NationStates Jolt Archive

[Do NOT post here. It is a reference thread for my use only. It is also a work in progress, and will not look like anying of any use for days, maybe weeks, as I have little time but decided it was about time I started one of these.]

* Denotes an article in production. Some articles will be put up a long time before I add their specs to this thread.

Table of Contents

A
Argentine class Galleon [Super Dreadnought Killer] (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10004584&postcount=2)
Avisron Class Guided Gun Destroyer *
AVT-12 Assault Transport Craft (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10444094&postcount=16)
Arica. I 'Shalmaneser' Heavy Armoured Personnel Carrier (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10458833&postcount=17)


B

BDU-64 Samson Battlesuit (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10424272&postcount=3)
Be-23 Archimede's Lever Heavy Transport Aircraft (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10424295&postcount=4)

C

Cadiz class SSBN (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10424363&postcount=5)
Cartagena class SSN (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10424407&postcount=6)
Contraband Class SSBN *
Corbulo Self-Propelled 155mm Field Gun (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10424453&postcount=7)
COV-TMSC Tactical Mobile Scout Car *


D

DNR-13 Recoiless Rifle (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10424501&postcount=8)


G

GH-31 12.7mm High Power Sniper Rifle (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10425019&postcount=9)
GLI-76 Falcon VTOL Multi-Role Fighter (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10432632&postcount=14)
GLI-34 Albatross Heavy Bomber (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10432655&postcount=15)


H

Hali-21 Part-Variant Assault Rifle (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10432503&postcount=10)
Hali-37 Assault Rifle (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10432533&postcount=11)
Hali-42 Assault Rifle (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10432548&postcount=12)
Hol-24 (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10432566&postcount=13)


I

Illusion Class Frigate *

Same designation in IMN.



[Argentine class Galleon.]

[Project Background]
Since the advent of the Super Dreadnought, navies around the world have attempted to design the response to the said ship, consequently creating kinetic penetrating missiles, deck attack missiles and the such. However, the fact remains that missile warfare has been lashed as a rather banal style of naval warfare, and that, especially with surface to air defenses, missiles will not give the results sought by so many.

Consequently, SafeHaven2 and The Macabees thought of the idea of a Super Dreadnought killing ship. Fortunately, the same idea was shared by Samtonia. However, the three nation project began to lag, and finally, the Golden Throne decided to complete the venture itself.

Nonetheless, although the tertiary layer was designed mostly by the Golden Throne, after that designed for the Zealous class Super Dreadnought, the rest of the design was done largely by Samtonia - indeed, the credit must go to him. The original armor design was child's play compared to the layering committed to by Samtonia's engineers.

The Galleon, which was a designation given to it by the Kriegsmarine due to the general lack of term for the type of ship, was based on the idea that if the Super Dreadnought lost its hangars, it's missile stocks and other extranous weaponry, it could base its ordnance solely on numerous, and large, naval guns. Consequently, it would engage enemy shipping with its naval guns, with a range that could exceed some anti-shipping missiles, effectively, and with a greater percentage of success. However, the same ship would be required to be escorted by one or more escort ships, or the Paramount class Air Defense Vessel [ADV], who's statistics could be found elsewhere, because of the general lack of defenses on the Argentine.

The Kriegsmarine has already ordered five Argentine class Galleons for its own use, however, this order is not expected to increase any time soon.

[Hull Construction and Armor]
The primary layer is designed to act as a layer for the ERA to sit on, and is a much lighter layer of armor. It's basically a revamped, and slightly different, CHOBHAM composite, formulated from steel, titaniun, ceramics and depleted uranium. However, it's much lighter than the tertiary layer of armor on the Galleon, although somewhat heavier than that found on a standard main battle tank. It's designed to take on light shells and light missiles, as well as light cannon fire, in the face of a possible design failure in the Kontack-5 ERA.

The secondary layer in the armor scheme is known as the SHMS armored scheme. The overriding compound used in the Argentine’s tertiary armor layer is steel, however, in order to reduce the effects of sulfur in steel, the steel is also laced with Manganese fibers. Manganese is a rather common element used extensively in steel manufacture. It is only mildly chemically active, but it has a great affinity for Sulfur, which it combines readily with, and it thus can be used to eliminate Sulfur from steel or to reduce the effects of any remaining Sulfur by chemically combining with it, which is important since Sulfur softens steel and is not desired in any construction or armor steel that I am familiar with, though it is used in many steels needing to be soft for ease of machining, as on a lathe (Phosphorus has a similar effect on increasing machineability and it can harden steel, but it raises the temperature where brittle failure sets in, so it is also reduced to a minimum in naval construction and armor steels, allowing Manganese to lower this temperature, as mentioned previously). It also acts to increase the hardenability of low-Carbon steel much better than Silicon (see above) does, but does not help keep the hardened metal hard during tempering as Silicon does, which is one of the major reasons that it and Silicon are used together as a team. Usually used in amounts of about 0.4% by weight in armor steels containing other hardeners such as Chromium, it is used in amounts of 0.6-1.1% (depending on plate thickness) in Mild/Medium Steels used for construction and up to 1.3% in high-strength construction steels, such as HTS and "D"-Steel.

Teamed up with Manganese are silicone fibers. Silicon is the next most widely used element with Iron after Carbon, found in almost all Iron materials used as armor or construction material. It is very plentiful, making up most of quartz beach sand, it is used by some microscopic plants and animals to build their protective shells, and it is used by people to make such things as glass and, more recently, micro-electronic circuits. It is relatively chemically inert, though it will chemically combine with Oxygen to form a very inert thin protective film that prevents any further reactions, and usually it is a good heat and electric insulator.

Third, Vanadium composites are woven around the steel compound in order to further strengthen the armor composite. Vanadium is a hardening alloy element in steel that is much stronger in its effects than either Chromium or Molybdenum (see above). Resists "metal fatigue" from repeated loading below the nominal yield strength, which can cause the metal to gradually stretch out of shape ("creep"), so it is widely used in springs in small amounts.

Fourth, titanium and depleted uranium threads are interwoven with the rest of the composite, adding final layers of strength. The titanium also works along with a polymer composite material in order to reduce the magnetic signature of the ship – although, this is not a primary goal of the armor. With the inclusion of titanium, depleted uranium, vanadium, manganese and silicone the actual rolled homogenous armor readings are much higher than what they are, especially since the entire armor scheme is laced around a polymer matrix, multiplying RHA strength even more!

The third layer is composed of a heat absorbing panelling. Composed of both aerogel compounds and a carbon-phenolic heat shield compound, this layer is capable of resisting temperatures above 4000 degrees Celsius. This layer is designed to both prevent any heat damage from warping the main armor layers and to stop any thermite based weapons from cutting through successive layers of armor.

Aerogels are advanced materials yet also are literally next to nothing. They consist of more than 96 percent air. The remaining four percent is a wispy matrix of silica (silicon dioxide), a principal raw material for glass. Aerogels, consequently, are one of the lightest weight solids ever conceived.

Made of inexpensive silica, aerogels can be fabricated in slabs, pellets, or most any shape desirable and have a range of potential uses. By mass or by volume, silica aerogels are the best solid insulator ever discovered. Aerogels transmit heat only one hundredth as well as normal density glass. Sandwiched between two layers of glass, transparent compositions of aerogels make possible double-pane windows with high thermal resistance. Aerogels alone, however, could not be used as windows because the foam-like material easily crumbles into powder. Even if they were not pulverized by the impact of a bird, after the first rain they would turn to sludge and ooze down the side of the house.

Aerogels are a more efficient, lighter-weight, and less bulky form of insulation than the polyurethane foam currently used to insulate refrigerators, refrigerated vehicles, and containers. And, they have another critical advantage over foam. Foams are blown into refrigerator walls by chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants, the chemical that is the chief cause of the depletion of the earth's stratospheric ozone layer. The ozone layer shields life on Earth from ultraviolet light, a cause of human skin cancer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 4.5 to 5 percent of the ozone shield over the United States was depleted over the last decade. Based on the current levels of ultraviolet exposure, the agency projects that more than 12 million Americans will develop skin cancer and more than 200,000 will die of the disease over the next 50 years.

Replacing chlorofluorocarbon-propelled refrigerant foams with aerogels could help reduce this toll. Exchanging refrigerant foams with aerogels reportedly would reduce CFC emissions in the U.S. by 16 million pounds per year.

Aside from their insulating properties, aerogels have other promising characteristics. Sound is impeded in its passage through an aerogel, slowed to a speed of 100 to 300 meters per second. This could be exploited in a number of ways, as for example, improving the accuracy and reducing the energy demand of the ultrasonic devices used to gauge distances in autofocus cameras and robotic systems. A layer of aerogel on a camera's ceramic piezoelectric transducer could considerably improve the efficiency with which it generates ultrasonic waves.

Aerogels also have a number of novel applications. Currently, they are components of Cerenkov radiation detectors used in high- energy physics research at CERN near Geneva, Switzerland. Another scientific application currently under consideration involves utilizing aerogels in space like a soft, spongy net to capture fast-moving micrometeroids without damaging them.

The fourth layer is an armored composite layer. A combination composite armor/kinetic absorbing rods layer, this entire layer is comprised of the main armor composite material with staggered lateral armored rods driven through it. The dissipation of energy provided by the rods and their warping of any kinetic projectiles to a degree any penetrative powers are lost provides the most protection against kinetic weapons of any armor level in the ship. If a KE weapon were to hit, it would follow the path of least resistance around the armored rods. The path given would cause it to slip around multiple rods, soon twisting the penetrator into a shape not capable of penetrating any further- generally a Z shape. This concept was taken and expanded upon from the Doujin class Super Dreadnought, which is currently employed by Samtonia.

The fifth layer is another heat absorbant panel. A second and last ditch heat shielding layer. Composed of both aerogel compounds and a carbon-phenolic heat shield compound, this layer is capable of resisting temperatures above 4000 degrees Celsius. This layer is designed to both prevent any heat damage from warping the honey-comb rods below it and to stop any thermite based weapons from cutting through the armor any more.

The sixth layer of the armor is a blast space. Designed to channel explosive force and gases away from essential areas and out of the ship. It is designed to lessen the impact of delayed fused weapons, with any explosion harmlessly damaging non-essential locker storage areas and storage tanks. While the ninth layer has been rated as a highly effective shrapnel absorbing layer. Lining the outsides of all bulkheads, this armor layer is designed to stop any shrapnel from breaking through and damaging essential equipment or personnel. It also acts as a light armor in the event a projectile makes it that far through the ship.

The bulkheads are made of same composite as the Kinetic Absorbing Layer in order to combine flexibility, weight and performance together. These bulkheads are designed to allow explosions to vent their way outside the ship while protecting the interiors of the ship.

The final honeycomb framework literally holds the ship up and together. A network of armored and reeinforced rods, supporting beams, and a unique (well, not for NS) "honeycomb" design that provides a sound support, both structurally and integrally, for the rest of the ship. This portion of the ship is the most time intensive to build, with this framework actually built around the keel before any of the rest of the ship is laid across its skeleton. Though this step contributes to much of the slow building time, it allows the ship to both absorb damage far above the amounts its RHA values would suggest and give it the support necessary to handle the wegiht of the armor scheme and araments.

Finally, the framework connectors connect the framework, armor, and bulkheads together. It has been rated as very strong, they prevent the ship's interior from warping or cracking when strained.

The main armor is designed around an original catamaran design, however, the overall ship is forged through a trimaran hull design. The outer hull, consequently, is armored with a main belt of one thousand millimeters [1,000mm - 39.370079 in.]. According to British sources, trimarans are more resistant to damage; far more resistant. One missile or torpedo will usually disable a modern cruiser, destroyer, or frigate. However, a well-designed trimaran warship can withstand a dozen hits and keep fighting.

The belt armor has a literal reading of one thousand two hundred and seventy millimeters [1,370mm – 53 in.], while the turret faceplates yield one thousand three hundred millimeters [1,437mm - 58 in.]. The main turrets boast an armored reading of one thousand millimeters [1,050mm - 41 in.] while the secondary turrets yield nine hundred millimeters [980mm - 39 in.] and the deck armor is layered with eight hundred and fifty millimeters [870mm - 34 in.]. The superstructure yields another eight hundred and fifty millimeters [850mm - 33.464567 in.], while the bulkheads have nine hundred and fifty millimeters worth of the composite armor [950mm - 37.401575 in.]. Actual RHA readings are much, much higher than this – although, they are either extremely classified, or truthfully unknown.

[Armament]
The Argentine class Galleon is armed with eight triple mounts of twenty-five [25] inch ETC guns. There are four mounts on each half of the ship, giving the ship a total of twenty-four twenty-five inch guns. Secondary guns include two quadruple mounts of eighteen [18] inch ETC guns, both mounted at the front of the ship, stacked. Near the center of the ship there are four double mounts of twelve [12] inch rail guns.

The ship is mainly to be stocked with the newer rail gun depleted uranium SABOT rounds.

http://www.rit.edu/~dih0658/images/railsabot.gif

For more direct combat, there are four double mounts of twelve inch ETC guns. Electrothermal-Chemical (ETC) technology is an advanced gun propulsion candidate that can substantially increase gun performance with less system burden than any other advanced gun propulsion technology. It has been under development since the mid-1980s.

ETC uses electrical energy to augment and control the release of chemical energy from existing or new propellants, and can significantly improve the performance of existing conventional cannons, both direct fire and indirect fire. The electrical energy is used to create a high-temperature plasma, which in turn both ignites the propellants and controls the release of the chemical energy stored in the propellants during the ballistic cycle.

All, ETC guns are fitted with electro-magnetic (EM) rifleling, giving it a much faster propulsion, although not as expensive and "iffy" as rail guns.

The Argentine class Galleon also has twelve of the brand new Conhort Close-in Weapons Systems. The Conhort uses a variant of the GAU-8 Avenger cannon. The GAU-8 itself weighs 281 kg (620 lb), but the complete weapon, with feed system and drum, weighs 4,029 lb (1,830 kg) with a maximum ammunition load. The entire system is 19 ft 10.5 in (5.05 m) long. The magazine can hold 1,350 rounds, although 1,174 is the more normal load-out. Muzzle velocity with armor-piercing incendiary (API) ammunition is 3,250 ft/s (988 m/s), almost the same as the substantially lighter M61 Vulcan.

The Conhort's system consists of an autocannon and an advanced radar which tracks incoming fire, determines its trajectory, then aims the gun and fires in a matter of seconds. The system is fully automatic, needing no human input once activated. The kinetic energy of the 30mm rounds is sufficient to destroy any missile or shell. The system can also be deployed to protect airfields. However, like the Dutch Goalkeeper and the American Phalanx the Conhort is a last-chance weapon, although considerably accurate. It uses a seperate, smaller, LIDAR Gaussian Transmitter and RADAR tranmitter in order to lock on potential targets and blow them out of the air. Several advantages the Cohort has over the Phalanx system are that it is more accurate, it has a greater kenitic energy impact, more tracking, it's reloaded under the deck, and it can operate under three modes: Auto, Semi-Auto and Manual allowing full operator operability.

Finally, the Argentine class Galleon is defended under the waterline by a series of twelve ASHUM guns. The ASHUM guns consists of extremely rapid, and extremely accurate, fire, guided by SONAR and blue-green LIDAR, using depleted uranium bullets and an elastomer propellant. In past operations, the ASHUM guns, coupled with the MAT-1 anti-torpedoes fired from ASROC cannons, have proved to be valuable to defend the lifeline of the ship.

[Sensor Electronics]
The Argentine has an onboard SONAR array, capable of searching through the mixed layer. However, for under the layer searches it also has the TB-2016, used in the Macabee Leviathan class SSN, which is rolled from a seperate compartment, and is long enough to sit right on the deep sound channel axis, giving the SONAR a full read, leaving no shadow zone. The power of the Macabee SONAR systems has been applauded before, and the Elusive is a testament to it.

The Argentine is also given the same SONAR system which the Rommel was equipped with. The Poseidon SONAR system, which is capable of detecting louder shipping at up to one hundred kilometers away at the right circumstances, and advanced submarines at a maximum range of ten kilometers, burning through anechoic tiling quite easily. The Poseidon is considered one of the better SONAR systems used presently. The Poseidon is also programmed to detect the “black hole” effect which submarines using MHD have; making it easier to detect MHD propelled submarines.

The Argentine also has a new thin line towed array called the TB-163, which is three times as long as the Argentine itself, using thousands of hydrophones to detect submarine presence at up to forty kilometers away (ca. 28 miles). The TB-163 uses a strong steel line to ensure that it doesn’t snap, although this could be potentially dangerous to the crew if its used stupidly. The Zealous also has another towed array called the TB-87 which focuses on shorter distances, using powerful hydrophones to detect close enemies.

Macabee ships use the MRT-1 RADAR system to detect enemy aerial assets anywhere from 120 kilometers minimum to 700 kilometers maximum; depending on the circumstances, stealth levels, and altitude. The MRT-1 use a very powerful super computer and several screens to detect, filter, and portray enemy aerial assets. Based of the TENEX SPY-6 this well built system is, again, one of the better ones in use around the world, and provide the Macabees with a reliable early warning system.

Additionally, Macabee ships integrate the MRT-4 Surface Search RADAR system which was built to focus on sea-skimmers. RADAR radio waves are able to catch both missiles and other objects, such as waves, and filter what is a wave, and what is a missile; and quite easily, and through regular technology. Simply, by using a supercomputer and C based program, the computers can detect range, vector, and velocity – hence, it can distinguish what is a missile or aircraft, and what isn’t. A wave doesn’t last at the same altitude, velocity and vector for ever – the wave falls short quite quickly – while a missile lasts in the air for quite a while (of course). Hence, it wasn’t too difficult to design a system capable of picking sea-skimmers up. The range of the MRT-4, however, is considerably shorter, about a hundred nautical miles.

Finally, the Macabee ships include an MLT-1 LIDAR system which as a range of about 250 kilometers (165 miles). The MLT-1 uses regular LIDAR to detect range, Doppler LIDAR to detect velocity, and DIAL LIDAR to detect chemical composition. The newer Gaussian LIDAR system used by Macabee ships has two charged plates placed parallel to each other, one charged negative, the other positive. This in turn begins an electrical current. The Gaussian system doesn't work on reflected waves. Instead, it relies on electrical impulses, rendering current anti-LIDAR techniques inefficient and obsolete.

The Argentine is also equipped with a SODAR array. Sodar (sonic detection and ranging) systems are used to remotely measure the vertical turbulence structure and the wind profile of the lower layer of the atmosphere. Sodar systems are like radar (radio detection and ranging) systems except that sound waves rather than radio waves are used for detection. Other names used for sodar systems include sounder, echosounder and acoustic radar. A more familiar related term may be sonar, which stands for sound navigation ranging. Sonar systems detect the presence and location of objects submerged in water (e.g., submarines) by means of sonic waves reflected back to the source. Sodar systems are similar except the medium is air instead of water and reflection is due to the scattering of sound by atmospheric turbulence.

Most sodar systems operate by issuing an acoustic pulse and then listen for the return signal for a short period of time. Generally, both the intensity and the Doppler (frequency) shift of the return signal are analyzed to determine the wind speed, wind direction and turbulent character of the atmosphere.

[EMP Hardening]
There are two things to consider when considering hardening targets against EMP. The first question to answer is whether the hardened system will become useless if shielded. The second question to be answered is whether the target is economically worthwhile to harden. The answers to these two questions are used to determine what devices should be shielded

To explain the first consideration, Makoff and Tsipis give the following simple example. If there was a communication plane with many antennas used to collect and transfer data, it would not be useful if its antennas were removed. However, to harden the plane, the antennas would need to be removed because they provide a direct path to the interior of the plane. It is important to understand how the hardening will affect the performance of the hardened item.

The second consideration is very easy to understand. Some systems, although important, may not seem worthwhile enough to harden due to the high costs of shielding. "It may cost from 30% to 50% of the cost of a ground based communication center…just to refit it to withstand EMP," and, "as high as 10% of the cost for each plane."

There are two basic ways to harden items against EMP effects.20 The first method is metallic shielding. The alternative is tailored hardening. Both methods will be briefly described.

Metallic shielding is used to, "Exclude energy propagated through fields in space." Shields are made of a continuous piece of some metal such as steel or copper. A metal enclosure generally does not fully shield the interior because of the small holes that are likely to exist. Therefore, this type of shielding often contains additional elements to create the barrier. Commonly, only a fraction of a millimeter of a metal is needed to supply adequate protection. This shield must completely surround the item to be shielded. A tight box must be formed to create the shield. The cost of such shielding (in1986 dollars) is $1000 per square meter for a welded-steel shield after installation.

The alternative method, tailored hardening, is a more cost-effective way of hardening. In this method, only the most vulnerable elements and circuits are redesigned to be more rugged. The more rugged elements will be able to withstand much higher currents. However, a committee of the National Academy of Sciences is skeptical of this method due to unpredictable failures in testing. Also, the use of this method is not recommended by the National Research Council. They doubted whether the approximations made to evaluate susceptibilities of the components were accurate. They did concede that tailored hardening may be useful to make existing systems less vulnerable.

[Propulsion]
The Argentine class Super Dreadnought is driven by ten Baldur pebble bed nuclear reactors. The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) is a new type of high temperature helium gas-cooled nuclear reactor, which builds and advances on world-wide nuclear operators' experience of older reactor designs. The most remarkable feature of these reactors is that they use attributes inherent in and natural to the processes of nuclear energy generation to enhance safety features. More importantly, it is also a practical and cost-effective solution to most of the logistics of generating electricity.

http://www.eskom.co.za/nuclear_energy/pebble_bed/image1_2.gif

To protect the reactor there are several infra-red detection devices around the uranium core, and at a note from a pressure sensor, either made by water or a man made collision, the Baldur nuclear reactor is automatically shut off, save for the coolant flow.

http://www.eskom.co.za/nuclear_energy/pebble_bed/coated_part.gif

The nature of the chain reaction that takes place in the PBMR is exactly the same as the one that takes place at Koeberg. (Refer to Koeberg experience - Fuel )

The fuel used in a PBMR consists of "spheres" which are designed in such a way that they contain their radioactivity. The PBMR fuel is based on proven high quality fuel used in Germany.

Each sphere is about the size of a tennis ball and consists of an outer graphite matrix (covering) and an inner fuel zone The fuel zone of a single sphere can contain up to 15 000 "particles". Each particle is coated with a special barrier coating, which ensures that radioactivity is kept locked inside the particle. One of the barriers,the silicon carbide barrier, is so dense that no gaseous or metallic radioactive products can escape. (it retains its density up to temperatures of over 1 700 degrees Celsius). The reactor is loaded with over 440 000 spheres - three quarters of which are fuel spheres and one quarter graphite spheres - at any one time. Fuel spheres are continually being added to the core from the top and removed from the bottom. The removed spheres are measured to see if all the uranium has been used. If it has, the sphere is sent to the spent fuel storage system, and if not, it is reloaded in the core. An average fuel sphere will pass through the core about 10 times before being discharged. the graphite spheres are always re-used. The graphite spheres are used as a moderator. They absorb and reduce the energy of the neutrons so that these can reach the right energy level needed to sustain the chain reaction.

The Baldur nuclear reactors are hooked up to a conducting system, which in turn power a series of Louis-Alice Power Supplies, which then go through a series of thousands of capacitors, and then again through another motor-generator, and finally to their respective water jets and maneuvering pods. There are eight water jets on the outer hulls, and four in the inner hulls. The Argentine class galleon also boasts six maneuvering jets, three on each side.

There are also two, smaller, back-up nuclear reactors in case of failure of the ten Baldur pebbledbed nuclear reactors. The two back-ups, albeit smaller, follow the same technological procedure as the main reactors.

[Crew]
The Argentine’s naval crew complement consists of seven thousand two hundred and thirty-six non-officers, NCOs, junior officers and general officers.

Just as important, however, is the fact that each Argentine class Galleon can carry up to ten thousand infantry, and also holds six hovercraft landing craft for amphibious operations – although all of this is only included in case of a planned amphibious operation.

[Other Statistics]
[Maximum Velocity:] 30 Knots
[Length:] 680 Meters
[Width:] 136 Meters
[Draught:] 13.6 Meters
[Displacement:] 1,500,000 Tonnes fully loaded

In use with McKagan CODEX and MISA Combat Applications Groups. Very limited use in mainstream military, although it is there.

Domestic Production: Avalt Security International (ASI)

[Note: This is stretching modern technology. Consider this 2015 to 2020 technology.]

[BDU-64 Samson Battle Suit]

http://radio.weblogs.com/0121541/ima...4/killzone.jpg
http://www.spiderman.no/media%5Ckillzone%5Ckill2.JPG

[Abstract]
The Empire has never been a fan of battlesuits, but with the advent of New Empire's new M193 Orc Powered Battledress, and the already existant battle suits under the employment of Nanosoft and Greater Deustchland, it became largely imperative that the Empire also began its own research and design in the area. Consequently, around the year 2011 Jonach I placed two trillion Reichmarks into the research into a project dubbed Samson.

The end product was the BDU-64 [Battle Dress Uniform 64], codenamed Samson after the project title. It incorporates some of the best technology yet developed by scientist around the world, making amongst one of the best battle suits in the field.

The Empire is expected to order enough for its mechanized infantry, although perhaps not for the standard infantry until far later. Production is expected to begin at five hundred thousand suits a month, and maximize at two million per month in about eight months, although said activity will require much money into the expansion of the current industry, although there is room for said expansion.

Regardless, the Samson is expected to have much success on the field of battle, for any country, and is a highly suggested piece of material for any importer of military hardware to consider.

[Armor]
The core of the armor relies on a new type of armor called Dragon Skin [SOV-2000], developed by Pinnacle Armor. The SOV-2000 will defeat a 7.62 x 39mm round travelling at up to two thousand seven hundred feet per second. Moreover, it is the only armor only with level III ballistic charactiristics that is flexible enough to wrap around the whole torso area that "move when you move". No more restricted movements when rappelling, fast roping, diving, entry work, sky diving or other rigorous activities. The concept is very similar to that of the suit of armor on a knight - although protective, it did not really restrict movement or speed. The thickness of the layer of Dragon Skin varies from .796" to .858" from place to place. It is also quite light, being one of the lightest body armor in existance.

The armor also includes a layering of liquid body armor, which has been proven to block stabs, as well as shrapnel and low intensity bullets. The liquid body armor would be applied to reinforce the strength of the Dragon Skin, as well as be used in locations not covered by the Dragon Skin because the suit needs to stay flexible. It works through hard particles suspended in a liquid, or polyethylene glycol. At low strain rates, the particles flow with the fluid, enabling clothing to stay flexible. But when heavily strained, the particles become rigid. The transition happens very quickly, a millisecond or quicker.

The battlesuit also uses the concept of an exo-skeleton, although not the range of other battlesuits. The exoskeleton reverted to has been that sold throughout Japan for civilian use. It's designed to be able to allow the human body to do much more than it could do, such as carry heavier loads and weapons - in effect, the battle suit.

Finally, there is an overarching attempt to provide adaptive camouflage. The basic overall function of an adaptive camouflage system would be to project, on the near side of an object, the scene from the far side of the object. A typical adaptive camouflage system would likely include a network of flexible electronic flat-panel display units arrayed in the form of a blanket that would cover all observable surfaces of an object that one seeks to cloak. Each display panel would contain an active-pixel sensor (APS) [or possibly another advanced image sensor] that would look outward from the panel through an aperture that would occupy only a small fraction of the area of the panel.

The blanket would also contain a wiring harness that would include a cross-connected fiber-optic network, through which the image from each APS would be transferred to a complementary display panel on the opposite side of the cloaked object.

The positions and orientations of all the image sensors would be slaved to the position and orientation of one image sensor that would be designated a master imager. The orientations would be determined by a levelling instrument sensed by the master imager. A central controller connected to an external light meter would automatically adjust the brightness levels of all the display panels to make them conform to the to ambient lighting conditions.

The underside of the cloaked object would be illuminated artificially so that the display from the top of the cloaked object would show the ground as though in ambient light; if this were not done, then an obvious shadow-induced discontinuity would be seen by an observer looking down from above.

The display panels could be sized and configured so that a common inventory of such panels could be used to cloak a variety of objects, without need to modify the objects. Sizes and weights of representative adaptive camouflage systems and subsystems have been estimated: The volume of a typical image sensor would be less than about 1 in.3 ( 16 cm3).

[Power]
The Samson is powered through a motor generator running through two hydrogen fuel cell stacks, weighing just about fifteen pounds. The fuel stacks are wired throughout the suit using ultra light weight ceramic super conductors, providing the suit with a zero percent energy transfer loss in heat and friction, making the power one hundred percent effective.

The suit is expected to have a life of twenty-four hours before the fuel stacks have to be refueled. This comes through the effectiveness of power distribution and the fact that not much power is needed for each operation, especially since soldiers do not always need to use combat operation battle suits.

In order to refuel the combatsuit it has to be fully disengaged from the body of the soldier.

[Systems]
For basic manuevering operations the Samson uses a central computing system in the armored pack, provided on the soldier's back. It's adress bus and CPU provide the orders, much like the brain of a human, for the movement of the battledress. Furthermore, neural inserts allow the human brain and the computer to 'intertwine', which means that the suit is commanded by the human brain.

The helmet includes a HUD system, which provides the user with targetting information, including wind velocity and such, making shots much more accurate and much faster. Moreover, it also decreases from friendly fire as the battle suit incorporates the IFF technology. A small transponder on the inside part of the right leg of the soldier provides a signal from suit to suit, which is changed every day for security purposes, and in that method a soldier can tell friendly from foe in a matter of microseconds.

The central CPU also commands, although not through the human brain, a liquid nitrogen injector to cool the suit at all times. In case the injectors fail at any time there are ten small fans distributed around the suit to provide for emergency cooling, giving the soldier the time to turn off the suit, disengage from it, and turn it in for maintenance.

[NBC Protection]
Nuclear/Biologica/Chemical protection comes in the form of the face mask, which provides general and simple NBC protection measures, as well as overpressure charactiristics within the battlesuit. Moreover, there is individual cooling using air-cooled overalls or vests, underneath the battle suit. The air-conditioners are designed to provide optimal cooling performance in worldwide operational conditions in accordance with NATO STANAG 2895 requirements.

[Cost]
50,000 USD

Primary heavy lift aircraft in use by IMAF, although it is in the process of being phased out for a smaller domestic version.

Domestic Producer: Avalt Security International



[Be-23 Archimede's Lever]

[Mission]
The Be-23, codenamed Archimede's Lever, is designed to be a replacement aircraft to the C-5 Galaxy. Consequently, it is also very similar, although there are some essential different charactaristics, due to the reasoning of construction. However, it should fit all roles, just like the C-5 Galaxy just fine, and perhaps even better, due to stealth charactaristics and such.

The Be-23 is a heavy logistics military transport aircraft designed to provide world-wide massive strategic airlift. This air fleet can provide delivery of palletized, oversized and outsized cargo, as well as passengers or combat-ready troops, anywhere in the world on short notice. The aircraft can takeoff and land in relatively short distances and taxi on substandard surfaces during emergency operations. The Be-23 also plays a heavy role in the airdrop and special operations arenas.

The Be-23 is currently the only heavy transport in service of the Empire, and is to compliment the Be-27 Apollo Transport Aircraft, which is to not as heavy. The duo are to provide the Luftwaffe with the transport edge needed for aerially supported combat, especially in nations such as Guadalombia, and other 'brush fire' wars.

Using the front and rear cargo openings, the Be-23 can be loaded and off-loaded at the same time. Both nose and rear doors open the full width and height of the cargo compartment, allowing drive-through loading and unloading of wheeled and tracked vehicles, and faster, easier loading of bulky equipment. A "kneeling" landing gear system lowers the aircraft's cargo floor to truck-bed height. The entire cargo floor has a roller system for rapid handling of palletized equipment. Thirty-six fully loaded pallets can be loaded aboard in about 90 minutes.

The Be-23's weight is distributed on its high flotation landing gear, which has thirty wheels. The landing gear system can raise each set of wheels individually for simplified tire changes or brake maintenance. Or, it can raise it all at once, for simple landing and take off procedures.

An automatic trouble-shooting system constantly monitors more than 800 test points in the various subsystems of the Be-23 The Malfunction Detection Analysis and Recording System uses a digital computer to identify malfunctions in replaceable units. Failure and trend information is recorded on magnetic tape for analysis.

Six turbofan engines mounted on pylons under the wings power the Archimedes. Each engine pod is nearly 27 feet (8.2 meters) long, weighs 7,900 pounds (3,555 kilograms) and has an air intake diameter of more than 8 1/2 feet (2.6 meters). The Be-23 has 12 integral wing tanks with a capacity of 51,150 gallons (194,370 liters) of fuel - enough to fill 6 1/2 regular-size railroad tank cars. The fuel weighs 322,500 pounds (145,125 kilograms) and permits the Be-23, carrying a 204,904-pound (92,207-kilogram) payload, to fly 2,150 nautical miles (3,440 kilometers), off-load, and fly another 500 miles (800 kilometers) without aerial refueling.

Features resembling the C-5 include the forward cargo door (visor) and ramp and the aft cargo door system and ramp. These features allow drive-on/drive-off loading and unloading as well as loading and unloading from either end of the cargo compartment. The Be-23’s kneeling capability also facilitates and expedites these operations by lowering the cargo com-partment floor by about 10 feet to 3 feet off the ground. This position lowers cargo ramps for truck bed and ground loading and reduces ramp angles for loading and unloading vehicles. The Be-23'sfloor does not have treadways. The “floor-bearing pressure” is the same over the entire floor. The Be-23 can carry up to thirty-six 463L pallets. The troop compartment is located in the aircraft’s upper deck. It is self-contained with a galley, two lavatories, and 73 available passenger seats (CB at FS 1675). Another 267 airline seats may be installed on the cargo compartment floor (maximum combined total of 329 troops including air crew over water).

The electrical system has four engine-driven generators, each powerful enough to supply the aircraft sufficient electricity. Each of the two main landing gear pods carries an auxiliary power unit to supply electric and pneumatic power for engine starts and ground air conditioning, heating, cooling and ventilation. Air turbine motors in the landing gear pods also can power the hydraulic systems and the main landing gear kneeling motors.

[Airframe]
The airframe of the Be-23 is a composite material made of an Aluminum based superalloy, NiAl, also a third generation crystal superalloy, as well as titanium, cobalt, Iron, interlaced tungsten and a Zirconium and hafnium alloy. There are seventy-six titanium ribs.

The airframe is also built with contour angles, in which RADAR waves bounce back in other directions, thus giving the Be-23 a limited stealth feature, although it has been known that particularly powerful RADAR can look 'over' said features.

The Lu-05 incorporates the Pallas Athena system, which uses carbon computers, to measure the amplitude, period and frequency of incoming radio waves and thus return an exact radio wave in order to cancel it. The motor generations which run the Pallas Athena also run through a series of capacitors, bathed in water, in order to augment total output by atleast eighty times over. However, the Pallas Athena can be overwhelmed, consequently, it's more of a second rate weapon in order to put 'lesser technologies' at a disadvantage.

The turbojets have infra-red suppresants in order to reduce on infra-red photon radiation, consequently cutting back on infra-red target lock from the less advance air to air missiles (AIM-7 Sparrow, AAM and AIM-9 Sidewinders).

Finally, the entire aircraft has a coating of WAVE-X radar absorbent material, which incorporates the best of honeycomb absorbent material, as well as foam absorbers. WAVE-X works at a frequency of 100MHz - 6GHz and has a surface resistivity of 1MΩ. It works in extreme temperatures, -54° - +177°C, and is the best in existance up to now.

http://www.arc-tech.com/photos/arc_32.jpg

[Specifics]
Engines: Six PETRA-24/C Turbofans [241 kN ]
Wingspan: 88.74 m
Length: Length: 84 m
Height: Height: 18.1 m
Maximum take-off weight: 620,000 kg
Maximum Load: 270,000 kg
Cruising speed: 800 km/h
Range with 200,000 kg: 4,500 km

[Cost]
190 Million USD

Primary non-domestic SSBN.



[Cadiz class SSBN]
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/slbm/ssbn_uw.jpg


[Abstract]
The Second Empire never had designs a SSBN of its own, and with the construction of both a new SSN and a SSK it was decided that it was beyond time to begin the design of a new SSBN. The research, which took less than two years and some six trillion Reichmarks, including the research for the Decurion SLBM - specially designed for the Cadiz class SSBN -, led to the Cadiz, a top of its class ballistic missile nuclear submarine.

It was desined off past submarines designed by the Second Empire, as well as the well known Typhoon class SSBN, and Ohio class SSBN. Furthermore, much of the technology used is some of the most modern in the world, and the Ohio shows much promise of a successful future.

The Kriegsmarine has ordered a submersible fleet of sixty Cadiz class SSBNs for its strategic nuclear stockpile, which for now remains rather small, regardless of the sudden buildup after the Catfish incident which even saw the use of nuclear weapons in international countries and waters. The home bases of the Cadiz class SSBNs are repordetly to be built from scratch, made specially for these submarines, however, the location yet remains classified.

[Hull Design and Construction]
The Cadiz class SSBN takes on a teardrop shape, as seen in the Virginia class SSN, and showing resemblence to technology first released with the Soviet/Russian Kilo class SSK [diesel attack submarine]. The teardrop shape was designed to further disperse the pressure mounted by water, especially at lower depths. Meaning, the rounder shape of the aft of the submarine allows the water to disperse around the hull, avoiding mounting pressure on a single point, as the water "flows" around the hull. Therefore, the teardrop shaped hull gives the Cartagena a much larger crush depth.

The frame of the Cadiz class SSBN is fully made of titanium, amongst the strongest conventional metals known to man. Although rather expensive, it does allow to extend the much important crush depth needed for modern submarines. Furthermore, it gives the hull a greater tensile strength, and should be able to survive up to, and perhaps more than, two standard ADCAP [MK 48] torpedoes.

There are five inner hulls to the Cadiz class SSBN and two parallel superstructure hulls. The superstructure is coated with sound-absorbent tiles. There are 19 compartments including a strengthened module which houses the main control room and electronic equipment compartment which is above the main hulls behind the missile launch tubes. The hull is constructed of a composite material, designed by Imperial engineers. Namely, a polymer material [or plastic material] is weaved around a matrix, giving it additional strength for resistance. The polymer is also reinforced with titanium and steel strands, as well as the ceramics found in chobham and cermat. Furthermore, there are also strands of depleted uranium and vanadium, giving the hull a strength proportional to that of a surface ship. There are also several bulkheads and a host of NBC protection agents, in order to defend from chemical to nuclear attacks in the submarine layer.

The hull and frame gives the Cadiz class SSBN an outstanding crush depth of 1.5 kilometers under perfect circumstances. The hull also incorporates ROR-CHO composite technology developed by BFGoodrich which give the submarine and its sonar windows awesome acoustical performance, while keeping structural integrity.

Moreover, the hull and screws are pocketed by Super Flow cavitation absorbers. SuperFlow power absorbers use forged stainless steel shafts, which have internal hubs for attachment of the impeller. The attachment point to the hub is part of the forging, not a keyway or serration. The stainless steel forged shafts, used in the dynamometers currently available on SF-901s, have not experienced a single failure in their current configurations, going back a number of years. The SuperFlow absorber design uses a rounded pocket which is considerably more efficient at transferring torque, while reducing the shock effect of the water moving from the rotor to the stator. As a consequence, the rotor is smaller in diameter and contains much less volume for rapid response. The area exposed to the water is less, and many of these units have been in operation more than 15 years at this time. The SuperFlow dynamometers are used extensively for endurance testing, and customers report accumulating more than 10,000 hours on the absorbers. SuperFlow’s durability is proven by many years of in-field use.

Finally, the hull is layered with a thin strip of gaucho, a black rubbery substance designed to absorb active sound waves, as well as anechoic tiling.

The submarine's design includes features for travelling under ice and ice-breaking. It has an advanced stern fin with horizontal hydroplane fitted after the screws. The nose horizontal hydroplanes are in the bow section and are retractable into the hull. The retractable systems include two periscopes (one for the commander and one for general use), radio sextant, radar, radio communications, navigation and direction-finder masts. They are housed within the sail guard. The sail and sail guard have a reinforced rounded cover for ice-breaking.


[Propulsion]
The Cadiz class SSBN is driven by two Baldur pebble bed nuclear reactors. The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) is a new type of high temperature helium gas-cooled nuclear reactor, which builds and advances on world-wide nuclear operators' experience of older reactor designs. The most remarkable feature of these reactors is that they use attributes inherent in and natural to the processes of nuclear energy generation to enhance safety features. More importantly, it is also a practical and cost-effective solution to most of the logistics of generating electricity.

http://www.eskom.co.za/nuclear_energ...d/image1_2.gif

To protect the reactor there are several infra-red detection devices around the uranium core, and at a note from a pressure sensor, either made by water or a man made collision, the Baldur nuclear reactor is automatically shut off, save for the coolant flow.

http://www.eskom.co.za/nuclear_energ...oated_part.gif

The nature of the chain reaction that takes place in the PBMR is exactly the same as the one that takes place at Koeberg. (Refer to Koeberg experience - Fuel )

The fuel used in a PBMR consists of "spheres" which are designed in such a way that they contain their radioactivity. The PBMR fuel is based on proven high quality fuel used in Germany.

Each sphere is about the size of a tennis ball and consists of an outer graphite matrix (covering) and an inner fuel zone The fuel zone of a single sphere can contain up to 15 000 "particles". Each particle is coated with a special barrier coating, which ensures that radioactivity is kept locked inside the particle. One of the barriers,the silicon carbide barrier, is so dense that no gaseous or metallic radioactive products can escape. (it retains its density up to temperatures of over 1 700 degrees Celsius). The reactor is loaded with over 440 000 spheres - three quarters of which are fuel spheres and one quarter graphite spheres - at any one time. Fuel spheres are continually being added to the core from the top and removed from the bottom. The removed spheres are measured to see if all the uranium has been used. If it has, the sphere is sent to the spent fuel storage system, and if not, it is reloaded in the core. An average fuel sphere will pass through the core about 10 times before being discharged. the graphite spheres are always re-used. The graphite spheres are used as a moderator. They absorb and reduce the energy of the neutrons so that these can reach the right energy level needed to sustain the chain reaction.

The Baldur nuclear reactors are hooked up to a conducting system, which in turn power a series of Louis-Alice Power Supplies, which then go through a series of thousands of capacitors, and then again through another motor-generator, and finally to their respective screws and maneuvering pods. There is a single six bladed screw at the rear of the submarine, and two manuevering waterjets on either side of the submarine for quick turns.

[Electronic Detection Devices]
AN/BQQ-5 Sonar
AN/BQQ-5 bow-mounted spherical array sonar acoustic system is deployed on SSN 637 and SSN 501 attack submarine classes. This low frequency passive and active search and attack sonar is supplied by IBM. The AN/BQQ-5E sonar with the TB-29 towed array and Combat Control System (CCS) Mk 2, known collectively as the QE-2 System, provides a functionally equivalent system for the Cartagena class submarines. Enhancements include increases in acoustic performance, improved combat control capabilities and replacement of obsolete equipment.

OPEVAL for AN/BQQ-5E system with the TB-29 Array completed in FY 1998; this system will provide quantum improvements in long-range detection and localization for SSN 501 Class Submarines. Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) 7001 to AN/BQQ-5E will provide Low Frequency Active Interference Rejection, Dual Towed Array Processing, and Full Spectrum Processing to SSN 501 Class Submarines.

The AN/BSY-1 ECP 1000, the AN/BQQ-5 Medium Frequency Active Improvement program and Improved Control Display Console Obsolete Equipment Replacement have been modified to become the basis of the Acoustics Rapid Commercial Off The Shelf Insertion (A-RCI) program. A-RCI is a multi-phased, evolutionary development effort geared toward addressing Acoustic Superiority issues through the rapid introduction of interim development products applicable to SSN 501,Class Submarines. A-RCI Phases I and II introduce towed array processing improvements; A-RCI Phase III introduces spherical array processing improvements.

The Cartagena Submarine System Improvement Program develops and integrates command and control improvements needed to maintain Cartagena submarine operational capability through the life cycle of this vital strategic asset. The program conducts efforts needed to ensure platform invulnerability, and reduce life cycle costs. Recent efforts have included the development of AN/BQQ-6 Sonar to AN/BQQ-5E Sonar Translator.

TB-113, TB-23 Towed Array and TACTAS
The TB-113 towed array is the newest towed array currently in service with the Imperial Navy. Being about three times as long as the current Elusive class Battleship it also has a grand host of hundreds of sensitive hydrophones running down the final seventy-five meters length of steel wire.

It was designed to supplement the AN/BQQ-5 spherical array, and to exceed existent towed arrays. However, the older TB-23 towed array is still in use, being the only short towed array in service with the Imperial Navy.

The AN/SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array SONAR (TACTAS) provides very long-range passive detection of enemy submarines. TACTAS is a long cable full of microphones that is towed about a mile behind the ship. It is towed so far behind the ship so as to not let noise radiating from the shipitself interfere with the noise picked up from targets. Using that noise can determine exactly what ship or submarine is being tracked. The AN/SQR-19B Tactical Array SONAR (TACTAS) is a passive towed array system which provides the ability to detect, classify, and track a large number of submarine contacts at increased ranges. TACTAS is a component sensor of the AN/SQQ-89(V)6 ASW Combat System, and provides significant improvements in passive detection and localization, searching throughout 360 degrees at tactical ship speeds. Processing of complex TACTAS data is performed by the largest computer program assembly ever developed for surface ship anti-submarine warfare.

Meteorology and Oceanography Center Detachment TACTAS support products describe oceanographic and acoustic conditions (using range dependent models) in the prosecution area for towed array ships tasked by CTF-69 for ASW operations. This message is provided when own ship Sonar In-situ Mode Assessment System (SIMAS) or the Mobile Environmental Team’s Mobile Oceanographic Support System MOSS) are not available. It is tailored to the specific towed array carried onboard. The message is transmitted prior to the start of a prosecution and daily thereafter or as requested.


General SONAR Use
Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) usually, but not always, involves the use of sonar. Although the vagaries of the environment make it difficult to predict and use, there is no other type of energy propagation that travels so far in the ocean without significant losses as acoustics waves. In this section, we describe the principles of operation of the major types of sonar systems and one non-acoustic system (MAD). We begin with the system that most closely resembles the operation of basic radar, namely active sonar.

Transmitter. The transmitter generates the outgoing pulse. It determines pulse width, PRF, modulation (optional), and carrier frequency. The output power can be controlled by the operator. The source level may be limited for several reasons. If the transducers are driven with too much power, they can cavitate (drop the pressure so low that the water boils). This is called quenching, and it can destroy the transducer since the normal backpressure is removed when bubbles form on its surface. Since the normal restoring force is gone, the surface of the transducer can travel too far (over-range) and damage itself. The quenching power limit increases with depth due to the increased ambient pressure.
Another common phenomenon that limits the maximum source level is reverberation, which is an echo from the immediate surrounding volume of water. The reverberation level (RL) increases with the source level (SL). At some point the reverberation exceeds the noise level (NL) and will dominate the return signal. Since reverberation always comes back from the same direction you are projecting, the reduction in background noise, quantified by the directivity index (DI) does not apply. When
RL > NL - DI,
the system is said to be reverberation-limited. The figure of merit equation must be modified to reflect this:

FOMactive (reverberation-limited) = SL + TS - RL - DT

When the system becomes reverberation-limited, the display will begin to be dominated by noise near own ship in the direction the active sonar is projecting. The solution is to reduce power to just below the level at which reverberation-limiting occurred.

Transducer array. The individual transducers are simple elements with little or no directionality. They are arranged in an array to improve the directivity index, which improves the figure-of-merit by noise reduction. The array of transducers reduces the beamwidth in the horizontal (or azimuthal) direction, and is usually circular in order to give more or less complete coverage, with the exception of the region directly behind the array (where the ship is). The array is protected from noise by own ship by discontinuing the array in the after regions, and also by putting in sound attenuating material. This region aft of a hull-mounted array, from which the sonar system cannot detect is called the baffles.

The array is also configured to reduce the beamwidth in the vertical direction. Normally a hull-mounted array should only receive sound from the downward direction, not directly ahead, since the noise from the ocean's surface would destroy the sonar's performance.

Beamforming processor. The input/output of each transducer is put through a beamforming processor, which applies time delays or phase shifts to each of the signals in such a way as to create a narrow beam in a particular direction.

The width of the beam formed by the beamforming processor will determine the bearing accuracy of the system when searching. In an identical manner to dual-beam tracking systems, sonar tracking systems can improve on this accuracy tremendously, at the expense of the signal-to-noise ratio.

4.) Duplexer. The duplexer performs the same function in an active sonar as in a radar system, namely to protect the receiver from the full transmitter power while the pulse is going out. It can be thought of a switch that toggles between the transmitter and receiver.

5.) Synchronizer. Performs same role as the synchronizer in radar. Provides overall coordination and timing for the system. Reset the display for each new pulse in order to make range measurements.

6.) Receiver. Collects the received energy. The receiver compares the power level to noise with a threshold SNR (DT) in order to determine if the signal will be displayed in a particular beam. If the DT is set too low, there will many false alarms. If it is too high, some detection capability will be lost.

The receiver may also demodulate the return if frequency modulation is used on transmission. Sonar systems often use pulse compression techniques to improve range resolution.

7.) Display. Puts all of the detection information into a visual format. There are several types:

A-scan: the signal along a single beam for a portion of the listening cycle. A target appears as a raised section if it is in the beam.
Passive SONAR:

Hydrophone array. These are the sensitive elements which detect the acoustic energy emitted from the target. Again, they are arranged into an array to improve the beamwidth. Common configurations are cylindrical or spherical. The cylindrical array operates at a fixed vertical angle, usually downward. The spherical array, which is common on submarines, has a much wider vertical field-of-view. Since the submarine may be below what it is tracking, the array must be able to look upwards to some extent. The large downward angles are only used for bottom bounce detection. Using a beamforming processor (described below) the field-of-view is broken down into individual beams in the vertical and azimuthal directions.

Beamforming processor. Unlike active systems which transmit and receive in a set direction, the passive system must listen to all angles at all times. This requires a very wide beamwidth. At the same time, a narrow beamwidth is required for locating the source and rejecting ambient noise. These two objectives are achieved simultaneously by the passive beamforming processor. The idea is very similar to the active system.

The beams should not be thought of as coming from the individual hydrophones. In fact, each of the beams so created has a narrow beamwidth that comes from the full aperture of the array, not the individual hydrophones.




Broadband display. The output of the beamforming processor is displayed as a bearing time history (BTH):

The newest information is at the top of the display. The beamwidth of the system determines how accurately the bearing can be measured by such a display. A common beamwidth is about 5o. The total amount of time displayed from top to bottom can be controlled (to some extent). A quickly updating display that only kept information for a few minutes would be useful for close contacts whose bearings are changing rapidly. On the other hand, a long tie history is more useful for detecting long range contacts, whose bearings are only changing slowly.

4.) Frequency Analyzer. The frequency analyzer breaks the signal into separate frequencies. This is the spectrum of the signal. For processing purposes, the frequencies are divided into small bands known as frequency bins. The width of each bin is called the analysis bandwidth. Sonar systems can gain considerable signal-to-noise improvements by matching the analysis bandwidth to the bandwidth of narrowband sources. The way to illustrate this is by two counter examples. If the signal processing bandwidth is too wide, then noise from the part of the spectrum beyond the signal is let in and the SNR is degraded. If the bandwidth is too narrow, then part of the signal is excluded, also reducing the SNR. It should be obvious now that the best situation occurs when the bandwidth exactly matches the signal. This is possible when the characteristics of the signal are well known, which they are for most targets.




The frequency analyzer separates (filters) the signal into discrete bins, inside of which the SNR is maximized. The frequency content of the signals from a target information provides vital information about its identity and operation. These frequencies are also subject to the Doppler shift, just like radar, are therefore can provide information about the range rate. This requires that the original frequency be known exactly, which is generally not the case. However, many important facts can be inferred by the changes in the received frequency over time.

Narrowband Display. For a particular beam, the time history of the frequency is called a waterfall display.

This can be used to gain additional information from a contact which is already being tracked by another system. In order to search for contacts on the basis of narrowband information alone requires a different type of display. One possibility is to simultaneously display several different beams, each showing a mini-waterfall display, which are called grams.

These are quite useful, but require great concentration on the part of the operator because there is more information displayed at any one time. Many systems require the operator to systematically search the entire field-of-view, looking at only a few beams at a time.

Variable Depth Sonar (VDS)
Variable depth sonars use large transducers that are towed from the ship on a cable with an adjustable scope. The combination of the buoyancy, ship speed and cable scope determine at the depth that the transducer will be at. VDS is used for two main reasons. At increased depth, the source level (SL) can be increased greatly, since the quenching limit is higher. This is due to increased backpressure on the surface of the transducer. Secondly, the VDS can be operated below the layer.

Recall that the combination of positive over negative sound velocity profiles created a layer at the interface. The layer makes it difficult to propagate sound across it. Therefore, ships using hull-mounted sonar systems will be unable to detect submarines operating below the layer, except possibly at short range. However, if the VDS can be place below layer, the ship can take advantage of the deep sound channel while being in the shadow zone of the submarine's sonar.

ZW-07 Surface Search RADAR
The radar has a peak power of 50 or 60 kW (pulse width 1 microsecond, PRF 1200 pps). There are also a short-pulse mode (0.1 microsecond, 100 kW, can be 2500 pps). Gain is 28 dB; dimensions of the half-cheese antenna are 1.0 x 0.25 m. The beam is 2.4 x 16 deg.
Performance: The range remains at around 200 nautical miles. In the single-pulse mode a ship can be detected at two hundred and ten nautical miles. The ZW-07 radar is installed on the Cartagena SSN.
http://www.dutchsubmarines.com/rd/im...uipm_zw-07.jpg

Inertial Guidance
An inertial navigation system measures the position and attitude of a vehicle by measuring the accelerations and rotations applied to the system's inertial frame. It is widely used because it refers to no real-world item beyond itself. It is therefore immune to jamming and deception. (See relativity and Mach's principle for some background in the physics involved).

An inertial guidance system consists of an inertial navigation system combined with control mechanisms, allowing the path of a vehicle to be controlled according to the position determined by the inertial navigation system. These systems are also referred to as an inertial platform.
INSs have angular and linear accelerometers (for changes in position); some include a gyroscopic element (for maintaining an absolute positional reference).

Angular accelerometers measure how the vehicle is twisting in space. Generally, there's at least one sensor for each of the three axes: pitch (nose up and down), yaw (nose left and right) and roll (clockwise or counterclockwise from the cockpit).

Linear accelerometers measure how the vehicle moves. Since it can move in three axes (up & down, left & right, forward & back), it has a linear accelerometer for each axis.

A computer continually calculates the vehicle's current position. First, for each of six axes, it adds the amount of acceleration over the time to figure the current velocity of each of the six axes. Then it adds the distance moved in each of the six axes to figure the current position.

Inertial guidance is impossible without computers. The desire to use inertial guidance in the minuteman missile and Apollo program drove early attempts to miniaturize computers.

Inertial guidance systems are now usually combined with satellite navigation systems through a digital filtering system. The inertial system provides short term data, while the satellite system corrects accumulated errors of the inertial system.

Schemes

Gyrostabilized platforms
Some systems place the linear accelerometers on a gimballed gyrostabilized platform. The gimbals are a set of three rings, each with a pair of bearings at right angles. They let the platform twist in any rotational axis. There are two gyroscopes (usually) on the platform.

Why do the gyros hold the platform still? Gyroscopes try to twist at right angles to the angle at which they are twisted (an effect called precession). When gyroscopes are mounted at right angles and spin at the same speed, their precessions cancel, and the platform they're on will resist twisting.
This system allowed a vehicle's roll, pitch and yaw angles to be measured directly at the bearings of the gimbals. Relatively simple electronic circuits could add up the linear accelerations, because the directions of the linear accelerometers do not change.

The big disadvantage of this scheme is that it has a lot of precision mechanical parts that are expensive. It also has moving parts that can wear out or jam, and is vulnerable to gimbal lock.

The gudiance system of the Apollo command modules used gyrostabilized platforms, feeding data to the Apollo Guidance Computer

Rate Gyro Systems
Lightweight digital computers permit the system to eliminate the gimbals. This reduces the cost and increases the reliability by eliminating some of the moving parts. Angular accelerometers called "rate gyros" measure how the angular velocity of the vehicle changes. The trigonometry involved is too complex to be accurately performed except by digital electronics.

Laser Gyros
Laser gyros were supposed to eliminate the bearings in the gyroscopes, and thus the last bastion of precision machining and moving parts.

A laser gyro moves laser light in two directions around a circular path. As the vehicle twists, the light has a doppler effect. The different frequencies of light are mixed, and the difference frequency (the beat frequency) is a radio wave whose frequency is supposed to be proportional to the speed of rotation.

In practice, the electromagnetic peaks and valleys of the light lock together. The result is that there's no difference of frequencies, and therefore no measurement.

To unlock the counter-rotating light beams, laser gyros either have independent light paths for the two direction (usually in fiber optic gyros), or the laser gyro is mounted on a sort of audio speaker that rapidly shakes the gyro back and forth to decouple the light waves.

Alas, the shaker is the most accurate, because both light beams use exactly the same path. Thus laser gyros retain moving parts, but they don't move as much.

Brandy Snifter Gyros
If a standing wave is induced in a globular brandy snifter, and then the snifter is tilted, the waves continue in the same plane of movement. They don't tilt with the snifter. This trick is used to measure angles. Instead of brandy snifters, the system uses hollow globes machined from piezoelectric matierals such as quartz. The electrodes to start and sense the waves are evaporated directly onto the quartz.

This system almost has no moving parts, and it's very accurate. It's still expensive, though, because precision ground and polished hollow quartz spheres just aren't cheap.

Quartz Rate Sensors
This system is usually integrated on a silicon chip. It has two mass-balanced quartz tuning forks, arranged "handle-to-handle" so forces cancel. Electrodes of aluminum evaporated on the forks and the underying chip both drive and sense the motion. The system is both manufacturable and inexpensive. Since quartz is dimensionally stable, the system has a good possibility of accuracy.

As the forks are twisted about the axis of the handle, the vibration of the tines tends to continue in the same plane of motion. This motion has to be resisted by electrostatic forces from the electrodes under the tines. By measuring the difference in capacitance between the two tines of a fork, the system can determine the rate of angular motion.

Pendular Accelerometers
The basic accelerometer is just a mass with a ruler attached. The ruler may be an exotic electromagnetic sensor, but it still senses distance. When the vehicle accelerates, the mass moves, and ruler measures the movement. The bad thing about this scheme is that it needs calibrated springs, and springs are nearly impossible to make consistent.

A trickier system is to measure the force needed to keep the mass from moving. In this scheme, there's still a ruler, but whenever the mass moves, an electric coil pulls on the mass, cancelling the motion. The stronger the pull, the more acceleration there is. The bad thing about this is that very high accelerations, say from explosions, impacts or gunfire, can exceed the capacity of the electronics to cancel. The sensor then loses track of where the vehicle is.

Both sorts of accelerometers have been manufactured as integrated micromachinery on silicon chips.

Accelerometer-only Systems
Some systems use four pendular accelerometers to measure all the possible movements and rotations. Usually, these are mounted with the weights in the corners of a tetrahedron. Thus, these are called "tetrahedral inertial platforms", or TIPs.

When the vehicle rolls, the masses on opposite sides will be accelerated in opposite directions. When the vehicle has linear acceleration, the masses are accelerated in the same direction. The computer keeps track.
TIPs are cheap, lightweight and small, especially when they use imicromachined integrated accelerometers. However currently (2002) they are not very accurate. When they're used, they're used in small missiles.

[Photonic Mast]
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/photonic-mast-a.jpg

Despite its valued service for more than ten years, the Imperial Navy will soon say "so long" to the conventional periscope. In 2005, construction began on a new breed of attack submarines that won't have a periscope. Instead, these new Cadiz-class submarines will use non-penetrating imaging devices called photonics masts to perform surveillance tasks. Each new submarine will be equipped with two photonics masts, which are basically arrays of high-resolution cameras that capture and send visual images to flat-panel displays in the control room.

[Weapons]
The Cadiz class SSBN carries twenty-two Decurion SLBMs [submarine launched ballistic missiles]. The two rows of missile launch tubes are situated in front of the sail between the main hulls. Each missile consists of thirty independently targetable multiple re-entry vehicles (MIRV's), each with a 200kt nuclear warhead. Guidance is inertial with stellar reference updating. Range is 8,300km with accuracy (CEP) of 500m. The missile weighs 91,000kg at launch and was designed by the Kriegsmarine Conglomerate.

The Cadiz class SSBN also has eight retractable ASHUM guns situated strategically around the outer superstructure for anti-torpedo, close in weapon system defense. It uses very high velocity depleted uranium kinetic energy rounds.

The Cadiz class SSBN also has two four celled VLS tubes which carry a total of eight Praetorian V surface to air missiles, designed with a conventional rocket fuel booster instead of the SCRAMjet engine, for use against helicopters and low flying ASW aircraft.

It also has five foward 500mm torpedo tubes, which can be changed upon export to conventional, or other sizes, designed to fire the MT-1, MT-2, MT-3, or MT-4, although it's much more likely that the only torpedoes used would be the MT-3. The Cadiz can carry five snapshots and twelve more torpedoes on stock. The torpedo room is in the upper part of the bow between the hulls. The torpedo tubes can also be used to deploy mines.

[Statistics]
Beam: 23.3 meters
Length: 172 meters
Draught: 11 meters
Submerged Displacement: 48,000 tons
Surfaced Velocity: 12 Knots
Submerged Velocity: 25 Kots
Sea Endurance: 140 Days
Crew: 176 officers and men

Primary Imported SSN.

[Abstract]
After many years of success regarding the use of the Toledo class SSN it was decided that a newer, more advance, and much more effective nuclear attack submarine was needed if the Empire's submarine naval force was to stay on par with other naval powers around the world. Consequently, by the accension of Jonach to the government in 2005 the administration had put money into a new project, labeled S116, destined to craft the new Cartagena class SSN [501].

The Cartagena class SSN is a top of the line submarine, developed with amongst the best technologies currently available around the world, and some only available to allied states. The Cartagena is destined to make its name known around the world, and in accordance has been opened for export.

The Golden Throne has ordered a total of four hundred of the new SSNs, replacing all four hundred of the Toledo class SSNs which are to be mothballed, and consequently scrapped for construction of other submersibles. The Cartagena is to be one of the most widely used submarines around the world, especially in the Golden Throne's and allied navies.
The ship is designed using a state-of-the-art digital database, which allows members of the IPPD teams to work from a single design database and provides three-dimensional electronic mockups throughout the design process.

[Hull Design and Construction]
The Cartagena class SSN takes on a teardrop shape, as seen in the Virginia class SSN, and showing resemblence to technology first released with the Soviet/Russian Kilo class SSK [diesel attack submarine]. The teardrop shape was designed to further disperse the pressure mounted by water, especially at lower depths. Meaning, the rounder shape of the aft of the submarine allows the water to disperse around the hull, avoiding mounting pressure on a single point, as the water "flows" around the hull. Therefore, the teardrop shaped hull gives the Cartagena a much larger crush depth.

The frame of the Cartagena class SSN is fully made of titanium, amongst the strongest conventional metals known to man. Although rather expensive, it does allow to extend the much important crush depth needed for modern submarines. Furthermore, it gives the hull a greater tensile strength, and should be able to survive up to, and perhaps more than, two standard ADCAP [MK 48] torpedoes.

The hull is constructed of a composite material, designed by Imperial engineers. Namely, a polymer material [or plastic material] is weaved around a matrix, giving it additional strength for resistance. The polymer is also reinforced with titanium and steel strands, as well as the ceramics found in chobham and cermat. Furthermore, there are also strands of depleted uranium and vanadium, giving the hull a strength proportional to that of a surface ship. There are also several bulkheads and a host of NBC protection agents, in order to defend from chemical to nuclear attacks in the submarine layer.

The hull and frame gives the Cartagena class SSN an outstanding crush depth of 2.5 kilometers under perfect circumstances. The hull also incorporates ROR-CHO composite technology developed by BFGoodrich which give the submarine and its sonar windows awesome acoustical performance, while keeping structural integrity.

Moreover, the hull and screws are pocketed by Super Flow cavitation absorbers. SuperFlow power absorbers use forged stainless steel shafts, which have internal hubs for attachment of the impeller. The attachment point to the hub is part of the forging, not a keyway or serration. The stainless steel forged shafts, used in the dynamometers currently available on SF-901s, have not experienced a single failure in their current configurations, going back a number of years. The SuperFlow absorber design uses a rounded pocket which is considerably more efficient at transferring torque, while reducing the shock effect of the water moving from the rotor to the stator. As a consequence, the rotor is smaller in diameter and contains much less volume for rapid response. The area exposed to the water is less, and many of these units have been in operation more than 15 years at this time. The SuperFlow dynamometers are used extensively for endurance testing, and customers report accumulating more than 10,000 hours on the absorbers. SuperFlow’s durability is proven by many years of in-field use.
Finally, the hull is layered with a thin strip of gaucho, a black rubbery substance designed to absorb active sound waves, as well as anechoic tiling.

[Propulsion]
The Cartagena class SSN is driven by a single Baldur pebble bed nuclear reactor. The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) is a new type of high temperature helium gas-cooled nuclear reactor, which builds and advances on world-wide nuclear operators' experience of older reactor designs. The most remarkable feature of these reactors is that they use attributes inherent in and natural to the processes of nuclear energy generation to enhance safety features. More importantly, it is also a practical and cost-effective solution to most of the logistics of generating electricity.

http://www.eskom.co.za/nuclear_energ...d/image1_2.gif

To protect the reactor there are several infra-red detection devices around the uranium core, and at a note from a pressure sensor, either made by water or a man made collision, the Baldur nuclear reactor is automatically shut off, save for the coolant flow.

http://www.eskom.co.za/nuclear_energ...oated_part.gif

The nature of the chain reaction that takes place in the PBMR is exactly the same as the one that takes place at Koeberg. (Refer to Koeberg experience - Fuel )

The fuel used in a PBMR consists of "spheres" which are designed in such a way that they contain their radioactivity. The PBMR fuel is based on proven high quality fuel used in Germany.

Each sphere is about the size of a tennis ball and consists of an outer graphite matrix (covering) and an inner fuel zone The fuel zone of a single sphere can contain up to 15 000 "particles". Each particle is coated with a special barrier coating, which ensures that radioactivity is kept locked inside the particle. One of the barriers,the silicon carbide barrier, is so dense that no gaseous or metallic radioactive products can escape. (it retains its density up to temperatures of over 1 700 degrees Celsius). The reactor is loaded with over 440 000 spheres - three quarters of which are fuel spheres and one quarter graphite spheres - at any one time. Fuel spheres are continually being added to the core from the top and removed from the bottom. The removed spheres are measured to see if all the uranium has been used. If it has, the sphere is sent to the spent fuel storage system, and if not, it is reloaded in the core. An average fuel sphere will pass through the core about 10 times before being discharged. the graphite spheres are always re-used. The graphite spheres are used as a moderator. They absorb and reduce the energy of the neutrons so that these can reach the right energy level needed to sustain the chain reaction.

[Electronic Detection Devices]
AN/BQQ-5 Sonar
AN/BQQ-5 bow-mounted spherical array sonar acoustic system is deployed on SSN 637 and SSN 501 attack submarine classes. This low frequency passive and active search and attack sonar is supplied by IBM. The AN/BQQ-5E sonar with the TB-29 towed array and Combat Control System (CCS) Mk 2, known collectively as the QE-2 System, provides a functionally equivalent system for the Cartagena class submarines. Enhancements include increases in acoustic performance, improved combat control capabilities and replacement of obsolete equipment.

OPEVAL for AN/BQQ-5E system with the TB-29 Array completed in FY 1998; this system will provide quantum improvements in long-range detection and localization for SSN 501 Class Submarines. Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) 7001 to AN/BQQ-5E will provide Low Frequency Active Interference Rejection, Dual Towed Array Processing, and Full Spectrum Processing to SSN 501 Class Submarines.

The AN/BSY-1 ECP 1000, the AN/BQQ-5 Medium Frequency Active Improvement program and Improved Control Display Console Obsolete Equipment Replacement have been modified to become the basis of the Acoustics Rapid Commercial Off The Shelf Insertion (A-RCI) program. A-RCI is a multi-phased, evolutionary development effort geared toward addressing Acoustic Superiority issues through the rapid introduction of interim development products applicable to SSN 501,Class Submarines. A-RCI Phases I and II introduce towed array processing improvements; A-RCI Phase III introduces spherical array processing improvements.

The Cartagena Submarine System Improvement Program develops and integrates command and control improvements needed to maintain Cartagena submarine operational capability through the life cycle of this vital strategic asset. The program conducts efforts needed to ensure platform invulnerability, and reduce life cycle costs. Recent efforts have included the development of AN/BQQ-6 Sonar to AN/BQQ-5E Sonar Translator.

TB-113, TB-23 Towed Array and TACTAS
The TB-113 towed array is the newest towed array currently in service with the Imperial Navy. Being about three times as long as the current Elusive class Battleship it also has a grand host of hundreds of sensitive hydrophones running down the final seventy-five meters length of steel wire.

It was designed to supplement the AN/BQQ-5 spherical array, and to exceed existent towed arrays. However, the older TB-23 towed array is still in use, being the only short towed array in service with the Imperial Navy.

The AN/SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array SONAR (TACTAS) provides very long-range passive detection of enemy submarines. TACTAS is a long cable full of microphones that is towed about a mile behind the ship. It is towed so far behind the ship so as to not let noise radiating from the shipitself interfere with the noise picked up from targets. Using that noise can determine exactly what ship or submarine is being tracked. The AN/SQR-19B Tactical Array SONAR (TACTAS) is a passive towed array system which provides the ability to detect, classify, and track a large number of submarine contacts at increased ranges. TACTAS is a component sensor of the AN/SQQ-89(V)6 ASW Combat System, and provides significant improvements in passive detection and localization, searching throughout 360 degrees at tactical ship speeds. Processing of complex TACTAS data is performed by the largest computer program assembly ever developed for surface ship anti-submarine warfare.

Meteorology and Oceanography Center Detachment TACTAS support products describe oceanographic and acoustic conditions (using range dependent models) in the prosecution area for towed array ships tasked by CTF-69 for ASW operations. This message is provided when own ship Sonar In-situ Mode Assessment System (SIMAS) or the Mobile Environmental Team’s Mobile Oceanographic Support System MOSS) are not available. It is tailored to the specific towed array carried onboard. The message is transmitted prior to the start of a prosecution and daily thereafter or as requested.


General SONAR Use
Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) usually, but not always, involves the use of sonar. Although the vagaries of the environment make it difficult to predict and use, there is no other type of energy propagation that travels so far in the ocean without significant losses as acoustics waves. In this section, we describe the principles of operation of the major types of sonar systems and one non-acoustic system (MAD). We begin with the system that most closely resembles the operation of basic radar, namely active sonar.

Transmitter. The transmitter generates the outgoing pulse. It determines pulse width, PRF, modulation (optional), and carrier frequency. The output power can be controlled by the operator. The source level may be limited for several reasons. If the transducers are driven with too much power, they can cavitate (drop the pressure so low that the water boils). This is called quenching, and it can destroy the transducer since the normal backpressure is removed when bubbles form on its surface. Since the normal restoring force is gone, the surface of the transducer can travel too far (over-range) and damage itself. The quenching power limit increases with depth due to the increased ambient pressure.
Another common phenomenon that limits the maximum source level is reverberation, which is an echo from the immediate surrounding volume of water. The reverberation level (RL) increases with the source level (SL). At some point the reverberation exceeds the noise level (NL) and will dominate the return signal. Since reverberation always comes back from the same direction you are projecting, the reduction in background noise, quantified by the directivity index (DI) does not apply. When
RL > NL - DI,
the system is said to be reverberation-limited. The figure of merit equation must be modified to reflect this:

FOMactive (reverberation-limited) = SL + TS - RL - DT

When the system becomes reverberation-limited, the display will begin to be dominated by noise near own ship in the direction the active sonar is projecting. The solution is to reduce power to just below the level at which reverberation-limiting occurred.

Transducer array. The individual transducers are simple elements with little or no directionality. They are arranged in an array to improve the directivity index, which improves the figure-of-merit by noise reduction. The array of transducers reduces the beamwidth in the horizontal (or azimuthal) direction, and is usually circular in order to give more or less complete coverage, with the exception of the region directly behind the array (where the ship is). The array is protected from noise by own ship by discontinuing the array in the after regions, and also by putting in sound attenuating material. This region aft of a hull-mounted array, from which the sonar system cannot detect is called the baffles.

The array is also configured to reduce the beamwidth in the vertical direction. Normally a hull-mounted array should only receive sound from the downward direction, not directly ahead, since the noise from the ocean's surface would destroy the sonar's performance.

Beamforming processor. The input/output of each transducer is put through a beamforming processor, which applies time delays or phase shifts to each of the signals in such a way as to create a narrow beam in a particular direction.

The width of the beam formed by the beamforming processor will determine the bearing accuracy of the system when searching. In an identical manner to dual-beam tracking systems, sonar tracking systems can improve on this accuracy tremendously, at the expense of the signal-to-noise ratio.

4.) Duplexer. The duplexer performs the same function in an active sonar as in a radar system, namely to protect the receiver from the full transmitter power while the pulse is going out. It can be thought of a switch that toggles between the transmitter and receiver.

5.) Synchronizer. Performs same role as the synchronizer in radar. Provides overall coordination and timing for the system. Reset the display for each new pulse in order to make range measurements.

6.) Receiver. Collects the received energy. The receiver compares the power level to noise with a threshold SNR (DT) in order to determine if the signal will be displayed in a particular beam. If the DT is set too low, there will many false alarms. If it is too high, some detection capability will be lost.

The receiver may also demodulate the return if frequency modulation is used on transmission. Sonar systems often use pulse compression techniques to improve range resolution.

7.) Display. Puts all of the detection information into a visual format. There are several types:

A-scan: the signal along a single beam for a portion of the listening cycle. A target appears as a raised section if it is in the beam.
Passive SONAR:

Hydrophone array. These are the sensitive elements which detect the acoustic energy emitted from the target. Again, they are arranged into an array to improve the beamwidth. Common configurations are cylindrical or spherical. The cylindrical array operates at a fixed vertical angle, usually downward. The spherical array, which is common on submarines, has a much wider vertical field-of-view. Since the submarine may be below what it is tracking, the array must be able to look upwards to some extent. The large downward angles are only used for bottom bounce detection. Using a beamforming processor (described below) the field-of-view is broken down into individual beams in the vertical and azimuthal directions.

Beamforming processor. Unlike active systems which transmit and receive in a set direction, the passive system must listen to all angles at all times. This requires a very wide beamwidth. At the same time, a narrow beamwidth is required for locating the source and rejecting ambient noise. These two objectives are achieved simultaneously by the passive beamforming processor. The idea is very similar to the active system.

The beams should not be thought of as coming from the individual hydrophones. In fact, each of the beams so created has a narrow beamwidth that comes from the full aperture of the array, not the individual hydrophones.




Broadband display. The output of the beamforming processor is displayed as a bearing time history (BTH):

The newest information is at the top of the display. The beamwidth of the system determines how accurately the bearing can be measured by such a display. A common beamwidth is about 5o. The total amount of time displayed from top to bottom can be controlled (to some extent). A quickly updating display that only kept information for a few minutes would be useful for close contacts whose bearings are changing rapidly. On the other hand, a long tie history is more useful for detecting long range contacts, whose bearings are only changing slowly.

4.) Frequency Analyzer. The frequency analyzer breaks the signal into separate frequencies. This is the spectrum of the signal. For processing purposes, the frequencies are divided into small bands known as frequency bins. The width of each bin is called the analysis bandwidth. Sonar systems can gain considerable signal-to-noise improvements by matching the analysis bandwidth to the bandwidth of narrowband sources. The way to illustrate this is by two counter examples. If the signal processing bandwidth is too wide, then noise from the part of the spectrum beyond the signal is let in and the SNR is degraded. If the bandwidth is too narrow, then part of the signal is excluded, also reducing the SNR. It should be obvious now that the best situation occurs when the bandwidth exactly matches the signal. This is possible when the characteristics of the signal are well known, which they are for most targets.




The frequency analyzer separates (filters) the signal into discrete bins, inside of which the SNR is maximized. The frequency content of the signals from a target information provides vital information about its identity and operation. These frequencies are also subject to the Doppler shift, just like radar, are therefore can provide information about the range rate. This requires that the original frequency be known exactly, which is generally not the case. However, many important facts can be inferred by the changes in the received frequency over time.

Narrowband Display. For a particular beam, the time history of the frequency is called a waterfall display.

This can be used to gain additional information from a contact which is already being tracked by another system. In order to search for contacts on the basis of narrowband information alone requires a different type of display. One possibility is to simultaneously display several different beams, each showing a mini-waterfall display, which are called grams.

These are quite useful, but require great concentration on the part of the operator because there is more information displayed at any one time. Many systems require the operator to systematically search the entire field-of-view, looking at only a few beams at a time.

Variable Depth Sonar (VDS)
Variable depth sonars use large transducers that are towed from the ship on a cable with an adjustable scope. The combination of the buoyancy, ship speed and cable scope determine at the depth that the transducer will be at. VDS is used for two main reasons. At increased depth, the source level (SL) can be increased greatly, since the quenching limit is higher. This is due to increased backpressure on the surface of the transducer. Secondly, the VDS can be operated below the layer.

Recall that the combination of positive over negative sound velocity profiles created a layer at the interface. The layer makes it difficult to propagate sound across it. Therefore, ships using hull-mounted sonar systems will be unable to detect submarines operating below the layer, except possibly at short range. However, if the VDS can be place below layer, the ship can take advantage of the deep sound channel while being in the shadow zone of the submarine's sonar.

ZW-07 Surface Search RADAR
The radar has a peak power of 50 or 60 kW (pulse width 1 microsecond, PRF 1200 pps). There are also a short-pulse mode (0.1 microsecond, 100 kW, can be 2500 pps). Gain is 28 dB; dimensions of the half-cheese antenna are 1.0 x 0.25 m. The beam is 2.4 x 16 deg.
Performance: The range remains at around 200 nautical miles. In the single-pulse mode a ship can be detected at two hundred and ten nautical miles. The ZW-07 radar is installed on the Cartagena SSN.
http://www.dutchsubmarines.com/rd/im...uipm_zw-07.jpg

Inertial Guidance
An inertial navigation system measures the position and attitude of a vehicle by measuring the accelerations and rotations applied to the system's inertial frame. It is widely used because it refers to no real-world item beyond itself. It is therefore immune to jamming and deception. (See relativity and Mach's principle for some background in the physics involved).

An inertial guidance system consists of an inertial navigation system combined with control mechanisms, allowing the path of a vehicle to be controlled according to the position determined by the inertial navigation system. These systems are also referred to as an inertial platform.
INSs have angular and linear accelerometers (for changes in position); some include a gyroscopic element (for maintaining an absolute positional reference).

Angular accelerometers measure how the vehicle is twisting in space. Generally, there's at least one sensor for each of the three axes: pitch (nose up and down), yaw (nose left and right) and roll (clockwise or counterclockwise from the cockpit).

Linear accelerometers measure how the vehicle moves. Since it can move in three axes (up & down, left & right, forward & back), it has a linear accelerometer for each axis.

A computer continually calculates the vehicle's current position. First, for each of six axes, it adds the amount of acceleration over the time to figure the current velocity of each of the six axes. Then it adds the distance moved in each of the six axes to figure the current position.

Inertial guidance is impossible without computers. The desire to use inertial guidance in the minuteman missile and Apollo program drove early attempts to miniaturize computers.

Inertial guidance systems are now usually combined with satellite navigation systems through a digital filtering system. The inertial system provides short term data, while the satellite system corrects accumulated errors of the inertial system.

Schemes

Gyrostabilized platforms
Some systems place the linear accelerometers on a gimballed gyrostabilized platform. The gimbals are a set of three rings, each with a pair of bearings at right angles. They let the platform twist in any rotational axis. There are two gyroscopes (usually) on the platform.

Why do the gyros hold the platform still? Gyroscopes try to twist at right angles to the angle at which they are twisted (an effect called precession). When gyroscopes are mounted at right angles and spin at the same speed, their precessions cancel, and the platform they're on will resist twisting.
This system allowed a vehicle's roll, pitch and yaw angles to be measured directly at the bearings of the gimbals. Relatively simple electronic circuits could add up the linear accelerations, because the directions of the linear accelerometers do not change.

The big disadvantage of this scheme is that it has a lot of precision mechanical parts that are expensive. It also has moving parts that can wear out or jam, and is vulnerable to gimbal lock.

The gudiance system of the Apollo command modules used gyrostabilized platforms, feeding data to the Apollo Guidance Computer

Rate Gyro Systems
Lightweight digital computers permit the system to eliminate the gimbals. This reduces the cost and increases the reliability by eliminating some of the moving parts. Angular accelerometers called "rate gyros" measure how the angular velocity of the vehicle changes. The trigonometry involved is too complex to be accurately performed except by digital electronics.

Laser Gyros
Laser gyros were supposed to eliminate the bearings in the gyroscopes, and thus the last bastion of precision machining and moving parts.

A laser gyro moves laser light in two directions around a circular path. As the vehicle twists, the light has a doppler effect. The different frequencies of light are mixed, and the difference frequency (the beat frequency) is a radio wave whose frequency is supposed to be proportional to the speed of rotation.

In practice, the electromagnetic peaks and valleys of the light lock together. The result is that there's no difference of frequencies, and therefore no measurement.

To unlock the counter-rotating light beams, laser gyros either have independent light paths for the two direction (usually in fiber optic gyros), or the laser gyro is mounted on a sort of audio speaker that rapidly shakes the gyro back and forth to decouple the light waves.

Alas, the shaker is the most accurate, because both light beams use exactly the same path. Thus laser gyros retain moving parts, but they don't move as much.

Brandy Snifter Gyros
If a standing wave is induced in a globular brandy snifter, and then the snifter is tilted, the waves continue in the same plane of movement. They don't tilt with the snifter. This trick is used to measure angles. Instead of brandy snifters, the system uses hollow globes machined from piezoelectric matierals such as quartz. The electrodes to start and sense the waves are evaporated directly onto the quartz.

This system almost has no moving parts, and it's very accurate. It's still expensive, though, because precision ground and polished hollow quartz spheres just aren't cheap.

Quartz Rate Sensors
This system is usually integrated on a silicon chip. It has two mass-balanced quartz tuning forks, arranged "handle-to-handle" so forces cancel. Electrodes of aluminum evaporated on the forks and the underying chip both drive and sense the motion. The system is both manufacturable and inexpensive. Since quartz is dimensionally stable, the system has a good possibility of accuracy.

As the forks are twisted about the axis of the handle, the vibration of the tines tends to continue in the same plane of motion. This motion has to be resisted by electrostatic forces from the electrodes under the tines. By measuring the difference in capacitance between the two tines of a fork, the system can determine the rate of angular motion.

Pendular Accelerometers
The basic accelerometer is just a mass with a ruler attached. The ruler may be an exotic electromagnetic sensor, but it still senses distance. When the vehicle accelerates, the mass moves, and ruler measures the movement. The bad thing about this scheme is that it needs calibrated springs, and springs are nearly impossible to make consistent.

A trickier system is to measure the force needed to keep the mass from moving. In this scheme, there's still a ruler, but whenever the mass moves, an electric coil pulls on the mass, cancelling the motion. The stronger the pull, the more acceleration there is. The bad thing about this is that very high accelerations, say from explosions, impacts or gunfire, can exceed the capacity of the electronics to cancel. The sensor then loses track of where the vehicle is.

Both sorts of accelerometers have been manufactured as integrated micromachinery on silicon chips.

Accelerometer-only Systems
Some systems use four pendular accelerometers to measure all the possible movements and rotations. Usually, these are mounted with the weights in the corners of a tetrahedron. Thus, these are called "tetrahedral inertial platforms", or TIPs.

When the vehicle rolls, the masses on opposite sides will be accelerated in opposite directions. When the vehicle has linear acceleration, the masses are accelerated in the same direction. The computer keeps track.
TIPs are cheap, lightweight and small, especially when they use imicromachined integrated accelerometers. However currently (2002) they are not very accurate. When they're used, they're used in small missiles.

[Photonic Mast]
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/photonic-mast-a.jpg

Despite its valued service for more than ten years, the Imperial Navy will soon say "so long" to the conventional periscope. In 2005, construction began on a new breed of attack submarines that won't have a periscope. Instead, these new Cartagena-class submarines will use non-penetrating imaging devices called photonics masts to perform surveillance tasks. Each new submarine will be equipped with two photonics masts, which are basically arrays of high-resolution cameras that capture and send visual images to flat-panel displays in the control room.

[Weapons]
The Cartagena will have eight forward tubes, designed at 500mm width. The tubes will be able to fire virtually any Imperial torpedo design, including the MT-1, MT-2, MT-3 and MT-4. The tubes will also be used to release SSIXS transmission canisters.

Furthermore, the Cartagena is designed with four quadruple cell VLS tubes for a launch sequence of twelve missiles within eight seconds. VLS tubes employed by the Cartagena will be of the same make as those employed on other submersible and surface ships. Meaning, after one missile is launched the entire VLS apparatus uses heavy hydraulics to spin, and in that way while one missile launches another cell restocks, ergo, the VLS tubes never have to stop firing, and instead reload on the move.
The VLS cells are designed to fire Principe III, Shockhound Avenger I and Praetorian V missiles.

The Cartagena can also carry up to two hundred mines and a single Bilbao class UUV.

Finally, the Cartagena wields five retractable ASHUM guns for anti-torpedo defenses.

[Statistics]
Beam: 34 ft.
Length: 377 ft.
Submerged Displacement: 8,100 tons
Submerged Velocity: 28 knots

Primary Imported Artillery System

The Corbulo 155mm Field Gun was designed to give the Empire a long range field artillery piece that could move on it's own around the field, without necessity of towing it. In other words, it would be a design which would be mounted on a heavy transport truck, but instead of being able to disattach it, and then attach it once again, it would fixed onto the bed of the truck, and would be one hundred percent automated and controlled from within the truck. In that way, it would provide more range than a self-propelled howitzer, and would be able to move on its own, unlike other field gun artillery pieces.

The primary weapon of the Corbulo is her 155mm 52 calibre L/15 artillery piece, with electro-magnetic rifling, allowing for greater velocity, greater force, and consequently, greater range. The gun is capable of firing Extended Range Full Bore Base Bleed (ERFB-BB) rounds, Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) rounds, rocket assisted projectiles (RAP), Velocity enhanced long range artillery projectile (VLAP), as well as other standard NATO munitions. The projectile most commonly used by the Golden Throne remains the VLAP round for its extended range, and it's cheaper production cost as opposed to the RAP round.

The maximum range of the Corbulo, given the round, is seventy-five kilometers. This can be considerably shorter, however, using a standard NATO munition, which gives around thirty-five kilometers range.

The Corbulo uses an array of systems for fire and control. It's primary system is a global positioning system - survey (GPS-S), which consists of receivers, antennas, software, and hardware that collectively process data from the orbiting satellite. The GPS-S works on selective Availability (SA) and Anti-Spoofing (AS) modes (Y-Code).

The piece has an additional set of hydraulics in the rear to allow elevating the gun centered around the back, positioning it over the cabin of the truck, allowing it to engage ground targets selectively, making it the perfect heavy anti-tank weapon. Moreover, it's fitted with a hydraulic power pack for operation of the load assist systems, for aiming and for operation of the spades.

The recoil length is expected at 900mm to 1,100m length. The system uses a horizontal sliding breech opening to the right and is fitted with a self-sealing metal obturating ring. The system is fitted with two pneumatic equilibrators, single cylinder hydraulic buffer and hydro-pneumatic recuperator.

The first mode of firing allows three rounds per twenty seconds, and sustained firing is around seventy rounds every sixty minutes. This is substantially higher than most field artillery pieces.

The advanced fire and control system (AFCS) gives target information, automatic elevation angles and traverse. It uses advance computing technology, including heavy memory sizes and high RAM numbers, in order to compute as fast as possible. It also can work hand in hand with ground and sky based RADAR systems, as well as down-looking LIDAR systems, for positioning. The gun is considered to be highly accurate.

The reloading system is semi-automated, although it does allow for a smaller crew for the gun. The truck holds a total of thirty-five rounds, but a secondary transport truck can continously supply the Corbulo.

It's fitted onto a 8x8 Ebro Heavy Towing Truck, rated at 335 horsepower, and 2,200 RPM, with a V12 diesel engine. The truck's cabin is armored and protected against small arms fire. The truck uses a two stick transmission, with a hydraulically operated brake and steering system. It focuses more on par than on horsepower, but it has been rated to go a maximum of sixty-five kilometers per hour.

Crew: 2
Maximum Range: 75 kilometers
Cost: 650,000 USD

New Wide-Scale Deployment Weapon

Abstract:
The DNR-13 is a product which stems from a better understanding of weight issues in real time combat, and further information regarding rocket propelled grenades and their potential. The Ejermacht fields the Tagus anti-tank missile launcher, which is slightly larger and heavier than the Javelin, while packing a much larger punch, and the design played havoc on Havenic [SafeHaven2] light and heavy armour at Mosnoi Bor and thereafter. When in hands of the Weigari Rebels during the Second Battle of Mons Dei, captured during the First Battle from the Waffen-SS Division that had been destroyed through encirclement, it chewed through Killian [Hailandkill] Panzerkampfwaggen XIs, despite the tank being one of the most capable in the war, before the Arca. I Cougar made a presence at the River Nestor and Mosnoi Bor. Despite the success, it was impossible to deploy the Tagus in large enough numbers where infantry could successfully hold off a determined and tenacious armoured offensive. The Tagus' size made it suffer from poor production, as opposed to other small arms, and it's weight did not make it a favourite amongst troops that had to carry it, despite it being a two man weapon. That said, the simple fact that it was a two man weapon made some NCOs rather critical of the design, and instead opted to equip the two men with other armaments. Although the Tagus expects a rather long life in the Ejermact, Kriegzimmer has introduced a brand new anti-tank design. It will be lighter, although less potent, and it will be able to be cheap enough to deploy in enough numbers to provide all squadrons and platoons with a hefty amount of the recoiless rifle. In other words, it will be a worthy supplement to the Tagus anti-tank missile launcher.

The DNR-13 is a muzzle loaded, recoiless rifle, light enough to be deployed with one man. Nevertheless, the user can be suceptible to suppressing fire, and thus it's extremely common that he be flanked by a friendly gunner. The program actually began in late '89 under the auspices of the Kingdom of Sarcanza, but was halted in '94 after its occupation by Macabee forces. The program was discovered by the Empire in 2001 and restarted after the Great Civil War, in 2006. In '11 the first variant was released, but it wasn't until the beginning of the War of Golden Succession, 2016, that the program was truly accelerated. The first DNR-13s arrived at the front in 2017, supplementing around five hundred Tagus anti-tank missile launchers already in use around the area. The DNR-13 was also sent in heavy amounts to the jungles of Zarbia, where the Imperial offensive had stalled in the face of a tenacious and ferocious defense, and disease. The only limitations found on the design was the fact that it could not penetrate the front armour of a newer tank, and thus was forces to aim for the side armour and rear armour of a tank. That said, it was also a cheaper alternative to the Tagus in knocking out infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers, as well as other lighter armoured fighting vehicles.

Warhead:
The tube has a diameter of 110mm, and with a respective 70/110mm warhead, at its thickest point. For propulsion the round relies on a small rocket engine, whilst the propellant uses the tube's full volume to effectively burn the fuze and give the jet engine maximum effeciency. The round impacts its target at around 1700 meters per second, and has incredibly penetration. The warhead uses a tandem HEAT complex for anti-armour penetration. Depleted Uranium forms the metal for the outer casing; it's high density allows the maximum inertia to focus with the blast. The depleted uranium is alloyed with molybdenum, for its suitable melting point - interestingly, tungsten, with a melting point of 3422° C, was found not to be suitable for the round. Reloading the round occupied around 18 seconds for the gunner. Additional variants of the warheads include a thermobaric design and a chemical design, used specifically to spread chemical products into small rooms for micro-chemical warfare. The actual substance mass is low to avoid high contamination, but it's yet another form of expanding non-conventional warfare to the basic infantry.

Caliber: 110mm
Initial velocity of grenade: 190 m/s
Mininum Range: 100m
Range: 600m
Weight: 14.5kg
Round weight: 7.2kg
Fully Loaded Weight: 21.7kg
Warhead: Tandem HEAT
Max Penetration:
RHAe penetration after ERA: 850mm
Reinforced Concrete: 1,600mm
Brick: 1,600
Log-and-Earth: 4,000
Operational Temperature Range: ±50° C
Scope: Photonic Surveyor, with laser designator.
Cost: 1,200 USD

Type: Heavy Calibre Sniper Rifle
Builder: Gerunt et Hiert
Abstract: The GH-31 sniper rifle was developed specifically for the Macabee special forces, made practical after the success of prototype rifles in the Operation Highborne, the opening attacks on Jagadan personnel in the Macabee-Jagadan colonial war. The rifle, being too expensive for standard infantry divisions up to now, may be widely used throughout the Golden Throne's military, despite its weight, simply because rifles need the extra punch to go through new battlesuits employed by certain nations, and even to get that extra range and lethality. Nonetheless, the GH-13 will remain the standard sniper rifle for standard armed personnel forces, including the mechanized divisions. The GH-31 employs several new and advance technologies which put it one step ahead of other sniper rifles in the same class. All in all, the GH-31 is a promising gun that will surely make it into the annals of gun history.
Operation: Short recoil, semi-automatic and manual.
Calibre: 12.7mm/.50 Cal armour piercing discarding sabot
Barrel Length: 7.42cm with a muzzle flash suppressor.
Overall Length: 117.23cm
Muzzle Velocity: 980m/s
Range: 2,300m
Magazine Capacity: 6 rounds
Weight: 8.5kg
Scope Technology: The scope is an all powerful digital optimizer using a charged coupled device [CCD]with a small computer chip which allows the operator to set different detection modes, including infra-red vision and electro-optical, with extremely accurate image rendering when zoom is used.
Ballistics: Using an optical ranging system the problems of long range precision fire have been lessened. The computer chip automatically detects air temperature, barometric pressure, and range, with the user specifying ammunition type. Range is detected through an automated range finder. The new ballistics suit also include a stabalization of the image through the scope
Recoil: To reduce the recoil of the round the GH-31 uses a multi-baffle muzzle break.
Accessories:
Bipod
Hardened Carrying Case [airborne operations]
Detachable Handle
Detachable Muzzle Break
Barrel Life: 1000 rounds
Cost: $9,000 USD
Production Rights: $70 million USD.

Deployed Rifle, Still in service although other rifles are replacing it.


Statistics:
Calibre: 7.62mm NATO
Capacity: 10/20/30/60 rds
Length: 29.8 in
Width: 2.34 in
Height: 9.17 in
Weight: 6.2 lb

Description:
The Hali-21 will be based on the kinetic energy weapon that is part of the Hali-21 next-generation infantry weapon system (formerly the Objective Individual Combat Weapon) currently under development by ATK Integrated Defense. The kinetic energy weapon, which fires 7.62mm ammunition, will provide maximum commonality in components and logistics with the Hali-21 system.

The Hali-21 will provide lethality performance comparable to the currently fielded M4 carbine rifle, while weighing 20 percent less than the M4 because of advanced technologies developed for the Hali-21 program.

The Hali-21 Lightweight Assault Rifle will reduce the 21st century soldier's load and increase his mobility. The progress made to reduce weight and improve performance on the Hali-21 program is key to the decision on accelerating the development of the Hali-21, which is integrated with the Army's efforts to transform to a more lethal and rapidly deployed fighting force as part of its Objective Force.

Internally, the Hali-21 uses a rotary locking bolt system that functions and fieldstrips like those used in the M-16 rifle and M-4 carbine, according to the Hali-21 manufacturer’s — Heckler & Koch — Website. The bolt is powered by a unique gas operating system with a user-removable gas piston and pusher rod to operate the mechanism. Unlike the current M-4 and M-16 direct gas system with gas tube, the Hali-21 gas system does not introduce propellant gases and carbon back into the weapon’s receiver during firing.

This improved reliability can be credited to differences in the Hali-21s operating system from the one in the M16. For instance, a thin gas tube runs almost the entire length of the barrel in all of the M16 variants. When the weapon is fired, the gases travel back down the tube into the chamber and push the bolt back to eject the shell casing and chamber a new round. The Hali-21s gas system instead is connected to a mechanical operating rod, which pushes back the bolt to eject the casing and chamber the new round each time the weapon is fired. So there‘s no carbon residue constantly being blown back into the chamber, reducing the need to clean the weapon as often. You don‘t get gases blowing back into the chamber that have contaminates in them. The Hali-21 also has a much tighter seal between the bolt and the ejection port, which should cut down on the amount of debris that can blow into the weapon when the ejection port‘s dust cover is open.

Beginning life as the 7.62mm KE (kinetic energy) component of the 20mm air-bursting Hali-21 Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW), the Hali-21 Lightweight Modular Carbine System represents the state-of-the-art in 7.62 NATO assault rifles.

This modularity includes the exchange of interchangeable assembly groups such as the barrel, handguard, lower receiver, buttstock modules and sighting system with removable carrying handle. In addition and in parallel, the new Hali-21 quick detachable single-shot 40mm grenade launcher with side-opening breech and LSS lightweight 12 gauge shotgun module can be easily added to the Hali-21 by the user in the field without tools. The unique buttstock system allows the operator exchange buttstocks without tools from the standard collapsible multi-position version, to an optional buttcap for maximum portability or an optional folding or sniper buttstock with adjustable cheekpiece for special applications. Internally the Hali-21 employs a combat-proven robust rotary locking bolt system that functions and fieldstrips like that used in the current M16 rifle and M4 carbine. However this bolt is powered by a unique gas operating system that employs a user removable gas piston and pusher rod to operate the mechanism. Unlike the current M4/M16 direct gas system with gas tube, the Hali-21 gas system does not introduce propellant gases and the associated carbon fouling back into the weapon’s receiver during firing. This greatly increases the reliability of the Hali-21 while at same time reducing operator cleaning time by as much as 70%. This system also allows the weapon to fire more than 15,000 rounds without lubrication or cleaning in even the worst operational environments. A cold hammer forged barrel will guarantee a minimum of 20,000 rounds service life and ultimate operator safety in the event of an obstructed bore occurrence.

The Hali-21 has fully ambidextrous operating controls to include a centrally located charging handle that doubles as an ambidextrous forward assist when required, ambidextrous magazine release, bolt catch, safety/selector lever with semi and full automatic modes of fire and release lever for the multiple position collapsible buttstock. The operating controls allow the operator to keep the firing hand on the pistol grip and the weapon in the firing position at all times while the non-firing hand actuates the charging handle and magazine during loading and clearing. Major components of the weapon are produced from high-strength fiber reinforced polymer materials that can be molded in almost any color to include OD green, desert tan, arctic white, urban blue, brown and basic black. Surfaces on the Hali-21 that interface with the operator are fitted with non-slip materials to increase comfort and operator retention. The Hali-21 uses 10 or 30-round semi-transparent box magazines and high-reliability 60-round drum magazines for sustained fire applications.

Beyond the 2-round burst capability, the Hali-21 is a relatively conventional battle rifle. The 94 is capable of mounting a bayonet (though in this case it is mounted to the right of the muzzle rather than below, so as to allow for the use of an under barrel grenade launcher, and horizontally, to enable the user to male side to side slashing attacks while holding the rifle.) and it comes standard with a universal scope mounting rail on the left hand side of the receiver. The Hali-21 accepts standard. The sights feature a conventional shrouded front sight, which is adjustable for zeroing, and a 5-position rotating aperture rear sight (similar to the German G3) for range.

Special integral flush mounted attachment points are located on the handguard and receiver to allow the quick attachment of targeting devices. Unlike MIL-STD-1913 rails, the Hali-21 attachment points do not add additional weight, bulk and cost to the host weapon, and will accept MIL-STD-1913 adapters to allow for the use of current in-service accessories. The attachment points for the standard multi-function integrated red-dot sight allow multiple mounting positions and insure 100% zero retention even after the sight is removed and remounted. The battery powered Hali-21 sight includes the latest technology in a red dot close combat optic, IR laser aimer and laser illuminator with back-up etched reticle with capability exceeding that of the current M68-CCO, AN/PEQ-2 and AN/PAQ-4. This sight will be factory zeroed on the weapon when it is delivered and does not require constant rezeroing in the field like current rail-mounted targeting devices.

Range: 700 Meters

Good for supplying rebels. Cheap, generic, not used in McKagan standard Armed Forces.

During the latter days of the Civil War, soldiers on all sides used the cheap, abundant, and effective, Ak-74s, bought off foreign markets across the globe. However, in the quest of a more modern, more competent, and much more effective, killing machine the Macabee armed forces has released their first assault rifle, the Hali-37 Assault Rifle. The design is supposed to completely take the place of the older Ak-74s and M-16s.

The Hali-37 uses the widely distributed 5.56 x 45mm NATO round, fitted in a standard thirty round magazine. The Hali-37 has two different rates of fire; 1,800 rounds per minute, in two shot bursts, or six hundred rounds per minute in fully automatic. Moreover, the Hali-37 uses Nikonov's AN-94 process of speeding up loading time.

n a conventional semi-automatic rifle, to load the next round the bolt must unlock, extract the spent cartridge case, move rearward over the next round to be fed in the magazine, and eject the case. At this point the bolt (driven by the recoil or return spring) is pushed forward, where it strips the next round from the magazine, chambers it, locks in place, and is ready to fire. In the Hali-37 this process is sped up through the use of a cable and pulley operated "rammer" which pre-positions the next round in the chamber, eliminating unnecessary reward bolt travel. The rammer functions as follows: as the bolt recoils to the rear the cable (passing through the pulley, pulls the rammer forward, stripping the next round from the magazine and partially chambering it. As the bolt returns forward the rammer resets and the bolt pushes the round completely into the chamber and locks.

In the Hali-37 recoil, in burst mode, is handled in essentially a dual recoiling system. When the first round is fired the entire barrel/bolt assembly begins sliding to the rear, compressing a main recoil spring. In addition the bolt itself is compressing an individual secondary spring, which drives the bolt back forward, whereupon the hammer automatically fires the second round of the burst (all while the barrel is still recoiling reward on the main spring.) Once the second round is fired the bolt locks to the rear until the barrel has recoiled completely and gone back into battery. As soon as the barrel is back in battery the bolt is released and another round is chambered. This arrangement allows for two shots to be fired before any recoiling forces are transferred to the shooter. When fired in the full auto mode the Hali-37 first fires a 2 round burst and then goes into fully automatic fire (in which the bolt is held to the rear until the barrel completes its recoiling cycle).

Beyond the 2-round burst capability, the Hali-37 is a relatively conventional battle rifle. The Hali-37 is capable of mounting a bayonet (though in this case it is mounted to the right of the muzzle rather than below, so as to allow for the use of an under barrel grenade launcher, and horizontally, to enable the user to male side to side slashing attacks while holding the rifle.) and it comes standard with a universal scope mounting rail on the left hand side of the receiver. The Hali-37 accepts standard M-16 20 and 30 round magazines, as well as the new 60 round four-stack magazines. The sights feature a conventional shrouded front sight, which is adjustable for zeroing, and a 5-position rotating aperture rear sight (similar to the German G3) for range.

Put it all together and it adds up to a rifle with 200 meters more range than the AK-74, better accuracy for rapid "burst" firing, and an innovative recoil and reload system, all at a fraction more weight than the standard AK-74.

Caliber: 5.56 x 45mm
Action: Gas Operated
Overall length: 943mm (728mm with folded butt stock)
Barrel length: 405mm
Weight, empty / loaded w. 30 rounds: 3850g
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
Rate of fire, cyclic: 1,800 - 2 burst ; 600 fully automatic
Maximum effective range: 650 to 700 meters

Most widely deployed rifle in McKagan.

Abstract:
The Hali-42 is the next generation assault rifle designed for use in the Macabee army, destined to replace the long worn Hali-21, which has been the mainstay of Macabee forces for over a decade. The new rifle is the product of better understanding of rifle mechanics, as well as the developement of newer technologies that guarantee the superiority of the Hali-42 over older designs, although the project takes a wild turn away from previous design dogmatics, including a once determined stance on keeping the conventional rifle configuration, and the uses of caseless and cased ammunition. There has also been a very steep change in manufacturing technologies and rifle theoretics that have called for a change in the conentional 5.56mm NATO round to something radically different and lighter, although no less lethal, with even less recoil. The Hali-42 is within all meanings of the name, the epitome of Macabee rifle design, never known for its small arms ordnance.

The rifle uses a bullpup configuration, following the recent rise of bullpup rifles, but attempts to capitalize on the configuration to increase potential muzzle velocity, allowing for greater penetration. It also relies on caseless ammuntion, as opposed to cased ammunition, and Kriegzimmer has underscored this by converting manufacturing to mostly caseless ammunition, although it keeps the manufacturing of cased ammunition to be able to remain selling the Hali-21 and Hali-37 in the foreign market. There has also been a very new change in the propellant, and in general length ratios of the barrel to the rest of the rifle. The designated marksman rifle as includes very powerful scope technology.

Furthermore, unlike its predecessor, the Hali-21, the Hali-42 is an assault rifle in all aspects of the name. The Hali-21 was more accurately a battle rifle, using a 7.62mm round, which is one of many reasons why the change from Hali-21 to Hali-42 ultimately occured. The Hali-42 project also made the decision of ignoring international conventionals, and opted to use more lethal, but less 'civlized' round technology, including the use of the barbette. In the end, every little changed detail makes the Hali-42 amongst the more potentially lethal assault rifles in use around the world.

The Ejermacht has announced its decision to replace all existing Hali-21 rifles with the newer Hali-42, and it's expected that the international world will respond as well - mostly those that used the Hali-21 as their standard assault rifle design. This includes at least one million rifles for frontline use in the Ejermacht alone, not including stocks for reserves and replacement. The Hali-42 has the potential of being a very widely used assault rifle.

Operation and Recoil:
This particular assault rifle operates on delayed blowback, seen in action on the Heckler & Koch G3. This is to allow the rifle all the advantages of a blowback operation without limiting range or eventual muzzle velocity. Interestingly, the first prototype of the Hali-42 actually used an inertia operation on the rifle, but theoritically, the delayed blowback can be translated into a delayed inertia, offering all the recoil operations of an inertia weapon and giving it the power an effective assault rifle needs. A lot of inspiration to incorporate the delayed blowback, roller lock operation came from the Spanish CETME modelo 58 [now replaced], which's initial design was based off the model 45 Assault Rifle.

Further recoil is handled by the exceptionally small round in use [see below], a two round burst as opposed to a three round burst, and a muzzle break. Unfortunately, all these designs are counteracted by the fact that the rifle uses a magnum configuration, powering a 73 grain round with a large binary liquid propellant.

Frequent Rounds Operated:

* .221 Aluminum Orchomenos
The new .221 bullet design is designed to keep the underestimated possiblities of the .221 Fireball, but to make it even lighter, allowing for an even greater achieved muzzle velocity. Total weight of the round is 73 grains. The rifle round has excellent aerodynamic properties at long ranges, mirroring that of the Fireball, which has already been suggested by many to replace standard NATO rifle rounds for the M-16 [by the U.S. Marine Corps]. In fact, throughout its history, the .221 Fireball has been underestimated by most. Fortunately, its cause has been understood by Kriegzimmer, and so an improved version was destined for use on the Hali-42. At the tip the round uses a series of barbettes, first used in the American Civil War, and it's designed to cause major damage within the impact zone, making the round harder to extract, and more damaging to the human body. Beyond that, the round also uses a delayed electrical spark fuze, allowing the round to puncture, then blow, causing the explosion to theoritically occur inside the victim's body, not on impact. Maximum muzzle velocity with the .221 Orchomenos has been caught at 1,070 meters per second.
* .223 API Orchomenos
The .223 API Orchomenos is an armor piercing projectile designed to penetrate battle suits at high velocities. The round replaces the .221 Orchomenos when an enemy is known to use battle suits, but normally, the rifle uses the .221 version. This round also uses an internal barbette to maximize potential damage, with a delayed fuze.
* .221 Binary Sarin Orchomenos Biological Round
In compliance with foreign needs, a variant of the .221 Orchomenos was designed to carry Sarin to make it even deadlier. Although not standard in Macabee forces, it is a round manufactured by Kriegzimmer. In order to increase shelf life the Sarin is composed and stocked in a binary method, making shelf life rather irrelevent. The round spins on terminal flight to produce the effects of Sarin. On impact the round will cause bleeding at several points on the subject, and permanent damange to the central nervous system, possibly killing them, but more likely to put them out of action indefinately. The Ejermacht has ruled out the use of Sarin rounds, but it is a popular export. Muzzle velocity, since the round is a tad heavier, is around 990 m/s.

Additional Information:
The Hali-42's barrel is fully modular, allowing it to be exchanged quite easily by camp forges in order to use other rounds. It can also be sold with a specialized muzzle to cope with the purchasing nation's round of choice, allowing the Hali-42 to be highly versatile and not dependent on the round in use by the Ejermacht. In other words, the barrel is interchangeable, although not on the field. The rest of the rifle is modular as well, making cheap replacement parts for the rifle easy, and making for a very simple cleaning operation.

Calibre: .221 Orchomenos [capable of using the .223, .224, .225 and .220]
Operation: Delayed Inertia/Blowback
Overall Length: 113cm
Barrel Length: 64cm
Bayonet Length: 33cm
Weight [Empty]: 4.4kg
Propellant: Preforated Chemical Binary Liquid Propellant
Magazine Capacity: 45 rounds
Muzzle Velocity: 1,070 m/s
Rate of Fire: 750 rounds per minute
Semi-Automatic: Two round burst
Maximum Effective Range: 640 meters
Procurement Cost: 3,200 USD
Production Rights: 3.2 million USD

Cheap 9mm pistol. Good for shooting things.


Description:
The Hol-24 is a semiautomatic, as well as automatic, blowback-operated magazine-fed weapon fited with a double-action trigger mechanism. It fires a 9 X 18mm cartridge and uses an 8 round magazine.

Capabilities:
The effective range of the Hol-24 is fifty meters. Its muzzle velocity is 315 meters per second. It's practical rate of fire is thirty rounds per minute. The Hol-24 also has an option for automatic fire.

Length: 7 inches
Width: 1.50 inches
Height: 5.51 inches

This plane may not be the massive hunter killer that some planes are, but it's so small and agile that it is very stealthy when used properly.

GLI-76 Falcon VTOL Multi-Role Fighter
[A Joint Hailandkill/Macabee Design]

Abstract: The project was originally instated by Hailandkill as a new aircraft for use on his Maiden class SSCVN, however, after a series of grueling delays the original project was taken to Kriegzimmer. The ultimate team of engineers from both countries, ranging from aeronautical, aerospace and computer engineers, as well as a host of mechanical and electronic engineers, released a design that would forever be dubbed the GLI-76 Falcon. After a series of tests, including those for individual parts to the aircraft, and experiment flights the GLI-76 was deemed perfect for release a full thirty-six months after the beginning of the project, dubbed EXG.111.

The idea behind the GLI-76 was not make it into a prospective 'end all-be all' design. Indeed, the possibilities were that it within itself would not be able to stand up against larger and heavier air superiority fighters. But, that was never the intention of the engineers, and it had always been that the GLI-76 Falcon would remain a small, maneuverable, and efficient multi role fighter to be based off the limited capability SSCVN and even the CVNs, being a better option over the Lu-25 Black Mariah, which had several of the problems that the Lu-5 had [which was recently replaced by the Lu-45 Hawk]. The GLI-76 would remain a much more conservative and non-controversial aircraft, produced simply to base a large number of them off any given CVN or SSCVN. Indeed, the Luftwaffe had announced plans to drop the Lu-12 Canary from service and simply replace them with the Falcon, which amounts to around three thousand purchased GLI-76s just for the Luftwaffe.

The limited capabilities of the GLI-76 included a low velocity, due in part to the single engine power plant, and to the fact that the size of the airframe put restrictions on speed due to the fact that it most likely would not withstand the pressure of increased air resistance and consequent heat. It also is limited by the fact that it has very small payload ability, although for the purposes of this flight a large payload would be largely irreverent anyways.

The obvious advantages to the GLI-76 include its size as opposed to the larger ASF aircraft currently in use around the world, which means that it has a larger chance to use its stealth characteristics fully, and that it includes several aircraft and sensor systems that permit it to retain its excellence in the years to come. Indeed, the GLI-76 might be one of the new designs that underscore Kriegzimmer's striving to become some of the most excellent arms manufacturers currently in business. With the release of the GLI-34 Albatross Heavy Bomber and the Lu-45 Hawk this becomes more of a reality as time passes by.

The original program's cost was set at around eleven billion Reichmarks, although as the project continued it was obvious it would cost more than that. The ultimate cost came at twenty-seven billion Reichmarks, distributed amongst all major subordinate arms companies working for Kriegzimmer, and those Hailandkill companies that also put forward a lot of technologies and thoughts. However, the final product was well worth the money. Indeed, the Golden Kriegsmarine has opted to scrap or sell its host of Lu-25s and replace them with the GLI-76 Falcon VTOL within the next eight years. It's not known how many will be purchased from Hailandkill from their own weapon manufacturers, although the order will also be substantial. Kriegzimmer has also prepared for sales throughout the international armaments market.

Airframe: The airframe is made of ten titanium ribs with a hull composed of a nickel-aluminum alloy mixed with sturdy ceramics, giving the airframe some mass, but avoiding making it heavy. Indeed, as compared to other aircraft, the GLI-76 is considerably lighter in weight. The hull has an outward layer of a plastic and glass composite. This is somewhat of a tweaked design taken from basic Norwegian shipping which includes a smaller radar signature within the context that this either absorbs or deflects in other directions light waves due to the nature of glass in general. Support beams and structures throughout the airframe are built out of carbon fiber.

All angles of the aircraft follow the standard equation of Brewster's Angle, giving it a substantially lower radar cross section [RCS]. The angles are designed for polarization which means that the radar wave will be reflected at another angle, and not at the expected incident angle. All of the airframe's angles are at around fifty-six degrees, just like the Lu-45 Hawk and GLI-34 Albatross. This also includes the outwards angling of the two tails at the end of the aircraft, providing for stable aerodynamics and a smaller RCS, as opposed to having a single vertical tail. For further stealth the entire aircraft is covered with the same radiation absorbent material [RAM] as other Kriegzimmer aerial designs, which absorbs radar anywhere from 3MHz to 6 GHz, which is basically a composition of honeycomb RAM, foam RAM and black RAM. Doubled with the layer of glass underneath, there is a heavy absorption rate, making the GLI-76 extremely stealthy in subsonic velocities.

The aircraft is also layered with a third generation single crystal super alloy named RENE N6, and the heavier coatings of this can be found around the nose, the junctions of the wings, the wings themselves, the tail area, the intakes, and other areas of high heat proportions and exposion to the natural elements. RENE N6 has the advantage of having a low susceptibility to a hydrogen embrittlement environment and extreme resistance to heat, allowing the GLI-76 greater velocities with a smaller power plant, which ultimately aids it in the reduction of its infra-red signature in the whole picture. Nonetheless, no one has ever considered the super alloy to be an end all-be all, and certainly nobody expects it to live up to such charges.

Testing conducted throughout the program on the airframe, including creep pressures under high heat and high friction, and velocity tests in wind tunnels have given good reports on the airframe of the GLI-76 and have noted its design to be one far superior to previous aircraft, for example, the F-15 and F-35. Research on the topic also includes a variety of pre-existing data on the materials used, including several articles and papers on the effects of super alloys and such. Indeed, the vast majority of the information used to even begin on the design of the airframe was received through a collection of past resources. As a consequence, the program engineers had churned out a very good design of their own.

The wings follow that of the Lu-45 Hawk, as well as other more modern designs, which is the switchblade concept. Ideally, through a series of hydraulics and electrical impulses the wings would be able to sweep from a standard position to a forward position, allowing the wings to basically cover three vital positions; the standard position, a forward swept position and a delta wing style, giving three different aerodynamic qualities. Indeed, the first position, having the wings perpendicular to the body would allow for slower runs for more accurate precision body if that was the objective of the given aircraft, while the forward swept wings would allow for dashing maneuverability in aerial combat, while the final position, with the wings fully swept forward in a smaller delta wing version would allow the GLI-76 extremely high velocities.

Nonetheless, these concepts do come with a considerable cost increase in both developing and expanding the concept and the manufacturing of these wings and electronics. It is expected, however, that through the months to come advances in the process of manufacturing will severely lower the price although this isn't guaranteed. Past experiences have said that this would technically be capable, but again, no research team has yet been assigned for the task, so the price still remains that originally high price, although it is considerably lower than other air superiority aircraft due to its restricted size.

Finally, the GLI-76 incorporates a reversible canard system, with two canards located under the fuselage, allowing the aircraft to point one way, while flying another. This means that the aircraft's sensor systems will still be able to track. It's a widely used concept, also seen on the Lu-45 Hawk.

Power plant: The developing of the power plant was perhaps the most devious of the entire project's requirements since it was the most difficult to agree on between engineers. Some had opted for a dual engine design, while most decided that a single engine design would be best. In the context of the whether the aircraft would have one engine, as opposed to having two engines, it was finally decided that the GLI-76 would have a power plant of a single engine. The other principle problem was how to deal with the creep, pressures on the engines, the heat, and hydrogen embrittlement of the casting for the single engine. The third largest problem was how to deal with the infra-red signature of a single engine design.

To deal with the first issue, the mechanical and aerospace engineering team managed to make available testing grounds in Arras, where the general lack of high urbanization made it possible for high noise renderings and frequent engine testing. The tests included a series of flights with different dual engine designs, and then with single engine designs. The final engine was one of the variants of the single engine design, putting out thirty thousand pound force [lbf] of thrust using a low-bypass turbofan with the blades and fans designed out of mono-crystalline material. Subsequent observing during the first system development and demonstration phase [SDD] noticed high creep and fatigue due to general levels of heat and friction. Consequently, the engine was taken back for revisions, and what came out was the same engine coated with a layer of Thymonel 8, as well as two auxiliary layers of CMSX-11B and CMSX-116, respectively. During the second round of development and demonstration the engines came out perfect, just like expected.

For VTOL capabilities the aircraft was given two thrust vector shaft-driven jet systems underneath the wings, while doors installed next to these jets allow for vertical lift and stabilization and open/close on command through standard hydraulics tied in to the rest of the flaps on the wing. These particular 'engines' were purchased off Luftkrieg by GLI some six months prior to the release of the aircraft.

Apart from that, the aircraft also uses counter flow thrust vectoring [CTV] for greater maneuverability at higher velocities. Although CTV has limitations, especially when the aircraft is flying faster than Mach 2, these limitations shouldn't make themselves evident on the GLI-76 since the aircraft is specifically designed to never break such velocities. Indeed, the maximum velocity of the GLI-76 remains at Mach 2.4, while the cruising velocity is as high as Mach 1.7, although the aircraft is truly designed for cruising done at subsonic velocities, merely having transonic capabilities for the sake of modern warfare expectations, and to offer lucrative options to potential foreign buyers.

With the second problem in the power plant design solved with the inclusion of several heat and fatigue resistant single crystal super alloys only the third problem remained. This was solved relatively easily by the inclusion of IR suppressants with ratings being the same used on the Rafale. Because the heat given by the engines of the GLI-76 would be especially lower than those on the French aircraft the heat suppressant characteristics would also be higher, which means that the infrared signature offered by the GLI-76 Falcon remains relatively low both at outtakes, intakes, and other areas of high heat.

Avionics and Systems: The great advantage of Macabee aircraft remain on the GLI-76 since all electronic parts are line replaceable units and shop replaceable units, making the Falcon’s electronic suit much more logistics friendly. Furthermore, it offers a highly ad vance avionics and system characteristic for the aircraft, making it a much more demanded aircraft than others. Indeed, the infamy of Kriegzimmer's standard excellence in their product's electronics transfers over to the GLI-76s design, including an extraordinary job done by Hailand kill in the design of the side stick and throttle controls.

All systems are linked directly to the pilot through a series of screens arrayed in front of him, including a heads-up display [HUD] on the pilot's helmet, following the design of the Eurofighter, F-35 and Rafael. Arrayed infront of him are six polychromatic liquid crystal matrix display [ALMCD] screens and four up-front display screens which host the electronic flight instrumentation system [EFIS] and Integrated Communications Navigation Identification Avionics [ICNIA] suit. The entire avionics and systems suit is powered by a singe Common Integrated Processor [CIP], known as Hans, which also powers the Integrated Electronic Warfare System [INEWS], which takes advantage of high speed databuses. The CIP is rated at two thousand million instructions per second [Mips], with signal processing rated at fifty billion operations per second [Bops], aided by the very high-speed integrated circuit (VHSIC) technology, and separate modules, constructed out of already well tested titanium/ceramic superconducting wires.

After healthy experiences within the Lu-45 Hawk the program also opted to include a Communication/Navigation/Identification [CNI] system, with its own synthetic aperture array, with also links to te identification friend or foe [IFF] program, which all composes a very effecient inter-aircraft and group cooperation, along with the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System [JTID] system and a Intra-Flight Data Link [IFDL] suit. The level of options for intra-flight cooperation is simply spectacular.

For stock and warfare management the aircraft includes a Electronic Warfare [EW] system and a Stores Management System [SMS] system which continously work and cooperate together for a much more effective suit. The latter is expanded by two subordinate systems, including the [b]Vehicle Management System[/b [VMS] and Integrated Vehicle System Controller [IVSC], all in the avionics racks. The former, the EW, is for automatic countermeasure dispensing, as well as two other systems, the Advance Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasure System [AIDECS] and a bit more revelant, the electronic counter-measure system [ECMS], which does it's job jointly with the EW system.

The pilot's well being is controlled and sensored by an Environment Awareness Module [EAM] and a Onboard Oxygen-Generating System (OBOGS). Furthermore, the pilot can effectively monitor the situation around the aircraft components using Engines Indicating and Crew Alerting System [EICAS], an Altitude and Heading Reference System [AHRS] and an Air Data Computer [ADC]. The primary flight controls come thorugh the Electrohydrostatic Actuation System [EAS], allowing control over the flaps and thrust vectoring if needed.

For navigational aids the GLI-76 includes several old and new systems, including a satellite based reality reproduction [SBRR] system and a hybrid navigational system, which works with gyro inertial guidance and a global positioning system [GPS]. For an all purpose navigational system the Hawk has the tactical air navigational system [TACAN], which is supplemented by a terrain profiling and matching system [TERPROM], much like that used by the Tomahawk missile, which also works hand in hand with the global positioning system and other reconnaissance satellite systems.

Sensors: All sensors are collectively handled and constrolled from the central sensor system [CSS], esigned to take over the confusion of having separate sensor systems, acting like a guide to the pilot if the pilot is working in a compressed time table. This system, likewise to the Lu-45 Hawk, is connected to the Imperial Radio Detection and Ranging Central Nervous System [IRCNS], as are all aircraft designs by Kriegzimmer and bought variants from abroad, including those purchased from Juuministra. The IRCNS system allows for a fully integrated multi-radar suit, including a solid-state microwave module and a electronically scanned array [ESA], which has a wider bandwidth, while using less volume and prime power. The Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) capability of the radar defeats conventional RWR/ESM systems, which means that the Falcon can illuminate an enemy target without that enemy knowing that it was illuminated. Furthermore, with an Inverse Synthetic Aperture radar [ISAR], the pilot can illuminate a target, tell it's features and compare it to the aircraft's database of foreign aircraft.

The aircraft also includes a bi-static phased array radar, with phase-shifters to avoid moving components in the radar, thus allowing the aircraft to retain the same level of stealth. Coupled with a infra-red search and track system [IRST], the system has a two hundred kilometer and fifty kilometer tracking ability, respectively, while including a radar warning receiver aerials [RWR] for basic protection services.

There’s also a series of LIDAR sensor systems installed throughout the aircraft, including a single down-looking LIDAR system underneath the nose of the Hawk. There are also two wide LIDAR apertures on the front and end of the aircraft, located in hidden pockets to reduce RCS. All three LIDAR systems work similarly, and they all incorporate Luftkrieg’s second generation LIDAR technology. The Falcon’s system is based on a transponder and receiver, beside that of the IFF transponder, which uses a Gaussian transmitter system to transmit LIDAR waves. The Gaussian transmitter is based on two electrical fields sending electrically charged photonic waves to bounce off targets and have active measurements on its velocity and location. The advantage of this LIDAR system is that the active RADAR only needs to gain a location on an object once before the LIDAR can take over, meaning a bomber can turn off its active RADAR to reduce its signature. The Albatross’ LIDAR uses Doppler LIDAR in order to keep track of an object’s velocity, as well as a LIDAR range finder. The missile’s heterodyne-reception optical RADAR uses a standard configuration [transmitter laser > exit optics > atmospheric propagation path > target] and [photodetector > photocurrent processing > image processing / BermCombiner/ local oscillator entrance optics]. The Silencer's transmitter is a Casegrainian telescope, which works much like the photonic mast on an ultra-modern submarine.

There are several targetting technologies including on the aircraft, including a electro-optical targeting system [EOTS] and FLIR, using a charged couple device CCD camera, which provides long-range detection and precision targeting, along with a [b]distributed aperture system [DAS]. EOTS is embedded under the nose, while FLIR and DAS is included throughout the design.

Weapon Stores: The aircraft has two internal stocks, with a total of six hardpoints, which provide room for a series of new weaponry being released along with the GLI-76 Falcon. Technically, the entire payload of the Falcon remains at three thousand pounds. Weapons compatible with the design include the AAM.176 BVRAAM [r. 275 kilometers], the AAM.37 AMRAAM [r. 120 kilomters] and the AAM.21 SRAAM [r. 30 kilometers]. Other weapons include the GUH.212.A JASSM, GUH.212.B nuclear tipped JASSM, the GUH.212.C JASSM-ER, the RIC.617.A JDAM, the RIC.617.B JDAM and the RIC.617.B nuclear JDAM, amongst a host of thers.

Although the total stockpile of the aircraft is not entirely outstanding, the aircraft is lighter which is of utmost importance, and highly realistic in its design objectives in the years that it will be of service within the airforces of multiple countries.

Statistics:
Aircraft Standard Title: GLI-76 Falcon
Function: Multi-role Fighter
Propulsion: J237-VCD-63 turbofans
Thrust: 25,000 lbf
Maximum Velocity: Mach 2.4
Crusing Velocity: Mach 1.7 and subsonic
Range: 600 nm
Maximum Take-off Weight: 50,000 lbs.
Internal Fuel: 17,000 lbs
Length: 43 ft.
Wingspan: 31 ft.
Ceiling: 54,000 ft.
Crew: 1
Armaments: 2 internal stocks with 4 hardpoints
Cost per Aircraft: 56 million USD
Cost for Production Rights: 32 billion USD

Main McKagan Bomber

[Project Information]
The GLI-34 Albatross is the second attempt of the Empire to design and mass produce a heavy bomber. The first design, the MAA-1C, unfortunately, was highly unreliable, and extremely obsolete. Consequently, upon the rise of Fedor I to the throne of the Empire, and the War of Golden Succession, with threats of military actions in foreign soil, an Imperial order placed funds for the research and development of a new long range, heavy bomber.

The original project was handed to Luftkrieg; however, after their initial reluctance, and then their eventual postponing of the design, the final project was awarded to a brand new aerial company, Golden Luftwaffe Industries.

It took GLI a total of two years to put together the technology required for the Albatross; nonetheless, the end result was an extremely qualified bomber, with an extremely modern façade. GLI’s GLI-34 is perhaps one of the bombers with the most quality, throughout the world, although such generalities would be impossible to verify. Regardless, the Albatross will remain the mainstay bomber of the Luftwaffe for years to come, and has been marketed as an extremely good purchase for any nation – especially since the Second Empire of the Golden Throne does not have a blacklist, and ships armaments to any nation willing to pay the price at hand.

The Albatross’ design has included the inclusion of several technologies repeatedly excluded in other’s bomber projects. Regardless, much of it is standard electronics and avionics, which only add to the luxury of the Albatross as a first class heavy bomber aircraft. However, the Albatross should not be considered an equal to others with similar electronics and aviation, as the Albatross also includes several of its own innovations, and most of the systems included have been improved in some way.

During the first year of production GLI received a single order for a hundred aircraft from the OberKommando des Luftwaffe. It’s expected that GLI will receive enough orders to gain an extreme profit, especially from foreign quarters. Thus, it is expected that the GLI-34 is to be an extremely successful design in the near future.

[Cockpit and Avionics]
The cockpit is designed for two crew members, the pilot and his co-pilot. The main electronics system within the cockpit is the electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS), designed using a liquid crystal matrix (AMLCD), which has been provided by Rockwell Collins Industries. The EFIS is part of the glass cockpit, showing all information vital to the well being of the Albatross, including, the aircraft’s situation, position and progress.

The aircraft’s system’s conditions and performance of the engines is shown on the Engines Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS). EICAS has replaced all mechanical gauges and other such systems used on older designed. Furthermore, EICAS displays information on a need to know basis, although the pilot and his co-pilot have the possibility of investigating certain information, without EICAS displaying it automatically.

The Albatross also includes an Altitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS), which uses a three axis system which displays altitude, heading and yaw, to the crew. AHRS is made up of accelerometers and magnetometers; the former measures acceleration and the effects of gravity – the latter measures the Earth’s magnetic fields.

The Air Data Computer included within the glass cockpit determines altitude, velocity, and altitude trend, rather than individual instruments.

The Albatross has a transponder underneath the nose of the aircraft, which receives codes from IFF RADARs and flight control systems. This transponder, however, should not be confused with the short range LIDAR transponder located nearby, which is for system defense.

The landing systems use a radio,microwave and differential global positioning system (DGPS), which allows the bomber to land with the aid of satellites. The obstacle warning system (LOAM) is a navigational aid system designed to protect the Albatross from potential dangerous obstacles in its flight path, especially when landing.

The Head-up Display (HUD) offers thirty degrees view horizontally, by twenty-five degrees vertically. The head-up display screen is flanked by four Up-Front Display (UFP) screens, built as active matrix liquid crystal screens. This net of display systems is the primary artery of the integrated control panel (ICP) which allows the pilot to change data for communications, navigation and auto-pilot settings. Underneath the integrated control panel is the Primary Multi-Function Display (PMFD), which gives the pilot another “God’s Eye View” of the environment (the first being the much larger EFIS).

Finally, for navigational purposes, the Albatross uses a tactical air navigational system (TACAN).

[Electronic Systems]
The Albatross includes a bi-static phased array RADAR on the Albatross’ nose and tail apertures, giving it a three hundred and sixty degree scan, burning through 5th Generation stealth at around three hundred kilometers distance. The bi-static phased array RADAR needs no physical movement; instead it’s controlled by phase-shifters, which change the degree of the beam within nanoseconds. This system is matched by an infra-red search and track system, (IRST) which uses infra-red technology to track heat signatures for up to one hundred kilometers. The latter system is completely passive.

The Albatross also includes a RADAR megalith, including an X-band RADAR, which denotes the RADAR’s frequency. This is joined with next generation radar (NEXRAD) which includes a network of small Doppler RADARs, and the improved polarimetric RADAR, which adds vertical polarization in order to know what exactly is reflecting the signal back.

The Albatross has been fitted with an inertial navigation system (INS), as well as a an Doppler RADAR Velocity Sensor (DVS).

The Albatross also includes a light detection and ranging system, (LIDAR) which is one of the most advance in the world – this, GLI could say for sure. The Albatross’ system is based on a transponder and receiver, beside that of the IFF transponder, which uses a Gaussian transmitter system to transmit LIDAR waves. The Gaussian transmitter is based on two electrical fields sending electrically charged photonic waves to bounce off targets and have active measurements on its velocity and location. The advantage of this LIDAR system is that the active RADAR only needs to gain a location on an object once before the LIDAR can take over, meaning a bomber can turn off its active RADAR to reduce its signature. The Albatross’ LIDAR uses Doppler LIDAR in order to keep track of an object’s velocity, as well as a LIDAR range finder.

The Albatross features a global positioning system (GPS), which although doubles as avionics, also allows the bomber to drop munitions under satellite guidance, allowing for much great accuracy.

For countermeasures the Albatross features an Advance Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasure System (AIDECM), which uses both noise jamming, deception jamming, and blip enhancement. The Albatross’ AIDECM also includes the use of chaff, flares and soids accordingly, having a dispenser behind the hard points

[Airframe]
The airframe of the Albatross’ most important statistical feature is the fact that most angles are at fifty-six degrees. More importantly, most of the aircraft is covered by a glass medium, which acts as a subsequent polarizer, which is much more effective more refracting light waves (thus RADAR waves). Most of the information to complete this project accurately was committed to by a physicist named Sir David Brewster, who has provided Brewster’s Angle for stealth mechanisms even in the 21st century.

The Albatross also has a remarkably small RADAR cross section (RCS), much like the Avro Vulcan had in its time, and now the F-117. Brewster’s angles are reinforced using corner reflectors perpendicular to the RADAR wave. The aircraft also includes a layer of RADAR absorbent material (RAM), which is formed of a composition between honeycomb RAM, black absorbent RAM, and foam absorbers. This groundbreaking design of RAM has allowed the aircraft to absorb between 3MHz to 6 GHz. This means that OTHR designed RADAR systems can no longer pick up the Albatross, allowing it a more advance stealth feature.

The frame itself is designed using an aluminum based super alloy (NiAl), a third generation crystal alloy (RENE N6), titanium, cobalt, steel, and interlaced iron, as well as a zirconium-hafnium alloy. This allows for a relatively light airframe, but also extremely strong in all respects.

[Engines]
The Albatross is equipped with six 40,000 pound force (lbf) turbofan engines, integrated into the wing, and heavily laden with ultra-modern infra-red signature suppressants (IRS) lining the engines and all other major heat outtakes.

The engine’s turbine blades use a single crystal alloy, while the turbojet itself is lined with Thymonel 8, a third generation crystal super alloy. This latter super alloy has been known for excellent heat absorbance, and even more excellent resistance against a potentially harmful environment.

The Albatross’ engines are designed to operate at 70% of design maximum, to conserve fuel during throttling procedures, since turbojets have the unfortunate characteristic that they do not throttle efficiently.

[Armaments]
The Albatross has the capabilities of carrying up to twenty-seven thousand two hundred and fifteen kilograms (sorry about the shift in units), translating into sixty thousand pounds. This can include everything from High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM), Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), supersonic and hypersonic cruise missiles, Joint Stand-off Weapons (JSOW), Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missiles (JASSM), and the Wind Compensated Munitions Dispenser (WCMD).

To allow different mixes of weaponry the Albatross includes a Generic Weapons Interface System (GWIS).

In short, the Albatross can carry almost anything in existence that does not exceed the weight limit, including all Kriegzimmer missile products.

Each weapon bay is based off a rotary launcher and a quadruple bomb rack system, allowing the Albatross to drop munitions quickly and efficiently. Notwithstanding, the Albatross carries three separate bomb bays.

[Specifications]
Crew: 2
Engines: 6 40,000 lbf turbojets
Length: 224 feet, 2 in
Height: 29 feet, 5 inches
Wingspan: 130 feet
Empty Weight: 188,000 lbs
Expected Full Weight: 400,000
Maximum Take-off Weight: 600,000 lbs
Maximum Velocity: High Subsonic
Flight Range: 6,000 nm
Ceiling: 60,000 feet
Bomb Load: 60,000 lbs

[Cost]
2.5 billion USD

Time for HALO!

Concept:
The AVT-12 was designed for a need from the Republican Marines for a higher capacity and higher speed armed transport that was capable of VSTOL flight. Two concept vehicles, the RVT-901 and RVT-902 were designed and constructed by Makkah Aeroworks for the testing. The RVT-901 featured four high bypass turbofan engines mounted on fully adjustable gimbles allowing the aircraft to change the direction of the entire engine to vector the thrust as needed. The RVT-902 featured revolutionary new Lift Fan technology powered by a pair of high output and high efficiency gas turbine engines through a set of dual output transmissions. The RVT-902 was selected by the Republican Marines for further devlopment into the AVT-12 because it's llift fans did not produce potentially lethal exhaust gasses like the turbofans of the RVT-901 did.

Design:
The AVT-12 is designed around four high output lift fans which are independently adjusted by the aircraft's computer according to the pilots control input. Each of the four lift fans is independently mounted on a hydraulicly controled quick-reaction rotating mount allowing them to be rotated 360 degrees in the vertical or near vertical axis. Two of the lift fans are mounted onto the tips of the wings mounted directly vertical of the ground when set to the vertical postsion, the rear two lift fans are mounted just aft of the cargo ramp and when in the vertical postsion have a 15 degree outward canter to their output. This design allows Marines or cargo to exit and enter through the rear cargo ram without having to worry about the fan output.

Powering the four lift fans are a pair of Mk.9 turboshaft engines each putting out 6000 Kw of power into two variable dual-output high output transmissions. The transmissions automaticly adjust to the output speed as required by the pilot for each of the four engines.

The main arament of the AVT-12 is a chin mounted three barreled 15mm ATG-47 gatling gun with 1200 rounds of ammunition. The ATG-47 is slaved to the helmet mounted gunsight of the co-pilot/gunner and can fire at an electronicly adjustable rate of fire up to four thousand rounds per minute. Hardpoint mountins are provided on the cargo ramp and above each of the cargo compartment doors for the mounting of a heavy or medium machine gun as required. One weapons hardpoint is mounted on the underside of each wing and can carry up to 250kg of weapons each. Standard mounting on the wings is a 32 round capacity 70mm unguided rocket pod.

Internally the AVT-12 is capable of carrying 26 fully armed Marines and their equipment or 9500kg of cargo. An underslung cargo hook allows up to 10500kg of cargo to be carried externally.

Procurment cost is set at $38,000,000 USD.

Specifications:

Type: Assault Transport

Dimensions:
- Length: 22m
- Width: 3.2m
- Height: 4.2m
- Wingspan: 15m

Mass:
- Empty: 13,500 kg
- Loaded (VSTOL): 26,000 kg
- Maximum Take-Off: 32,000 kg
- Fuel Capacity: 6480 kg

Propulsion:
- Engine: 2x Mk.9 Areonautic Turboshafts (8046 shp each)
- Lift: 4x Kish Jet Propulsion Lift Fans
- Thrust: 20,000 lbs (89 kN) each
- Vectoring: 3-dimensional

Performance:
- Service Celing: 8500m
- Cruising Speed: 330 km/h
- Top Speed: 450 km/h
- Ferry Range: 1800 km
- Combat Range: 500 km
- Max Vertical Climb Rate: 50 m/s

Armament:
- 1x Chin Mounted ATG-47 15mm 3-Barreled Gatling (1200 rounds)
- 2x Above Door mounted HMG Points
- 1x Ramp mounted HMG Point
- 2x Wing mounted hardpoints (250kg each)

Capacity:
- Crew: 3
- Transport: 26 troops
- Internal Cargo: 9,500 kg Max
- External Cargo: 10,500 kg Max

Boom!

Arica. I 'Shalmaneser' Heavy Armoured Personnel Carrier

[A Joint Mekugian-Macabee Design]


Variants [SEoTG Terminology]:
Ausfva. A: Shalmaneser
Ausfva. B: APV-30 Jaguar

http://modernwarstudies.net/Lineart/AFVc.png
Mekugi, once again!


Abstract:
The project found its beginnings in 2013, three years prior to the War of Golden Succession, in the form of minor dabblings into the realm of armoured personnel carriers and such by a team of Kriegzimmer engineers and Mekugian mechanics. Through then and 2015, the 'project' designed and introduced a series of theoritical possibilities for a replacement to the SOV-6 Infantry Fighting Vehicle that had been outclassed since its introduction, since the original intent of the vehicle was as a heavy siege vehicle for national special weapons and tactics forces. However, no design was truly capable enough to be considered a practical replacement, and no design that could be considered a replacement was within the restrictions of Mekugian design aesthetics, meaning by the end of 2015 the two nations had still failed to progress further in the design of a new armoured personnel carrier. Fortunately, in early 2016 all viable solutions were merged into a single design, and after undergoing three months of intense 'runs through the gauntlet', and a final two months of pure testing, ending in another month of final theoritics, the first proper prototype of the end product rolled off the line on 23 September, 2016, and the consequent Shalmaneser began mass production on 1 October.

The name Shalmaneser stems from the namesake of the Assyrian king Shalmaneser II. Heir to a kingdom plagued by a rebellion led by Shattuara II of Hanigalbat, he hammered the Mitanni rebellion, and their Hittite allies, and then claimed to blind fourteen thousand men. In his lifetime and according to the tablets, he laid waste to nine fortresses and one hundred eighty cities. Like its namesake king, the Shalmanesar Armoured Personnel Carrier provides a well formed fist on the battlefield.

The design offers a blend between the infantry fighting vehicle and the armoured personnel vehicle, keeping the latter's high personnel carrying capacities, and offering the former's firepower - to a certain extent. The Shalmaneser was never designed to stand up to heavier armoured designs, but it could most certainly hold its own against an enemy armoured personnel carrier or even an infantry fighting vehicle, providing the infantry within it a safe ferry to the battlefield, and allowing for simpler mechanization, especially in the form of logistics. The justification for the latter being, the Ejermacht, or foreign equivalents, does not need to field two or more designs for different roles when it can field the Shalmaneser, regardless of its lesser qualities in specific areas. Nonetheless, this does not mean the Ejermacht was looked into different variants. Nonetheless, users of the design have returned with very positive feedback to Kriegzimmer.

The Shalmanesar saw its first combat in the War of Golden Succession in October 2016 against Havenite [SafeHaven2] forces in northern Haven and southern Ruska. It made its debut in combat in the Battle of Ishme-Dagan, one of the largest tank battles in history, with over fifteen thousand armoured vehicles participating in the slaughter, both Mekugian and Macabee. The Shalmanesar failed to preform well, simply due to the high cocentration of heavier armour, and did even worse in situations in which the battle was 'layered', and confused. Nonetheless, in infantry only portions of the battle it did splendidly, marking its success in the situations it was originally built for. In the end, it's suspected that the Arica I will mirror the lifespan of what it's replacing, the SOV-6, and perhaps extend to even more than that.

Armament:
Both the Macabee and Mekugian version of the vehicle equip a 35mm chaingun as the primary armament, feeding off four modular ammunition bins within and under the turret. The gun features a dilutable coolant, first introduced by Shell for manufacturing purposes, which enables the chaingun an outstanding rate of eight hundred rounds per minute, although there are little viable reasons why the gunner would reach such a rate. Nevertheless, if the gun's ammunition is swapped for minor depleted uranium sabots [albeit, with a smaller storage number], it is said that it can penetrate the top armour of light and medium tanks if enough rounds are expended accurately on the side, rear or top armour. This failed to be proven at Ishme-Dagan, but there was not a very large contingent of armour that fitted the requires of being medium or light, which may attribute to the fact. Regardless, the Arica I is certainly not undergunned in any way, shape, or form.

Sometimes, the Mekugian field version can be seen with a larger turret and a 40mm ACP cannon. The export and Ausfva. A versions, however, remain with the 35mm chaingun as their primary armament.

Secondary armament manifests itself in the form of two machineguns mounts, crewed by the personnel of a squad riding in the back, fitted into two advance firing ports. The Advanced Firing Ports (AFP’s) are built into the armored hide of the Shalmanesar. The traverse and elevation are somewhat limited, but only just slightly allowing for a wide defensive fire arc to be laid down for debussing and in transit units. The AFP’s true ‘advanced’ feature is the addition of a spent round collector, which unlike the brass bags used by other countries spent rounds are collect and transferred out of the port to a exit point below the vehicle allowing for uninterrupted fining without covering the floor (and surrounding infantry) with hot brass. An integral ventilation system draws away any additional gasses from the gun preventing a ‘smoke-up’ of the fighting compartment, and keeping the weapon cooler without adding a complex system, or forcing changes to be made to the gun itself.

The gun ports can be opened to narrow or large size to accommodate different gun sizes, so that fragmentation cannot enter the cabin via the gun ports. The rotating gun port doors are lockable to prevent opening or enlarging the aperture from outside. The gun is aligned using a small clip which holds it in a pintle mount, offering very good handle on the design. Vertical stabilization and recoil attenuation as can be found on many vehicle mounted weapons allow for comfortable and accurate firing while on the move, yet allows for the weapon to be quickly removed for field use without comprising the systems capabilities in or out of the vehicle.

Additional secondary armaments include the VAPS system on the non-export version meant exclusively for the Empire and Mekugi, or a multi-barreled grenade launcher in its place - both offering an excellent fire suppression device for nearby infantry and trenchlines. Finally, the Shalmanesar has two anti-tank guided missiles in a launcher on the right side of the turret of the main gun, offering another possible solution against heavier armour designs, such as main battle tanks.

Armour:
The lower layer of the armour is formed of a 300mm plate of ceramic armour, which is fully modular and made out of light ceramics and alloys. This offers the design an excellent defense against high velocity impacts from kinetic energy weapons, including armour piercing fin stabilized discarding sabots. The armour is considerably lighter than its counterpart used on the Leopard A6, and variant E [Spain's self designed variant of the Leopard A6], but it also offers lesser protection against KE threats; nonetheless, the version featured on the Arica I provides enough to protect against anything save a main battle tank and some high velocity medium tank guns. This is layered with a soft insulation on the top to avoid cracking and stress due to the expansion of the top layer.

This top layer is formed of either modular expandable armour system, or an enhanced appliqué armour kit, depending on the customer and weight prerequisites. Although the MEXAS offers greater ratings, the EAAK is also much, much lighter - each offers its own distinct advantages. Regardless of which used, the entire armour system offers very fine protection against both kinetic energy threads and chemical energy threats, making it viable for the vehicle to complete the tasks it was designed for.

Optionally, sometimes witnessed on Mekugian tanks, the MEXAS is covered by an anti-spalling layer which is capped off by a minor ceramic appliqué, which offers minor protection against chemical energy threats. On top of this, hexagons of captive explosive reactive armour are placed on slats, making the CERA largely appliqué as well. Other times, the CERA replaces the MEXAS altogether. The exact composition of the Ausfva. B remains classified within the Mekugian military.

Engine:
The Shalmanesar is powered by the Q-300-J, although the Mekugian design might employ it's own engine for preference and logistical purposes. Nonetheless, it's safe to say that the Shalmanesar relies on one thousand two hundred break horsepower, meaning, what is not lost on ignition and through the propulsion of the shaft. The outer encasement is made out of a tough, but flexible, titanium based superalloy, while several turbine components are manufactured out of ceramic. The engine has three major subcomponents throughout the Arica I, including a 200v battery in the turret, and two 125v batteries in the back. And of course, all ot her minor subcomponents. Although the engine is rather large for the weight, especially considering that the Shalmanesar does not feel the requirement of ultramodern MBTs in having overly large engines to allow for greater velocities, the engine does serve the purpose to deal with crew accomodations, specified below.

The transmission offers a dual stick, group and gear, transmission with a total of twenty-four gears, including three groups and six foward gears and two rear gears. The drivetrain is fully electromagnetic, allowing for almost a greater conservation of energy, which in turn maximizes the effeciency of the engine. The drivetrain was also featured in the Arca. I Cougar.

Rear Accomodations:
The personnel being ferried by the APC are amongst the most important parts of the APC. For them the Shalmanesar and other variants boast of a very well designed accomodation system to best serve the cabin. In fact, in testing and in combat personnel carried often claim that the best ride they've had was on the Arica. For one, seating is divided by a series of cushioned 'chairs' whie lie on the floor to take as little space as possible, providing comfortable seating. The seats are springed for bumps, and avoid having the men in the back jolt around, while they also have reduced pitch input, allowing them to absorb shock. The two machinegunners are not seated, and instead are harnessed into place to avoid rabid moving, and two kneepads cushioned for them to kneel on, as well as a foward footpad in both cases for the soldier to rest a leg, if need be. The ground is reinforced, allowing soldiers to point their guns down so that if a rifle is accidently fired it will penetrate the bottom armour and stay there without fear of the shot ricocheting. The APC is air conditioned both for the crew and what is being carried, while there is a temporary water dispeser so that soldiers need not use the little water they carry for missions.

Although many believe all of this luxury as just that, and extraneous, it has been tested before that better preforming soldiers are those that are more relaxed before entering combat. History in design has proved it; in fact, one of the faults attributed to early Soviet armoured design was crew conditions, especially crampness, which reduced lethality of Soviet armour. Although not necessarilly within the same context, the same can be said for the soldier within the APC. Not only that, but the 'luxury' comes at relatively little cost, as opposed to the huge cost of the armour, turret and armament. Therefore, it is just a minor way to pay soldiers for the duties they have done.

For this, the Shalmaneser has been called the 'Cruise Liner' by many Macabee soldiers, on the field. Automobile magazines have also awarded it as the most confortable all terrain vehicle design on the public market. But for all the satire, the Shalmanesar cedes the point and is proud of it.

The soldiers are let out through a rear hatch which is a ramp door, offering an easy unloading process. The rear hatch, to avoid lightening the armour load on it, is powered through an extremely powerful set of electrical mechanics, which is one of the major things that warrants such a large engine in use for the APC, when something of 800 bhp would have done perfectly. For emergency dismounting there are two roof mounted hatches.

Sensor Equipment:
Sensor equipments include a foward-looking infrared [FLIR] rangefinder for close range engagement accuracy; especially since most engagements will be from close range, given the armament. On top of the minor turret there is a minor short-range, short-wave, radome for near complete radar coverage for up to eleven thousand meters, although expected usage is two thousand meters and less. There is also a laser radar [ladar] transmitter independence from the main array to further guide the ATGMs, while and independent transmitter is for the tank in general. Two side looking miniature LIDAR guassian transmitters aid in target and foe indentification.

The fire and control system is based on the larger Cornerstone program. The program is able to receive, condense, and process information from all sensor systems simultanuously, and thus offer a host of possible targets on a black background liquid matrix display screen for both the gunner and the commander [two seperate screens]. The Arica I can have up to eleven targets for possible engagement, and once one is deemed appropriately knocked out a new target is processed into the system.

Statistics [Export Version]:
Crew: 3 [Driver, Commander and Gunner]
Carrying Capacity: 15, including crew
Vehicle Armament:
-1x 35mm Chaingun
-2x portmounted 7.92mm machineguns
-2x anti-tank guided missiles
-1x 60mm grenade launcher
Ammunition:
-1,600 rounds for the 35mm [dispensed into four modular bins]
-800 rounds per portmounted machineguns
Length, Hull: 8.7m
Width: 3.57m
Height Overall: 2.3m
Ground Clearance: 0.51m
Weight, Combat: 51 tons
Weight, Empty: 45 tons
Turret Traverse: 360
Engine: Q-300-J 1200bhp Quasiturbine Diesel
Maximum Horsepower: 1200bhp
Maximum Road Speed: 76 km/hr
Maximum Reverse Road Speed: 25 km/hr
Maximum Off-Road Speed: 55 km/hr
Acceleration, 0km/hr to 65km/hr: 17 sec
Maximum Range: 620 km
Fuel Capacity: 600 lit
Fording: 2.5m
Tracks: 450mm single pin metalic tracks with rubber inset roadwheels
Vertical Obstacle: 1.13m
Trench: 3.3m
Gradient: 60%
Side Slope: 40%
Armour Type: Composite
RHA: ca. 600mm RHAe vs. KE; ca. 1,600mm vs. CE
NBC System: CC/COP-30, 3+12x IDV-14
Night Vision Equipment: Yes (Driver, Commander, And Gunner)
Cost: 3.2 million USD