Ontario Military High Command

[Evangeline Anovilis]

As the forest green uniform of the military has been deemed unsatisfactory in its ability to camouflage Faraway soldiers, the armed forces now adopt a new battle uniform, in a new colour scheme. While most features of the old uniform will be kept, some are being changed, most of all, the peaked cap will be replaced for most front-line units with the Modell I Faraway Combat Helmet, a reinforced derrivate of the Pith Helmet, which will be coming in the colour of the uniform coat. This was a measure to decrease the amount of casualties from shell splinters, though it still provides little effective protection against rifle rounds.

 

 

A  Modell I Faraway Combat Helmet. The inside is laid out with steel to give at least some sort of protection.

 

Further, the new uniforms will no longer have a distinctive version for auxiliary units. This has been deemed necessary as the old measures of distinction were far too visible on the field of battle and auxiliary units protested their seeming use as cannon fodder. While the usage of auxiliary units in general has been mostly kept within limits, with only one auxiliary unit serving (the Auxiliary Guard Engineers), it is contemplated to increase the number to maybe a full army of size.

 

The new uniforms will be coming in three colour schemes, which are:

 

Battle Uniform Temperate

 

 

Faraway Grey-Green

 

Battle Uniform Arctic

 

 

Faraway Arctic Blue (with white coat)

 

Battle Uniform Arid

 

 

Faraway Kakhi

 

[hr]

 

Tigre Automatic Rifle

 

 

Also called the Tigre-Pedersen, after the designer of the rifle and the designer of the round, is a domestically produced automatic rifle, also usable as light machine gun. Firing a 7x51 mm round, designed by John Pedersen, the rifle has greater stopping power than the C7 carbines, but less than the full-on Tigre rifle (and with it also less recoil). This makes the Tigre Automatic Rifle a good weapon inbetween, issued to many Faraway army units, especially the grenadiers, who, due to their tactical purposes, prefer the Tigre Automatic Rifle over the GPMG. The rifle can be fired from shoulder as well as waist and is also equipped with a bipod, to allow steady aim while resting the rifle on solid ground. The overall range of the rifle goes up to 3,000 to 4,000 metres, though the effective range is far less at up to 1,200 metres and below. For such ranges, a 4x optical sight can be attached, though it normally is not used, due to engagements at shorter distances, where the rifle's iron sights suffice. The rifle is select-fire and can alternate between semi-automatic and full-automatic mode, in order to either fire accurate aimed shots or less accurate fire bursts. For loading purposes, the rifle features a 20 round magazine, which has to be detached and then be loaded with two 10-round en-bloc clips that were especially fabricated for the rifle.

 

Due the need of effective anti-tank weaponry, the Royal Faraway army introduces two new systems to deal with enemy armor. While both are still not considered adequate to deal with the heaviest of enemy tanks, their comparably inexpensive manufacturing cost and usability by light forces makes them still a valid introduction, especially against lighter armed vehicles, like IFVs and APCs.

 

The first of the two new systems is the FRG M1. The FRG M1 is a 22 mm anti-tank rifle grenade, allowing the usage of any rifle chambered between 6.8 and 7.2 mm to be used as a make-shift grenade launcher. It features a shaped-charge warhead, in order to increase effectivity against enemy armor and has a range of 75 to 100 metres. At a typical weight of 0.75 kg, it is not too heavy and can be carried by ordinary infantry to be used on encountering vehicles. A FRG M2 anti-personel variant is produced in limited quantities, but has not been introduced in great numbers yet.

 

The second is the CRV7 PG  rocket. This rocket, stemming from the good old Canadian times has been equipped with a seeker warhead (variants are laser guided and anti-radiation) and produces a formidable weapon against enemy vehicles. The CRV7 PG is currently however only deployed in two ways, Faraway-produced Crux attack helicopters and a CGMS Mk. II variant, featuring 18 CRV7 rockets and a laser target illuminator in place of the Starstreak II HVM (two 3x3 launchers, instead of the 2x2 launchers). A shoulder-launched variant for infantry soldiers is considered, however not yet realised.

 

LAV III Armaments Improvement Program

 

Altough the LAV III in use with Faraway forces is considered a good vehicle, concerns have recently been raised over the issue of the lack of firepower among the Faraway infantry. It is not sure whether the RFA has enough capacities at hand to defeat enemy vehicles, especially given the relatively light design of the Léone Medium Tank. With only one vehicle in the entire RFA being able to harm enemy medium to heavy armor (as the Lancer light tank may only harm light to medium armor) Toronto Heavy Ordnance Industries has embarked on a quest to increase the amount of firepower of the ground forces. While a heavier tank was taken into consideration, it is not expected to enter production anytime soon. A far more viable alternative, also favored by many in the officer corps is the augmentation of the armament of lighter vehicles, to allow for a greater part of the forces to defend itself against attack by enemy heavy armor.

 

To this end, up to now, the Sagittarius CGMS Mk.II has been developed. However, as the result was deemed less than satisfactory, TOHOI also started work on improving the LAV III family of vehicles. Additionally to the current variants, that already offer some anti-armor capabilities, Toronto Heavy Ordnance Industries has presented to the army two new variants, the Multi-Mission Effects Vehicle and the Mobile Gun System.

 

 

The MMEV's primary purpose is to provide easily deployable response for infantry forces against threats from airborne or armored vehicles. Built upon a LAV III chassis, the turret of the MMEV hosts not only a 3D search and tracking radar, a QWIP-based infrared-optic sensor suit, a laser rangefinder and target illuminator and a data uplink system for communication between MMEV vehicles of the same unit, provided by FAERIE systems, but is armed to defeat enemy airborne and armored targets, with a combination of 4 anti-air missiles (currently VL MICA-M), 2 anti-tank missiles (currently TOW), and 14 CRV7 PG rockets.

 

 

The Mobile Gun System equips the basic LAV III with a THO 105 mm rifle ETC, as is used in the Léone medium tank. This increases the weight of the vehicle by almost 2 tons, allows however even the LAV III to harm an enemy tank. While it has not the protection of a full on MBT, it still features superior mobility and can be deployed far more easily.

 

Both variants are considered by the RFA as temporary fillers, as Ontario Military command considers them not an adequate replacement for a heavier main battle tank. However, funding has been approved, as the increased firepower is most welcome and even once a tank has been implemented, their role as air-defense system and as rapid deployment mobile artillery platform are considered useful.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

With the fall of the Confederate forces, also a great amount of aircraft had been requisitioned. Like the new Sudbury-class frigates, many of these would find their way into the Royal Faraway Airforce, in order to save on procurement costs for other aircraft. Still, the new Faraway government seemed to be ready for any expense to form a capable protection of the Faraway airspace. With the acquisition of a reliable stock of domestically produced Tawny multirole fighters (designated FF-1 Tawny), as well as specialist aircraft from the American Commonwealth, slowly the RFAF gained shape.

 

 

Inventory

 

RFAF

 

Fighter aircraft

• 240 FF-1 Tawny multirole fighter (1^st to 20^th Fighter Wing)
• 120 FF-2 Lightning II multirole fighter (21^st to 30^th Fighter Wing)

Bomber aircraft

• 60 FB-1 Rattlesnake strike bomber (1^st to 5^th Strike Wing)
• 24 FB-2 Spirit strategic bomber (1^st and 2^nd Bomber Wing)

Transport aircraft

• 24 C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter (1^st to 6^th Transport Wing)
• 12 C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter (7^th and 8^th Transport Wing)

Tanker aircraft

• 12 KC-130 aerial refueling aircraft

AEW&C

• 12 E-3D Sentry AEW&C

 

RFNAC

• 36 FF-1 Tawny multirole fighter
• 36 FF-1E Browny electric warfare aircraft
• 12 E-2 Hawkeye AEW&C

(Part of the 1^st Carrier Air Wing and the Naval Aviation Reserve)

• 24 CP-3 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft (1^st to 6^th Air Patrol)

Edited June 11, 2013 by Evangeline Anovilis

[Evangeline Anovilis]

With the new acquisitions to the Faraway realm, it had been decided to create a new service scheme for the Royal Faraway Armed Forces.

 

Upon reaching the age of 18 (and therefor adulthood), every female Faraway citizen is now required to go through 3 years serving in the Army or Navy. Upon completing a 1 year basic training, the other 2 years they are assigned to a normal position within the Armed Forces. Upon completing this basic course, until the age of 40, these Faraway citizens are put into the Primary Reserve, where they are eligible to be called upon for another 2 years. These assignments are made in a cyclic fashion.

 

Once they reach the age of 40, until age 60, they are part of the Secondary Reserve, where they are drafted, solely if the Primary Reserve is too depleted. Both reserves will be required to visit the recruitment center once a year upon receiving a letter by the Ministry of War, in order to check on prsence and availability, as well as to hone their skills at rifle, bayonet and life in the field for a week.

 

Upon reaching age 60, citizens are no longer called to arms, but are free to serve in the Armed Forces, as long as an annual inspection deems them still capable of carrying out their duty.

 

As part of the new structure, the old armies have partly been redelegated, in order to spread the burden of conscription more equally on all Faraway lands.

 

As a new Faraway army structure, the ground forces are to be reorganised along the following lines:

 

• Saint Lawrence Army (Ottawa)
• Villiers Army (Detroit)
• Southern Army (Springfield)
• Lake Superior Army (Charleston)
• Iowa Army (Des Moines)
• Armée Quebecois (Quebec)
• Armée Acadiénne (Moncton)
• Armée Vicidaliénne (Quebec)

Further, the following special units shall be created:

 

Royal Faraway Marines (under the command of the RFN; all based in Halifax)

 

• I^st Royal Faraway Marine Division
• II^nd Royal Faraway Marine Division
• III^rd Division de Fusiliers Marins Royales

 

Royal Faraway Parachute Corps (under the command of the RFAF; all based in CFB Trenton)

 

• I^st Royal Faraway Parachute Division
• II^nd Division de Parachutiste Royales

[Evangeline Anovilis]

With the acquisition of the Quebecois province of Acadia, the Royal Faraway Navy would also take over former CFB Halifax, which would now be designated as Halifax Naval Arsenal. For the first time since the foundation of the Faraway Realm, the RFN had a base able to handle large capital ships and located within the Realm proper. Additionally, with Irving Shipbuilding, also a foundation was seen for more independence of the Realm in regards to its naval construction needs. Both, Irving Shipbuilding and CNV, were integrated into the structure of Halifax Naval arsenal and a project was started to increase the amount of drydocks in Halifax, especially for the construction of larger vessels. According to the Ministry of War, at least 4 drydocks able to maintain the Euridice-class battleships are to be constructed.

 

Altough the Faraway Realm has no longer a German threat immediatly in front of its door, most recent plannings for anti-German actions showed that the Faraway Realm was hardly able to conduct amphibious operations without allied support. Given the increased importance of such operations for the security of the Realm, as well as the necessity of stronger support for ASW patrols, the funding of seven new amphibious assault ships has been approved. These ships are to be laid down within the next few weeks, to be produced within the next year.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

With the integration of Quebec, soon demands were made by the Quebecois forces to improve thae armored forces. With the heaviest tank only equipping a 105 mm rifled gun and nowhere as armored as heavier tanks, they saw a dire need to improve on this state of affairs. Soon they were joined by the Commander of the Armored Corps, Dorothy Alcott and the Archduchess of Villiers, Helena de Grenville, who both saw an even greater need for reform, to reshape the doctrine and equipment of the RFAC.

 

[hr]

 

 

Lupus Mk.I Medium Tank

 

Length: 10.15 m
Width: 3.26 m
Height: 2.37 m
Weight: 44.5 tons
Armor: ceramic composite with NERA reinforcement at turret and hull front.

Main Armament: Toronto Heavy Ordnance Model 2 120 mm rifled gun/ETC (38 rounds)
Secondary Armament: co-axial Windsor Arsenal 7 mm general-purpose machinegun, turret-mounted Windsor 7 mm general-purpose machine gun
Crew: 4 (commander/radio, driver, loader, gunner)
Engine: UCB 8-cylinder 1100 hp
Maximum speed on-road: 70 km/h
Maximum speed off-road: 55 km/h
Operational range: 550 km, 850 km with additional fuel tanks

 

The Lupus medium tank is a the mixture of old and new Faraway expertise in order to provide a more capable tank for the Faraway forces. It is a step-up from the Léone with a gun system on par with most other countries and a more sophisticated armor protection scheme. Being produced by Toronto Heavy Industries with assistance by FAERIE, the Lupus will be manufactured in some quantity of several hundred tanks to complement the Léone. First units are to be delivered to the Royal Horse Guard.

 

As main armament, the Lupus features the THO Model 2 120 mm/55 caliber rifle incorporating electro-thermal chemical technology already used with the Léone, in order to achieve muzzle energies of around 18 Mj. After negative experiences with the Lancer and in order to improve the survivability of the design, the Lupus has no autoloader, but, just as with the Léone, uses a manual loading operation, allowing for the ammunition storage (holding 38 projectiles) to be seperated from the crew department and only opened by the loader for a few seconds inbetween shots. Additionally, the Lupus is equipped with a 7 mm coaxial machine gun and a turret mounted 7 mm machine gun to defend against nearby enemy infantry.

 

To protect the tank, a composition of advanced ceramic composite armor with non-explosive reactive armor is used, granting survivability not seen in any other Faraway tank. THO went to great lengths to improve on its vehicle protection technology and presents as outcome the Lupus. An active protection system is planned, but it will not be integrated in the first prodction run. Later refits are possible though. Soft-kill measures in form of smoke grenades and flares are however present.

 

For propulsion, the Lupus uses a UCB 8-cylinder diesel engine, generating 1,100 hp, enabling the tank a good maximum speed at 70 km/h over solid, flat terrain. The tank has an operational range of 550 km, though this can be improved by additional fuel tanks for up to 850 km.

 

The Lupus stays of course in line with the Faraway design criteria for medium tanks having no greater weight than 50 tons.

Edited June 25, 2013 by Evangeline Anovilis

[Evangeline Anovilis]

In order to police and protect the Colonie royale de Groenland, a 20,000 strong force, the Armée du Groenland shall be created to protect Faraway integrity and social peace. Apart from the use of Thule Air Base, a development of Val-vert (former Kangilinnguit) into a small naval base for the deployment of at least 4 surface combattants of destroyer-size and 4 submarines shall be created to allow the strengthening of the Arctic flotilla.

 

In addition, to assist in the matter of the development of Greenland, Isua Social Rehabilitation Camp is to be established, to host convicted criminals and traitors to the Faraway State and Crown for work in order to allow these individuals to make up for their crimes by mining iron for the Faraway industry. ISRC is to be led by the Armée du Groenland and a railway connection to nearby Maniitsoq, in order to allow the transportation of the ore to steel mills in the Faraway-Villiers region.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Encrypted Message

 

From: FFB Scott, Squadron Leader Geena Preddy

To: OMHC, Commander of the RFAF Wilma Bishop

Subject: Project Nr. 495 Operation Vicious Squall

 

Greetings,

 

We have received notice that a first prototype for Project Nr. 495 will be delivered soon, in order to undergo testing in Operation Vicious Squall. However, due to the limited infrastructure, we will need to conduct the tests from FFB Trenton, as it is the nearest to the mission area, while not being near enough to compromise the secretive nature of the Operation. FFB Scott cannot be used, due to the proximity of the Missouri border, which could allow the prototype to be picked up by CMA radar surveillance during the initial stages of the Operation. Thus, with the help of refuelling aircraft starting from FFB Scott, the prototype shall be brought into the mission area from afar and shall be brought back the same way.

 

Please also confirm that green light was given by OMHC.

 

With regards,

Geena Preddy

[Evangeline Anovilis]

FF-1 Tawny Tier 2 program

 

In an effort to improve the capabilities of the Royal Faraway Airforce, the fleet of FF-1 Tawny multirole fighters, its backbone, was approved to be partly upgraded to hat military officials call the Tier 2. The effort, which aims not only at improving the aircraft, but spurning the creativity of domestic aircraft manufacturers, has been in planning for quite some time and may now yield first results. Among the tier 2 upgrades are most prominently three new systems, which are the FAERIE OOS (Omnidirectional Optronics Sphere), the FAERIE Spectre-I and the Le-141A turbojet engine.

 

The OOS is a system of 8 highly sensitive infrared sensors, integrated into the airframe at various locations to provide a spherical coverage without blind spots. The OOS, though not a new concept, will be an enhancement over the current suit of infrared sensors carried by the Tawny Tier 1, with improved sensitivity towards even smaller differences in temperature to distinguish an approaching aircraft or missile from its thermal background. Based on quantum well technology (the field of quantum well and quantum dot photodetectors has seen an ever-increasing interest and research within Quebecois and Vicidalo-French circles), it is expected that the high resolution photodetectors will increase the ability to detect even aircraft and missiles with reduced thermal visibility.

 

With the Spectre-I, the Tawny will posess a potent system to protect itself from enemy action by providing early warning and reduction of visibility to enemy radar. The Spectre-I system consists out of multiple detectors to warn the pilot of targetting lasers, incoming missiles and enemy radar. Linked to the OOS, active and passive radar, as well as a radar warning receiver, the Spectre system is equipped with a highly capable computing unit to fuse the information into an encompassing image of the aircrafts surroundings, to analyse the various threats posed and an semi-automated system to allow for survival in highly contested airspace. The Spectre can respond to aggressive action, apart from alarming the pilot), by various means, including old-style decoy dispensers, but also radar countermeasures of advanced nature. Using the radar warning receiver to analyse incoming radar frequencies, the Spectre is able to decrease the Tawny's radar signature by emmitting out-of phase returns via multiple emmission units placed across the airframe to cover less stealthy features of the aircraft, or to send out false returns in an attempt to confuse enemy radar should the first approach fail. While it is not expected to allow the Tawny to compete with high-end fighters across the globe, the Spectre-I will allow the Tawny to be of greater use in defending Faraway airspace and extents the Tawny's usefulness in an era of intense surface-to-air threats even by smaller nations.

 

As a smaller upgrade, the Lennartz Le-141A provides the Tawny multirole fighter with about 20% increased thrust, though with little change in its fuel economic. While this change is minor, mostly extenting the maximum speed to over Mach 2, the Le-141A engines do have a first measure of thrust vectoring, by allowing nozzles to be swiveled by about 15° in all directions. While many consider the improvements of the Le-141A over license-produced South African engines minor, Lennartz and Juutilainen Aviatik (the main manufacturer of Tawny fighter jets in Faraway) have stated that without restructuring of the airframe, there most likely is not much more room for improvement left. However, the new engine may become the first stage in the development of more advanced engines for future domestic aircraft. And with an ever-so unstable world, as well as diminishing outside options for reliable procurement, such investment in the future was seen wise by most.

 

As is Faraway policy, military developments are not public and apart from the Le-141A engine, all new systems are to be kept highly confidential in the interest of the security of the Realm. Technology used is not to be shared at this moment.

 

New Commissions in the Navy

 

A new wave of ships has been finished, to complement the RFN's capabilities and to replace losses incurred in the War of Southern Aggression. The 11 ships commissioned are going to greatly enhance the ability of Faraway's naval aviation, by providing new platforms for projection of our aircraft into the seas surrounding the Realm.

 

 

The Queenston Heights-class is the RFN's first amphibious warfare ship, intented to allow for overseas deployment of forces and ASW duty. Both these capabilities were found to be important in the face of the Realms new environment after the integration of Quebec. With the possibility of acting alongside the Hudson Bay Federation and the American Commonwealth in far-off regions like the Caribbean, Mexico, the American South or Greenland, where larger force deployments may be needed. With the expenses and limitations of tactical and strategic airlifting, the Queenston Heights provides a defensible platform to carry out transport duty at a fraction of the cost per tonnage carried and far more volume. Instead of STOVL aircraft like the F-35, the new amphibious warfare ship will be carrying a large number of helicopters. RFN officers mostly stated that such an arrengement, while maybe more capable was much closer to the threats Faraway may encounter, and that a defensive ASW platform was far more practical than a minor assault carrier. "We don't expect to be involved in massive engagements in areas outside our immediate vicinity. The first and foremost mission of the Royal Faraway Navy is to protect the Realm and the Queenston Heights-class is a great addition in our arsenal to fulfill this mission. It can boost the Home Fleet's anti-submarine capabilities and does that at a fraction of the cost of what we'd pay for getting an escort carrier equipped with STOVL aircraft that would be far less effective at this task. We got six aircraft carriers for fixed-wing aircraft, that should be enough for the immediate offensive capability.", Fleet Admiral Emily C. Alexander is quoted in a RFN journal.

 

Ships in the class:

 

HMS Queenston Heights (LPH-1)

HMS Vimy Ridge (LPH-2)

HMS Chrysler's Farm (LPH-3)

HMS Juno Beach (LPH-4)

HMS Trois-Rivières (LPH-5)

HMS Dieppe (LPH-6)

HMS Stoney Creek (LPH-7)

 

Additionally, four new Pastillage-class carriers are commissioned to replace the losses from the War of Southern Aggression.

 

HMS Villiers (CVN-7)

HMS Quebec (CVN-8)

HMS Acadia (CVN-9)

HMS Iowa (CVN-10)

 

Commonwealth-Faraway Joint Helicopter Development

 

 

After a period of development by a cooperation of Juuticopter and Hershey's, the first semi-domestically developed helicopter of Faraway enters service. The helicopter with the Faraway designation JTC-3 Strix is a supposed light attack and scouting helicopter, as well as a demonstration of the capabilities of North american defense industries. Designed as a compound helicopter, the new rotorcraft will be able to fly at high speeds, making it an exceptional addition to the arsenal for armed reconnaissance and fast response to light targets. While it is not as durable as a dedicated attack helicopter and can carry only limited amount of armaments (2 hardpoints for either 7 rockets or 3 anti-tank missiles each), it can rely on agility and low-visibility, as well as low accoustic signature for surprise strikes or avoiding enemy attack during scouting missions.

 

The new compund helicopter comes in two variants, which are one utility helicopter, as a less costly, but fast rotorcraft, armed only with the build-in guns, for limited transportation needs (like VIP transport) and one armed scout variant with above-mentioned weapons load, as well as a strenthened airframe and a suit of sensorics to help in gathering data during reconnaissance flights. Still, due to the modular multi-mission cabin design, the JTC-3 Strix can be adapted to various missions, with either a passenger cabin, to allow transport of up to 6 people for covert insertions, additional fuel tanks or additional ammunition.

 

Specifications of the American Commonwealth model

 

Faraway models replace Hellfire missiles with Brimstone missiles, the 7.62 mm gun with a 7 mm gun and utilises CRV7 rockets instead of Hydra 70 rockets.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Light Artillery Developments

 

Due to the heavy carriage of the THO QF 76 mm field gun, its role as light towed artillery piece has come to an end and it is to be gradually replaced with 105 mm LG1 field howitzers. With a larger shell and a lighter, more mobile carriage, the LG1 will improve fire power, as well as mobility of the Royal Faraway Army. Existing stocks of THO QF 76 mm guns, recorded at 3867 pieces that have been built over the years, as the QF 76 mm field gun was to be implemented as a readily available front-line light artillery. While the Faraway Army has considered selling away the old guns to countries that might have a use for them, Toronto Heavy Ordnance Industries has started experiments with their own small leftover stock of 13 production level field guns and 5 prototype field guns with 50 caliber long barrel. Production of the 76 mm gun has for now come to a halt and may be ended entirely, should no new customers be found.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

With the arrival of the four Pastillage-class carriers in Halifax, the ships's stocks in food, ammunition, kerosine and other supplies are replenished, while the crews are brought to full size. While it is expected to take at least a few days, the ships are issued their carrier aircraft, in order to allow the Royal Faraway Naval Aviation Corps to operate from the new carriers. Of the 39 fixed-wing aircraft, 36 will be FF-1M Tawny Tier 2 multirole fighters and three E-2 Hawkeye AEW&C aircraft, assisted by three Naval Oryx helicopters for ASW and rescue operations. The four ships are for now supposed to serve with the High Seas Fleet, together with the old Biscotti-class carriers HMS Faraway and HMS Sleepy Hollow.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Faraway Submarine Flotilla

 

In order to boost the capabilities of the Royal Faraway Navy, the court has approved the construction of 10 attack submarines of the Barracuda-class. These highly able submarines will further the ability of the Realm to uphold the souvereignty over its maritime territory and to secure its trade. The 10 submarines will be built by Irving Shipbuilding, with weaponry supplied by the Halifax Naval Arsenal and sensoric systems supplied by FAERIE systems. These will be the first submarines constructed in and operated in the Realm since the end of the Quebecois Marine.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

With the dissolution of MidAmerica, The Royal Faraway Army would start a partial mobilisation. Four of its nine armies would be brought to full strength, in order to prevent a second Madison crisis.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

After a series of experiments with the recently retired QF 76 mm field guns, Toronto Heavy Ordnance Industries has started development of a new weapon system, utilising the gathered data to breath new life into an old concept. In a series of firing tests at Chatham Military Testing Grounds, engineers and ballistics experts of TOHOI R&D department have found that while the caliber of the gun may be smaller than necessary to threaten most tanks, it still packs an incredible fire power and was mostly retired because of its heavy gun carriage.

 

[hr]

 

 

Turtle Mk.I Assault Gun Carrier

 

Length: 8.25 m (gun forward)
Width: 2.63 m
Height: 2.17 m
Weight: 15.5 tons

Armor: 20-60 mm composite, with possible NERA applique.

 

Main Armament: Toronto Heavy Ordnance QF 76 mm gun/ETC (41 rounds)
Secondary Armament: remote-controlled Windsor Arsenal 7 mm general-purpose
machinegun externally mounted
Crew: 3 (commander/radio/gunner, driver, loader)
Engine: Detroit Diesel 6-cylinder 275 hp hp
Maximum speed on-road: 80 km/h
Maximum speed off-road: 60 km/h
Operational range: 250 km, 650 km with additional fuel tanks

 

The Turtle is a small, but highly mobile assault gun carrier designed by Toronto Heavy Ordnance, in order to provide frontline units with effective fire support. This vehicle, armed with a 55 caliber version of the 76 mm field gun is simple, yet effective. It will in the future be classified as a new class of Faraway vehicles, the assault gun carrier.

 

The gun is hosted in a casemate chassis, offering a low and slim profile, with little frontal aspect. Armor is concentrated in the frontal plate, where its thickness reaches 60 mm, while all other sides mostly feature 20 mm thick armor to keep off small arms fire. While this armor scheme is nowhere enough to survive a hit by enemy armor or heavy gunfire, the Turtle is not intented as a replacement for the medium tanks currently in service. The Turtle posesses a NBC protection suit, filtering incoming air and allowing operation even in contaminated areas.

 

The QF 76 mm gun of the Turtle actually is a recycled 76 mm field gun. After the old gun showed promising performance on Chatham Testing Range, convincing with its great accuracy, as well as moderate penetration, the 76 mm gun offers a great compromise between fire power and size of the system, by providing a small vehicle with adequate firing rate and power to engage and eliminate most targets short of main battle tanks. The remote-controlled GPMG meanwhile is able to combat enemy infantry that attempts to approach the AGC.

 

In terms of mobility, the Turtle features a good top speed of 80 km/h, as well as a more than satisfactory cross-country speed. Its only downside is the limited tactical mobility brought about by a small fuel tank, making it necessary to either carry external fuel tanks or to refuel every 250 km. The AGC can not move its gun more than 30° to the left and 10° to the right, as well as 35° up or down. This limited flexibility of the gun and the lack of a turret necessitate the turning of the whole vehicle to realign the gun, though the Turtle does have a favourable turning speed.

 

For now, a limited production run of 500 vehicles is planned.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Windsor Arsenal has today presented the Royal Faraway army with a new battle rifle prototype and promoted its adoption. The Faraway Universal Battle Rifle is an ambitious project, trying to combine the roles of assault rifle and marksman rifle into one rifle that is accurate at medium to long ranges with firing volume for short-range combat. The new rifle has been tested in both roles and has indeed shown promising capabilities.

 

The Faraway Universal Battle Rifle is intended for the Faraway Armed Forces and their traditional high regard for marksmenship, stemming from the days when the fully automatic firepower of the squad relied entirely on the machine gun. Since the adoption of the C7 assault carbine chambered in 6.8 mm Commonwealth ammunition, the officer corps has complained and sent multiple letters of grievance to the Military High Command on the poor standards the new assault carbine promotes, on the slow decay of skill and public morals, about the utter waste of ammunition and the loss of long-ranged fire power. Even concerns about the lacking range of the new C7 bayonet have been mentioned. To adress all these issues, the Windsor arsenal independently researched a replacement.

 

The prototype has used traditional steel and wooden parts, due to the weight of over 5 kg it is however thought that modern composite materials materials might be used for full production. The rifle uses a 6.5x47 mm vartridge, with a 20 shot magazine. A short-stroke gas piston action is used to cycle the ammunition, achieving a nominal firing rate of 500 rpm, realised in either semi-automatic or three-round burst fire. The barrel of the standard rifle comes in 510 mm length for increased "versatility", however it can be replaced in the field by trained personal within 2 minutes with a 700 mm accurised barrel for a stated accuracy of slightly less than a minute of arc and a range in excess of 800 metres.

 

The great barrel length will make the Faraway Universal Battle rifle in dimensions longer and heavier than both, Tigre carbine and the C7 carbine, the two weapons it is intented to replace. The overall length varies with the 510 mm barrel at 1095 mm and with 700 mm barrel at 1285 mm overall length. The standard bayonet of the Tigre carbine can be attached., adding another effective 40 cm.

 

Despite the capabilities demonstrated, the Military Headquarters have rejected a change towards this new rifle, stating the following reasons:

• The rifle is overall too heavy. Despite being heavier and longer than the current Tigre carbine, it does not add much to the capabilities.
• The rifle, especially with bayonet is not useful in the restricted battle space of indoor or trench environment. The 1.4 metres minimum length with bayonet limit the agility of soldiers.
• The power of the cartridge is questionable for long ranges. Effectiveness beyond 800 metres id questionable and a better cartridge may be needed.
• The 6x47 mm cartridge would add another new cartridge to the arsenal and would take away any commonality with the American Commonwealth or other allies.
• for the demonstration there was neither a scope nor a bipod, both had to be used from existing models of Tigre carbines and added to the weight.

Despite the rejection, sentiments that the C7 carbine will be the downfall of the armed forces remain. A letter of grievance on the rejection of what some high-ranking officers in the RFA see as the first step away from the long-range failure of C7 carbine and its 6.8 mm ammunition has already reached Ontario Military High Command.

 

Marquess Mary Ascott has responded on these concerns that "the Military High Command does share certain concerns on the performance of 6.8 mm ammunition, however, the Faraway Universal Battle Rifle at this point is not a viable alternative. Military High Command holds the view that the possibility of further research into the Faraway Universal Battle Rifle or the C7 carbine are considered options, as is the replacement of the current stock of rifles by rifles from an outside source, should commonality not be threatened by this measure." Bernadette de la Riviére, creator of the Tigre carbine and derivates considered this a "diplomatic" statement of declining changes, as she has remarked that the inherent inefficiency of 6.8 mm ammunition at long ranges cannot be overcome and that commonality would be threatened as long as the Army would seek for an optimisation for longer ranges. De la Riviére recommended accepting the C7 as a dedicated short-range carbine, but it seems the idea of long-range firepower across the full spectrum of ammunition is a fixed idea of the Faraway Officer corps.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

After a construction time of almost one year, the Royal Faraway Navy commissioned its first ten submarines. The submarine fleet, stationed at Val-Vert, Greenland will be a great asset to boost the RFNs capability to defend the Realm to overseas threats.

 

HMS Algonquin

HMS Iroquois

HMS Huron

HMS Odawa

HMS Ojibwe

HMS Temegami

HMS Métis

HMS Wyandot

HMS Cree

HMS Nipissing

 

As the number of ships increases, the RFN is now surveying the coastline for the expansion of its installations.

[TheShammySocialist]

[b]Encrypted Communique[/b]

 

[b]Confidential![/b]

To: The Office of the Commanding General, Faraway Expeditionary Force (South Africa)

From: The Office of South African Army Chief of Staff

 

Mme. Albershaw

 

We hope that your forces are settling into their new billets and becoming comfortable with what I am sure is a entirely different climate than that of your mother country, we are dispatching this communique to you in regards to requesting your assistance.

 

As you are probably quite aware, the war in Tanzania continues to rage on, and although many objectives have been secured, there is much work still left to be done throughout the nation to ensure South African authority is reestablished. For that reason, we are well aware that Faraway's forces, like our own, possess a strong ability in terms of performing light infantry operations. We are honored to request that the Faraway Expeditionary Force, if approved by your government, assemble an ad hoc brigade sized force of six thousand or so combat soldiers for duty in Tanzania. To provide logistical support, South African personnel and transport equipment, with a liaison team, will be attached so that your forces do not need to procure their supplies. Heavy support weaponry, including artillery support, and air-to-ground liaison spotting teams can be provided by South Africa, if you would like, or in conjunction with your own support weaponry or air support liaison teams.

 

The manpower requirements of securing Tanzania have stretched dedicated light infantry units of the South African Army, with its many responsibilities throughout South Africa, to a point that we make that we make this request. Although we are far from short on manpower, we would preferably have light infantry available for battle, particularly in the Mbeya region. Any Farawayan forces dispatched to this region will be working alongside the 2nd South African Armored Division, as well as the mobile infantry forces of the 7th South African Infantry Division. We consider the Mbeya region, and controlling the city of Mbeya itself to be critical to our operations, opening Highway A104 to embattled but defiant South African firebases in the Iringa region. This area is quite conducive with light infantry operations and we believe that this provides a unique opportunity to test interoperability with our forces.

 

We look forward to any response you tender to us, and give you our best.

 

Piet Tembo, GEN

South African Army Chief of Staff

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Confidential!

To: The Office of South African Army Chief of Staff

From: Faraway African Expeditionary Command

 

Mr Tembo

 

Faraway prides itself in its light infantry, as do we pride ourselves in staying true to our word. We can commit to your effort the Seconde Division de Parachutistes Royale and the Troisiémes Chevau-légers quebecoises. We think these two will suit your needs and they shall be dispatched as soon as you have orders for them.

 

The 2e Division de Parachutistes Royale is one of the two Faraway airborne assault divisions, while the 3iéme Chevau-légers are a mixed light forces division utilising helicopters and mechanised elements for rapid deployment.

 

With regards,

 

Albershaw

[TheShammySocialist]

Confidential!

To: Faraway African Expeditionary Command

From: The Office of the South African Army Chief of Staff

 

Mme. Albershaw

 

We are glad that Faraway has stepped up to the request that we have asked of her in this moment, currently we're preparing an assault on Mbeya to
retake a South African fire base, as well as open Highway A104 through the mountains. The South African forces in the area have already engaged
in a number of sharp firefights against large Tanzanian Army formations in the region. These are mostly composed of infantry units, with some mechanized units, along with some artillery elements, there are no air support elements currently available to the Tanzanian elements in this region.

 

Our forces have been able to mass relatively sizable amounts of support in the ridges west of Mbeya and are preparing for a larger push against the town and surrounding ridges. Deploying your units by way of an airborne drop, with transports dropping the units into friendly held drop zones and moving forces by helicopter, might be the most effective way to get them into the region. A small airport at Vwawa could host tactical transports ferrying in supplies or troops as well, from there your forces could join the front lines, after being fully briefed and readied for their assignments.

 

Our battlefield commanders are already being briefed on your inclusion in this engagement, and they are looking forward to working alongside your
forces in this next offensive. We hope to see this offensive underway by dawn, two and a half days from now, if we need to change this timetable, this can be amended.

 

Best Regards,

 

Tembo

Edited September 2, 2013 by TheShammySocialist

[Evangeline Anovilis]

After almost a decade of development, LRT presented today the product of nine years of engineering, the Aria anti-ship missile.
 
Aria the Annihilation MM70 (Mer-Mer)
 
Originally planned as a replacement of the Exocet as a supersonic medium-range anti-ship missile, changes in the requirements led to a drastically different design and delayed production for years. While not going to replace any missile in the Faraway arsenal, Aria will fill the gap in capabilities between short-range subsonic Exocets and medium-range subsonic MdCNs as a supersonic heavy medium range naval attack missile. Based on a more agile airframe than the MdCN, the Aria differs little in size at about 7 metres length, half a metre diameter and 1.8 tons of weight, making it compatible with Sylver A70 VLS cells as found on most Faraway capital surface combattants. The airframe incorporates stealthy shaping, as well as radar absorbant composite materials to increase effectiveness against enemy detection methods and decrease the available time for enemies to initiate counter-measures. The missile will not be as long-ranged as the MdCN, however it will be an improvement over the old anti-ship version of the MdCN. The Aria naval strike missile is designed for ranges of 450-500 km at Mach 3. To achieve such speeds, a liquid fuel ramjet engine is used.
 
Aria can be fired at both sea and land targets and can be adapted to mission requirements just before launch by changing settings between sea-skimming or high-altitude (at around 7,000 metres) approach. Flying merely 4-5 metres above the sea, Aria will only increase its altitude about 5-10 kilometres before the programmed target to acquire last updates on guidance, before continually increasing speed for a final dash. Exceeding Mach 4 frequently during tests, it is expected to allow the target less than 5 seconds of reaction time before the missile strikes. Aria features a combination warhead of an initial 150 kg shaped charge pentrator, followed by a 300 kg main warhead (which can be either unitary conventional or thermobaric), in order to increase the missiles effectiveness even against dug in and armoured targets, like bunkers and capital surface combattants. Guidance can be provided mid-flight via satelite, sensorics include a synthetic apperture radar and high resolution FAERIE quantum-well infrared photodetectors for terminal target acquisition. In order to successfully filter out noise and identify the target, the Aria missile is equipped with the most advanced computer used up to this date in a Faraway missile.
 
In order to replace current Exocet missiles in use with non-capital surface combattants, LRT is now working on the Advanced Ship to Surface Attack Missile (ASSAM), which is designed to be lighter than the MdCN and Aria, but able to hit sea and land targets at reasonable range.

Edited September 7, 2013 by Evangeline Anovilis

[Evangeline Anovilis]

 

Almace Multiple Launch Rocket System

 

Weight: 10 tons

Length: 7.00 metres

Width: 2.90 metres

Height: 2.60 metres

Crew: 3 (Commander, driver, gunner)

 

Armour: reinforced to withstand small arms fire

Main armament: Zeller Mk.I Rocket Launch Module

Secondary Armament: Windsor Arsenal 14 mm heavy vehicle machine gun (500 rounds)

Engine: Detroit Diesel 6V53T (275 hp)

Maximum speed on-road: 90 km/h
Maximum speed off-road: 60 km/h
Operational range: 500 km, 700 km with additional fuel tanks

 

With the Almace, Zeller Rocket and Missile Science has produced its first conventional product for the armaments market. The Almace is intented to be Faraway's standard rocket artillery and combines long range with devastating firepower and extreme flexibility. Consisting out of a simple Zeller launch module mounted on a reinforced wheeled chassis, the Almace will be cheaper in acquisition as well as maintainance than normal gun artillery, while providing valuable rocket barrages on short notice.

 

The Rocket Launch Module of the Almace can be outfitted to carry a plethora of different caliber rockets, including the ZR-128, ZR-180, ZR-180G, ZR-300A, ZR-300B and ZR-300G. In addition to unguided rockets, the module can be equipped with a ZM-1 medium-range cruise missile for precision strikes. Ranges vary, to the point that the maximum range of the smallest rocket ZR-128 (30 km) is just merely above the minimum range of the largest, the ZR-300B (29 km). The rockets can be equipped with different warheads, such as HE-FRAG, thermobaric and special submunition.

 

The ZM-1 is a subsonic cruise missile and the Almace can carry 2 per vehicle. Intented as a stand-off weapon against high-value targets and enemy fortifications, the ZM-1 has a range of 300 km and is propelled by an inexpensive turbojet. Overall, the missile is built out of less sophisticated technology than the MdC used by the RFAF, which makes it a cheaper alternative, but not a full replacement. The guidance is also given solely via satelite. Warhead possibilities include a 200 kg unitary explosive or bomblet submunitions for area damage and denial.

 

The chassis is a wheeled 6x6 all-terrain vehicle, in order to ease maintainance costs and giving high on-road speed. Off-road mobility is also well retained and combined with the Almace's ability to switch from movement to firing or from firing to moving again in less than 30 seconds, allows for quick strikes on the enemy while avoiding counter-battery fire. The chassis is reinforced with composites to give a minimum measure of protection against small arms fire and splinters.

 

Range table:

 

Rocket / Caliber / Range / Amount of rockets per module

 

ZR-128 / 128 mm / 9-30 km / 32

ZR-180 / 180 mm / 15-35 km / 16

ZR-180G / 180 mm / 15-45 km / 16

ZR-300A / 300 mm / 22-90 km / 4

ZR-300B / 300 mm / 29-150 km / 4

ZR-300G /300 mm / 29-165 km / 4

 

G indicates GPS guided rockets.

Edited September 8, 2013 by Evangeline Anovilis

[Evangeline Anovilis]

 

Chris the Drunken Fairy AAMP (Air-air-moyen-portée)

 

With a planning history even longer than the Aria, having been under development for at least 15 years by LRT, Lennartz presents the Chris,a highly capable beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM). The Chris provides range and versatility for modern air combat. A ramjet motor accelerates the Chris to little above Mach 4, with a range of 180-200 km when tested from Faraway Tawny multirole fighters. It is only marginally larger than some other BVRAAMs, with a diameter of 200 mm and a length of 3.6 metres and weighs about 230 kg.

 

The Chris combines two guidance modes to allow effective use of its range. Before launch, the Chris is fed information on the target via two-way datalink with the aircraft, allowing the missile to calculate an interception course. This set of data will afterwards be periodically revised and corrected via mid-course updates with the launch aircraft. The missile will continue this periodical update until the seeker head acquires the target, upon which the missile will act autonomously. Alternatively, the missile can be fired in a fire-and-forget mode, which provides no mid-course updates and leaves the missile on original course until it autonomously acquires the target. This second mode is less useful against targets that are highly likely to change their course in drastic manners, but increases the chances of the launch aircraft to turn and escape before retaliatory strikes can be initiated.

 

The Chris' seeker head consists out of an active synthetic apperture radar, which will search for enemy aircraft once the missile is activated. Additionally, a computing unit by FAERIE Systems is responsible for data evaluation and storage and gives advanced ECCM capabilities to prevent successful jamming of the missile. The computing unit will, as mentioned before, switch between mid-course update and autonomous guidance once it recognises a valid target, will however fall back to updates should the target break the lock-on successfully. If programmed to do before launch, Chris can also be linked to sources of targetting data other than the launch aircraft, for example more forward deployed aircraft, drones, land-based radar or other such systems compatible with the data network.

 

For increased maneuverability, the Chris missile uses grid fins to allow for a higher control surface area while keeping radar return and weight low. The Chris missile posesses an incredible agility and can perform high-G maneuvers, turning up to 150°/s. This high agility allows the missile to be useful in a greater variety of situations and decreases the ability of enemy aircraft successfully evading Chris.

 

The warhead is 20 kg of blast-fragmenting high-explosives.

 

Chris was developed as a missile that is versatile in its use and will not only provide a new BVRAAM. As an adaption of Chris the Drunken Fairy, LRT also has presented Chris the Upstart Fairy, as a surface-launched version with 30 km range. This system will replace the SL-AMRAAM in Faraway service.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

RFN infrastructure expansion program

 

With the number of ships in the service of the Royal Faraway Navy is ever increasing, the funding of additional infrastructure to support the ships has been greenlit. The RFN with its 6 carriers, 5 battleships, 4 battlecruisers, 18 frigates, 21 corvettes, 7 amphibious assault ships, 10 attack submarines, two dozen patrol boats and a number of support ships currently is mostly stationed in and around Halifax, in the Great Lakes or at Val-Vert Groenland. The expansion of existing naval facilities aims at solving the mess that currently is the RFN base system and to ease the concentration of ships in Halifax.

 

The first part of the program will aim at the reopening of FFB Cornwallis, with the expansion of its capacities to accommodate larger parts of ocean-going non-capital ships, such as corvettes, frigates and maybe even destroyers, as well as the training facilities for the sailors manning these naval assets. Infrastructure now located in Halifax will partly be returned to Cornwallis. In addition, Advocate Harbour, Acadia is to be developed into a new naval base for the stationing of frigates, destroyers, cruisers, battleships and amphibious assault ships, as well as support vessels. Fleet carriers will stay in Halifax, with a small force of smaller vessels and logistical support.

 

The second part will entail expansion of the base in Val-Vert to hold 6 destroyer-sized ships and 10 submarines. Bases on the Cayman islands have been considered, but ultimatively the assets were deemed too little to be of great strategic value and basing in the Caymans would be more prone to first strikes than other options.

 

As a third part, the naval infrastructure is to be made defensible by hardening electronic infrastructure against enemy EMP attacks. Recent conflicts show the potential damage and willingness of enemies to utilise nuclear electro magnetic pulse weapons in attempts to disrupt forces of order and it has thus been deemed necessary to prevent a total loss of most naval infrastructure by comparably little cost. Back-up systems are to be kept in place, as to provide redundancy in case of losses that could not be prevented. In order to defend against direct attack by air or sea, fortified gun and missile emplacements are being planned to deny the enemy access to the Bay of Fundy, the Gulf of Saint-Lawrence and the Hudson Bay, as these three areas are designed as options for possible retreat. Exact plans are still to be drawn up, however plans are for the usage of fortified coastal emplacements equipped with either artillery (considerations are for 200-400 mm naval guns, 76 mm and 127 anti-aircraft guns) or missiles (Aria and Chris missile systems).

 

As fourth and last part, the FFB in Greenwood, providing air cover for most of these installations is to be expanded by adding another two runways of 2.8 km length and 1 runway of 2 km length. Additionally also here infrastructure has to be hardened against possible enemy EMP attack and both base and aircraft have to be protected. The amount of aircraft stationed in Greenwood is to be increased and additional hangars to be built to accommodate at least 120 aircraft. Also here, anti-air artillery and missile systems are envioned for added protection.