NationStates Jolt Archive

The IndianSoviet Commonwealth, operating as it does a socialist economy (and quite possibly the world's largest, at that), produces all of its defence equipment domestically.

This thread documents such hardware, from the small-arms and workshop-produced explosives of the gigantic Militia Auxiliary to the fighter jets and warships of the Expert Corps branches.

Quick Equipment Overview

Regular Forces

*BG-Rifle-Bayonet 8"/20cm with co-functional sheath

*D41 DAG Automatic Pistol of 9.3x21mm-BG-bottleneck
*BRES Weasel Personal Defence Weapon of 9.3x21mm-BG-bottleneck

*RK-100 Assault Rifle of 6.2x42mm

*RK-101 Multi-Role MachineGun of 6.2x42mm

*BRES Stoat Sniper's Rifle of 6.2x42mm
*OPA Yellow-38 Heavy Sniper's Rifle of 11x72mm

*XMG-G1 Heavy MachineGun of 17x126mm

*OPA BGMK3 Blast Fragmentation Grenade
*BRES Imp Infantry Mortar of 84mm
*JOS Llewyn Anti-Tank Rocket Unit of 102mm
*BRES Totem-3T Anti-Tank Guided-Missile System of 125mm
*MAL Saeth optical Man-Portable Surface-to-Air Missile System
*JAF Terrier infra-red Man-Portable Surface-to-Air Missile System

*BG-37 Anti-Aircraft Cannon of 37mm
*TG-7 Light Multi-Role Gun of 105mm
*TG-8 Towed Howitzer of 154mm

Reserve Forces

*D-33A/B Tokalert Automatic Pistol of 9x19mm

*Suomi SubMachine-Gun of 9x19mm
*L-2 Sterling SubMachine-Gun of 9x19mm

*RK-62 Assault Rifle of 7.62x39mm
*RK-76 Assault Rifle of 7.62x39mm
*RK-95 Assault Rifle of 7.62x39mm
*L1A1 Self Loading Rifle of 7.62x51mm

*L42A1 Sniping Rifle of 7.62x51mm


*FN MAG General Purpose MachineGun of 7.62x51mm
*FN M2HB/QCB Heavy MachineGun of 12.7x99mm

*Factory-Standard Molotov Cocktail Type 1/2/3
*Mills Grenade
*51mm Light Mortar
*L16A2 81mm Medium Mortar
*RPG-7 Anti-Tank Rocket Unit

*BG-30 Anti-Aircraft Cannon

SMALL ARMS AND PERSONAL WEAPONS OF THE COMMONWEALTH MILITIA EXPERT CORPS

Uniform Kit

This is as issued to all fighters volunteering for the CMEC, the Commonwealth's regular army such as it is. Soldiers are not obliged to wear it, and some still choose to enter battle partly or entirely naked, impractical as it may seem.

-Based on layered clothing and providing NBC and ballistic protection and carriage of equipment
-Includes underwear, T-shirt, insulating layer of shirt and trousers, camouflage suit including pockets for insertion of elbow and knee pads and with other pockets positioned to allow access when wearing armour, snow suit, trench coat and winter trousers, winter and summer caps, boot socks, removable felt lining, half-boots, rubber boots and winter boots, leather gloves and knitted mittens, shrapnel vest, composite helmet, active-carbon midlayer and protective mask, rucksack and equipment bag, battle belt.

-D41 Dag Automatic Pistol

The modern Commonwealth has inherited a number of automatic pistols. The Lahti M/35 stands as probably the most popular with troops thanks to its reliability (a recoil-accelerator more normal in sub-machineguns helps the weapon's mechanism to shrug-off the ingress of dirt or impact of radical temperature pressures), but both the TT-33 -for its cheapness of manufacture- and the GP-35 Browning High-Power -for its favoured status in the old Geletian Kingdom- are far more common and familiar. These weapons exist in the 9x19mm and 7.62x25mm-bottlenecked calibres.

The new weapon takes much from those which came before.

The D41 [Pistol Model 4 Mark 1] is the first side-arm to be chambered for a new Igovian round, namely the 9.3x21mm-BG-bottleneck. This round was called for after the 7.62x25mm was found to lack weight and punch and the 9x19mm to be, after a century of widespread use, finally losing effectiveness in a military context. The new cartridge is bottlenecked as the 7.62 round, and the bullet elongated as well, but unlike the 7.62 it carries slightly more mass than the typical 9mm service round. The 9.3x21mm is a heavy, high-velocity round clearly designed for military use, with punch at short range and accuracy at long range. The standard introduced for service trials is a fairly long steel-core bullet fired by a high-pressure load of specialised powders intended to reduce flash and has a muzzle velocity in the order of 425m/s.

The Dag itself operates on a short-recoil principle as did the TT-33, GP-35, and M/35 before it. Specifically it is a continuation of the Colt-Browning dropping-barrel design seen in the M1911 and CZ-75 as well as the Beddgelen-familiar High-Power and Tokarev weapons, and like many of these it uses a shaped cam rather than the earlier link system.

Outwardly, the D41's debt to the CZ-75 is evident to a keen eye, bringing the Soviet designers' influences up to at least four or five pistols with more becoming apparent when investigating the adaptations made to other 'parent' weapons. One example is in how the Dag retains its firing pin by use of a plate rather than cross-pin: a change made to the TT-33 design when copied in North Korea and supposed to enhance survivability. The pistol's comfortable grip and the nature of the serrations at the rear of the slide indicate experience in previous foreign designs, including the CZ weapons as well as the Lahti, High-Power, and variations of the Tokarev such as Poland's, North Korea's, Yugoslavia's, and Hungary's for Egypt. It is worth noting that the mention of comfort is probably given with the large hands of a typical Geletian shooter in mind.

D41's internal construction adapts many features drawn from amongst its influences. It is robust, reliable in the face of dirt and temperature extremes, and it is cheaply manufactured. No fine-tuned target pistol, but an ideal military set-up. The hammer and lockwork are built in removable modules in order to ease both initial assembly and later field-repair, and, in the TT-33 tradition, the magazine housing and guide lips are formed to cheapen production while lessening demands on in-service care.

That magazine is a double-stacked affair, making the weapon bulkier than the TT-33, but this is something familiar to many Sovietists who handled double-stacked High-Power variants and the naturally large Lahti pistols. It is also worth noting again that well over ninety-percent of Igovian soldiers are Geletians of considerably greater size than most other modern humans. Beside this, it is considered that a slimmer pistol in the manner of the Tokarev examples would be horribly uncomfortable when firing the new 9.3mm ammunition. The magazine holds twelve rounds, which is nothing world-beating but represents a viable combat improvement over the TT-33 and M/35 that suffered single-column magazines.

Other features of the D41 are ambidexterous controls (safety, slide stop, magazine release) and top ribbed slide designed to reduce reflection. The sights are noticibly a little more modern than those of the Commonwealth's previous generation of pistols, all of which pre-dated the second world war.

The Dag has a 126mm (5in) barrel and is around 211mm (8.33in) in over-all length. It weighs 1,150g (2.5lb) unloaded and is certainly not light with a full magazine, but the trigger is easier than that of the Tokarev pistols and mass still inferior to that of the Lahti, so most Sovietists notice no undue tiredness with prolonged use of the weapon.

It is rumoured that the Soviet Commune is considering a Beddgelen-production Tokarev variant for standardised second-line use where there are insufficient L/35 Lahti to go-around the massive ranks of the Militia Auxiliary, though it is not even clear whether this would be a 7.62mm weapon unique only because of different production techniques in the Commonwealth, or a 9mm conversion like the Tokagypt or Model 70.

-RK-100 Assault Rifle (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/Chivtv/NS1/RK100.jpg)

Presently being phased in to service, the RK-100 is something of a revolution, with twice the first-shot hit probability of its contemporaries, and flexibility, reliability, and accuracy of truly world-beating standard thanks to features explained below. It is still possible to see the Kalashnikov heritage in this weapon, which replaces the very AK-like RK-95 in front-line service with the CMEC and the CMD.

The RK-100 uses extensive machining, having a milled receiver rather than a cheaper stamped one. This implies a weight increase, and that, to a degree, has been countered by the use in parts of the rifle of new plastics perfected only recently after decades of experience in heavy fighting under extreme climactic conditions, and by the adoption of a relatively compact bullpup configuration. The solid, high quality construction and proven base mechanism of the rifle make for a supremely reliable and hard-wearing weapon. Fairly radical features do suggest the possibility for marginally reduced reliability, but this would only really be the case were the new rifle an improvisation cramming features into an old frame... in fact the Soviet Commune is fortunate to face no great pressures to rush its weapons into service, feeling secure in a land protected by the epic Commonwealth Guard with its three generations of conventional RK rifles: precise dimensions were easilly perfected during careful trials and prototype stages, with nothing in the new rifle's dimensions owed to older weapons.

Evolved in part from the AK-47-origin mechanism of the earlier RK rifles, the RK-100 uses new elements related to modern Russian developments. It is a gas operated rotating bolt gun, but -since the decision to significantly re-tool Igovian first-rate production lines had already been reached- the design incorporates a counter-balancing synchroniser. This means that while the bolt is carrying backwards during operation, a gas-driven piston drives a compensating mass in the opposite direction, with this reaching its end point just as the bolt does thus countering the impulse that otherwise contributes to a rifle's travelling off target during automatic fire. With marginally smaller parts -thanks in part to the calibre change- relative to previous RKs and this new balanced mechanism, functioning parts each travel slightly less distance, which results in a higher rate of fire.

The Commonwealth has finally begun with the RK-100 to replace the 7.62x39mm round-of-convenience, adopting a new 6.2x42mm cartridge with a bullet that sports an interior air pocket. The result is recoil marginally above that of rival 5.56 or 5.45mm rifles -though still below that of previous Beddgelen rifles- but a longer bullet that has a flatter trajectory and which, with greater velocity, increases hit probability and generally improves performance at longer ranges. The bullet's energy -it being bigger than many modern rounds- remains high, and so stopping power is still good at closer ranges, superior, in fact, to modern small-calibre weapons. The air pocket itself of course requires that the bullet be made as long as it is, and its advantage is that it allows this trajectory-improving shape to be achieved without excessive weight gain taxing performance over longer ranges.

The RK-100 is heavily influenced by other assault rifles from both home and abroad, as its creators in the Soviet Commune will admit, and this is partly owing to the relative youth of the modern Beddgelen state, which has enjoyed only limited opportunites to really forge its own path after such a short and brutal life thus far.

Features include much of the AK's mechanism and some of the sturdier construction methods, the intermediate cartridge similar in dimension to experimental models from the UK and elsewhere, and an airpocket within the bullet as seen more recently in the Russian 5.45x39mm round but -Igovians will insist- demonstrated much earlier and less famously by the British using a modified .303". From the RK-95 this rifle takes its enlarged trigger guard, meant to enable the wearing of thick winter gloves while operating the weapon.

The bayonet bears some similarities to modern British weapons, especially when combined with the sheath. As with bayonets for the L85/SA80 rifles, RK-100's bayonet and sheath combine to provide an effective wire-cutting tool, and the sheath can be used to sharpen the blade and also incorporates a handy bottle-opener. It differs from its British inspiration in being slightly longer (blade around 20cm/8") and of arguably better construction thanks to the nature of Igovian socialist industry. It is also mounted with a mind to the heat-related problems that have been seen to afflict the L85's bayonet if left attached during firing.

Another feature apparently inspired by the British assault rifle is its optical sights, comparable to the oft-admired SUSAT and produced after some extensive experimentation under harsh Beddgelen climactic conditions. A clear and simple x4 magnification sight, its use of tritium to provide a glowing pointer furnishes a limited night-fighting ability, but the whole piece can be quickly exchanged for a dedicated battery-powered UV night sight. With these sights (plus basic iron sights), a bullpup arrangement enabling a reasonably long barrel, a balanced bolt and fairly high rate of fire, and an unusually flat trajectory provided by the new bullet, the Igovian Soviets have a rifle that is as remarkable for its accuracy as for its before-mentioned reliability. It typically exhibits more than twice the accuracy of conventional competators in general, and notably a radically improved first shot hit probability as well as significantly better accuracy during full-automatic fire.

Another feature is the ability to fire rifle grenades, which have a maximum range of significantly more than 300m. There is also the option for a silencer attachment. Magazine capacity is 32 rounds, and modes of fire are semi and fully automatic, with fighters being trained to provide their own burst fire and many auxiliaries encouraged to use the semi-automatic function. Rate of fire is 800rpm.

The RK-100 is 815mm/32" long with a 500mm/19.75" barrel, and its empty weight is around 4kg/8.8lb.

-RK-101 Multi-Role Machinegun (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/Chivtv/NS1/RK101.jpg)

This is essentially a heavy-barrel version of the RK-100 assault rifle, and many of its components and performance characteristics are interchangable with the smaller weapon. It is fed usually from a small 48 round drum that fits into the magazine housing, but also accepts Rk-100 box-magazines.

The RK-101 is 972mm/38.25" long with a 660mm/26" barrel, and weighs almost 5kg/11lb empty.

With optical sights, especially the available night sights; the exceptionally long, heavy barrel; forward-mounted bipod; rear hand-grip; balanced automatic mechanism; and intermediate flat-trajectory cartridge, the RK-101 is a deadly accurate weapon likely to cut-down whole squads of enemies daring to attack into the Commonwealth.

-OPA Yellow-38 Sniper's Rifle

Though oddly-named, the Yellow-38 sniper's rifle is often employed at ranges pushing one mile and frequently as a light anti-material weapon.

Primary Builder: October Port Alfred Ordnance Factory
Calibre: 11x72mm
Accurate Range: 1,600m
Operation: Bolt action
Magazine: 6 round box

-OPA BGMK3 Blast Fragmentation Grenade

A fairly conventional hand-grenade, shaped as a slightly distended sphere. Practical throwing distance is typically 45 metres, but many Geletians have demonstrated rather greater performance.
Effective casualty radius is said to be 15 metres, but the weapon is rated hazardous out to 25 metres.

OTHER EQUIPMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH MILITIA EXPERT CORPS

-CUT Man-Portable Aerial Reconnaissance Unit Hebawg

The Commonwealth has been pursuing minature UAV technology for some time, and it is a project by the Ceredigion University that has borne the sweetest fruit. Designed to be carried by infantry teams deployed in urban or other environments where real-time intelligence is needed on a tactical level, Hebawg carries tiny cameras that transmit information back to a laptop-type unit carried by one man in many Soviet infantry teams.

Carried in a tube resembling that of a small missile unit, the Hebawg is launched by a resettable spring in the base and deploys wings in the air.

The unit is driven by a small pusher propellor drawing power from a compact electric motor. The powerplant can be recharged by solar-fed resevoir units carried by specialy adapted landcruiser or other vehicles, and a smaller, less efficient version of this is available for mannual-carriage. The Hebawg is constructed of lightweight high-impact plastics and some few alloy parts, and most of the structure is simply a synthetic foam that weighs (and costs) almost nothing while holding components in place and offering basic protection against rough landings (but certainly not enemy fire). The small machine makes basically no impression on most technological detection systems having absolutely tiny heat and radar signatures, and is near silent in operation.

Role: Short-range reconnaissance for deployed infantry units
Primary Builder: Ceredigion University Technical sub-contracting Phalansteries
Crew: 0, controlled remotely by an operator using a standard-issue laptop-type computer console with dedicated software; capable of limited automation.
Dimensions: length 1.1m (3.6ft) span 1.5m (4.9ft)
Weight: 4kg (8.8lbs)
Powerplant: Electric motor driving pusher propellor
Maximum Speed: 64kph (40mph)
Ceiling: 3,000m (9,850ft)
Range: 10km (6.2miles)
Endurance: 50 minutes
Armament: None. The Hebawg mounts several tiny cameras for day and night reconnaissance from relatively low altitudes and short ranges.

SMALL ARMS, PERSONAL WEAPONS, CREW-SERVED ARMS OF THE COMMONWEALTH MILITIA AUXILIARY

The CMA has variable access to old uniforms passed-down from the military of the previous generation, but its fighters can often be expected to turn-out in their own suitable attire.

-Factory-Standard Molotov Cocktail (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/Chivtv/NS1/molotovs.jpg)

Pictured are a very basic weapon (left), a slightly improved design (centre), and the factory-standard weapon produced at countless communal workshops (right).

SUPPORT AND TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT OF THE COMMONWEALTH AIR GUARD

Savov Preston Light-Utility Transport (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/Chivtv/NS1/NewTiamatMK1LightProp.jpg)

A humble aircraft, the Preston has served the Commonwealth for many years and has a surprisingly colourful history. The ISoviets attempted to induce a progressive socialist economy in tiny Savique by awarding contracts for the construction of Prestons to that nation on condition they be built at newly established worker-controlled factories before the break-up of little Savique prompted the Commonwealth take-over of production for domestic needs.

Later, during the infamous Battle of Salvador, Prestons carried torpedoes against Iansislian warships, showing the versatility of their uncomplicated design. This event saw the first combat loss of a Preston, though investigations put the blame on an over-reaction on the part of the crew to minor damage suffered from .50" machinegun fire.

Since then, Prestons have served as diplomatic and utility transports, inserted Gelert Sentinel special ops teams into hostile territory, and patrolled Commonwealth waters with the COG.

The nature of Preston's design was unambitious thanks to the intention that it be built by a society with a very limited industrial base. The result in today's terms is a cheap aircraft that is easy to maintain and repair, and as such a design that continues to serve in spite of considerable age.

Primary Builder: Savique (Beth Gellert) November Aviation Plant
Crew: 2, pilot and co-pilot
Dimensions: length 21m (69ft) span 26.5m (87ft)
Powerplant: Originally two 1,750hp Savov Type-1 piston engines, replaced by Type-1 turboprops in modern production
Payload: 3,000kg or 12 passengers or 6 equipped troops
Maximum Speed: 585kph (364mph) clean
Ceiling: 6,100m (20,000ft)
Range: 3,860km (2,400 miles) with maximum fuel, 2,092km (1,300 miles) with maximum payload

Marathon Medium-Heavy Transport (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/Chivtv/NS1/NewTiamatMK1HeavyProp.jpg)

The Marathon is amongst the Commonwealth's more successful military-industrial ventures, having been exported to several nations before the Soviets and Sentates voted to tighten export regulations and later backed the further leftwards shift that now characterises the need-oriented Commonwealth economy.

It is a large aircraft, capable of transporting a tank of the older lightweight/low-profile sort available to the Commonwealth Guard, and one with impressive performance characteristics. Marathon is considered to be fairly fast, reasonably long-legged, comfortable and almost nimble, and reliable. It has been proven in subantarctic conditions, and boasts good STOL and rough-field characteristics as per the original design specifications laid-out only in the late 1980s.

Crew: 4 to 6
Dimensions: length 38.7m (127ft), span 50m (164ft)
Powerplant: Four Pheidippides turboprops
Payload: 52,000kg or up to 108 infantry or 76 paratroopers
Maximum Speed: 676kph (420mph) clean, 494kph (307mph) fully laden
Ceiling: 8,075m (26,500ft)
Range: 11,590km (7,200 miles) with maximum fuel, 3,700km (2,300 miles) with maximum payload

Marathon Air-Refueling Tanker

Into Service: Early 1990s
Crew: 5 (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, flight engineer, boom operator)
Fuel Capacity: [Unknown]

Marathon Airborne Command and Surveillance

Equipped with the ASR-M ("Spectre of Communism") Radar, Marathon serves as the CAG's eyes and ears, able to peer clearly to a near 480km (300 mile) range against low-flying targets and greater for higher-flying objects. It (the Radar) is of the latest generation available to the Commonwealth's multi-trillion dollar defence forces and is highly adept at filtering out interference and resisting jamming.

Into Service: Mid 1990s
Crew: 4 (flightcrew) plus 8 to 12
Speed: 426kph (265mph) optimum cruise
Endurance: 6+ hours (unrefuelled)

SURFACE COMBATANTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OCEANIC GUARD

[to be renamed] Class Multirole Corvette

One of the primary defenders of Commonwealth territorial waters and civil shipping, the [name] Class finally replaced a hodgepodge of less capable missile craft and torpedo boats, many of which were foreign in origin.

Being larger (and more expensive) and more capable than the boats it replaces, the [name] Class is seen as a capable stand-alone defender that frees the Commonwealth's frigates for foreign deployment en masse.

Role: Patrol of coastal environment and shipping lanes
Into Service: Early 2000s
Complement: 110
Displacement: 1,800tons
Dimenstions: around 100m x 13.5m
Powerplant: Hybrid diesel-electric
Maximum Speed: 34knots
Range: 8,500nm at 26knots
Armament: 76mm quick-firing gun; 2x30mm BG-CIWIS; 2 quadruple Qian Wei anti-ship missile containers; RBU-6000 ASROC; 4x517mm torpedo tubes; 1x8cell Loviatar-S VLS SAM system; mines
Aircraft: Can operate light or medium helicopter from uncovered pad astern

SUB-SURFACE ASSETS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OCEANIC GUARD

Hound Class D/E Patrol Submarine (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/Chivtv/NS1/HoundSubmarineProject2.jpg)

The result of Sentinel Project 2, the Hound first appeared during the Adiatorix Kingdom.

The Hound was used to deploy mines and to deliver or extract spies from the late 1960s, and continues in service to this day. Following Adiatorix's downfall and the establishment of Soviet power, the Hound design was overhauled, the main improvement being a re-armament enabling the submarines to launch new 517mm heavy torpedoes.

The Hound's hull shape is begining to date, and unimpressive top-speeds mean that it is employed less and less as an offensive hunter and more as a coastal patrol asset, where the hardy and long-serving vessel still has significant potential utility.

Role: Coastal defence
Into Service: Late 1960s
Complement: 23
Length: 72m
Displacement: 1,185tons
Powerplant: Diesel engine, electric motor
Maximum Speed: 17knots surfaced, 10knots submerged
Armament: Eight tubes; four bow (8 warheads), four stern (4 warheads) for Type 1-B MKII torpedoes; mine laying capacity

Ortiagon Class AIP Patrol and Attack Submarine (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/Chivtv/NS1/ortiagonclass.jpg)

Sentinel Project 5 gave the Commonwealth a successor to the Hound, and proved something of a revolution. AShPo AIP System means that Ortiagon is able to spend two or three times longer operating silently at depth and less time near the surface recharging its batteries, making it far more survivable and menacing.

The AIP systems are mounted on elastic supports in soundproof modules, and other equipment is mounted likewise on elastic supports and uncoupled blocks and suspended platforms. This not only improves stealth, but as a highly desirable side-effect also serves to increase shock-protection.

The aged form of the Hound was a major factor in the Soviet Commune's decision to find a partial replacement, and Ortiagon's hull form and appendages are designed from the start to reduce hydrodynamic disturbance. The new boat also features a low-noise propeller, and, significantly, its torpedoes can be self-launched, starting-up inside the tubes for quieter launch and swimming-out themselves instead of being violently ejected inviting counter-fire.

Ortiagon is judged an extremely formidable defence for the Commonwealth's waters and far-flung interests.

Role: Coastal patrol, minelaying, counter ship and submarine warfare
Into Service: Early 2000s
Primary Builder: AShPo (August Shipbuilding Porthmadog)
Complement: 32
Length: 70.35m
Displacement: 2,310tons submerged
Maximum Dive Depth: 375m
Propulsion: Two AShPo Air-Independent Propulsion systems and two diesel engines, single shaft
Maximum Speed: 21knots submerged, 12knots surfaced; two weeks 6knot cruise under AIP without snorkeling
Range: 9,500nm at 8knots
Armament: 4 tubes for 517mm Type-1B MkII anti-sub/ship heavy torpedoes and Qian Wei anti-ship missiles, 12 carried; 2 tubes for 670mm Type-4A MkI anti-ship capital torpedoes, 4 carried; mines, up to 30 carried instead of torpedoes and missiles; station for 4 SAMs, Sumpit and Terrier

Anunkai Class SSN (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/Chivtv/NS1/SentinelSubmarineProject3.jpg)

Resulting from Sentinel Project 3 after the failure of Project 1's Alpha Test Class nuclear submarine, the Anunkai Class has been a success, much to the relief of all concerned.

The Anunkai have served in numerous conflicts, dealing decisive blows and often taking more than their fare share of enemy hostilities. From destroying dreadnoughts to attacking ground-targets hundreds of miles inshore, the Anunkai have paid the Commonwealth back the expense of their construction in just a few short years of service.

Some fault them for relative sloth, but the compensation is seen to be the class's exceptional quietness. This is enhanced by the ability to run on an electric motor, besting even its nuclear-running stealth.

Role: Anti shipping/submarine warfare, precision bombardment
Complement: 127
Length: 102m
Displacement: 7,957tons
Maximum Dive Depth: 600m
Powerplant: Nuclear reactor driving single shaft, electric motor
Maximum Speed: 24knots (submerged), 5 knots by electric motor
Armament: Six tubes- four bow, two stern; eight VLS for cruise missiles. Usual load-out is 18x517mm Type 1-B MKII torpedoes, 14xMangonel cruise missiles, 6xQian Wei anti-shipping missiles, 4xCharioteer anti-shipping missiles.

Quite nice, BG.

Since LRR has recently taken a giant step backwards in time, making the most modern Robotic airplane an early Draken prototype, none of this has much bearing on the old Parliament Funkadelic, but its good that you're doing it just the same.

-bleh-

No, its perfectly fine BG. LRR in regular NS has just been introduced to the helicopter and considers the Bristol Sycamore something of a revolution. They're supplanting the Walrus patrol biplanes, after all.

Notes on Igovian munitions

Many revolutionary movements in the formative Commonwealth adopted both Russian and western munitions as standard during their rebellions.

The old Kingdom of the Geletians left its rebellious off-spring with more 9x19mm cartridges and weapons, but lumbered riflemen and machinegunners with 7.62x51mm NATO arms.

The new Indian Soviet Commonwealth reached many conclusions in a modern review after unification:

1) The 9mm Para round was finally past its best, being under-powered as a C21st combat cartridge. The day of the submachine gun in the infantry had passed with the advent of the modern assault rifle, but commonality displayed by the 9x19mm round in use within these automatic weapons and handguns is a trait that ought to carry over to the new arean of so-called PDWs.

2) 7.62x39mm weapons lack effective range, which -while perhaps suitable in assault rifles- makes them unsuitable sniper's arms and automatic support weapons. 7.62x51mm weapons are impractical close-quarter fighting tools and the cartridge is unsuited to light support weapons in automatic mode. While it would be possible to deploy both rounds, this would not solve all problems and would create new supply conflicts, and, owing to the age of the L1A1, Type D, and most AK-origin rifles, new designs would be needed in any event.

6.2x42mm

This cartridge has been a long time coming. It replaces, across the unified nations that constitute the modern Commonwealth, the 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm, and 7.62x54mm cartridges.
Used in the RK-100 assault rifle, RK-101 multi-role machinegun, and Stoat sniper's rifle, the cartridge is designed almost as if specialised in each role.

Recoil produced by the new round in these weapons is only marginally above that seen with the small calibre rifles used by many other nations (5.56x45mm NATO, 5.45x39mm Russian, and so on) making them easily controlled in automatic fire when compared with 7.62mm weapons.

Muzzle velocity, however, is more in keeping with the smaller rounds, while the slightly larger bullet carries more weight and greater stopping power at short ranges, like a 7.62mm round, without performance degrading nearly so quickly further out.

There are several bullet weights in regular use. The Soviet 6.2mm bullet is an unusually long one, meaning that ordinarily it could be quite heavy, perhaps rather more than 120 grains, making it a formidable stopper with great penetrative energy. However, in common use are bullets weighing less than 100 grains: most being still more than the usual 5.56mm NATO, but now radically different in performance. The weight reduction is achieved without altering the excellent ballistic shape of the round due to the use of an internal air pocket, most famously demonstrated by the Russian 5.45mm round but reputedly tried earlier by the British using a big .303" bullet.

This air pocket concept has been tried by other nations apparently in hopes of causing a fast moving round to deform and change course on impacting a body, causing greater damage rather than passing straight through cleanly. In our case, though, this is not the primary intention, and the standard Soviet round is still quite sturdy. It is here a simple means of maintaining a long bullet with a good ballistic profile, keeping it of a significant bore with stopping power potential, and not making it so weighty as to see performance decline radically with distance. The position of the airpocket is supposed to case the bullet to yaw on impact, if not necessarily always to fragment.

The choice of weights within the same ballistic envelope helps the Soviet 6.2x42mm cartridge on its way to achieving its aims.

This is a high velocity, low recoil package with stopping power, remarkably flat trajectory out to long ranges, good armour penetration potential. It works as the fusilier's assault-rifle cartridge for high rate-of-fire close-quarter engagement without leaving him helpless at long range, gives the sniper a vital high velocity while maintaining a flat trajectory to extreme range and carrying the energy to drop a target outright, and allows the light machinegunner to make accurate use of low-recoil automatic fire to surpress distant opponents.