NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Or, the R&D thread.

IC:

New Nippon, Fujishima Sector, ZSCA-

Today, the Alliance Marine Corps has announced a bid with the Xenizen Military Arms Corporation in the Armscorp Sector and the Ford Motor Company of Upper Xen's Special Research Division to produce a new type of infantry armor to replace the current model in service with the Marine Corps.

"This armor is a step forward in terms of protection and mobility. The previous armor suffered easily from explosive devices, and was found to be somewhat clumsy in use, owing to weight issues. We feel this model will be slimmer and easier to use for the Marine, especially in trouble spots such as rough or urban terrain," said Dr. Carl Antonescu, of Ford's Special Research Division.

The SRD has had success before, especially with improvements to the Battlecruiser line of ships. Preliminary tests of the design (http://www.cncden.com/cnc3_concept/cnc3_zonetrooper.jpg) indicated some success, though research at the New Fuzhou Proving Grounds must be undergone.

SRD and MACorp (CorporateEx Ticker: ARMSCORP) have also expressed interest in an improved version of the C-14 rife in service that would feature a simplified design with less weight, and a 40mm underslung combined grenade launcher/shotgun, an interest shared with the Marine Corps. The design would use the already standard Depleted Uranium 8mm "spike" rounds in service.

Research-0/15
Development-0/20

OOC: Using fluid time....

IC:

Rouge River Shipyard, New Detroit, Fordlandia-

Today, the Ford Motor Company of Upper Xen, in another joint venture with Armscorp's StarWorks, based at Parabellum, and the Corporate Navy Shipyard at New Tianjin announced the creation of a new class of Battleship to augment existing Battlecruiser Stocks.

"The presence of foreign entities, such as the Cadian Tomb and the Kirisuban Empire, along with the need to provide work for our employees have produced an idea for a battleship that is larger than the present battlecruiser in use and yet is still manueverable and functional," said Wilhelm Epstein of Armscorp.

The design, which resembles a larger version of the existing battlecruiser, but with four exterior pylons and a slightly shorter frame, lengthwise in appearance.

Lengthwise, the Titan Battleship is 1km long, and 500m wide, 300m tall. It's equipped with 24 Burst-Laser Batteries, 3 per outer pylon and 4 per each side of the front module of the battleship. Also, the ship has 24 HALO Missile Launcher batteries capable of using multiple types of munitions, distributed in a similar manner to that of the Burst-Lasers, as well as a proprietary Ship-Level Ion Cannon for use.

Research-2/15
Development-0/20

Research-2/15
Development-0/20

Infantry upgrades-

Preliminary testing has begun at the Proving Grounds, with tests to be performed in simulated Jungle, Desert, Swamp, and Tundra environments for both the suits and the guns. Both tests are torture tests, meaning that we hope the men will wear out before the equipment (OOC: We are talking about thoughtless, monolithic corporations here.)

Looking at your picture, if and how is the soldier going to see an enemy coming up from his left or right?

Looking at your picture, if and how is the soldier going to see an enemy coming up from his left or right?

OOC: Hmmm....well, the only thing I can say is that we can assume the shoulders aren't going to be that huge.

Practical Calabi-Yau Teleportation-

Newport City, New Nippon, Fujishima Sector-

Today, Newport University today has announced the first practical use of teleportation on living and inanimate subjects today, with the conclusion of successful trials involving the teleportation of a dog named Schrodinger, a volunteer, and 50 tons of cargo.

"For about as long as I can remember, the various R&D Departments of the Alliance were continuing experiments on old Earth, beginning sometime in 2050's Upper Xen, to discover the secret to practical teleportation. Well, I would like to say that we've done it. We have done it."

The experiment involved teleporting the aforementioned items from U Newport to the Gordon Lew Polytechnical Institute in New Hong Kong, Victoria, Lewville, and back. 5 out of 6 attempts were successful, the sixth resulting in a loss of the items, presumably in mid transport. The other five showed little or no ill health effects.

The key will now be deciphering the secret of how it will work. (OOC: Half Life fans will know this one, it uses a dimensional slingshot to deliver the goods.)

Research-0/4
Development-0/14

Infantry upgrades-

Research-4/15
Development-0/20

Testing is going along smoothly, with Tundra trials beginning using the MXC Course, as well as a mountain climbing challenge. So far, the suits themselves seem to pass muster, surviving numerous dings, shots, and temperatures below freezing. The same cannot be said for the men; several have entered hospital.



Titan Battleship-

Research-4/15
Development-0/20

Prototype construction has begun at the StarWorks in Armscorp, for security reasons.

Practical Calabi-Yau Teleportation

Research-4/4
Development-0/14

Judging by the examinations of test subjects through interviews and checkups, plus the sending of probes through the teleporters hooked up to classified instruments, it seems the teleporter uses what is essentially a dimensional slingshot to work. Developments are now being made to stabilize this, and make it practical...

[QUOTE=Fujishima Corporation]Infantry upgrades-

Research-6/15
Development-0/20

Testing is still continuing, with Jungle trials being conducted, with and without MXC Course. Once again, the suits themselves seem to do well, with electronics holding up in humid environments and monsoon rains.

Titan Battleship-

Research-6/15
Development-0/20

Prototype is half built, and testing is expected to begin with gunnery, movement, and wargame trials to be included.

Practical Calabi-Yau Teleportation

Research-4/4
Development-2/14

Scientists have begun to work on refining their existing prototypes to be more energy efficent and safer for normal use. In particular, a battlecruiser with existing FTL systems and the Calabi-Yau method will be tested, to see which method is better....

Infantry upgrades-

Research-8/15
Development-0/20

Jungle testing has finished up, and Desert testing looks to be more of the same, though the sand has posed some problems for the suits which must be fixed. As for the weapons, they've undergone a number of changes, such as adding a little more weight and keeping the standard 300-rd magazine in lieu of other features, and simplfying the internal structure so the kinetic energy of each slug leaving the gun is used to charge an internal battery, to simplfy supply and allow the use of more powerful charges.

Titan Battleship-

Research-8/15
Development-0/20

Prototype finished, and shakedown trials have begun.

Practical Calabi-Yau Teleportation

Research-4/4
Development-4/14

Battlecruiser tests have begun, though they are classified...

Infantry upgrades-

Research-10/15
Development-0/20

An interesting array of exploding and flechette rounds is being considered, even as the suit tests are wrapping up as we speak with final data being collected from both MXC Course and conventional tests.

Titan Battleship-

Research-10/15
Development-0/20

Shakedown trials so far show the Titan is slow--painfully slow. But, it seems to be a powerful ship, even more so than its predecessor. However, concerns about protecting the vessel without compromising cost or speed have led to debates about shield technology.

Practical Calabi-Yau Teleportation

Research-4/4
Development-6/14

Results of the tests indicate that the Calabi-Yau teleporter is more efficent than the type of rudimentary teleporter FTL used before. Thus, funding has been appropriated to begin full scale implementation of this technology as soon as possible.

Infantry upgrades-

Research-14/15
Development-0/20

Modifications to the suit to provide for looser manufacturing tolerances, smaller shoulderpads, and various other ease of use modifications have been added, to make it more acceptable to the military. The rifle is almost ready to be accepted, as well.

Titan Battleship-

Research-14/15
Development-0/20

The Titan battleship is nearly ready for development. Modifications such as a slight reduction in armor, tweaks and modifications to navigation and engines, and the addition of the Calabi-Yau teleporter system have increased the reach of the Titan, making it approved for combat.

Practical Calabi-Yau Teleportation

Research-4/4
Development-10/14

Testing and full scale implementation of the Calabi-Yau technology has begun, per Alliance standardization requrements and through a series of joint ventures with the various members of the Alliance (except Armscorp).

Plasma Shield Technology

New Detroit, Fordlandia--

Owing to the existing research into energy manipulation that has produced Cloaking Devices and now the Calabi-Yau teleporter, Dr. Joseph Steinbech of Ford's Special Research Division and Armscorp has announced that he has succesfully sought funding for a form of "plasma energy forcefield, capable of sustaining hits from ballistic and energy weapons."

If successful, the Doctor's system will save money for the corporation in the long run...

SIC:

What the good doctor does not tell you, is that part of that comes from finding the wreck of a Protoss Arbiter, with its shield system somewhat intact, though he'll have to decipher most of it.

Research-0/14
Development-0/10

OOC: Using my ND Account to save time, energy, especially since I just got back from camp.

IC:

Infantry upgrades-

Research-14/15
Development-0/20

Modifications to the suit to provide for looser manufacturing tolerances, smaller shoulderpads, and various other ease of use modifications have been added, to make it more acceptable to the military. The rifle is almost ready to be accepted, as well.

Titan Battleship-

Research-15/15
Development-20/20

Titan is ready for combat.

Practical Calabi-Yau Teleportation

Research-4/4
Development-14/14

Finaization of the Calabi-Yau system is finished, long term manufacture is underway.

Plasma Shield Technology

Research-14/14
Development-0/10

Plasma Shield technology is finished, and ready for manufacture.

IC:

Infantry upgrades-

Research-15/15
Development-1/20

Plasma Shield Technology

Research-14/14
Development-2/10

All upgrades accepted, and orders are being placed...

Infantry upgrades-

Research-15/15
Development-3/20

Plasma Shield Technology

Research-14/14
Development-4/10

Orders placed, and construction has begun en masse.

Infantry upgrades-

Research-15/15
Development-5/20

Plasma Shield Technology

Research-14/14
Development-6/10

Most of the manufacturing is being done at Armscorp and the Zhang-Sakura Corporation's own facilities, though the Lew Congolmerate and Ford are doing some work as well.

Infantry upgrades-

Research-15/15
Development-7/20

Plasma Shield Technology

Research-14/14
Development-8/10

Plasma Shielding is nearly finished, as refits and upgrades are almost complete to most of the fleet. However, upgrading the Marines will take a while.

Infantry upgrades-

Research-15/15
Development-9/20

Plasma Shield Technology

Research-14/14
Development-10/10

Plasma Shielding is finished, the Corporate Navy has been upgraded with it. Meanwhile, the infantry upgrades are moving along, the main sticking point is familiarizing the Corporate marines with the new stuff.

News--

Fordlandia-

Today, the fight against the upstart People's Movement suffered a severe blow, when its fortresses on Edsel IV were taken after a hard-fought campaing by Corporate Marines and Ford Secuirty Department personnel. Known as Operation Excel, the move to take "Liberty Town," their last stronghold on Edsel IV, was a success.

"I am confident that the rebellion in Fordlandia will be extinguished soon. My intelligence indicates they have only one other planet under their stead, and they have been reduced to piracy and terrorism. Even then, they cannot escape the justice of the Alliance; they will perish," siad Marshal Timothy Jackson.

The PM, which has terrorized Fordlandia for years, is reported to have a strong army and pirate fleet, though Navy sweeps have been successful in reducing their influence.

Infantry upgrades-

Research-15/15
Development-11/20

Familiarization is moving along, as is production.

Meanwhile, as the research goes along, the Board of Directors meets and approves Directive #26. Directive #26, created in the wake of the People's Movement and the wars against it, is a move establishing ACROSS, the Alliance Committee for Research, Ordinance and Special Services. Initially an innocous special weapons research unit formed from an alliance between Ford SRD, Armscorp, LewCo, and Zhang-Sakura, it will become much more...

Meanwhile, the war against the People's Movement pushes on, with PM positions attacked in Operation Hyatt, dubbed the biggest offensive yet.

Infantry upgrades-

Research-15/15
Development-13/20

Same as above.

Meanwhile, ACROSS has been authorized to perform exploration beyond the Seven Sectors. Using small elements of battlecruisers and carriers, they will look for new sectors to colonize. In the meantime, ACROSS is also working on several projects, such as high energy weapons and android fighters, for the Alliance.

Operation Hyatt forces land on New Dearborn, and begin sweeps of the surrounding area....

Infantry upgrades-

Research-15/15
Development-15/20

Same as above.

ACROSS Exploration forces, consisting of 10 Battlecruisers, 10 Carriers, and a total of 75,000 combat ready men each unit (not counting supply personnel) have begun to move out, scanning nearby space for anything that can be colonized.

Meanwhile, Operation Hyatt is running into trouble, as the PM is putting is an unexpectedly violent guerilla resistance from pirates and land forces. Fierce naval hit-and-run strikes are reported, and ground units on New Dearborn are facing the aforementioned guerillas.

SIC:

Friday Android Infantry (http://forum.webonizuka.free.fr/excelsaga/images/ropponmatsu13.jpeg)

Proposed by ACROSS White Paper #1, studying the effects of Close Quarters Battle against the People's Movement and the effects of a counterinsurgency campaign, the Friday Android is designed to be an effective "heavy" for use in hazardous conditions. These would include operations in areas with suspected booby traps, minefield clearance, and in tunnel clearing operations, plus jungle warfare.

Proposed designs would essentially resemble standard size humans, about six feet in height. A neo-steel frame would be used to provide durability, along with a mix of hydraulic and pneumatic mechanisms, plus high amounts of articulation to provide propulsion and movement. These would not be fully functioning AIs, obeying Asimov's Laws, but rather, limited AIs built with IFF systems to combat whatever enemy the mission dictates.

The artists rendering included is but the rendering.....they are capable of donning military uniforms or even utilizing cloaking suits for their jobs.

They would already be given larger strength than a regular human, but they would be covertly equipped with onboard weapons, such as foldout claws and knee-mounted rockets (to be modified later).

Hunter Fighter Bomber

Another part of ACROSS White Paper #1, the proposed design sought to create a more flexible and manueverable fighter-bomber than the existing Grizzly.

Infantry upgrades-

Research-15/15
Development-17/20

Same as above.

Friday Android Infantry

Research-2/15
Development-0/20

Planning for Friday has begun in earnest at ACROSS HQ, located in Parabellum, in the Armscorp sector.

Hunter Fighter Bomber

Research-2/15
Development-0/20

Work is classified at this time, but it is estimated that the design will be something like this. (http://starwars.wikia.com/images/thumb/0/0b/Virago_NEGVV.jpg/300px-Virago_NEGVV.jpg)

Operation Hyatt--

Forces near Edsel II have engaged a massive Pirate fleet in wide battle, trapping it and obliterating 50% of its forces. Meanwhile, New Dearborn continues to see sweeps by air, with Yamato Gun attacks aggressively reported on enemy positions.

Infantry upgrades-

Research-15/15
Development-19/20

Same as above.

Friday Android Infantry

Research-4/15
Development-0/20

Friday will keep the knee-missles, but will also recognize all currently used armaments, plus has a QuickLearn system developed by Ford SRD to enable it to figure out how to use enemy firearmand explosives quickly.

Hunter Fighter Bomber

Research-4/15
Development-0/20

Dimensions are classified, but it is estimated to be smaller and faster than the Grizzly, along with better performance characteristics, such as swiveling turbolasers.

Infantry upgrades-

Research-15/15
Development-20/20

Finished

Friday Android Infantry

Research-6/15
Development-0/20

Friday will be lightened somewhat, for ease of transport and manufacture. In the meantime, prototypes will be made to test out the design.

Hunter Fighter Bomber

Research-6/15
Development-0/20

Same as above; Hunter is entering prototype status. In the meantime, two turbolasers, and four HALO missile launchers are confirmed.

Friday Android Infantry

Research-12/15
Development-0/20

Prototype testing indicates the Friday units are impressive machines, if they are a bit cold and unfeeling towards humans.

Hunter Fighter Bomber

Research-12/15
Development-0/20

Hunter prototypes are proving very fast and efficent killing machines. However, difficulties with the folding wings existed, and thus had to be solved....