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C# Fiction > Zap0's Fiction
Race to the Stars
Zap0:
This campaign is a conventional 6-nation Earth start - with default resources.
Background
The year 2050 marks the discovery of unexplained properties in 11 elements. With that, the possibility of trans-newtonian physics has just been considered for the first time. There are six conventional nation states or state-centered blocs who will invest in space programs utilizing the new, hypothetical technology.
The Corporate Congress of the United States of America
Following after a succession of billionaire businessman presidents, the old democratic institutions were eventually amended or abolished after a coup and following civil war. The victors of the conflict were an alliance of various business interests, reforming the old congress as a place for the largest employers of the country to officially meet and make policy.
While the abolishment of democratic elections and many of it's institutions was initially met with violence by the populace, the new government now has a steady support of the people. The right to bear arms continues to exist and the many military corporations of America continue having a great influence upon it's politics.
Doctrine
Now that the focused US militaries are a thing of the past and instead relegated to a shared consumer of military products, the US fields a large variety of weapons with each system heralded as the best/most powerful/most flexible by the respective competing armaments producer.
The European Union
After the US fall into it's brief civil war in the 2030s and the rescinding of global influence that followed, the Russian Federation, then still-led by Imperator Putin, was able to realize it's ambitions of reintegrating much of eastern europe back into it's territory much more openly. Initial conflicts were meant to divide the Union further and succeeded in delaying a response, but the efforts to create a unified european military and foreign policy proceeded much more smoothly with the immediate threat of a foreign actor attacking and occupying neighboring nations and, eventually, the baltic member states.
The 2040s saw a major war between the unified EU and Russia which has only recently ended in a cease-fire agreement. Fortunately, it never turned nuclear. There are still many points of tension between the two powers.
Doctrine
Having recent experience in war, sticking to what works seems best - as such, railguns will be the primary european weapon system, with ASM strikes as a secondary weapon system.
The Russian Federation
Living on dreams of reunifying the member states of the Soviet Union and led by an oligarchy with a new, strong president, Russia is determined to reclaim it's past status as a world power. Recognizing that they do not have the industrial strength to stay at war with the EU or another power for an extended period, they were still able to do much damage to european politics and prosperity before being stopped. Now the lines on Earth have hardened, but will they be able to continue playing it smart in space?
Doctrine
As in the past, the word of choice when it comes to russian military is missiles and their warheads. Primary armaments are missiles with high yield. Energy armaments play a defensive role only.
Engine boosted Box launcher FAC/Fighters.
The People's Republic of China
The eminent superpower of the mid-21st century. The past 30 years saw a slow but steady expansion of the already considerable influence of the chinese around the world. Taiwan was conquered, Hong Kong is fully integrated and the massive populace of China is held in willing check through collectivist ideology and total digital control.
Doctrine
Having a numerical advantage means nothing if you're afraid to use it, as such a focus on a large number of medium-strength weapons is the leading principle here.
As an asian high-tech nation energy weapons are preferred over kinetic ones, but massed missiles are very much on the table.
Japan
Following the retreat of American influence from the region and faced with an expansionist China, Japan followed a political long and painful path dancing around it's pacifist constitution towards military self-sufficiency together with it's unlikely, but similarly abandoned, political partners in South Korea.
Japanese military and foreign policy as such is still very much a defensive one. In the wake of corporate complacency paralyzing the US and war cutting budgets in Europe, they are now also the technologically most advanced power on the planet.
Doctrine
Large, high-tech warships. Rejecting base and primal kinetic weapons, the Japanese are firm believers in energy weapons.
Use of missiles, especially for AMM use not excluded.
Argentine Republic
Argentina, in a period of long political stability, found itself hit by an economic miracle comparable to the one that brought prosperity to the nation over a hundred years ago. While they are still not a power comparable to the other blocs and nations on Earth, their budding space program has in recent years been the source of awe in many a corner of the globe and leaves the nation and the partners participating in it's space programme in a prime position to exploit the new fields of science about to be discovered.
Doctrine
The Argentinians are no fools and know that they can't compete directly with the sheer advantage in numbers of the other nations. In order to maximize usefulness, they are striving to create universally useful designs and systems over specialized ones. As such, laser weapons are very attractive to them as a catch-all option, but railguns are initially preferred for lack of capable energy weapon scientists. A single ASM missile size may be used, but energy weapons will be preferred to avoid long and expensive supply chains.
Earth Minerals
Duranium: 180 000 0.90
Neutronium: 104 000 0.50
Corbomite: 119 600 0.40
Tritanium: 81 700 1.00
Boronide: 89 800 0.40
Mercassium: 60 800 0.50
Vendarite: 78 300 0.90
Sorium: 99 300 0.60
Uridium: 119 000 0.90
Corundium: 58 300 0.50
Gallicite: 97 000 0.40
Race comp 2050 - game start
Zap0:
2050s
The two powers lacking a civilian shipyard at the start, Argentina and the EU, queue one. The other powers build military academies, financial centers or naval HQs while everyone researches trans-newtonian tech. Nothing of this will get built for a few years as everyone is stuck with conventional industry.
Argentina starts building minimal-engine missiles with a large payload as orbital bombs to avoid having idle ordnance construction capacity. Run limited to 100 as the nation has a disproportionally large spending on research compared to the others, leading to wealth issues.
Trans-Newtonian Physics times:
28 Feb 2052 - Japan - starts energy weapons and reactors/engines
27 Jul 2052 - China - starts reactors/engines
27 Jul 2052 - Argentina - starts jump point theory
26 Aug 2052 - US - starts armor and reactors/engines
25 Sep 2052 - EU - starts railguns and reactors/engines
25 Oct 2052 - Russia - starts missile tech and reactors/engines
In 2053 conversion to TN industry has started in all parts of the globe, with reduction or pausing of unfinished conventional projects, like the Argentine commercial shipyard which is only 15% done. The EU one finished, now enlarging to 50k like all others.
Chien Ai Shan demonstrates the first functional nuclear thermal space drive, the first human trans-newtonian engine. The PRC secretly begins developing a missile system using this new technology.
By 2054 many nations research their first Trans-Newtonian reactors and technologies. Estimates are that as soon as 2060 the whole world will have cheap, reliable energy available to all.
Leaders around the world are more concerned with securing strategic advantages, short-term and long-term, through the research of new technology rather than through land campaigns made unpredictable with the now rapidly advancing technology.
In July of this year American advances in duranium armor construction are dispersed around the world as they are leading in the field. Everyone will now have an easier time reaching Duranium Armor technology, but only they currently possess the technology needed to compress duranium into a denser form.
By the end of the year the Argentine effort for Jump Point Theory is finished and the development of sensors for the detection of such jump point as well as basic engine technologies and the other base technologies for a functional jump drive are queued.
In May of 2056 the Japanese Sugitani corp. unveils the first space-capable, wholly trans-newtonian weapon system: The Sugitani Microwave Beamer. A non-lethal weapon, fit for use with the SDF space force.
They still don't possess a practical system for aiming the weapon in space nor a system that locates targets for it.
The Europeans scope out the first designs of an interplanetary cargo vessel, named the STARFREIGHTER project, using INTE drives. As of now there is nowhere for such a vessel to go, however, and unlike many of it's competitors the EU has not invested in basic fuel efficiency technologies yet, making the range and consumption of such a vessel limited to interplanetary trips, preferrably in the inner solar system.
In mid-2057 NASA launches a new, large space telescope dubbed "Hubble II" - it's bulk, relative to preceeding non-TN satellites, hides the NSA's latest nefarious deed - an ELINT module designed to spy on the other nations.
By the end of the year NASA is also the first to lay down a functional exploration ship for a survey of the solar system. It's first ship, the USS Aldebaran, will have a six-year mission to survey planets, moons and other bodies in the solar system for potential off-world mineral exploitation.
--- Code: ---Discoverer class Geological Survey Vessel 2 544 tons 49 Crew 333.4 BP TCS 51 TH 64 EM 0
1258 km/s Armour 1-16 Shields 0-0 HTK 20 Sensors 5/0/0/2 DCR 2 PPV 0
Maint Life 6.10 Years MSP 163 AFR 26% IFR 0.4% 1YR 8 5YR 113 Max Repair 100 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 72 months Morale Check Required
Boeing C-INTE Thermonuclear Engine Assembly (1) Power 64.0 Fuel Use 5.76% Signature 64.00 Explosion 4%
Fuel Capacity 200 000 Litres Range 245.7 billion km (2260 days at full power)
ASS1 "Space Radar" (1) GPS 1000 Range 18.5m km Resolution 100
Knighten Electronics Heat Sensor (1) Sensitivity 5.0 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
Geological Survey Sensors (2) 2 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
A Dutch team demonstrates before the break of 2058 that a live, healthy human can be frozen, kept in suspension for an arbitrary amount of time, and revived without any permanent damage to them. The dream of cryonics is alive again, and with it a realistic prospect for colonizing distant worlds.
Mass cryonic storage systems are quickly incorporated into the EU STARFREIGHTER plans. The project is accelerated to the point that first construction is started in January 2058 already. A general enthusiasm for colonization of Mars or other worlds develops, with many companies springing up from nothing to develop technology for settlers to use at their proposed destinations - some are for real, some are there to cash in on the fad.
In August 2058 the first American survey vessels are launched. The USS Aldebaran and her sister ship, the USS Alpha Centauri, set out to map the inner planets and asteroid belt bodies.
Both Mars and Venus have large accessible Duranium deposits, with Venus also having large accessible Gallicite. Jupiter has a moderate amount of 1.0 Sorium, giving humanity an easy fuel source.
May 2059, the People's Republic of China opens it's official orbital spaceport. Still small in size, it's nontheless an impressive display of technological and engineering prowess. The station will serve as a permanent diplomatic station on the most neutral ground possible.
Not willing to be outdone, other nations prepare similar projects.
While the general populace of Japan is highly educated, there are few able and even fewer competent personnel capable of leading concrete scientific efforts for the state due to the education system not favoring original thinking and private companies picking up all those who excel at it anyway. To correct this state of affairs, Japan's only Energy Weapon scientist, Nosaka Taji, will henceforth be the director of the national military university.
November 2059 - The PRC completes a 12cm Laser system, able to fire every 10 seconds. This new weapon, termed the "People's Laser Weapon", is now slated to be mass-produced to give every chinese military installation and future warship the means to defend themselves.
Zap0:
2060s
The first European survey ships set out into Sol. The findings of Duranium on Mars are no secret, but as of right now no nation is in a position to found a colony there to exploit them just yet.
The first European colony ship, commissioned on the 5th of March 2060, changes this - the first human colony is founded as two European STARFREIGHTERs, one loaded with cryogenically frozen colonists, another with materials and infrastructure needed to ensure their survival, sets down on Mars.
Little later, DB Schenker logistics launches the first civilian colony ship. Operation of the government-operated Starfreighter Cryo is halted in hopes that the civilian sector can take over this segment, generating extra income for the strained EU budget.
2060 marks a year of change for ground-based militaries, as the initial rush to applying TN-tech to existing militaries wears off. The doctrines that have evolved are as follows:
Japan
Large army corps formations with dedicated Divisions, with a focus on defense. Inflexible, little focus on supply.
May construct a set of ground-based microwaves to disable attackers in orbit.
Argentina
Technologically behind in ground-based warfare technology, the current doctrine relies on not getting hit in the first place - through the use of all-light vehicle brigades. Although weak in attack strength, this kind of doctrine will do just as well on the attack as it does on the defense.
US
The US is all about powerful infantry currently, having developed Powered Infantry Armor. The US currently possesses the best armor, but has not increased it's ground attack strength yet for lack of scientists in weaponry fields.
PRC
Chinese ground troops currently enjoy a weapon strength advantage. Infantry heavy. Plenty of armor.
Building ground-based lasers.
Russia
The armor-heavy invasion armies of the past are taking a backseat as the neo-Soviet think tanks are already at full capacity keeping up with the other types of developments around the world. The Russian TN army model is therefore centered around the infantryman.
EU
Technologically solid, combined arms hierarchy. Supply heavy.
19 Jul 2060 - The PRC finishes industry conversion to TN. Their conversion scheme was heavy on industry, going for 450 con-facts, 300 mines and 50 fuel refinieries. Industry switching to cryo transport modules to accelerate colonization program.
24 Apr 2061 - The first war vessel built by human hands launches into space; an EU Eurofighter Space Striker with 10 size 3 missile racks. The first fighter of the batch, it trades two launch racks for a sensor and slightly more range.
--- Code: ---BM Eurofighter Space Spotter 001 (Eurofighter Space Spotter class Bomber) 500 tons 7 Crew 40.6 BP TCS 10 TH 32 EM 0
3206 km/s Armour 1-5 Shields 0-0 HTK 2 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 0 PPV 2.4
Maint Life 2.28 Years MSP 5 AFR 20% IFR 0.3% 1YR 1 5YR 20 Max Repair 16 MSP
Magazine 24
Korvettenkapitan Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 15 days Morale Check Required
Eurofighter INTE Heavy Monoengine (1) Power 32 Fuel Use 127.28% Signature 32 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 24 000 Litres Range 6.8 billion km (24 days at full power)
Cerberus Launch Rack (8) Missile Size: 3 Hangar Reload 86 minutes MF Reload 14 hours
Eurofighter Medium Range Target Electronics (1) Range 4.3m km Resolution 5
Cerberus ASM Prototype (8) Speed: 6 400 km/s End: 47.8m Range: 18.4m km WH: 2 Size: 3 TH: 23/14/7
Eurofighter Target Acquisition (1) GPS 20 Range 4.3m km Resolution 5
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and planetary interaction
--- End code ---
There is no notable international response to this new space warfare capability of one power over the others as it's considered a mere evolution of existing fighter-bomber designs, albeit with drastically improved capabilities.
Argentine efforts pay off as the Chubut, the first and for the foreseeable future only Argentine ship, is laid down. The design is a self-jump capable survey cruiser equipped with both kinds of survey sensors, passive sensors and 7 years endurance. It's downside is low speed, as it's built with basic Nuclear Thermal technology whereas all other space programs have opted to deploy at least Improved Nuclear Thermal engines with some already designing Nuclear Pulse engines.
--- Code: ---Chubut class Survey Cruiser 9 997 tons 128 Crew 706.3 BP TCS 200 TH 150 EM 0
750 km/s JR 1-25(C) Armour 1-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 48 Sensors 5/5/2/2 DCR 7 PPV 0
Maint Life 7.57 Years MSP 709 AFR 114% IFR 1.6% 1YR 22 5YR 326 Max Repair 100 MSP
Capitán de Fragata Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 71 months Morale Check Required
Casartelli Device Max Ship Size 10000 tons Distance 25k km Squadron Size 1
Bañuelos C-NTE Starship Engine (3) Power 150 Fuel Use 5.76% Signature 50 Explosion 4%
Fuel Capacity 400 000 Litres Range 125 billion km (1929 days at full power)
Munguía Warning & Control Radio Receiver (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
Munguía Warning & Control Heat Detector (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (2) 2 Survey Points Per Hour
Geological Survey Sensors (2) 2 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
Argentine developments of a functional jump drive are still kept secret from the other nations, although the theoretical concept is increasingly discussed with chinese laboratories actively researching Jump Point Theory.
In January of 2062 the US finishes it's first set of colony ships, enabling them to found an offworld colony on mars as well. The US survey of the sol system has progressed and is finishing up the Kuiper belt, but aside from large 0.9 deposits of Sorium on Neptune no further particularly interesting mineral deposits have been found in Sol.
April. The first Chinese colony ship finishes, set to ferry settlers to the moon. The moon has no special resources and is, naturally, a much less prestigious target than Mars, but avoids diplomatic confrontation for the time being. As it stands both the US and Russia are developing armed frigates and the EU has a squadron of space fighters, whereas China's military construction has been limited to STO lasers.
The co-settlement of the US in addition to the EU colony on Mars was not agreed upon, but did not cause waves as the American effort is, by nature, largely led by commercial interests and only indirectly a state power. Chinese authority on the other hand is the very model of a ruthless centralized state power.
China will certainly not be content to accept second place in anything as the dominant world power in the long term, however.
The Argentine Republic is the last spacefaring faction on earth to complete conversion of all industry to a trans-newtonian model in July 2062. Some parallel progress has been made on the civilian shipyard, which is why it took a bit longer than it did for the other nations. Now focus will lie on gaining the capability to establish an offworld colony.
Saturday, 30th of December 2062. The Argentinian Chubut class survey cruiser identifies a jump point in the asteroid belt and engages the experimental Casartelli Device at it's location, successfully transiting into another star system. No other nation notices.
The system is centered on a star similar to the sun with five planets and 44 moons around it. None of them have an atmosphere or are near habitable. As per standing orders for a successful transit the crew begins surveying the system.
First transit
On December 1st 2063 the first private interplanetary mining colony begins operation on the comet Van Biesbroeck, sending valuable Duranium, Uridium and Mercassium back to America.
A year later the Argentinian Chubut finishes the survey of the extrasolar star system, now named Aguascalientes. The only interesting find aside from the system's two comets and a few orbitally minable moons is the moon 4-11, with around 100k Duranium, Vendarite and Uridium, all at 0.9 accessibility. The ship begins the gravimetric survey of the system.
In May 2064 the Russian Federation is the last competitor to finally commission it's first spaceships. The ships in question are a series of three "Krivak" box-launcher armed missile frigates, capable of delivering 24 size-7 missiles each.
The ships will begin training excercises a small distance from Earth so as to not be vulnerable to point-blank energy fire.
--- Code: ---Krivak class Missile Frigate 4 000 tons 76 Crew 384.7 BP TCS 80 TH 320 EM 0
4000 km/s Armour 1-22 Shields 0-0 HTK 22 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 2 PPV 16.8
Maint Life 4.12 Years MSP 230 AFR 51% IFR 0.7% 1YR 22 5YR 325 Max Repair 80 MSP
Magazine 168
Kapitan vtorogo ranga Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
NIKIET INTE Engine Block (2) Power 320 Fuel Use 111.17% Signature 160 Explosion 12%
Fuel Capacity 319 000 Litres Range 12.9 billion km (37 days at full power)
Pavlov Launch Rack (24) Missile Size: 7 Hangar Reload 132 minutes MF Reload 22 hours
Samoylov Frigate Targeting Dish (4) Range 24.3m km Resolution 80
Pavlov Heavy Missile (24) Speed: 8 000 km/s End: 51m Range: 24.5m km WH: 9 Size: 7 TH: 29/17/8
Samoylov Frigate Detection Dish (1) GPS 1600 Range 24.3m km Resolution 80
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
Feb 2065: The Argentinian Chubut finds a JP in the other system and moves to investigate. The discovered system is named Melo, a trinary system. The B component has several interesting planets, but orbits at a distance of 120b km - unusably far away without a Lagrange Point present in the system.
The second Argentinian survey cruiser built has begun surveying the Sol system by this point.
Zap0:
16 years in - Nation summaries
European Union
Research Priorities
Research is proceeding to develop a viable railgun system for missile defense and short-range engagement. The platform it will be deployed on has not yet been decided.
Military Analysis
Militarily the EU has grown to 36 Eurofighter bombers by this year. Construction has been halted. Currently considered the strongest force.
Economic Situation
European maintenance facilities are grossly insufficient for this growing number of space-worthy fighters and supporting the fleet of existing survey craft orbiting Earth; Many ships are currently gaining maintenance debt. Fortunately the fighters come with enough spares to last years.
One squadron of Eurofighters is being stationed on Mars with the requisite 3 maintenance facilities, however currently no MSP can be shipped to the red planet for lack of that capability.
Ground Forces
Four divisions of Infantry, one division armor. Deemed sufficient.
Russian Federation
Research Priorities
Current research projects is AMM capability. Sensor research coming up.
With merely 5 research facilities Russia is afraid of falling behind in tech and is trying to build another facility at least, but other projects keep taking priority.
Military Analysis
Six Krivak-class missile frigates are now in operation and being trained. They were originally designed to fight opponents of similar size, but the growing number of Eurofighters in orbit has caused a review of doctrine. Capable sensor systems able to detect and target a Eurofighter-sized craft at 24.3km, the maximum firing range of a Pavlov heavy missile, are being developed. A planned refit for some or all of the Krivaks has them forego their own sensor suite in exchange for one of the targeting systems capable of firing at fighters. Since only one fighter will be able to be targeted at a time, it is critical that enough time can be had to cycle through all targets during an engagement. This necessitates the flotilla holding position several million km from Earth in the future, much farther than the previous "outside of energy range" doctrine.
The need to cycle through targets for some time during an engagement negates much of the advantage of box launchers, making this an suboptimal solution. Additionally new craft will be needed to actually deploy a sensor capable of detecting the fighters in the first place.
The observed speed of some of the initial Eurofighter designs is below that of the fast Krivak frigate, but the actual speed of the bulk of the fighters is unknown.
Other plans are AMM frigates. Since most likely engagement involves defence against massed missile attack very powerful sensors to give AMM as much time as possible. Perhaps hybridized sensor ship design for AMM and fighter detection is possible.
Ships will train and overhaul in batches, so that some are always able to respond to an emergency.
Waiting on shipyard expansion to finish to construct diplomatic station with secret ELINT capability.
Economic Situation
Low Wealth reserves. Newly constructed financial centers will help avoid paralysis.
Freighter construction has completely drained fuel reserves; no new refinieries have been built since industry has been converted from conventional tech. Space-based refineries would be preferrable as ground construction capability is low since it was opted to convert industry into a larger share of mines rather than construction facilities, but effective sorium conversion from a gas giant is five years out as the technology for it has not been developed yet. For now refinieries are being built to at least restart missile production.
Ground Forces
Behind in army size, constructing more units.
Corporate Congress of the United States
Research Priorities
Disparate efforts by different companies. Working to increase lead on armor technology and researching plasma weapons.
Military Analysis
Three Lexington class frigates, recently built, undergoing training.
--- Code: ---Lexington class Frigate 6 000 tons 154 Crew 485 BP TCS 120 TH 360 EM 0
3000 km/s Armour 4-29 Shields 0-0 HTK 39 Sensors 5/0/0/0 DCR 2 PPV 24
Maint Life 3.62 Years MSP 501 AFR 144% IFR 2.0% 1YR 59 5YR 887 Max Repair 81 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 27 months Morale Check Required
General Motors NPE Impulse Drive (2) Power 360 Fuel Use 43.74% Signature 180 Explosion 9%
Fuel Capacity 254 000 Litres Range 17.4 billion km (67 days at full power)
Raytheon Raygun Prototype (8) Range 20 000km TS: 3 000 km/s Power 3-1 RM 10 000 km ROF 15
Target Tracker 3k (2) Max Range: 20 000 km TS: 3 000 km/s 38 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Power Bank (8) Total Power Output 8 Exp 5%
ASS1 "Space Radar" (1) GPS 1000 Range 18.5m km Resolution 100
Knighten Electronics Heat Sensor (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
Laser armament deemed weak and considered for replacement by a different system.
Economic Situation
Large amount of wealth in the bank, able to keep purchasing civilian minerals and spending generously.
Exploitation of Martian resources has not yet begun, but may soon as the first of Earth's deposits are drying up.
Ground Forces
16 individual Infantry Divisions deployed, all with powered armor. More than enough ground power for Earth and eventual colonial deployments as it stands, no further construction underway.
Japan
Research Priorities
Looking to push the boundaries of the possible - finished much-publicized research into Jump Point Theory this year, unlike the other nations secret efforts. Other military scientists looking to make mecha a reality within this decade.
Still suffering from low amount of capable scientists.
Military Analysis
Japan possesses a handful of microwave fighters to disable attacking ships and is considering building ground-based microwave stations as well. As Japan's chief threat, China, has not deployed armed warships yet this is considered acceptable for now, but more lethal weapons will have to be deployed in the medium term. The only weapon system Japan has the capability of producing aside from microwaves are TL1 lasers, albeit with a capacitor recharge of 3.
Japan possesses two as of yet unused 12k ton military slipways, but concrete plans for a warship design to be laid down have not yet materialized.
Economic Situation
Very wealthy. Owns many financial centers and recently research economic tech.
Japan is looking to found a colony, but with Mars semi-officially claimed by the EU in cooperation with US companies, Venus and it's even richer mineral deposits are being considered. Planetary infrastructure would be prohibitively expensive, so large orbital habitats are being considered. Those would be quite vulnerable, but staking an exclusive claim over Venus might be a big boon. As it stands, Japan does not have the power to enforce such a claim. Should colonization of extrasolar bodies be possible, other priorities may arise which could make Venus an inefficient endeavour.
For now, expensive infrastructure-based Venus colonies are planned in the short term to legitimize a future full claim.
Ground Forces
Three divisions in the field with more being trained. The money is there to afford it.
People's Republic of China
Research Priorities
Chinese gravsurvey ships found their first jump point this year. The top secret development of a jump drive has been progressing for some time, but Japan recently duplicated some basic theoretical efforts and announced to the world that interstellar travel is likely possible, potentially reducing the advantage gained by this secret research. Early South American experiments in the field were not reported to have success, however.
Military Analysis
Earth is being protected by a large and capable STO laser force, as such no warships are immediately needed.
A capable laser destroyer with 12k tons displacement has been designed and will be built over the next few years.
Geo- and gravsurvey of Sol is progressing through the use of fighter-sized survey vessels.
Economic Situation
Very rich! Good amount in the bank and large surplus, will be able to stock money for the future.
The moon colony avoids diplomatic complications while no mobile spacefaring military units exist. The colony there stimulates the civilian shipping economy, at a higher rate than a Mars colony as well.
In light of Earth's waning deposits other mineral sources will have to be exploited, but given large stockpiles that is no concern for the next few years at least.
Ground Forces
6 Infantry divisions, 2 armored divisions, 1 STO division with 24 lasers. Cost ~17% of the national expenses this year, but very much considered sufficient to protect China and threaten others.
Argentine Republic
Research Priorities
Developing a light railgun system for logistics-free general usage. Development of more powerful engines than basic nuclear thermal is a priority after.
Due to the small size of the Argentine economy but it's research output being comparable to the larger powers about half of the government budget goes into research.
Military Analysis
Argentina does not currently possess any kind of spacefaring or space-striking military.
Plans to change this are underway, but first deployments of the new railguns may well happen in an STO function.
The nation is still several years out from being able to found an interplanetary colony, as such, there is currently nothing in space to protect. Trying to keep pace with the major powers in raw military power is also a losing proposition due to the small size of the nation.
Three survey cruisers are in operation now, with one still secretly surveying extrasolar systems. As far as other nations are concerned, the ship is busy surveying the Kuiper belt. A fourth survey cruiser is under construction - these vessels are expected to serve for a long time, albeit perhaps with some engine upgrades in the semi-near future.
Economic Situation
A years worth of surplus has amassed in the bank, so financial issues should not dictate policy in the near future. There is worry about the low amount of fuel in store and being produced, as well as insufficient facilities in most other areas. Everything requires more, so the nation is attempting to double it's construction factory count from 50 to 100 - a painfully long process which is assumed to take another 8 years, with Neutronium stocks likely not lasting until then.
In any case, the argentinian commercial shipyard exists now and is expanding to accomodate the construction of freighters and cryoships.
Ground Forces
Seven divisions worth of infantry brigades are mostly finished constructing. There are also some lower tech light vehicle-based brigades around. The tech level of the infantry brigades is not outstanding, but together with their number considered sufficient to deter aggressive powers from considering the nation an easy target.
Infantry in it's nature is largely defensive, but still a more flexible option than relying heavily on static units or expensive to research and build vehicles.
Zap0:
2067
European Union
Current fire control tech is insufficient to make an adequate-size fire control for the new Krupp Vacuum Autocannon, base research in the field is being done.
Plans are drawn up for a general support vessel. It will be able to carry fuel, supplies and ordnance to Mars or other locations. The need for such a vessel was highlighted during last year's maintenance crisis.
The maintenance situation that EU shipping was in last year has been resolved, with all ships overhauled. One of the fighters which was stationed on Mars had to be abandoned after it's engine malfunctioned and it couldn't return to Earth under it's own power, but that was a small loss.
The first EU CMC has been established on the comet Machholz. There are deposits of Duranium, Neutronium, Corundium and some Mercassium. For now, the government purchases it's output.
Russian Federation
The newer Eurofighters have been observed to have the same speed as the Krivak frigates. This is fine, as it does not give tham an advantage.
Four infantry divisions are in the field now. Another two will be recruited, no more due to budget constraints.
Corporate Congress of the United States
Military Analysis
In an espionage coup the CIA got it's hands on the current design schematics for the planned Chinese laser destroyer. The project, cleverly named the same as one of their survey craft, makes it clear that the current laser frigates of the US space force are outgunned. The saving grace is that the planned ships are slower than the current American fleet owing to more advanced nuclear pulse technology. Other potential weaknesses include a gap in sensor coverage against small ships releasing missiles from over 1m km away, suggesting that the PRC does not have plans to enter a conflict with the EU at this time.
--- Code: ---Jiangwei class Destroyer 12 000 tons 317 Crew 945.3 BP TCS 240 TH 576 EM 0
2400 km/s Armour 4-46 Shields 0-0 HTK 68 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 3 PPV 48
Maint Life 1.16 Years MSP 212 AFR 329% IFR 4.6% 1YR 160 5YR 2 405 Max Repair 96 MSP
Zhong Xiao Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
Feng-Dai Thrust INTE Capital Ship Drive (3) Power 576 Fuel Use 51.96% Signature 192 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 700 000 Litres Range 20.2 billion km (97 days at full power)
People's Laser Weapon (12) Range 80 000km TS: 2 400 km/s Power 4-2 RM 20 000 km ROF 10
Xue-Fen Capital Fire Director (2) Max Range: 80 000 km TS: 3 000 km/s 66 56 47 38 28 19 9 0 0 0
Standard Power Unit (12) Total Power Output 24 Exp 5%
Xue-Fen High-Resolution Scanner (1) GPS 30 Range 6.9m km MCR 621.9k km Resolution 1
Xue-Fen Long-Range Sensor Array (1) GPS 3600 Range 34.1m km Resolution 120
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
A similar espionage success reveals to the US that the planned Russian diplomatic station is supposed to contain most un-neutral ELINT facilities. The findings are publicized, generating moderate outrage, and the Russian government is called to halt these plans. They deny the accusations and describe the supposed spy functions as ordinary civilian technology. Two weeks later the world has forgotten, but the US now knows about the true nature of the station design and can plan around it.
People's Republic of China
As a response to PPV problems on the moon, owing to the current lack of armed Chinese spacecraft, a few laser fighters on the basis of the survey craft are built. Due to their low speed they are not expected to be useful in actual combat, but will serve to pacify the populace and have other powers wonder about their capabilities while they do not engage their engines and reveal their speed.
Argentine Republic
The system adjacent to Sol with the JP in the asteroid belt is confirmed to only have the one other JP. The Chubut is returning home for an overhaul.
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