Nistolonia
04-02-2006, 05:26
This is simply some things that I have thought of and read of that would apply to NS warring. Most of this does not apply to FT, as teleporting, FTL travel and the vastly different techs mean that organizing them is next to impossible.
Point One: Dreadnoughts:
Now, I'm not here to say that SDs (Super Dreads) are the evil scum of the earth(s) and should never be used, ever in NS, short of FT. SDs are a perfectly viable ship for a country that can afford them. They offer tremendous firepower, great armour, and a centralized command base for a task force. Having said this, you cannot send an SD, on its own, into enemy territory and expect it to do anything but die. While its missile defense system would be enough to handle a handful of cruise missiles, "spamming" the ship with them may not destroy it, but will certainly destroy the sensor arrays and possible some of the weapons systems. On its own, it is also vulnerable to submarine attacks, air strikes (Though not very) and chemical and biological toxins. In a fleet, however, they are an incredible bonus. In ship to ship combat, they can mount large amounts of missile RAM systems to attack incoming missiles, and batteries of AGSs and other Big Guns. It also has the benifits of all its escorts, to defend it against heavy attack. It is probably most effective in the amphibious assault role, however, where its long ranged guns can pound enemy defences into oblivion. In fact, the Iowa class battleships in the US navy would be reactivated for that reason only.
With all these bonuses, one wonders why everyone doesnt have one of these for each task force. There are several reasons. The first is the monetary commitment. It will cost hundreds of billions of dollars to build an SD, nonetheless keep it fueled and equipped. If it is lost, half a trillion dollars could go down the drain (literally). Also, they are really big targets. REALLY BIG. It is practically impossible to hide an SD and its task force from radar, and it is thus impractical for launching a surprise attack. And of course, SDs are not invincible. Heavy armour can answer most problems, but a well placed torpedo, missile or shell can potentially sink the mightiest Dreadnought, and even the heaviest armour will collapse under sustained fire. Which brings us to the next point.
Super-metals
Super metals are metals that don’t actually exist in RL, but in certain NS countries. They tend to be remarkably strong and somehow found easily throughout the country. Most of these are supposedly 6-10 times as strong as steel, and therefore tend to ignore AT rounds like .22 shots. Well, logistics reasons aside, the amount of extra strength isn’t really enough to ignore HEAT and APFSDS rounds. Sure, they’ll be very resistant to LAWs and autocannons, but probably not enough to resist a dedicated anti tank shell. Even the M1A2 Abrams MBT cannot stand heavy AT fire (not including Soviet-era RPGs) in today’s world, relying on ECM and speed as much as heavy armour. It’s not really the amount of effectiveness, as much as the powerful guns employed by practically all NS countries.
Logistics
Ah, logistics, the bane of any NS warmonger. Even the most elite troops cower without it, yet it is the most overlooked and most important aspect of warfare. Simply put, without food, medical supplies, fuel, and ammo, an army doesn’t work. Period. Even Nistolonian Light Infantry, trained to survive for days in inhospitable terrain, can’t mount a combat engagement over any period of time without supplies. Here are some examples.
The evil nation of Bobville has captured a small Nistolonian colony. In response, the 38th Nistolonian AirCav regiment is sent in. They land, secure the area and are attacked by Bobville forces, which are easily beaten by the elite airborne troops. However, if the engagement continues (i.e.: Bobville sends more men) the Nistolonians will run out of ammo and med supplies within the day if they are not reinforced.
Tanks, everyone’s favorite unit, are the most logistically dependant unit in pretty much all of NS (except planes). They require constant refueling, and the huge heavy tanks will run out of gas every few hours, meaning that supply lines are essential. As an example, an M1A2 Battle tank requires 300 gallons of fuel for 8 hours of operation. That’s 0.6 miles to the gallon. Without gas, the best tank in the world is a sitting duck for any enemy troops that come strolling by. None of this applies for FT. Teleporting supplies instantly to battle zones means that logistics become superfluous, but in MT-PMT, it is the most important part of warfare.
AAA and AMS
Anti Aircraft Artillery is very overrated. In NS wars, targets are “spammed” with planes because the AAA is so effective. AMS (Anti Missile Systems) tend to be able to shoot down incoming missiles with 100% effectiveness. Once again, the only hope is spamming the target with missiles. This is really not possible in MT RL, but it is more of a gripe of mine then a real issue.
Really Big Things
Like Heavy Tanks. People tend to make them good. Damn good. They put on the twin 120mm guns, the anti air missiles, the ECM suite, the defense systems and the 50 cals or grenade launchers up top to deal with infantry. This is a wonderful, state of the art tank. It also costs a lot of money. No problem for the big nations. Except that this super tank will die almost just as easily in battle as a standard MBT. Why?
Well, for the first part, you really can’t put that much armour on it to make it really resistant to 120mm cannon fire or ATGMS and LAWS (well, maybe LAWS) without making its maximum speed in the single digits. While that’s all fine, it also will be a sitting duck for air strikes and ambushes by AT infantry. The ECM suites are all good, but in battle, assuming it works, there are missiles flying everywhere, enemy troops all around, etc… Speed as almost as important as armour on the modern battlefield, and if you don’t believe me, Google it. With the powerful anti armour weapons of today, even the thickest armour isn’t a sure way to victory.
Movement
Bobville Forces
x2 Airborne infantry
x3 Mechanized Infantry
x10 infantry legions
x3 Armoured Companies
This is an example of a typical NS army. It seems fine. You’ve got the troops in the planes, the tanks, the mechanized infantry and the huge hordes of infantry. Now we just need to march to Billtown City and take it over. Its only 60 miles away.
Well, unless your troopers have bionic legs, they’re screwed. It’s the 21st century. Footsloggers are a thing of the past for western armies. You ride in Bradleys, Strykers, LAVs and Humvees, or you fly, but you don’t walk. I don’t understand how huge amounts of infantry can rapidly relocate by walking. It just doesn’t make sense.
Well, that’s the end of my discussion/rant for today. I’m going to add something on Morale and a few other topics later. Feel free to comment, and if I’ve made any errors, correct me WITH DATA. Give me a website link or a book name.
Thanks
Nistolonia
Point One: Dreadnoughts:
Now, I'm not here to say that SDs (Super Dreads) are the evil scum of the earth(s) and should never be used, ever in NS, short of FT. SDs are a perfectly viable ship for a country that can afford them. They offer tremendous firepower, great armour, and a centralized command base for a task force. Having said this, you cannot send an SD, on its own, into enemy territory and expect it to do anything but die. While its missile defense system would be enough to handle a handful of cruise missiles, "spamming" the ship with them may not destroy it, but will certainly destroy the sensor arrays and possible some of the weapons systems. On its own, it is also vulnerable to submarine attacks, air strikes (Though not very) and chemical and biological toxins. In a fleet, however, they are an incredible bonus. In ship to ship combat, they can mount large amounts of missile RAM systems to attack incoming missiles, and batteries of AGSs and other Big Guns. It also has the benifits of all its escorts, to defend it against heavy attack. It is probably most effective in the amphibious assault role, however, where its long ranged guns can pound enemy defences into oblivion. In fact, the Iowa class battleships in the US navy would be reactivated for that reason only.
With all these bonuses, one wonders why everyone doesnt have one of these for each task force. There are several reasons. The first is the monetary commitment. It will cost hundreds of billions of dollars to build an SD, nonetheless keep it fueled and equipped. If it is lost, half a trillion dollars could go down the drain (literally). Also, they are really big targets. REALLY BIG. It is practically impossible to hide an SD and its task force from radar, and it is thus impractical for launching a surprise attack. And of course, SDs are not invincible. Heavy armour can answer most problems, but a well placed torpedo, missile or shell can potentially sink the mightiest Dreadnought, and even the heaviest armour will collapse under sustained fire. Which brings us to the next point.
Super-metals
Super metals are metals that don’t actually exist in RL, but in certain NS countries. They tend to be remarkably strong and somehow found easily throughout the country. Most of these are supposedly 6-10 times as strong as steel, and therefore tend to ignore AT rounds like .22 shots. Well, logistics reasons aside, the amount of extra strength isn’t really enough to ignore HEAT and APFSDS rounds. Sure, they’ll be very resistant to LAWs and autocannons, but probably not enough to resist a dedicated anti tank shell. Even the M1A2 Abrams MBT cannot stand heavy AT fire (not including Soviet-era RPGs) in today’s world, relying on ECM and speed as much as heavy armour. It’s not really the amount of effectiveness, as much as the powerful guns employed by practically all NS countries.
Logistics
Ah, logistics, the bane of any NS warmonger. Even the most elite troops cower without it, yet it is the most overlooked and most important aspect of warfare. Simply put, without food, medical supplies, fuel, and ammo, an army doesn’t work. Period. Even Nistolonian Light Infantry, trained to survive for days in inhospitable terrain, can’t mount a combat engagement over any period of time without supplies. Here are some examples.
The evil nation of Bobville has captured a small Nistolonian colony. In response, the 38th Nistolonian AirCav regiment is sent in. They land, secure the area and are attacked by Bobville forces, which are easily beaten by the elite airborne troops. However, if the engagement continues (i.e.: Bobville sends more men) the Nistolonians will run out of ammo and med supplies within the day if they are not reinforced.
Tanks, everyone’s favorite unit, are the most logistically dependant unit in pretty much all of NS (except planes). They require constant refueling, and the huge heavy tanks will run out of gas every few hours, meaning that supply lines are essential. As an example, an M1A2 Battle tank requires 300 gallons of fuel for 8 hours of operation. That’s 0.6 miles to the gallon. Without gas, the best tank in the world is a sitting duck for any enemy troops that come strolling by. None of this applies for FT. Teleporting supplies instantly to battle zones means that logistics become superfluous, but in MT-PMT, it is the most important part of warfare.
AAA and AMS
Anti Aircraft Artillery is very overrated. In NS wars, targets are “spammed” with planes because the AAA is so effective. AMS (Anti Missile Systems) tend to be able to shoot down incoming missiles with 100% effectiveness. Once again, the only hope is spamming the target with missiles. This is really not possible in MT RL, but it is more of a gripe of mine then a real issue.
Really Big Things
Like Heavy Tanks. People tend to make them good. Damn good. They put on the twin 120mm guns, the anti air missiles, the ECM suite, the defense systems and the 50 cals or grenade launchers up top to deal with infantry. This is a wonderful, state of the art tank. It also costs a lot of money. No problem for the big nations. Except that this super tank will die almost just as easily in battle as a standard MBT. Why?
Well, for the first part, you really can’t put that much armour on it to make it really resistant to 120mm cannon fire or ATGMS and LAWS (well, maybe LAWS) without making its maximum speed in the single digits. While that’s all fine, it also will be a sitting duck for air strikes and ambushes by AT infantry. The ECM suites are all good, but in battle, assuming it works, there are missiles flying everywhere, enemy troops all around, etc… Speed as almost as important as armour on the modern battlefield, and if you don’t believe me, Google it. With the powerful anti armour weapons of today, even the thickest armour isn’t a sure way to victory.
Movement
Bobville Forces
x2 Airborne infantry
x3 Mechanized Infantry
x10 infantry legions
x3 Armoured Companies
This is an example of a typical NS army. It seems fine. You’ve got the troops in the planes, the tanks, the mechanized infantry and the huge hordes of infantry. Now we just need to march to Billtown City and take it over. Its only 60 miles away.
Well, unless your troopers have bionic legs, they’re screwed. It’s the 21st century. Footsloggers are a thing of the past for western armies. You ride in Bradleys, Strykers, LAVs and Humvees, or you fly, but you don’t walk. I don’t understand how huge amounts of infantry can rapidly relocate by walking. It just doesn’t make sense.
Well, that’s the end of my discussion/rant for today. I’m going to add something on Morale and a few other topics later. Feel free to comment, and if I’ve made any errors, correct me WITH DATA. Give me a website link or a book name.
Thanks
Nistolonia