MostGloriousLeader

The American Commonwealth shall submit bids for these requests for military equipment. Numerous options are available from Commonwealth defense contractors but we are also willing to re-sell old Faraway equipment for lower prices if desired.

The American Commonwealth votes aye.

Confirmed.

With free elections held under observation by Commonwealth monitors, the process was deemed complete and the Commonwealth Protectorate Administration would begin to hand over the reigns to their new Faraway counterparts and Commonwealth troops would begin withdrawing from the country.

Corporate Shuffle Hershey Corporation One of the original major corporations of the Commonwealth, it has grown immensely since it made its debut into defense contracting. In spite of new competition as new areas were added to the Commonwealth, Hershey has thrived and expanded its operations to remain the nation's largest defense contractor, acquiring major defense companies as subsidiaries, such as Northrup-Grumman, General Dynamics, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. It also has major holdings outside of the defense industry, its traditional candy products have the most market share of any company while it dominates a large part of the food industry as well as controlling major manufacturing activities. The Hershey Corporation accounts for the largest individual source of economic activity west of the Appalachians. Omni Consumer Products Based out of Detroit, Omni Consumer Products was formed shortly after the collapse of Faraway and Michigan entered the American Commonwealth as a state. Initially a conglomerate of local businesses, OCP has since grown to dominate the automobile, heavy industry and consumer product markets throughout much of the Commonwealth. It also has a small, but noticeable, presence in the defense industry. Rumors indicate that OCP intends to use some of its new found wealth and success to attempt to completely overhaul Detroit and restore the city to its former glory. Weyland Industries The newest of the top three major corporations, Weyland Industries has just recently joined the club. Based in San Francisco, the new upcoming company has major holdings in manufacturing, resource extraction, transportation, energy, medical and space industries. It has since become the primary producer of satellites, rockets and spacecraft for NASA and the military. Recently Weyland Industries announced that it was breaking into private space exploration and tourism and that one of its next major goals is to be the first company to successfully begin colonizing space.

The American Commonwealth recognizes the transitional government of Saskatchewan and Manitoba as a promising foundation for a new Canadian nation state. As such we shall turn over full governing authority of these provinces to the nation of Caledonia once open and free elections take place under monitored conditions by Commonwealth electoral administrators. Once these elections have taken place Commonwealth troops and administrative personnel will begin phased withdrawals to turn over control to the new government.

The Commonwealth military has begun the process of decommissioning 150 megatons worth of nuclear weaponry in compliance with the UN Resolution. To meet this quota the decision has been made to completely retire the military's whole inventory of B61 nuclear bombs. The retired warheads will be sent to secure nuclear processing facilities at Los Alamos and Livermore National Laboratories to be blended down into fuel for nuclear reactors.

"In the interest of promoting action to end this crisis the American Commonwealth votes aye".

New orders were given to Commonwealth forces in the Atlantic. The Independence Carrier Battle Group was ordered to proceed to Sierra Leone at top speed along with an Amphibious Ready Group. Once on station they would cooperate with Tianxian Naval forces in the area.

Congrats to Mogar for joining the GM team. May you enjoy doing what I did. Which was literally almost nothing :P

Because the situation is currently contained well in hand by the Mexican government, which cannot be said to be true for Sierra Leone. The conflict in Mexico was begun by communist insurrection against the legitimate government which has continued to function and has succeeded in rolling back the rebellion. Sierra Leone on the other hand has descended into chaos and civil war when its government was usurped by various factions and is currently proceeding with no real end in sight.

Lockheed Re-enters Civil Aviation After a long noted absence in the civilian aviation market, Lockheed-Martin has announced that it will begin production of civilian airliners again. Its most noticeable initiative is the Lockheed L-2000 Supersonic Civilian Transport. A revised and modernized design based on the original, the L-2000 is capable of flying 250 passengers over 9,000 km and at speeds in excess of Mach 3. Pan Am has confirmed the purchase of 24 L-2000s to service its new high speed trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific routes. Not limited to its niche supersonic transport market, Lockheed has also developed the L-1012 TriStar, a new modernized version of the original design, it boasts modern avionics and equipment like glass display cockpits, fly by-optic flight systems and brand new turbojet engines. Boasting a range of over 10,000 km it is able to comfortably accommodate 300-400 passengers depending on class and seating arrangements. Hundreds of orders have been placed by numerous Commonwealth airlines who are replacing their aging fleets of Boeing 737s and 767s for long range domestic and international flights.

Ok, 1-90 Success, 91-100 failure, just like last time. 18, 97 Win one, lose one.

Spyrolls to detect major troops and bases. 1-90=Success 91-100= Failure 70, 24 Good to go on both rolls.

"The American Commonwealth votes aye on the African Peacekeeping proposal and will provide personnel for the observer mission if acceptable. We also vote aye on the nuclear weapons reduction resolution although I would like to request that my nation be able to operate its own disposal site as we have the necessary capability, security, and infrastructure to do so and it would alleviate the cost and security concerns of sending them abroad".

The American Commonwealth is more than willing to provide negotiators and observers for this mission. However, we do feel that the sudden deployment of large amounts of Athenian forces in Sierra Leone, invited or not, against the spirit of the resolution mandated earlier to ensure other nations would not be able to intervene with military force to influence the conflict to their advantage and that any such deployment should have been conducted by the UN to ensure impartiality in the conflict.

"If it may please the Security Council I would like to raise discussion on the situation in Sierra Leone and the proposition made by the Polish Representative. Despite the current government's claim of being the legitimate national government, fighting still continues to occur, at the expense of the local populace and the stability of the region. This council can no longer just sit back and ignore this ongoing conflict as long as it has. As such I propose a resolution that would provide for the authorization of the deployment of the peacekeeping forces offered by the Polish, or another uninvolved nation, to help put an end to further fighting and to protect the civilian population, while simultaneously sending independent observers to, mediate peace negotiations, investigate the mass arrest of supposed anti-communist elements and to establish a monitoring mission for free national elections".

National Space Program The Marston Administration has announced that funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Agency would be drastically increased and several initiatives undertaken to further develop the American Commonwealth's space exploration capabilities and to promote the development of science and space technologies Shepard Space Launch Center A major development milestone in the Commonwealth Space Program, the Shepard Space Launch Center will be the site of the Commonwealth's first operational space launch mass driver and will be located in the Appalachian Mountains with Mount Mitchell providing additional elevation for the peak of the mass driver. The primary purpose of the center is to provide a cost effective means of sending cargo into space without the need for booster rockets, instead using a powerful electronmagnetic launch system to gradually increase launch speed to it its required level. While some 60 km long, most of the track will be tunneled underground to provide additional security and reduce maintenance issues and power will be provided via an on site nuclear reactor. Transportation networks will also be expanded to service the Center with highway and rail connections as well as the construction of a 3000 meter airfield and service facilities. Estimated to cost some $20 billion over several years, the initial cost is projected to be outweighed by the ability to cheaply launch large amounts of cargo into space compared to traditional rocket launches. If successful in operation, plans exist to develop a StarTram system capable of sending not only cargo but human passengers into space as well. Explorer MSTV The Explorer Modular Space Transport Vehicle is the replacement space craft for the older Space Shuttles being used by NASA. Like the Space Shuttle the Explorer is designed to be a reusable spacecraft able to remain in space and conduct missions for an extended period of time and then safely return to earth. It builds on the success and incorporates lessons from the failures of the shuttle program. Somewhat larger than the space shuttle, the Explorer possesses more powerful and efficient engines, possesses advanced fly-by-optics flight systems and sports a larger cargo capacity. Additional features are modular heat shielding, space refueling capability, extensive safety systems and built in automatic maintenance assessment capabilities. While launched in the same fashion as the space shuttles, due to the increased weight, entirely new rocket launch systems were required and much more powerful solid rocket boosters have been created along with a larger lightweight external tank resulting in a net gain of power despite the weight increase. In its most basic setup the MSTV usually has a minimum crew of 4 (pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, comm specialist) and accomodations for up to 8 personnel, although it is able to operate with only the pilot and co-pilot if necessary. Designed with multiple missions in mind the cargo bay is able to be configured by different modules to conduct a wide range of missions. In addition to cargo transport, the cargo bay can be transformed into a passenger area with room for one hundred people or embark on satellite construction/repair/refueling missions with the appropriate equipment and loadouts. The MSTV is also able to conduct lunar orbit missions under its own power and fuel while transporting extra fuel and a landing module able to reach the surface and recover it after several days. Two Explorer MSTVs (Explorer and Discovery) have already been constructed and will begin operation within several weeks with eight more currently in various stages of completion. Space Station Armstrong The Armstrong Space Station is slated to be the Commonwealth Space Program's first habitable space station in earth orbit. While ambitious in scope, it has been deemed to be achievable with recent and upcoming developments, such as the MSTV. Designed to be delivered and assembled in modules, the station is projected to be halfway completed and generally functional by the time the Shepard Space Launch Center becomes operational, which would then drastically lower delivery and assembly costs. The station will serve many purposes, serving as NASA's primary space facility for activities and research in orbit with accommodations and support for 50 personnel with a surge capacity of up to 80 if needed. One of its more important functions will be to act as an orbital maintenance depot for spacecraft and satellites, being able conduct refueling and repair missions with orbital transport vehicles. It is also planned to serve as a jump off point for any future lunar missions once operational.

It seems most people are going for a 1IG nuke conversion

While I like the idea I'm not sure how I feel about going with megatonnage versus just amount of ig nukes. If we go with that then someone with all the nuke multipliers could convert all of it into 750,000 soldiers which seems a bit extreme to me. With IG nukes it seems a bit less excessive at 250,000 men but on the other hand all the other conversions are based on after multipliers so I don't know. Personally I don't really care either way, just showing the pros and cons for each.

"Ah yes. Hello Prime Minister, it is nice to meet you in person" said President Marston as he shook her hand. "Of course I can spare time to discuss these issues. That is one of the reasons I'm here after all".

Please fold Ontario back into the AC protectorate

Weapons Development Projects BGM-185 Joint Strike Missile The BGM-185 Joint Strike Missile is a land attack/anti-ship, stealth, cruise missile developed by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The Joint Strike Missile is able to travel over 200km (300km for the air launched version) at high subsonic speeds and penetrate heavy defenses to deliver a 300 lb warhead onto its target with precision accuracy. Guidance is provided with a combination of systems including GPS, INS, TERCOM, and infrared homing. It also possesses a communications data-link allowing for real time update of missions and flight paths. The JSM is able to be used by multiple platforms including ships, submarines, aircraft and fixed/mobile ground launchers. It is the only cruise missile able to be carried internally on fighter sized aircraft, such as the F-35, and stealth munition pods. M307/M312 OCSWS The M307/M312 Objective Crew Served Weapons System is a hybrid heavy machine gun/grenade launcher that has been developed to replace the M2 50 caliber heavy machine gun in weapons companies. Capable of being used as a 50 caliber machine gun or 25mm automatic grenade launcher, it takes less than two minutes to change between firing modes under field conditions. Through the extensive use of lightweight composite materials and metal the weight of the weapon is drastically reduced compared to the M2 making it a much more portable weapon for infantry on the battlefield. This comes at the cost of a somewhat lowered rate of fire although improvements to the design have allowed it to retain a respectable rate of fire of 400 (HMG) and 280 (AGL) rounds per minute. The weapon's built in recoil system allows the weapon to fire using a lightweight tripod with negligible effects on accuracy and performance. It also possesses an advanced fire control system which includes traditional and night vision/thermal optics with zoom, a laser range finder, a ballistic computer and allows for the programming of the 25mm smart grenades used when it is configured as an automatic grenade launcher. Mk 47 Striker AGL The Mk 47 Striker Automatic Grenade Launcher is the replacement for the older Mk 19 AGL which has been in service since the 1960s. The Mk 47 is designed to fire the same 40mm grenades as the Mk 19 but is also able to fire programmable smart munitions and incorporates an advanced optic/fire-control system. While slightly heavier, the extra weight is not problematic as it is a mounted weapon. It also possesses superior accuracy, range and rate of fire compared to the Mk 19.

Receiving word that the nation of Ontario's government had collapsed American Commonwealth troops would move in to secure the area and restore order.

Arriving at the celebration President Marston would meet with all of the Tianxian delegates assembled to greet the arriving guests. "Emperor Jia. I would like to thank you for the invitation to this celebration, as well as your assistance in mediating the recent problem in Western Canada. I do believe this is my first time in Tianxia as President of the Commonwealth and I must say everything has been very well so far".