NationStates Jolt Archive

South Indian Ocean, 1500 miles ESE of Madagascar
Time: 0540 hours Zulu

On the bridge of the Weapons Test Vessel Titan, a Defender-class Trimaran Patrol Corvette, Captain Yotan Hermann runs a systems check before the testing begins.

The TacCom Screens show a half-dozen larger vessels in the area…all either data collection or security vessels, but all Western Asian. The mostly empty hull of another ship sits about 10km off, where it has been anchored in place by a tug vessel.

The test systems (a pair of guns, 3in and 155mm, sit on the stern and bow of the ship) are each watched by a handful of high-speed cameras and video recorders. Researchers on the Titan and in the nearby command vessel watch these monitors and set recording stations to begin documenting the upcoming test.

On Captain Hermann’s touch screen, some three-dozen red boxes begin to blink to green and within two minutes his screen glows green as the last of the boxes switches to show that the shipboard systems are prepared for the test.

"Begin targeting sequence," orders Yotan, to which a group of four junior officers respond with "Aye, aye captain." Two of the Junior officers, their hands set firmly on joysticks in front of them, move the guns around to face southeast until a display in front of them confirms that the anchored target (near Ile Amsterdam) should now be right in the cross-hairs of the guns’ new rounds. The other two officers convey orders to personnel around ship for crew members to report to testing stations.

The completion of these tasks appears on the captain’s touch screen as a pair of alerts. He pulls up three video images, one of each gun…and one relayed from the target zone, before he sets the test into its final stage. "Confirm targeting and fire at will."

The weapons officers pop open a switch cover, flick their switches to "armed." And confirm their targeting as they pull the triggers on their guns. In response, the ship’s engines and auxiliary systems ‘brown out’ for a moment as the rail guns within the guns become energized.

A 40lb, 3 foot long tungsten round (wrapped in a conductive sabot) is propelled up and out of the 155mm gun at Mach 7 and is almost immediately out of sight, leaving only the falling sabot casing and a massive sonic boom in its wake. A few seconds later, the scene is repeated in the slightly smaller 3in gun. The onboard computers store the official launch times as 05:52:30 and 05:52:40.

South Indian Ocean, 200 miles SE of the WTV Titan
Time: 0554 hours

About 15miles from Ile Amsterdam sits the large floating target…really a group of rafts that have been lashed together and anchored on a small, semi-submerged island. The surface is covered with GPS receivers, cameras, and monitoring equipment.

On Ile Amsterdamn itself, observers in aircraft and on the ground monitor the signals from the platform and watch for signs of the impact of the rounds. Information feeds from satellites seem to confirm that the rounds hav adjusted their course.

Time: 05:58:10 hours
Under six minutes from the launch time, the 155mm-class KE projectile strikes the platform. The 5,000fps impact is slightly predated by a massive shockwave from the projectile’s supersonic transit, but before any observers hear it the projectile has already vaporized a large central section of the platform and has burrowed deep into the rocks beneath. The 3in-class KE projectile strikes a few meters away, with an equally impressive, if somewhat smaller, effect.

The sonic booms of the projectiles are picked up by the stations about Ile Amsterdam. Knighthawk helicopters make for the target platform, where they record an aerial view of the holes left by the test shots. The massive holes are still smoking slightly when the aircraft arrive at the site. Researchers land to measure the size of the holes and also gather data from seismic detection units using handheld computers.

The researchers soon return to their helicopters and are whisked away to the safety of Ile Amsterdam. A radio signal is sent to the Titan giving Capt. Hermann an "all clear."

It is then that Phase II of the testing is commenced. A half-dozen rounds are launched from first one gun and then, a few minutes later, by the other gun.

The observers at Ile Amsterdam note the accuracy of the shots and report them to Hermann, who sends the ship through moving-while-shooting practice to test the targeting systems.

Again, the dozen rounds all land on their mark or within 10-15m of it.


South Indian Ocean, 1500 miles ESE of Madagascar
Time: 1330 hours Zulu

The second part of the weapons testing exercises: direct fire and short-range engagements.

The ship’s radars and remote submersible scout units point out the ‘enemy’ ship’s location for Yotan Hermann’s gunners. The gunners level their crosshairs on the image of the target’s location and each gives his trigger a single squeeze.

The shots boom as a white cone of mist forms along the pressure wavefront before the shots slam into the emptied vessel. Cameras and sensors on the deck and throughout the vessel record the impacts…as the ship jumps slightly sideways with each hit. The rounds release their pressure waves within the vessel, overpressuring the passages near the impact with deadly (for human beings) overpressures. Infrastructure inside the ship is ripped apart as the rounds burrow deep into the structure. The 3in shell actually lands towards the bow of the vessel and goes right through the ship, bending the entire section around it as it passes.

The follow-on shot series of 3 shots each rip the target vessel to shreds as the close grouping leaves massive gaps in the superstructure and hull. Sensors register that the engine, command section, fuel stores, and main munitions storage section would all have been hit were the vessel an active, normal enemy vessel. The side and front of the ship looks a fair bit like swiss cheese by the time the captain calls off the exercise.

Once the systems have been deactivated and the target ship retrieved, the flotilla heads for Ile Amsterdam for a few day’s rest and some analysis of the data.


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.

OOC: Highly advanced nations might've detected the small objects passing out of and back down into the atmosphere. Beth Gellan units on Madagascar would certainly have been informed of the testing and might have officers aboard to observe the testing. The above quoted announcement was in the public (international) domain on GINA (the Greater Israeli News Agency) and so wise and interested nations might be watching the ships and target zone.

I'm pretty content to have this just be an announcement of new tech, but related RPing is welcome.

(OOC: Oh, I was going to post something about Marathon surveillance aircraft flitting about with their Spectre of Communism Radar and what not, until I caught the last bit. Anyway, yes, a tag. I shall read properly later and give a better response, but right now I am painfully sleepy. Perhaps Portmeirion will finally get around to some military modernisations following this.)

(OOC: Oh, I was going to post something about Marathon surveillance aircraft flitting about with their Spectre of Communism Radar and what not, until I caught the last bit. Anyway, yes, a tag. I shall read properly later and give a better response, but right now I am painfully sleepy. Perhaps Portmeirion will finally get around to some military modernisations following this.)
OOC: Haha, well, it's good to know that you're still around here. I'll eventually throw together some specs for that MANPADS.

"Let me get this straight..." Started the little Commonwealth Consul comrade Jon Barrie, an absolute military novice and pacifist assigned to observe the event in the slightly suspicious absence of military higher-ups. "...they just shot that out of the atmosphere and back down on the target? Would that make scoring a hit against a manouevering target somewhat harder?"

The little bald man squinted up to the sky.

"I suppose it... they wouldn't know it was coming, from that range... can it... I'm told our 3" frigate guns are dual purpose..."

Why did that damned Kezo pull-out? He wondered. He understands this flashy stuff.

Back in The Commonwealth, Nicholas Kezo, Graeme Igo, and General Ilmari Tedeski were otherwise engaged in a conference with Father, back on Beth Gellen soil for the first time since the civil war and the sinking of the Iansislian advance fleet.

#tagged

"So what do you think?" Admiral Mazurwe asked, looking at the trid projection of the message and the related ship.

"I doubt they can find our craft," Captain Rowan Shoe stated bluntly. "As soon as they fire one of those, we can compute their location and move in without them noticing."

"Yes, but our missiles are rated at 150 clicks."

"So, get the Skipper-4 people to work faster," Commander Jo Storm suggested.
"Besides, if they get Thor online, it won't matter much anyway."

"Good point." captain Shoe agreed.

Very nice, WA. I doubt any of my single-hulled modified Albatrosses would be able to carry something like that.

But still, very nice.

Where did you read about that? Popular Science? That's where I read about it.

OOC: LRR, you've got me. I heard about it earlier but I (rightly, it appears) didn't trust the belief of many NS'ers that it somehow works normally (it requires the mid-flight corrections, as the article states...and leaves the atmosphere for that range).
IC:
"Let me get this straight..." Started the little Commonwealth Consul comrade Jon Barrie, an absolute military novice and pacifist assigned to observe the event in the slightly suspicious absence of military higher-ups. "...they just shot that out of the atmosphere and back down on the target? Would that make scoring a hit against a manouevering target somewhat harder?"

The little bald man squinted up to the sky.

"I suppose it... they wouldn't know it was coming, from that range... can it... I'm told our 3" frigate guns are dual purpose..."

Why did that damned Kezo pull-out? He wondered. He understands this flashy stuff.

Back in The Commonwealth, Nicholas Kezo, Graeme Igo, and General Ilmari Tedeski were otherwise engaged in a conference with Father, back on Beth Gellen soil for the first time since the civil war and the sinking of the Iansislian advance fleet.

"Consul comrade Barrie, allow me to remind you that it is my job to make this technology accessable to your people," began Deputy Commander Yosi Eisen, "and I can assure you that, with the right reconnaisance, we can hit most ships before they have a chance to react.

"As long as we have their coordinates down, even if they change course once the round has reached it's peak, we can adjust its trajectory to strike at the new projected location. And, of course, if it's a direct-fire issue there's no time for them to dodge it." Yosi allows himself a slight chuckle, which might take the pacifistic Consul off guard. "But the best part is that our crews wouldn't need to handle as much explosives or chemicals. The new rounds these days each need their own charge level and it's looking more and more like the liquid-propellant proponents are winning that battle."

"Did you have some more specific questions, sir?"

"Mh, yes, I rather thought..." Said Barrie as he was told about the direct fire. "The, ah, well, being as this is all apparently quite new and ...high-tech, how sure are we of the reliability... the, ah, lifespan and ease of up-keep, compared to conventional systems? Perhaps in some configurations it might take-over the job of more than one system..." He mused. From his point of view, as representative of a generally peaceful state run entirely by the well educated people, cost was a significant concern. Of course, Barrie was yet unaware of the Igovian (authoritarian socialist) coup in effect at The Village in the Beth Gellen capital. He did appear quite impressed, thoughout, it must be added.

"Mh, yes, I rather thought..." Said Barrie as he was told about the direct fire. "The, ah, well, being as this is all apparently quite new and ...high-tech, how sure are we of the reliability... the, ah, lifespan and ease of up-keep, compared to conventional systems? Perhaps in some configurations it might take-over the job of more than one system..." He mused. From his point of view, as representative of a generally peaceful state run entirely by the well educated people, cost was a significant concern. Of course, Barrie was yet unaware of the Igovian (authoritarian socialist) coup in effect at The Village in the Beth Gellen capital. He did appear quite impressed, thoughout, it must be added.
OOC: Any linkage about this coup?
IC:
"Ah, I think I get what you're trying to say...well, that's part of what these tests are about. We ran several hundred test-fires in a laboratory environment to check on the wear and reliability of these systems. There was an unusually large amount of...well...decay of the parallel beam structures in the guns, the rails themselves, that is. Our developers figured out a new system where the rails can be relatively easily replaced...but we are working on some wear-reduction systems that have pushed the lifetime to about 240 to 300 shots before replacement.

"The main difference, as the briefing in Madagascar stated, the main issue is the reliability of the electrical power source. All other major components, the capacitors and chips, are built into modular components that can be removed and replaced in about 30seconds in cases of electrical failure or overload. Our current designs call for two capacitor sections and one control section to be stored near every turret with several more in reserve. But even this is just precaution as we've experienced no such problems in testing.

"These systems mostly save costs on new vessels, since the rounds are completely inert, there is no need to worry about fires or onboard explosions and so the rounds can be stored in any available space...without extra armoring. The main advantages we've planned is an increased reaction time in battle to surprise events and an improved ability to strike at time-critical targets during support operations or strikes against enemy structures from far away...without using up an expensive cruise missile.

"The direct-fire capacity is, we admit, disappointing since the rounds are difficult to equip with explosive warheads while maintaining the current safety levels, but our next-generation testing calls for the installation of some 3in and 155mm ERGs on a group of retiring Shore Bombardment Vessels...and to take them out for some testing. The idea would be that the SBVs could then support our forces past the current 40mi range of their MLRs and 16in main guns. If the idea spreads, these guns would see deployment on specialized bombardment craft and battleships...a few might even be placed on aircraft carriers as high-impact self-defense systems. But I'm getting ahead of myself..." the Deputy Commander, previously excited and looking off into the distance somewhat, regains his calm as he looks seriously at the Consul. "The truth is that some of our commanders are not happy about the lack of a high explosive warhead capacity...these traditionalists don't see the benefit of a round that doesn't explode in spectacular fireworks and don't believe that a Kinetic round could have the same impact on enemy forces as an explosive charge going off...and, in some cases, they're right. But I believe that these tests will jump-start the ERG program."

"Now, however, it is getting late. Captain Hermann is due to meet us at dinner, we should continue our discussions in the mess hall."

The Consul seemed to understand. He was satisfied with the information given, and expressed such with a few nods and, "mhm"s.

(As for the possible coup: http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=341625 I'm not sure how much sense it'll make to people who aren't... me, but there we go. Basically, people are free and well provided for under the current pure communist system, but they're nostalgic for the glorious days of strength under the Premier, and feel that nothing much has happened since he (Sopworth Igo (AKA Father), son of Graeme Igo) stepped down and became something of a rogue, backing hard-line communists around the world through contacts made as premier (he is believed to have sold nuclear secrets to Dra-pol (which is North Korea), which were recently used against the South))

Western Asia, I heard somewhere that you use the CV-90 IFV I believe.

If so, you may be interested in a little project of mine, the CV-90P:

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=6602353&posted=1#post6602353

OOC: Shite...I wrote up a long post and hit post...but I guess it never quite made it to the page...so I'll cover everything OOCly.

LRR, I spoke about the CV90 family with you in the Greater Israel board...where I looked at some of your designs and spoke about the SEP/MATS next-gen to CV90 systems I was developing/fielding. As of now, most WA APCs and light vehicles are SEP/MATS family units with the old WA CV90s and M113/Zelda I/IIs relegated to national guard units, foreign military aid, target practice, or are stored in warehouses at strategic military sites (for use if outpost military bases, such as on Guam or Madagascar, need to have a "rush" military presence). Thanks tho.

BG, I had something about a fancy dinner and all of the officers then going to the Captain's Library/Screening room (since it's a test platform, some extra niceties are provided for the research crews) to watch videos beamed from Ile Amsterdam as the ship steams for that island where more weapons tests will be conducted...if you have any more questions or whatnot then the scene is the library and you can feel free to ask any of the characters whatever your fellow wants...or you can have the news of the revolution break (It was just broadcast by GINA nightly news in another thread...so the crew would hear).

Comrade Barrie was of course rather shocked by the coup. Had he been back in The Commonwealth when it began, he would have been one of those passively opposed. Word of the Commonwealth Final Senate's backing of the coup visibly calmed the little man, though. He spent quite some time in soothing his slightly shaken aura and repeatedly thanking his hosts for their hospitality until he had finally pulled himself together.

(OOC: Sorry, not much progress there really, eh? I was thinking of having him admit that BG would now likely be more interested in throwing money at new ideas like this, but if I'm honest I think for BG's part I'd rather not venture too far from what's already practical, tech wise. I couldn't really tell you why, but I'm happy to interact with it and learn some idle bits, but perhaps not to employ it as standard, myself. I'm boring! :) )

OOC: Naw, it's fine. I just wanted to get this tech on the table for my next generation of SBV/Battleships...just like one or two of the 3in or 155mm versions on a ship with many other systems...it'll be out soon (I've just gotta concentrate enough to pull together these sketches and plans).

IC: The Crew were very cautious around the man, and tried to ease his shock a bit. A plane was prepared on Ile Amsterdam to bear him back to Beth Gellert should he wish it. Until then, Deputy Commander Eisen offered the man his aid and support.

OOC: bleh.

Off of Ile Amsterdam

The Titan sits anchored near the target platform, with its entourage of guard and obeserver vessels floating nearby. Captain Hermann and Deputy Commander Eisen are aboard the target platform along with several IDF officials, as they inspect the damage inflicted by the ERG strikes. The rounds have actually vaporized a fair patch of the areas around where they hit and there are numerous fractures and compression marks on the sheet metal armoring that was set up as the target. The four feet of metal plating is completely smashed through or destroyed around the strike sites. Areas fitted with ERA or other advanced armoring systems are similarly destroyed, with the best armoring systems' power only shown by the relatively small size of the holes...although none of the tested armoring systems did very well in any case.

The next testing was an evaluation of the ERGs' low-altitude ballistic indirect fire potential. Instead of the complex course-adjusting rounds, these slugs are basically "dumb" penetrators with stabilizing fins.

Another target ship...this time a retired HBC, with its heavy armoring still mostly intact...sits about 60mi away. The men retire to their respective vessels to prepare for the next stage of testing.

tag

OOC: Shite...I wrote up a long post and hit post...but I guess it never quite made it to the page...so I'll cover everything OOCly.

LRR, I spoke about the CV90 family with you in the Greater Israel board...where I looked at some of your designs and spoke about the SEP/MATS next-gen to CV90 systems I was developing/fielding. As of now, most WA APCs and light vehicles are SEP/MATS family units with the old WA CV90s and M113/Zelda I/IIs relegated to national guard units, foreign military aid, target practice, or are stored in warehouses at strategic military sites (for use if outpost military bases, such as on Guam or Madagascar, need to have a "rush" military presence). Thanks tho.

BG, I had something about a fancy dinner and all of the officers then going to the Captain's Library/Screening room (since it's a test platform, some extra niceties are provided for the research crews) to watch videos beamed from Ile Amsterdam as the ship steams for that island where more weapons tests will be conducted...if you have any more questions or whatnot then the scene is the library and you can feel free to ask any of the characters whatever your fellow wants...or you can have the news of the revolution break (It was just broadcast by GINA nightly news in another thread...so the crew would hear).

OCC: Ok. Just in case you were interested.

Hey, would it be possible to perhaps send observers to the weapons testing site? The LRRN has no technology that comes close to what's here, and would probably be interested in a glimpse of the future, however far off it might be for themselves. Unless you can put it on a missile boat, the LRRN is probably unlikely to give it too much thought, because a missile boat fleet of around 800 craft is just about all it can afford to keep at something close to a fearsome combat standard.

OCC: Ok. Just in case you were interested.

Hey, would it be possible to perhaps send observers to the weapons testing site? The LRRN has no technology that comes close to what's here, and would probably be interested in a glimpse of the future, however far off it might be for themselves. Unless you can put it on a missile boat, the LRRN is probably unlikely to give it too much thought, because a missile boat fleet of around 800 craft is just about all it can afford to keep at something close to a fearsome combat standard.
OOC: Sure thing...just RP them on Ile Amsterdam and being choppered out to the Titan on a Seahawk or aboard the boat...ask Deputy Commander Eisen any questions your people have or comment to any crewmember.

As far as the size/power requirements, it seems that a missile boat might have a hard time with this unit, both due to the weights of the system, the energy requirements (ie, this usually "brownouts" smaller vessels such as the Titan, which is slightly larger than the size of a Sa'ar 5 vessel (~85.6 meters although trimaran, being the primary non-Sa'ar 5 patrol corvette)...although cruisers, heavy cruisers, and battleships tend to be able to operate the systems without as much of a noticable effect. A Sa'ar 4.5-sized vessel (61.7 meters might be a bit small, but could accomodate a 3in version or even a double-battery of 3in guns if a dedicated generator/power system was installed)...of course, another issue is the matter of storage...there are no explosives, but there still needs to be plenty of ammunition storage space.

If you're lookin for missile-boat appropriate weapons then I'd suggest looking at the Typhoon family of stabilized gun systems (http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/naval/typhoon/Typhoon.html), especially the Typhoon G, Typhoon GSA, and the Typhoon GS (NTD). The miniTyphoon is also a nice way of placing firepower without exposing men on the deck. These should be appropriate for missile boat operations, while larger gun systems might be reserved for corvettes and frigates...which can bear larger and more demanding systems. As for the LRR fleet, I might recommend decomissioning 100 of those 800 units and replacing them with 30 corvettes and 15 Frigates...which shouldn't cost that much more to maintain but can carry on longer patrols while bearing heavier weapons systems. A few modern Diesel/Electric subs might be nice to have for general patrols. In any case, with 800 missile boats I hope you have a couple thousand patrol boats/fast strike craft to round out your force and patrol where missile boats aren't needed/useful. The Super Dvora Mk II/III (http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/naval/super_dvora2/SuperDvora2.html) and Shaldag Mk II (http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/naval/shaldag2/Shaldag2.html) or versions of the CB90 (http://www.defense-update.com/products/c/CB90.htm) (very conveniently, WAAMA has members that own each of the manufacturing companies in NS ;) ).

tag

OOC: Sure thing...just RP them on Ile Amsterdam and being choppered out to the Titan on a Seahawk or aboard the boat...ask Deputy Commander Eisen any questions your people have or comment to any crewmember.

As far as the size/power requirements, it seems that a missile boat might have a hard time with this unit, both due to the weights of the system, the energy requirements (ie, this usually "brownouts" smaller vessels such as the Titan, which is slightly larger than the size of a Sa'ar 5 vessel (~85.6 meters although trimaran, being the primary non-Sa'ar 5 patrol corvette)...although cruisers, heavy cruisers, and battleships tend to be able to operate the systems without as much of a noticable effect. A Sa'ar 4.5-sized vessel (61.7 meters might be a bit small, but could accomodate a 3in version or even a double-battery of 3in guns if a dedicated generator/power system was installed)...of course, another issue is the matter of storage...there are no explosives, but there still needs to be plenty of ammunition storage space.

If you're lookin for missile-boat appropriate weapons then I'd suggest looking at the Typhoon family of stabilized gun systems (http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/naval/typhoon/Typhoon.html), especially the Typhoon G, Typhoon GSA, and the Typhoon GS (NTD). The miniTyphoon is also a nice way of placing firepower without exposing men on the deck. These should be appropriate for missile boat operations, while larger gun systems might be reserved for corvettes and frigates...which can bear larger and more demanding systems. As for the LRR fleet, I might recommend decomissioning 100 of those 800 units and replacing them with 30 corvettes and 15 Frigates...which shouldn't cost that much more to maintain but can carry on longer patrols while bearing heavier weapons systems. A few modern Diesel/Electric subs might be nice to have for general patrols. In any case, with 800 missile boats I hope you have a couple thousand patrol boats/fast strike craft to round out your force and patrol where missile boats aren't needed/useful. The Super Dvora Mk II/III (http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/naval/super_dvora2/SuperDvora2.html) and Shaldag Mk II (http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/naval/shaldag2/Shaldag2.html) or versions of the CB90 (http://www.defense-update.com/products/c/CB90.htm) (very conveniently, WAAMA has members that own each of the manufacturing companies in NS ;) ).


OCC: Ok. But LRRN missile boats are actually quite good craft. They double (more or less) as patrol boats. They are actually pretty nifty combat vessels, and very reliable, not just some throwaway craft. The Spike class (monohul, 57 meters) is believed to be one of the better missile boats on NS. It can self-right.

But yeah, the LRRN doesn't actually have 800 missile boats, more like 400, with 50 Skjold MOD (renamed son house) and 70 Howlin' Wolf corvettes, and 40 missile frigates. There actually are around 700 CB-90s in LRRN service, however.

http://www.specwarnet.com/europe/SwedishSOF1_kustjager.jpg

LRRA paratroopers (yes, paratroopers, since they are used as light infantry for the defense of the many archipelagos in LRR waters) disembarking from an LRRN CB-90H.

IC:

Over Ile Amsterdam, a Nimrod prepares to make a landing. A very unusual choice for a courier aircraft, it was requisitioned to carry an LRRN team out to observe WA weapons testing, always an interesting duty.

The Nimrod extends flaps and landing gear, extra heavy-duty domestic models, and puts down on the tarmac. At the airport terminal, the LRRN delegation gets off and is transferred to an awaiting seahawk, an odd sight to an officer accustomed to looking out on a Ka-27.

After a short flight, they are out on the Titan.

OCC: Ok. But LRRN missile boats are actually quite good craft. They double (more or less) as patrol boats. They are actually pretty nifty combat vessels, and very reliable, not just some throwaway craft. The Spike class (monohul, 57 meters) is believed to be one of the better missile boats on NS. It can self-right.

But yeah, the LRRN doesn't actually have 800 missile boats, more like 400, with 50 Skjold MOD (renamed son house) and 70 Howlin' Wolf corvettes, and 40 missile frigates. There actually are around 700 CB-90s in LRRN service, however.

http://www.specwarnet.com/europe/SwedishSOF1_kustjager.jpg

LRRA paratroopers (yes, paratroopers, since they are used as light infantry for the defense of the many archipelagos in LRR waters) disembarking from an LRRN CB-90H.
OOC: haha, that sounds more like it! I wasn't doubting your missile boats, only commenting on the idea of a missileboat-only naval force (not a balanced light force as you present). Oh, btw, have you ever heard of the Marine Alutech Jurmo-class (http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/patrol/marine_allu/index.html)? It's a great small-scale troop transport that I've had fielded within the IDF for quite a while (although operations employing them have not been numerous). The G-boat in that link might also be good, but for my money a CB-90 or RHIB-type boat are better for that size of group (and I don't think that saddle-type seating is likely to be very comfortable at sea state 3-5...).

IC:Over Ile Amsterdam, a Nimrod prepares to make a landing. A very unusual choice for a courier aircraft, it was requisitioned to carry an LRRN team out to observe WA weapons testing, always an interesting duty.

The Nimrod extends flaps and landing gear, extra heavy-duty domestic models, and puts down on the tarmac. At the airport terminal, the LRRN delegation gets off and is transferred to an awaiting seahawk, an odd sight to an officer accustomed to looking out on a Ka-27.

After a short flight, they are out on the Titan.

On the helicopter deck of the Titan, the LRRN team is greeted by Captain Hermann and DepCo Eisen as well as several Civilian Western Asian officials and other IDFNC Officers. The men are shown to their rooms, where they are instructed upon the use of their video screens and are given access to the previous testing videos. With this complete, a message appears on their video screens:

"If the Honorable delegation from Lunatic Retard Robots would do us the pleasure, we kindly request your presence on the Bridge as we prepare for the third stage of this first test run of the Electromagnetic Rail Gun system.

- Captain Yotan Hermann, Commander of the WTV Titanp, IDFNC."

Captain Roger Clegg, the senior officer in the delegation, leads the five LRRN officers up to the bridge of the Titan. He climbs up and salutes the bridge crew in general, and looks around for the captain of the corvette.

OCC: Yes, I have heard of the Jurmo and I used it for a little while, but it was never big with the LRRN. The coastal defense command prefers converted larger landing craft, something that could carry a tank. Some Zubrs are also used by the LRRN coastal defense forces, as are smaller patrol hovercraft.

With the LRR delegates on the bridge, the ship sails out to commence the final stage of the tests.

Using UAVs launched from the ship about 15 minutes earlier, the crew begin to target two floating targets...retired and stripped-down frigates...while the UAVs and observation ships prepare for the testing cycle.

The guns are cued and crew members use the computerized loading system to dial up the low-angle ballistic unguided rounds. Again, a sequence of system checks is initated and the Captain soon sees his "all green" screen once again. With all systems checked and ready for the test, the Captain gives his permission to the Weapons Techs and soon the 3" gun has unleashed a 4-shot burst. The rounds are slowed more rapidly in the denser atmosphere so close to the ground (although the rounds end up peaking their ballistic arch a couple thousand feet into the air) but still strike at close to Mach 5...more than 60miles from the launch vessel. The four rounds are spread across the first target vessel, with one striking the superstructure as the others are spread along the hull...two towards the bow and one at the rear, which destroys the old helicopter pad area. Each strike visibly moves the target vessel a bit. The video links provide recordings of all four strikes, which are played on the main command screen for the benefit of both the Western Asian and foreign officials. Another two bursts, of 8 and 16 shots respectively, are fired at the test vessel, which begins to list and sink as water enters the shattered bulkheads. Tow vessels rush in to stabilize and drag off the empty vessel before the testing data and equipment are all lost to the floor of the Indian Ocean.

This process is repeated with the 155mm gun on the second target vessel, which sits about 80miles distant, with equally impressive results. The rounds easily shred the target vessels and prove that even a low-altitude ballistic arc can be used to achieve long-range strikes on enemy vessels.

"Very impressive," comments Captain Clegg. "I think my government might be interested in purchasing some of these systems for coastal artillery batteries."