and I'll copy the order into the other thread when I fill it.

EDIT: Orders thread is now UP!
http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2535215#2535215

It has just been reported that Gen. (WAMC, ret.) Elia Shun, as the head of a consortium of WAAMA companies, has acquired complete ownership of Hagglunds Vehicle AB, a Swedish company, and the Finnish company Patria Vammas Qy. Although WAAMA companies had been buying into the pair of small arms manufacturing companies over several years, this recent bid has delivered complete control of the companies into local, Western Asian, control.

The Patria Hägglund, a joint project of the two companies, is also being transferred into Gen. Shun's control by the deal.

Ownership of the companies was acquired at a cost of about $3.14Bn USD (cumulative) and the primary construction facilities are expected to be transferred to main Western Asia, where numerous smaller plants have already existed for many years.

This act also firmly secures Western Asian control of AMOS (Advanced MOrtar System) technology, which Gen. Shun had been a great supporter of during his tenure as head of the IDF Marine Corps' Mortar and Artillery Development Lab. The act also buys out distributorship rights given to AAI Corporation, an American company.

Major players in the take-over include The Greater Israeli Motor Company (GIMC), FNH, Inc. (a subsidiary of Lacroix Pyro-Technologies of Sniper Country), Automotive Industries, Ltd. (AIL), Soltam Systems, Ltd., RAFAEL, Inc. (Armament Development Authority Ltd.), and Greater Israel Military Industries Ltd. (GIMI, formerly TAAS). The control of the pair of companies and their cooperative subsidiary falls into the hands of the "Mortar Industries Group, Ltd."

This is GINA Financial News coming to you, 24 hours a day...just when you need it.

thought about teh Middle East region yet?

WA:

sorry i didnt proivde a key to the map [knocks head against wall] anyway Salicia has just ceased to exist so Jordan is up for grabs as well.

Middle East Official Map

http://www.freewebs.com/patrua/middle%20east%20mapgif.GIF


1 Catholic Europe (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=catholic_europe) Genesis City
2 Corsairio (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=corsairio) Umbar
3 Kaduiri (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=kaduiri) Asmarasdan (Peacekeeping forces from United Elias and Patrua present)
4 Kahtan (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Kahtan) Shar Jehr
5 Kiensland (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=kiensland) Middensfield
6 (Former Theocracy of) Legionistan Elesion (Administered by Salicia and Patrua. Peacekeeping forces of both nations present. Former capital Golgotha is nuclear wasteland)
7 Nag Eghoeg (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=nag_eghoeg) Syntha Prime
8 Oaksendom (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=oaksendom) Jebel Ali
9 Paradise (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=paradise) Riyadh
10 Patrua (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=patrua) Caputa
11 Resplendent Dawn (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=the_resplendent_dawn) Antioch
12 Salicia (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=salicia) Aqaba
13 Scythirus (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=scythirus) Jihamed
14 The Imamate of Cool (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=the_imamate_of_cool) Al-Asima Imamiy
15 United Elias (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=united_elias) Baghdad
16 Yejuda and Shomron (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=yejuda_and_shomron) West Jerusalem
17 The Hearts of Men (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=the_hearts_of_men) Ridvan
18 God and Heaven (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=god_and_heaven) Abu Dhabi
19 United Arab Republic (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=united_arab_republic) Benghazi
20 Uninterested Nihilists (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=uninterested_nihilists) Hoem
21 Flaming Drag Queens (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_nation/nation=Flaming_Drag_Queens) Lost Wages

bump

OOC:
UE,
I'd normally love to join, but right now (basically since slightly before you sent your TM) I've had to basically remove myself from all RPs and most development. I am developing about 1 product set per 3weeks and I'm in one very slow RP.

I'll see how I'm doing in 3 weeks when 2nd semester of my Sr HS year begins...when I should have more time to RP and such...but I can't commit to anything right now.

In terms of relations to my normal RPs, the geography might be problematic if it is used in other RPs.

Current Claims:
Middle East and Anatolia
Israel
Jordan
Lebanon
Maj. Syria
Turkey
Sinai Peninsula

Rest of World, excluding bases in friendly countries
Malta
Wake Island and territories
Midway Island and territories
Guam Island and territories
SE corner of Ellesmere Is.

I'd of course waive some of these claims during intraregional RPs, but I like to have them for the purpose of other RP lines.

OOC:
UE,
I'd normally love to join, but right now (basically since slightly before you sent your TM) I've had to basically remove myself from all RPs and most development. I am developing about 1 product set per 3weeks and I'm in one very slow RP.

I'll see how I'm doing in 3 weeks when 2nd semester of my Sr HS year begins...when I should have more time to RP and such...but I can't commit to anything right now.

In terms of relations to my normal RPs, the geography might be problematic if it is used in other RPs.

Current Claims:
Middle East and Anatolia
Israel
Jordan
Lebanon
Maj. Syria
Turkey
Sinai Peninsula

Rest of World, excluding bases in friendly countries
Malta
Wake Island and territories
Midway Island and territories
Guam Island and territories
SE corner of Ellesmere Is.

I'd of course waive some of these claims during intraregional RPs, but I like to have them for the purpose of other RP lines.

all you'd be able to have is Jordan, Israel and the Golan heights.

Anywau please consider it when you have time, also another small request ,could we make use of one of oyur naval bases on Guam, just for refuelling, liberty and light maintenance? It would only be for the occasional surface ship and nuclear submarine.

The ports in all of our territories are open to both friendly and allied nations. We welcome friendly foreign military personnel to establish small liaison offices at any of our major military way-stations.

The only request in return is the right to similar privileges in those countries.

OOC: I understand and would be willing to work within that frame for same-group RPs, if I join.

Hägglunds Vehicles, a property of Mortar Industries Group, Inc., announced today that it was set to introduce a number of new projects to the public media. These projects are rumored to have been the primary reason for the acquisition of Hägglunds and its fellow nordic arms manufacturer, Patria Industries.

Among the projects is a revolutionary modular light armor design that is reportedly being considered by IDF officials, especially IDF Marine Corps commanders, as a possible replacement for the popular but aging and limited M113 APC platform. The new system is known as the "Modular Armored Tactical System" or MATS, for short, in Western Asian circles although the official name is reported to be SEP (Splitterskyddad EnhetsPlatform). This was reported as the product of a two-year long conceptual and prototype development project with various WAAMA companies known as the "M113 Replacement Vehicle" (MRV). The recent acquisition of Hägglunds is reported to have been a final stage in ensuring the control of the MATS's design. The design reportedly includes a modularity that allows the main system components to be either tracked or wheeled based on an interchangeable equipment package for a pair of offered chassis designs.

Other projects have included the AMOS system and several small turret designs, which are rumored to be part of a deal to create a lightweight armored force for Western Asia's Marine Corps.

The acquisition of Hägglunds and Patria followed closely on the heels of the acquisition of another nordic company, Sweden's own small shipbuilder, DOCKSTAVARVET. Dockstavaret is the maker of the Combat Boat 90, a light assault/patrol boat that originated with the company and which has proven itself repeatedly in service. In order to obtain the right to purchase many of these companies, WAAMA member owners have agreed to retain factories in those nations and to honor all current contracts between the companies and their native governments. WAAMA has also agreed to provide favorable pricing deals on WAAMA-represented systems, no matter their origins, to those nations.

This is GINA Financial News coming to you, 24 hours a day...just when you need it.

It is now reported that WAAMA is on the verge of being ready to present their revised listing of small water patrol and strike craft to the world arms market, look for updates in their online catalogue for more!

"...the Omzian State News Network. News everytime, everywhere, bring you reliable news information broadcast.

Along with this, the Omzian government is having a small-scale inquiry with Melkor Unchained (OOC: ICly, nothing personal) regarding arms sales with Western Asia and others. It is predicted that if Western Asia approves Omz222 to ocntinue import arms from Western Asia, another wave of military arms trade will rise with WAAMA. It is also said that the OHDF is highly interested in the LAHAT missile, plus other technologies such as PDE-improved CALCM and an additional shipping of the M200 Mk.2 and the HIWS weapon systems.

Mentioning OHDF, the Omzian Homeland Defence Forces is planning a massive military reform, which includes technology reform and new policies, which will..."

The Ferrussian Department of Foreign Affairs has submitted to Western Asia its proposal for a Western Asian Embassy in central Kiev. A map of the proposed site can be found here (http://atlas.walagata.com/w/ferret/kievwacrop.JPG) (site is in the lower left corner - the Secretariat is in the upper left, and the Mariinsky Palace on the far right side of the map), and the Department of Foreign Affairs awaits only Western Asian approval of the site before construction will be allowed on the site, to be dictated by Western Asia itself.

Our greatest wishes go out to the fine defense companies of Western Asia, and it should be noted that we are immensely pleased with the AH-1Zs purchased earlier. Ferrussia is on the brink of a major reorganization of the armed forces - both reserve and active - and while this effort is ongoing and arduously slow, we will certainly keep the fine products offered by your nation and the companies therin in mind when making purchases.

On a final note, we hope to assume negotiations of some kind soon, particularly those capable of increasing the operational range of our armed forces. Limited use capablility of naval and/or air facilities could possibly be negotiated, if you are open to the concept. We hope that our alliance being currently forged (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=94743) with Omz222 and Clan Smoke Jaguar may stand as a positive mark on our record with you. Let us know what you think.


Aleksey Sergeyevich Kasyanov
Secretary of Foreign Affairs

"...the Omzian State News Network. News everytime, everywhere, bring you reliable news information broadcast.

Along with this, the Omzian government is having a small-scale inquiry with Melkor Unchained (OOC: ICly, nothing personal) regarding arms sales with Western Asia and others. It is predicted that if Western Asia approves Omz222 to ocntinue import arms from Western Asia, another wave of military arms trade will rise with WAAMA. It is also said that the OHDF is highly interested in the LAHAT missile, plus other technologies such as PDE-improved CALCM and an additional shipping of the M200 Mk.2 and the HIWS weapon systems.

Mentioning OHDF, the Omzian Homeland Defence Forces is planning a massive military reform, which includes technology reform and new policies, which will..."

OOC: I think that a lot of arms sales are on-hold until the Omz-SC war dealie is brought to some more formalized and complete conclusion, but I'm keeping you in mind.


The Ferrussian Department of Foreign Affairs has submitted to Western Asia its proposal for a Western Asian Embassy in central Kiev. A map of the proposed site can be found here (site is in the lower left corner - the Secretariat is in the upper left, and the Mariinsky Palace on the far right side of the map), and the Department of Foreign Affairs awaits only Western Asian approval of the site before construction will be allowed on the site, to be dictated by Western Asia itself.

Our greatest wishes go out to the fine defense companies of Western Asia, and it should be noted that we are immensely pleased with the AH-1Zs purchased earlier. Ferrussia is on the brink of a major reorganization of the armed forces - both reserve and active - and while this effort is ongoing and arduously slow, we will certainly keep the fine products offered by your nation and the companies therin in mind when making purchases.

On a final note, we hope to assume negotiations of some kind soon, particularly those capable of increasing the operational range of our armed forces. Limited use capablility of naval and/or air facilities could possibly be negotiated, if you are open to the concept. We hope that our alliance being currently forged with Omz222 and Clan Smoke Jaguar may stand as a positive mark on our record with you. Let us know what you think.

While relations with CSJ and Omz222 are generally good, there has been some strain recently over their conflict with Sniper Country. Ferrussia, however, is it's own country. We would welcome negotiations and are pleased to hear this offer for embassy space, which we gladly accept, and negotiations, which we are definitively interested in.

Please feel free to contact us when you would like to open formal negotiations.

OOC: I think that a lot of arms sales are on-hold until the Omz-SC war dealie is brought to some more formalized and complete conclusion, but I'm keeping you in mind.

OOC: Believe me, the war isn't going to be over just like any other. We are planning to extend it to the end of June (when summer holidays starts). But oh well, the experience's definately enjoyable :D

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

OOC: Believe me, the war isn't going to be over just like any other. We are planning to extend it to the end of June...blh blah blah We are?
OOC: Um... I'd recall that you said about something that it will end before the holidays :P

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

OOC: War RP fun (when older RPers like you two say)? I'll have to see this.

The Republic of Taiwan has submitted an official application for an exchange of liason officers between Taipei and Tel Aviv. We hope that Taiwan and Western Asia will be able to co-operate to a larger extent in the future.

In another matter, the ROTAF has expressed interest in acquiring blueprints, production licenses, and modification rights for the Israeli designed Python IV AAM.

The ROTAF is also interested in the procurement of 45 air-based THEL systems for it's wing-in-ground aircraft.

OOC: SC, Omz, it sounds like an issue to be fixed...

The Republic of Taiwan has submitted an official application for an exchange of liason officers between Taipei and Tel Aviv. We hope that Taiwan and Western Asia will be able to co-operate to a larger extent in the future.

In another matter, the ROTAF has expressed interest in acquiring blueprints, production licenses, and modification rights for the Israeli designed Python IV AAM.

The ROTAF is also interested in the procurement of 45 air-based THEL systems for it's wing-in-ground aircraft.

Liaison relations seem to be in order and worthy of welcome. We would be glad to create a base for further communications and coordinations.

As for the ROTAF interests, we are already into production of the Python V AAM with plans for the Python VI in consideration and initial concept testing. We would be willing to grant prodduction rights for the Python IV, but modifications would need to be submitted to GIAI for consideration before implementation. We have been informed via our liaisons at WAAMA that several Python V units might also be shipped for evaluation.

As for the Air-based MTHEL systems, would these be similar to those that are sometimes mounted on maritime vessels or our own PelicanULTRA WIG craft? Such purchases (as these and those mentioned above) need to be dealt with through WAAMA (OOC: see link on previous page to "orders" thread) as WAAMA and most of its member corporations are independant of government rule in specific sales of approved systems. We will, however, inform the Weapons Export Control Board of _Taiwan's position and filed requests so that the approval process may be streamlined.

The GINA reporting series "Western Asia Reaches for the Stars...Reaches Low Orbit" is now conveniently collected HERE (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2676952&highlight=#2676952).

Ferrussia is now officially opening diplomatic relations with Western Asia, and have hope that relations will move in a positive direction given our past encounters. We would be quite interested in beginning some opening negotiations, and are particularly interested in your policy on sea control of the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits given our location. A treaty of some kind may be organized during the negotiations if you agree to it.

(OOC: To stop crowding your thread and allow some actual RPing of this, I'd request that we move to this (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=94743) thread or another one specifically tasked to the negotiations. If you want to just move to my diplomatic thread (linked above), simply make an IC post on the thread about a representative/envoy/ambassador/what have you en route to Kiev. As for having actual claims on Ukraine, well, I'm in the same boat you're in - it's not really official, but I use it and haven't had any problems thus far. I'd eventually be interested in constructing a Ferrussian embassy in Tel Aviv, if you'll allow it. Perhaps it could be decided in the negotiations.)

Ferrussia is now officially opening diplomatic relations with Western Asia, and have hope that relations will move in a positive direction given our past encounters. We would be quite interested in beginning some opening negotiations, and are particularly interested in your policy on sea control of the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits given our location. A treaty of some kind may be organized during the negotiations if you agree to it.

(OOC: To stop crowding your thread and allow some actual RPing of this, I'd request that we move to this (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=94743) thread or another one specifically tasked to the negotiations. If you want to just move to my diplomatic thread (linked above), simply make an IC post on the thread about a representative/envoy/ambassador/what have you en route to Kiev. As for having actual claims on Ukraine, well, I'm in the same boat you're in - it's not really official, but I use it and haven't had any problems thus far. I'd eventually be interested in constructing a Ferrussian embassy in Tel Aviv, if you'll allow it. Perhaps it could be decided in the negotiations.)

OOC: Cool, I'll check in there in a bit. Right now I'm busy but I'll try to prepare for that. Hmmm, one negotiation for friendly issues and another to prevent war, an RP about war and who knows what else.

While the Western Asian military bases on Madagascar, the St. Helena Islands, the Madeiras, and the Azores have not only been established but are running well and safely in conjunction with local civilian populations, hot spots of political unrest seem to be breaking out across the world.

The Collapse of W.A.S., the former West African slaver nation, was an unfortunate result of anti-slaver intervention against the Ouidah Corporation, but many right wing pundits now argue that an enslaved totalitarian nation that they now say is a breeding ground for Communist philosophies. The recent crisis in the Sniper Country domain of Tanzania, spawned of Eredron's attempted invasion of that territory leaves a nasty taste in the mouth of a continuing string of concerns for the citizens of the USWA. The ongoing confusion in Panama is cause for concern as Western Asian peacekeeping forces have reportedly been mobilized to bring order to the nation.

It was in the midst of this sudden upsurge in WA involvement elsewhere in the world that the IDF Naval Corps (IDFNC) has announced the fielding of several rennovations and innovations in naval warfare: a 4th Generation Supercavitating Torpedo, an improved Laser Generation system that could replace the Navalized MTHEL systems currently used to defend against large missile and rocket threats to IDF fleets, an innovative artillery system that could mean a greater striking power and range for the Navy's ships at reduced costs...and a major reorganization of the Navy's Order of Battle, or how the massive Western Asian fleets are placed and deployed.

The IDFNC announced that the older ordering and deployment patterns of vessels had been found to be insufficient to meet the tactical scalability and deployment needs of Western Asia. To better meet those needs, it announced, the Navy would consider cutting and merging some 'redundant' fleets while fleet elements are dispersed and organized to cover the entire world, with an emphasis on the defense Western Asian interests and territorial possessions, with a "naval network of deployed fleets, ship and aircraft patrols, and intelligence systems." The latest designs revealed today backed those claims and announced set of goals.

The fourth generation of the Navy's Supercavitating torpedo has met the range and guidance problems that the supercavitating torpedos face while maintaining the distinct advantage of the unit. At least 2 new products emerge from this announcement: an improved torpedo (Mark 63 Mod 3, supercavitating) and a Submarine- or Ship-launched missile that bears the Mk. 63-3 like the ASROC ASuW system.
The basic torpedo design has been revised and key components have been updated using modern technologies unavailable during the initial fielding of the Mk. 63 and which were not included in the Mod 1 and 2 upgrade programs. A fiber-optic tow-cable can now be used to guide the missile through a tangle of enemy ships so that the torpedo can find its exact target. In addition, an upgraded Vortex Thrust engine design improves the thrust per unit fuel consumed, so the top speed is now a stunning 380mph, almost twice that of the first generation systems. In spite of the speed increase, the unit has also extended its range to almost 15miles (about 3 times that of the first generation weapon).
Missile versions allow the Mk. 63-3 to be 'thrown' by the RUM-154 Vertical Launch ASSROC (Anti-Submarine Supercavitating Rocket (ASSROC) or VLAS to a distance many miles from the launching vessel, at which point the Mk. 63-3 is dropped into the water (at a preset GPS or relative position) and, once it finds the intended target by an attached sonar detection system, drops the detector and makes way for the target at its top speed. A similar option for the conventional Mk. 63-3 would reportedly allow IDF submarines to 'smart mine' an area. As the press release reported, a Mk. 63-3 with the attached guidance unit could be placed in an area ahead of an enemy fleet and then, when the fleet vessels are detected by the passive sonar, the torpedos could be sent to attack the vessels.


The IDFNC also announced that its weapons researchers had recently entered advanced stages of research into a diode-pumped solid-state laser version of the venerable MTHEL system. The new system was used in tests that proved, at least initially, that it had matched the capabilities of the MTHEL, although with a significantly smaller footprint on below-deck space and consequent crew demands. The system fired twenty successive shots, destroying both supersonic and subsonic targets, fired in groups and singly, that approached the test platform from a variety of directions with a number of different headings. These tests are believed to be a proper simulation of a missile-heavy naval combat environment and the proven capabilities of this electrical, rather than chemical, laser were reportedly well-received within the Naval Corps. The news release for that development included a mention that "finished systems could potentially be found on IDF vessels within 3 years' time."


The final system announced was the deployment of a testing vessel, a modified Defender-class Trimaran Patrol Corvette, that would be the first mainline Western Asian vessel to carry and employ an electromagnetic rail gun. This vessel will test both a 3in and a 155mm version of the system using a hypersonic Kinetic Energy projectile to strike an uninhabited island structure in the central Indian Ocean. With an expected range of some 200+ miles, the ship will be testing the practical use of the weapon to consider employment, tactics, and limitations of the system. The testing area will be cleared and monitored my MADACOM patrol craft and the data will be collected by unmanned platforms placed around and on the rocky patch of land. The vessel left port on the Red Sea two days ago under escort and is expected to return to Madagascar in about 2 months with final testing results. Such a system could both provide a long-range, low-cost strike capability and a direct-fire system that could be used to pelt enemy vessels or small craft with heavy rounds that would disable small vessels and rip through the armoring of heavier enemy ships. The 40 pound and 3 foot-long (in the 155mm version) projectiles would not contain or demand any chemical explosives and so could be easily stored without fire hazard concerns. The relatively high rate of fire of this type of system would allow WA vessels to strike enemy targets dozens of miles inland without resorting to expensive cruise missiles or explosives. A second, larger vessel, is reportedly being fitted with prototype 8in guns for use against enemy capitol ships and larger targets, although many IDFNC commanders admit that such larger caliber weapons would have a limited, at most, employment.

One of these days I'm going to copy you, a news page is reallly really useful. :D

One of these days I'm going to copy you, a news page is reallly really useful. :D

Hehe, it's been damn useful in keeping a lot of long-term threads in order without filling up my (already ridiculously long) favorites list with more links. I also like it because it provides a review of WA-held territories for claims purposes.

One of these days I'm going to copy you, a news page is reallly really useful. :D

Hehe, it's been damn useful in keeping a lot of long-term threads in order without filling up my (already ridiculously long) favorites list with more links. I also like it because it provides a review of WA-held territories for claims purposes.

Exactly, otherwise you have to create more and more threads which nobody will ever read.

One of these days I'm going to copy you, a news page is reallly really useful. :D

Hehe, it's been damn useful in keeping a lot of long-term threads in order without filling up my (already ridiculously long) favorites list with more links. I also like it because it provides a review of WA-held territories for claims purposes.

Exactly, otherwise you have to create more and more threads which nobody will ever read.

Wait...somebody reads my threads? :shock: There's news! :D :wink:

Update: The RP report of the testing of WA railgun systems is now published here (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=6586952).