Alternate Weapons of War thread...

[Zor]

Relating to this



An ariel recon drone used by the Survivors. It is one of six that they assembled. It is electric powered. To keep itself in the air for longer, it has some solar panels on it. The locals of Dalatyr call them Whurbirds, due to the sounds that they make. They can stay in the air for up to Thirty two hours and have a top airspeed of 110 kilometers per hour. They are mostly remote controlled, but do have a limited intelligence to allow them to fly a specific courses and land independantly. The edge that these devices give in identifying threats is critical.

[Hapsburg]

Originally Posted by Maxwell Edison II

12.7 x 57mm? Those dimensions are a bit odd, aren't they?

Yes, they are. But that's what they use.
I used to have it as 12.7x72mm. But I changed it and had that the better propellants of the future allow the cartridges to be more compact.

[Theodoric]

Originally Posted by Hapsburg

Yes, they are. But that's what they use.
I used to have it as 12.7x72mm. But I changed it and had that the better propellants of the future allow the cartridges to be more compact.

It's actually more in line with stuff like the .50 Beowulf, .458 SOCOM, or various Russian rounds. Mostly used for silenced rifles that need to be small, yet also able to kill with one round over a not-to-short distance. They tend to have cartridges that are a lot smaller, though.

[Amedras]

Originally Posted by Hapsburg

Yes, they are. But that's what they use.
I used to have it as 12.7x72mm. But I changed it and had that the better propellants of the future allow the cartridges to be more compact.

Looking at that, I can't help but get the feeling that it has (a) really low operating pressures, and (b) a LOT of recoil.

I'd hate to be a serviceman issued one, but it'd be the coolest safari rifle ever.

[RamscoopRaider]

Originally Posted by Amedras

Looking at that, I can't help but get the feeling that it has (a) really low operating pressures, and (b) a LOT of recoil.

I'd hate to be a serviceman issued one, but it'd be the coolest safari rifle ever.

From what I recall of his earlier explanation on the topic these were for powered armor troops

[Hapsburg]

Originally Posted by RamscoopRaider

From what I recall of his earlier explanation on the topic these were for powered armor troops

^ This. All the troops use powered armour that doubles the wearer's strength.

[Fenwick]

[Color-Copycat]

Aerodreadnought over an alternate Manhattan skyline.

[Fenwick]

[Laqueesha]

Originally Posted by Fenwick

Bloody beautiful.

[Fenwick]

The Mighty Bat.

[Troyer IV]

Originally Posted by Fenwick

The Mighty Bat.

Fledermaus? As in Die Fladermaus of Strauss or just simple translation? Either way, beautiful.

[Fenwick]

Originally Posted by Troyer IV

Fledermaus? As in Die Fladermaus of Strauss or just simple translation? Either way, beautiful.

Its just a simple translation. Its the Bat, and not The Bat.

[NothingNow]

Three Ships:
Independence-Class Corvette:



Number in Class: 6 in service, 6 planned/under construction.
Designer: Austal
Builder: BAE Atlantic Marine (Jacksonville, Florida) and Tampa Ship (Tampa, Florida) Through Agreement with Austal.
Displacement: 2,176 tons light, 2,784 tons full, 608 tons deadweight
Length: 127.4 m (418 ft)
Beam: 31.6 m (104 ft)
Draft: 13 ft (3.96 m)
Propulsion: 2× MTU Friedrichshafen 20V 8000 Series diesel engines, 2x General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, 2x American VULKAN light weight multiple-section carbon fiber propulsion shaftlines, 4x Wärtsilä waterjets, retractable bow-mounted azimuth thruster, 4× diesel generators
Speed: 44 knots (51 mph; 81 km/h)
Range: 4,300 nm at 18 knots[6]
Capacity: 210 metric tons (206 long tons, 231 short tons)
Complement: 40 core crew (8 officers, 32 enlisted) plus up to 35 mission crew
Sensors and processing systems:
SAAB Sea GIRAFFE 3D air and surface search radar
Sperry Marine BridgeMaster E navigational radar
AN/KAX-2 electro-optical sensor with TV and FLIR
AN/SLQ-38 (V)6 Electronic Warfare Suite
AN/SQS-53C Sonar Array
Northrop Grumman ICMS (Integrated Combat Management System)
Electronic warfare and decoys:
ITT Corporation ES-3601 ESM system
4× SRBOC decoy launchers for chaff and infrared decoys
BAE Systems NULKA active radar decoy system
Armament:
1x BAE Systems Mk 110 57 mm gun
4× .50-cal guns (2 aft, 2 forward)
2x Mk44 Bushmaster II 30mm chain guns
1x Raytheon SeaRAM CIWS
1x 36 Cell Mk.41 VLS
(Mix of BGM-109 Tomahawk, RGM-84 Harpoon SSM, RIM-162 ESSM SAM, and RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC)
Other weapons can be fitted as part of mission modules
Aircraft carried:
2× MH-60R/S Seahawk
MQ-8 Fire Scout

Developed initially as part of the now-defunct US Navy's Littoral Combat Ship program, the Independence-Class Littoral Combat ship was full of promise, and a grand total of four ships in the class were built before the program was ended to salvage funds for other projects. Following the end of the Florida war in 2025, the project was restarted as part of the SFN 2040 modernization program, using plans from Austal, and the BAE Atlantic Marine Shipyards at Jacksonville and the newly improved Tampa Ship yard in the Port of Tampa, to replace the aging Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates then in service with the Florida Navy. The design's inherent stability, speed and efficiency are what sold the class to the Admiralty and Defense committee, who are keen to completely replace the now aging frigates before something really embarrassing happens.

Little was changed in the fifteen year gap between the construction of the Independence and the next vessel in class, the Henry Plant, with the notable modifications being the fitting of a new version of the AN/SLQ-38 (V)6 Electronic Warfare suite, a set of ASW gear in the hangar deck, and the addition of a 36-cell Mk.41 Vertical Launch System behind the Bofors 57mm gun, which is absent on the Independence. A rumored refit would fit the corvettes out with a set of AN/SPY-1K 3D radar arrays and the AEGIS/AMDR combat system, as a further part of the SFN 2040 program. A total of twelve Independence-class corvettes are currently planned, of which six are in service, and another six are on order or under construction. The First of the Floridian-built Independence-class was launched in November 2026, and entered service the next March.


Steadfast-Class Cutter :



Designer: Austal
Builder: BAE Atlantic Marine (Jacksonville, Florida) and Eastern Shipbuilding (Panama City, Florida)
Number in Class: 4 in service, 4 planned/under construction.
Displacement: 2,176 tons light, 2,784 tons full, 608 tons deadweight
Length: 127.4 m (418 ft)
Beam: 31.6 m (104 ft)
Draft: 13 ft (3.96 m)
Propulsion: 2× MTU Friedrichshafen 20V 8000 Series diesel engines, 2x General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, 2x American VULKAN light weight multiple-section carbon fiber propulsion shaftlines, 4x Wärtsilä waterjets, retractable bow-mounted azimuth thruster, 4× diesel generators
Speed: 44 knots (51 mph; 81 km/h)
Range: 4,300 nm at 18 knots
Capacity: 210 metric tons (206 long tons, 231 short tons)
Complement: 65 core crew (11 officers, 54 enlisted) plus up to 10 mission crew
Sensors and processing systems:
SAAB Sea GIRAFFE 3D air and surface search radar
Sperry Marine BridgeMaster E navigational radar
AN/KAX-2 electro-optical sensor with TV and FLIR
AN/SLQ-38 (V)6 Electronic Warfare Suite
AN/SQS-53C Sonar Array
AN/SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array Sonar
AN/SQQ-28 LAMPS III Shipboard System
Northrop Grumman ICMS (Integrated Combat Management System)
Rescue 21 integration.
Electronic warfare and decoys:
ITT Corporation ES-3601 ESM system
4× SRBOC decoy launchers for chaff and infrared decoys
BAE Systems NULKA active radar decoy system
Armament:
1x BAE Systems Mk 110 57 mm gun
4× .50-cal guns (2 aft, 2 forward)
2x Mk44 Bushmaster II 30mm chain guns
1x Goalkeeper IIE CIWS
1x 36 Cell Mk.41 VLS (Mix of RGM-84 Harpoon SSM, RIM-162 ESSM SAM, and RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC)
Other weapons can be fitted as part of mission modules
Aircraft carried:
2× HH-60R/S Jayhawk or MH-65E Dolphin.
MQ-8 Fire Scout

Designed for the Florida Coast Guard as a derivative of the Independence class to add capability, reduce costs and replace the aging Reliance-class cutters, the Steadfast-class share almost everything with their parent design, save a somewhat better set of electronics systems, the same suite of anti-submarine gear fitted to the Arleigh Burke-class, and the Goalkeeper IIE mounted in place of the SeaRAM system. As the Steadfasts are only two feet shy of doubling the length of their predecessors, people have complained somewhat of it being an unnecessary upgrade, despite the vastly improved speed and the much more seaworthy design, although it trades this a great deal for a reduction in range, which is still sufficient for patrols inside Floridian waters. The Steadfast class also features a massive improvement in Armament, technical sophistication, survivability, and a doubled air wing, with up to two Jayhawk or Dolphin helicopters. In wartime the Steadfast class would operate along with the Floridian and Cuban Navies in anti-submarine, air defense and escort duties.

There is a rumor currently floating around the industry that both the Steadfast and Independence-class ships might be fitted with the AN/SPY-1K radar as part of fleet-wide upgrade to the AEGIS/AMDR combat system, as was included with the ongoing-Refit of the Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyers. This is quite probable given the statements made by Lockheed Martin MS2FC (saved from the bankruptcy of Lockheed Martin by the Floridian, Columbian and Texan governments) and the Press liaison for the Florida Navy, and the Florida Border Office. Currently ten Steadfast-class vessels are planned, replacing the five Reliant-class ships on a two to one basis. The Steadfast (WMEC 700) was launched in November 2026, only a week after the Henry Plant, and entered service the next April.


Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer, Post-Refit

Displacement: Fully loaded: 9,200 t (9,100 long tons; 10,100 short tons)
Length: 505 ft (154 m) (Flight I & II Hulls)
509 ft (155 m) (Flight IIA Hulls)
Beam: 66 ft (20 m)
Draft: 30.5 ft (9.3 m)
Propulsion: 4 General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines each generating 27,000 shp (20,000 kW);
coupled to two shafts, each driving a five-bladed reversible controllable pitch propeller;
Total output: 108,000 shp (81,000 kW)
Speed: In excess of 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range: 4,400 nmi (8,100 km) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Boats and landing craft carried: 2 Rigid hull inflatable boats
Complement: 23 officers, 300 enlisted
Sensors and processing systems:
AN/SPY-1D 3D Radar
AN/SPS-67(V)2 Surface Search Radar
AN/SPS-73(V)12 Surface Search Radar
AN/SQS-53C Sonar Array
AN/SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array Sonar
AN/SQQ-28 LAMPS III Shipboard System
Electronic warfare and decoys:
AN/SLQ-32(V)6 Electronic Warfare System
AN/SLQ-25 Nixie Torpedo Countermeasures
MK 36 MOD 12 Decoy Launching System
AN/SLQ-39 CHAFF Buoys
Armament:
1x 96 cell Mk 41 vertical launch system (Mix of BGM-109 Tomahawk, RGM-84 Harpoon SSM,
RIM-162 ESSM SAM, RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC, RIM-174A Standard ERAM)
1x 5 inch (127 mm/62) Mk-45 mod 4 (lightweight gun)
2x Goalkeeper IIE CIWS
2x Mk44 Bushmaster II 30mm chain guns
2x Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes (six Mk-54 torpedoes)
Aircraft carried: (Flight II+)
2x MH-60R Seahawk LAMPS III helicopters
Aviation facilities:
Flight I: Flight deck and resupply capability for one helicopter.
Flight II+: Flight deck and enclosed hangar for up to two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters

Essentially a mid-life upgrade for the Destroyers, proved necessary following the loss of SFS Farragut (DDG-99) off Bermuda during the Florida war of 2024. the main goals of the program were increased combat efficiency, survivability, and better protection. To that end, all Flight II and Flight IIA vessels slowly received upgrades including the replacement of their Vulcan CIWS with the superior Goalkeeper IIE, and the AN/SLQ-38 (V)6 Electronic Warfare suite developed for the Independence-class Corvettes and Steadfast-class Cutters. Further planned upgrades include the addition of the TMC Kh-31AM "Krypton" Anti-Ship Missile as soon as it can be fitted and it's systems integrated, and the introduction of a further improved main gun.

It was originally planned for both of the Flight I burkes to undergo a full refit as well, and a conversion to arsenal ships, but such proved too expensive for the cash-strapped floridian navy, so both were only refitted to the same degree as the others. SFS Roosevelt (DDG-80) was the last to undergo the current round of refits, undergoing them at the Naval Yard at Naval Station Mayport from November 2031.

[Hendryk]

Originally Posted by Color-Copycat

Aerodreadnought over an alternate Manhattan skyline.

Leaving aside the obvious question of how something so heavy can be lifted by a hydrogen volume that should only work with 1/100th the weight, I wonder how the heaviest part of the contraption doesn't end up at the bottom.

[NothingNow]

Originally Posted by Hendryk

Leaving aside the obvious question of how something so heavy can be lifted by a hydrogen volume that should only work with 1/100th the weight, I wonder how the heaviest part of the contraption doesn't end up at the bottom.

It's been pointed out in the thread as being pretty much just Rule of Cool. Which the whole thing runs on anyway. I hadn't even noticed until you brought it up.

[Hendryk]

Originally Posted by NothingNow

It's been pointed out in the thread as being pretty much just Rule of Cool. Which the whole thing runs on anyway. I hadn't even noticed until you brought it up.

There's Rule of Cool, and there's plain silly. Even assuming it was physically possible, what would be the point of putting all the armament on top? I suppose those guns aren't intended to shoot at clouds. An airship's most likely targets will likely be below it, and this huge exposed underbelly is just begging for interceptors to have a field day.

[NothingNow]

Originally Posted by Hendryk

There's Rule of Cool, and there's plain silly. Even assuming it was physically possible, what would be the point of putting all the armament on top? I suppose those guns aren't intended to shoot at clouds. An airship's most likely targets will likely be below it, and this huge exposed underbelly is just begging for interceptors to have a field day.

They shoot at other Aerodreadnoughts. It was pointless dickwaving to get around naval restrictions. And they're acknowledged to be pretty fucked by the 1930's. Until then, well, they travel in packs, have escorts, and mostly operate in regions where people can't do anything about them. If you'd look back a bit, he did post some charts of weapons mounts and the like, and they've got pretty comprehensive AAA, even if it's rather light caliber by some standards.

This'll be helpful.

[Hendryk]

Originally Posted by NothingNow

This'll be helpful.

"Sorry - no matches".

[NothingNow]

Originally Posted by Hendryk

"Sorry - no matches".

Well, at least it wasn't a 503 error for once. Anyway, that was just a thread search filtering just for posts by Color-Copycat, to speed things along, since it really starts at page 222 or so.