Solomani Confederation (Military)

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Confederation Armed Forces: Officer's Sword

1. If you get the dress sword for free, you should get a (cheapish) ceremonial revolver for free as well.

2. Again, institutions could commission and award one to an officer for services rendered.

3. Revolvers and swords could actually be a matched pair.

4. Member world militaries in general, and regiments in particular, could have a preference for a non standard type of long blade, such as a katana or a kukri.

 

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Confederation Navy: Combat shotgun

1. It's a technological level twelve bullpup, with seven rounds, short barrel, laser dot; damage bonus plus two.

2. Ye default technological level four shotgun has six tad more expensive shells, but is seven and a half times cheaper.

3. Laser sight is two hundred starbux.

4. Assuming it's semi automatic, you can have a large magazine that doubles capacity.

5. They're both bulky.

6. Assault shotgun is technological level six, has twenty four shells, automatic and three times cheaper.

7. I wonder if you can borrow the technological level twelve (presumably) round for single or double barrel shotguns.

 

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Confederation Armed Forces: Gauss Personal Defence Weapon

1. I kinda suspect that if this was widely available, it would be issued in preference to any other personal sidearm Confederation wide, certainly within the Army and Navy.

2. Pistols tend to be more for deterrence, this would allow some form of offence.

3. Might explain the rather ceremonial nature of the Colt Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Calibre.

 

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Confederation Armed Forces: Gauss Close Combat Weapon

1. The tommy gun of it's generation.

2. Why does everything for Confederation sidearms revolve around technological level twelve?

3. It's an interesting question whether you'd use a submachine gun over a shotgun, you could install an underbarrel attachment that discharges a shotgun shell, rather like the one in Aliens, whereas you might attach a forty millimetre grenade launcher under the gausse rifle.

 

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Sword Worlds: Alusken Ase

1. Two technological level lower than the shotgun.

2. Same damage and range.

3. About the same amount of ammunition.

4. Not bulky.

4. Three times cheaper.

 

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Confederation Navy: Combat shotgun

8. At technological level twelve, it should be gauss powered.

9. Going by the electromagnetic aircraft launch system, there should be a lot less recoil by a shotgun shell propelled that way.

 

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Confederation Military: Armaments and Meson Guns and Planetary Defence

1. Battlefield and turret sized variants available, though perhaps not widely in the Confederation; technological level ten plus planetary defences appear to have deep meson gun installations.

2. No firing signature; need to know.

3. Mobile sensor suite.

4. Neutrino detect fusion reactors; spinal mounted meson guns can consume five hundred to a thousand gigawatts in power, in what I'll guess are seven kay and fifteen kay tonne weapon systems.

5. I'd get Tesla to install batteries for a short duration rapid fire.

6. Technological level thirteen plus worlds have the option for mobile bay weapon variant meson guns.


So I guess that turret and bay meson gun variants are back on the menu, boys!

 

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Confederation Military: Companion Animals

Paragraphs

1.

2. Cat - how much does life support cost for a cat?

3. Dog - what do dogs think of zero gee combat?

4. Riding/Working horse -

 

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Confederation Navy: Chartered State Thereof, Doctrine and the Cruiser Gap

Armoured Cruisers

180. The first armoured cruisers were probably conceived around technological level ten, with the introduction of the first railgun spinal mounts.

181. First class armoured cruisers could be as large as their contemporary ships of the line, and that might be as large as a hundred kay tonnes.

182. The trade off would be speed and range against protection and firepower, though that may be factor four railguns and particle accelerators, and later on factor two meson guns.

183. Doctrine probably turns around using large numbers bay weapons to overwhelm their opposing numbers.

184. Armoured cruisers would have large fuel tanks, allowing multiple jumps, which would be easier when limited to factor one or two.

185. Factor three at technological level twelve brings with it the dilemma of how to optimally configure first class armoured cruisers, with the conservatives staying the course with factor four particle accelerators and more bay weapons, while the new battlecruisers emphasized tactical speed and firepower.

186. If I had to speculate, first class armoured cruisers were the default, and probably ranged in tonnage between forty to a hundred kay tonnes.

187. Second class armoured cruisers would be recategorized first class ones of a previous technological level, or distinctly smaller that forty kilotonnes, but retaining the same armour and performance configuration as compared to protected cruisers, though they might be somewhat downgunned.

188. Armoured cruisers aren't meant to be used in the line of battle, but desperation or an innovative commander might make that work.

189. Their primary roles would be as distant station flagships, fleet vanguards, trade protection and commerce raiders.

 

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Confederation Navy: Chartered State Thereof, Doctrine and the Cruiser Gap

Protected Cruisers

190. Interestingly enough, someone thought that first class protected cruisers was a good idea.

191. They were the same size as first class armoured cruisers, but less armoured and undergunned, the difference going to speed and range.

192. I'm going to guess that their purpose was to mission kill armoured cruisers going the commerce raiding route.

193. Historically, inefficient in terms of running costs and manpower, so you're obviously not getting your bang for the buck.

194. On the other hand, on paper at least, probably impresses.

195. In peacetime, probably makes a great impression, which is what you want for the presence role.

196. By technological level twelve, not only obsolete, but redundant.

197. Large tonnage and lack of armour plating allows conversion, most likely as a fast troop transport.

198. Though, considering post Great War developments, more likely light aerospace carriers.

199. Or a Royal Yacht.

 

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Confederation Navy: Chartered State Thereof, Doctrine and the Cruiser Gap

Protected Cruisers

200. I get the impression that the armoured cruiser was a conservative expression of an intermediate/major combatant, whereas the protected variant allows experimentation.

201. The protected cruiser was configured to selectively protect ship components, though that's a little hard to demonstrate with Traveller's all or nothing hull armour scheme.

202. The protected cruiser predates the introduction of the meson weapon systems, which ironically with it's lack of hull armour, would be most suited to counter.

203. The primary defence would actually be a good offence, with lighter weapon systems, and by this I'll assume bay ones, trying to overwhelm and knock out opposing warships, before they get the chance to do that to them.

204. In terms of Traveller design, it might be a good idea to have breakaway hulls, as it allows separate armour schemes that could protect vital systems.

205. Other than that, armoured bulkheads.

206. Protected cruisers would be the vast majority of intermediate combatants at technological level eleven and below.

207. Experimentation can take advantage of the low jump factor, lack of armour, and being basically cheaper, you could try and stuff a capital class spinal mount on one.

208. Not reflected in Traveller, having over large weapon systems likely destabilizes ships in one, some or more ways.

209. I had to add in that caveat, since the Japanese had French built ones with a single twelve incher.

 

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Confederation Navy: Chartered State Thereof, Doctrine and the Cruiser Gap

Protected Cruisers

210. Second class protected cruisers should be more than twenty five kay tonnes, but less than forty, since you'd want to take advantage of the extra hull points.

211. Likely minimum spinal mounts, so that would be either a thirty five hundred tonne railgun or particle accelerator.

212. Third class protected cruisers would likely be between five to fifteen kay tonnes.

213. Bay weapons would likely be configured for large damage potential in the shortest time possible.

214. Protected cruisers are meant to fulfill the primary function of intermediate combatants, cruising and long range patrolling.

215. Outside of selective armouring and shooting the crap out of the opposition, the primary means of protection is not getting hit.

216. Once better protection is discovered, the type as a whole are rapidly discarded.

217. Succeeded by the light cruiser, though in terms of armour, crystaliron is discovered by technological level ten.

218. Could be the requirement for light cruisers includes technological level twelve fusion reactors and manoeuvre drives as well.

219. There's a good chance you can squeeze in second and third class protected cruisers at lighter tonnages.

 

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MA5C The Standard UNSC Rifle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FriD1RYXHQ4


Advanced combat rifle, with underslung grenade launcher.


The MA5C assault rifle is an air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed, fully-automatic bullpup rifle that fires 32 rounds of 7.62×51mm ammunition. It possesses a built-in ammunition indicator and magnetic compass for orientation similar to that of all other MA5 series rifles.

The MA5C rifle has received technical, as well as physical improvements over the MA5B rifle that include: a heavier barrel with a 1 in 7 twist; a redesigned cowling to house the electronics suite that reduces weight and increases portability of weapon; and a redesigned handguard which is sturdier and provides a more positive grip. The magazine capacity has been reduced to 32 rounds from the original 60 in the MA5B, and the rifle's range and accuracy has been substantially improved over its predecessor, making it a more formidable assault rifle.

A downside to the MA5C was the lack of a secondary weapon system,[1] however by December 2553 the weapon was able to use a M301 grenade launcher.[2]

 

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Confederation Navy: Chartered State Thereof, Doctrine and the Cruiser Gap

Unprotected Cruisers

220. What probably happens when you remove the hull armour, and don't bother reinforce any of the interior components.

221. The difference between an unprotected cruiser and a commercial design would be that the performance expected would be of a warship.

222. And bay weapons.

223. It's not as useless as it looks, in peacetime it can act as a colonial cruiser, and exert presence.

224. In wartime, it would act as a convoy escort, or it's opposite number, commerce raider.

225. Commanders would have to be a little desperate to commit it to a set battle.

226. They can be as large as a small second class protected cruiser.

227. Technological level twelve they'll evolve into destroyer escorts, frigates, sloops or corvettes, with the performance a little toned down from proper destroyers, since they have to keep up with the mercantile fleet, not the battle one.

228. Again, it's designed from the outset to be a warship, not a converted merchantman.

229. I'd say the difference between it and third class protected cruisers would be that those would be expected to be used during a battle.

 

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Confederation Navy: Chartered State Thereof, Doctrine and the Cruiser Gap

Technological level twelve revolution

230. The introduction of technological level twelve innovations revolutionizes space warfare, and it appears that the Terrans developed it first, before the Vilani.

231. There are three principal inventions that allow the Terrans to outfight the Imperium.

232. An improved version of the fusion reactor allow the more efficient generation of energy.

233. The discovery of factor three jump drives that allowed the Terran fleets to outmanoeuvre their Imperium counterparts.

234. Meson gun spinal mounts, that ignore hull armour.

235. Honourable mention can be given to factor six and seven manoeuvre drives.

236. Probably about this time someone came up with the bright idea of a dreadnought armoured cruiser, as large as the new line of battle ships, with the same armament, though faster at the expense of hull armour.

237. Ironically, since the Vilani had no meson weapon systems, cutting down on hull armour wasn't the best thought out option.

238. It's also likely that the Terrans simplified and somewhat codified cruisers into two general concepts, and then into more specialized types.

239. Going by later Third Imperium Fighting Warships guides, it didn't stick.

 

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Confederation Navy: Chartered State Thereof, Doctrine and the Cruiser Gap

Light cruisers

240. Prior to the current retcon, but keeping in mind the new revised definition of light cruiser, it could have been a two kay tonne and below starwarship.

241. Cruisers, by definition, are warships capable of independent operations and comparatively long range patrolling.

242. They'd have to have a strategic range of three parsecs.

243. Starwarship concepts would be created for the Confederation more as reactions to perceived threats, rather than true innovations during the last part of the Interstellar Wars.

244. Light cruisers would range from around one kay patrol cruisers upto around fifteenish kay actual light cruisers, as defined by the Terran Navy during the Interstellar Wars.

245. One assumes that most merchantmen didn't exceed a range of more than two parsecs, and convoy escort vessels would be built around performances that would need only to stay with them and have the ability to protect convoys from opportunistic commerce raiders.

246. While light cruisers could and were detailed to convoy duty, their increased range allowed them to keep up with primary fleet elements, and be let loose in the the commerce raider role themselves.

247. The problem with this take on light cruisers, is that it overlaps what traditionally would be termed corvette, sloop, frigate and destroyer tonnage ranges.

248. It's an evolving work in progress, making lemonade.

249. Probably easier, in later technological levels, when potential performances become more varied for particular roles and missions.

 

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Sword Worlds: Jaegergevar

1. Translates probably more likely as huntsman's weapon.

2. Despite the jokes about Swiss marksmanship, probably more likely pre Finnish Winter War, who bought their, I think, subsidized rifles, and used them for hunting on the premise that they're more likely to zero them in and maintain them better at home, than rusting away at the armoury.

3. Despite technological level ten, seems somewhere between advanced combat and assault rifle, so advanced assault rifle?

4. Considering their likely armoured Imperium opponents, seems to lack stopping power.

5. In theory, should be caseless; in practice, might not be, as users might be casting their own bullets, and refilling spent cases.

 

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Sword Worlds: Jaegerkarbin

1. Seems like a cheaper, lighter semi automatic version of an assault rifle.

2. With a scope.

3. Basically, an Em Four or Ai Ar Fifteen civilian variant.

4. At close quarters, they probably would like the automatic option.

 

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Confederation Navy: Officer's Revolver and The Invincible Manurhin MR73 Revolver is Back in the USA

The MR73 is coming back. Yes, you read that right. The legendary Manurhin MR73 revolver is being imported again into the United States, and this time it's through the oldest gun manufacturer in the world, Beretta. James Reeves gets his hands on this $3,300 masterwork of a combat revolver built for the elite French GIGN counterterrorist force in today's episode of TFB TV. As usual, James walks you through the specs, gives you the details and gives you his honest opinion about the Manurhin MR73. Yes, this gun is pricey, but Its accuracy, durability, and construction may be without parallel. Check out today's video and let us know if you agree. The following is Beretta's press release about this gun:

"The Manurhin MR73 series of revolvers was developed specifically for the requirements of the French Gendarmerie and special service units of the French Police and Military. The pistols feature exceptional accuracy and proven reliability, tested with tens of thousands of rounds of full power .357 MAG during durability testing. With a history and tradition of fine gun making behind them, the Manurhin series of Revolvers is truly world class. The MR73 Sport is specifically designed for a high level competition and bullseye shooting and features adjustable target sights, target adjustable trigger and ergonomic grips. Available now through Beretta Premium Galleries and Dealers."

Contents:
0:00​ Intro and History
2:51​ Overview of the Manurhin MR73
6:43​ Brief Specs
7:47​ Shooting Impressions/Review
11:12​ Trigger Weight Measurements
11:25​ Summary and Conclusion
12:25​ Negatives
15:16​ Outro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcQmReWckNk


1. Grips and recoil.

2. Hundred yards effectiveness?

3. Accuracy.

4. Three grand, probably six hundred starbux.

 

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Confederation Navy: Fleet Squadron and Organization

1. I thought it would be fun to revisit this, as I scan through the order of battle of the Grand Fleet, and consider what I'd do with ten Queen Elizabeths on the eve of Jutland.

2. It's always taken me a while to digest the given organization of the Confederation Navy when presented with it, especially when you contrast that to the Imperium Navy.

3. Originally, in Fighting Ships, after Grand Fleet had shrunk the battle squadrons from the Great War Royal Navy organization of eight to four ships of the line, the Confederation Navy tended to have a nominal two battlecruisers or dreadnoughts per Fleet Squadron, with specific elite formations expanded to four.

4. They were supported by a heavy cruiser, plus about a division (or half flotilla) of six destroyers with a light cruiser, and/or pocket carrier.

5. The elite Fleet Squadrons would double that, though it would appear that if the light cruiser intended in it's role as flotilla leader, though for one squadron it would appear two pocket carriers are assigned instead of one light cruiser.

6. I'd consider Traveller destroyers more capable, in relative terms, than their Great War counterparts, so I'd probably have split divisions into two or three destroyer formations.

7. It's assumed, but not specified, that six frigates or corvettes escort two fleet tenders and two fleet tankers, but actual numbers aren't clarified.

8. Eight support ships are mentioned as accompanying a typical Flee Squadron, though that seems short of four.

9. At this point, you have to wonder if courier and scout ships are categorized as support ships.