Eutopian National Defense Technologies HQ

[Voshkod]

Memorandum from the Interim Director to Research and Development

Regarding point three of the recent memo laying out priorities, R&D should develop testbed models of a Coast Guard similar to the USCG Patrol Boat-class. No work should occur on a cutter/corvette model.

/s/Levarge

 

[Voshkod]

Memorandum from the Interim Director

To: Facilities Staff

To honor and in memory of Vice President Vilms, all flags at all ENDTech facilities will be flown at half-staff for thirty days.

/s/Levarge

 

[Estonianzulu]

A phone call comes into the offices of ENDTech, attempting to reach ENDTech Interim Director Levarge. The call requests a meeting between Levarge and BMI CEO Barak Mofaz at Director Levarge's most convenient time.

 

[Estonianzulu]

A non-descript man, of average height and build, enters the Endtech headquarters in Neuwestbaden. He removes his rather plain hat slowly. It is an aged hat, one that has obviously seen the sun on many occasions. Under the hat, the man reveals dark, slowly balding hair.

His long coat comes off next and is folded over the arm of his black business suit. He approaches the desk at the front office.

"Hello, I am here to see General Levarge at his nearest convenience. Tell him please that I am here to represent BMI and would like to do some business with him." The man says to the secretary. He has a rather thick accent, but not one that is easily placeable.

 

[Voshkod]

Mr. Mofaz is shown into a spartan conference room. A small coffee maker burbles in one corner. After a minute or two, another door opens. Levarge, dressed in his fatigues, steps in, crosses the room in a few quick strides, and shakes his hand.

"Mr. Mofaz. Thank you for coming by. What can ENDTech do for you?"

 

[Estonianzulu]

Mofaz rises to meet the man, and returns the shake.

"General, thank you for taking time out of your day to meet with me. I come with a proposition. I have read, and seen, that certain cutbacks were made to ENDTech. This is understandable. What you have done so far with so little is very impressive. I have heard only good things. But I fear that with such a strong focus on this, excuse me..." Mofaz turns to some papers he had set down. "Gorgon tank, and if you lift the embargo with the United States, then ENDTech may suffer more.

Here is where I wish to step in. You see, I am very fond of nationaly independant as well as private arms industries. It is unfortunate to see the lack of both here in Eutopia. It is here I wish to make changes. I wish to produce weapons. I understand that the government would be nervous about allowing this. But I will elaborate.

From what I have gathered, ENDTech enjoys success in heavy military equipment. But its current record on small arms, and infantry weapons is not great. As we both know, much of modern combat requires small arms as well. So, here is what I wish. I wish to work, under contract from ENDTech, to design and produce small arms and infantry weapons. Responsibility for the success or failure of this plan would be on me, not on ENDTech. It would also only take my personal resources, not the funding of ENDTech. What I am in reality asking for is permission from ENDTech to produce small arms and other weapons that are currently underdeveloped here in Eutopia."

 

[Voshkod]

Levarge poured himself a cup of (bad) coffee. "To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Mofaz, ENDTech isn't a monopoly. I can't prohibit you from manufacturing small arms, so I'm not certain why you would need my permission. If you're asking whether you can produce weapons under the ENDTech brandname or something, I'd have to see what you plan to produce."

 

[HJ Tulp]

Levarge poured himself a cup of (bad) coffee. "To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Mofaz, ENDTech isn't a monopoly. I can't prohibit you from manufacturing small arms, so I'm not certain why you would need my permission. If you're asking whether you can produce weapons under the ENDTech brandname or something, I'd have to see what you plan to produce."

OOC: Actually it has

 

[Estonianzulu]

"Of course, of course. I have some designs planned already. You see our first construction project is in this vein. I see Eutopia as a fertile ground for industry, and an arms industry is needed at this moment. Your nation is in need of a viable arms industry, and I plan to bring it one. I have some experience in management of arms industries, design is not my forte, but I have friends who could be more helpfull in this.

I would just like your ok that my company will be allowed to opporate and construct small arms. We would like to, as I said, contract underneat your offices, to avoid problems of competition between our industries as well as eleviate some problems people may have with a privately run arms industry."

 

[Voshkod]

"Mr. Mofaz, I'll pass your request up to the Minister with my recommendation for approval. A good small-arms industry native to Eutopia would benefit the country, both militarily and economically."

 

[Estonianzulu]

"Thank you General, you're approval is greatly appreciated."

 

[The_Hawk]

The phone rings. "General, Hawkton Tilly. A press release just crossed my desk from BMI. It makes references to preliminary R&D plans for producing the G36. I can't imagine a deal was worked out this quickly. Was it made clear to Mr. Mofaz that he should be securing a license to produce these weapons? The last thing I need is another lawsuit. Especially one that ruins what little diplomatic headway we've made this term."

 

[Voshkod]

Levarge sat in his office on an early Saturday morning, looking over reports. In influx of shipping and stocking personnel from the ENDZone stores had helped production efficiency to a surprising level by bringing in a "ground-level" view of certain matters. He picked up the R&D report and let out a low whistle. Again, addition of the marketing wizards had moved things forward. These people understood the need for results in a way the blue-sky guys didn't.

First, he dashed off a report to the minister. Then, several notes to the R&D and production boys.

To: Research and Development

Excellent work on the Hydra. We will be production of prototypes immediately.

New priorities:

1) Prototyping/testing for final production of MAGIC WALL and RANGE RUNNER.

2) Wavetank testing of prototype models for the cutter and minelayer.

3) Increased research on MANPADS and MANPATS. Leverage research to include vehicle launched versions.

4) Initial design specifications for two helicopter models. One, codenamed HARPY, along the general lines of the American MD-500 Defender. The other, codename VALKYRIE, along the lines of the American Blackhawk.

5) Research upgrades and life extension for existing combat aircraft in the arsenal.

To: Production

Immediate request for ten Hydras, as per attached specifications. Also, produce four Gorgons with MAGIC WALL technology for field testing.

HYRDA SPECIFICATIONS:

- 10 man crew: driver, gunner/commander, 8-man infantry squad.

- High ground clearance, greater then one meter

- 50-caliber Machine gun with ability to destroy light armored vehicles

- ATGM launcher, internally reloaded

- Swimmable; ability to sail in three-point weather directly from amphibious assault ships.

- Airdroppable and airliftable by helicopter.

- Fire-fighting system, air conditioning, pumps in the event of flooding, combat-endurable tires, NBC protection, engine control system for driver.

- Ability for infantry to ingress/egress from or into combat from side or top hatches

- MAGIC WALL compatibility.

- Quality electronics/optics (night-sights, fire control system, etc.)

- Ability for commander/gunner to fire all weapons without exposing himself to hostiles.

- Armor sufficient to reliably defeat rocket-propelled grenades.

- Armored compartment (ideally internal, but external is acceptable) carrying supplies for infantry squad -- primarily additional ammunition for MGs or heavy weapons (additional ATGMs, mortar rounds, etc.), possibly also basic first aid supplies, additional rations, etc.

- Shares a maximum of interchangeable parts with the Gorgon, if possible.

- 30mm gun.

- 30mm grenade launcher.

- Speed that matches Gorgon on-road and off-road.

 

[Voshkod]

Levarge is drafting a note to Production when the packing from the Inspector General arrives. He finishes his current work:

Production: Drop 30mm gun and grenade launcher from Hydra specs; retain for Hyrda-Assault specs. Produce 4 Hydra-Assault vehicles for testing.

/s/Levarge

. . . and then turns his attention to the report. The coversheet is marked SECRET. He lifts it, and starts to peruse the executive summary.

The usual. Mismanagement, overspending, poor accounting and personnel practices, minor misuse of funds. Our administrative changes should take care of that. He stifles a yawn, turns to the next page. Possible security lapses. Hmmm. That's important. Have to call the Minister, maybe get SAW involved. He continues, then freezes. Levarge quietly says "merde" to the empty room.

He fires up the secure line to the Hawk's Nest.

 

[unmerged(4271)]

A message is relayed to Gen. Levarge's secretary that a "sort of weather-beaten looking older man" dressed in black had stopped by the front desk asking about him, and extended an invitation for the General to stop by his front porch in St. Brendanstown sometime. He left what appeared to be a bona fide calling card at the front desk.

 

[Voshkod]

Levarge looked over the specs a final time:

Proposed Minesweeper/Mine-deployment Vessel

Material: Nonmagnetic Glass Reinforced Plastic
Displacement: 750 tons
Length: 60 metres
Beam: 10.5 metres
Draft: 2.2 metres
Speed: 15 knots
Complement: 45
Armament: 1 x 30mm gun, 2 x 20mm guns
Sonar: Mine hunting sonar, Avoidance sonar Submersible tracking sonar
Sensors: I band radar
Countermeasures: Remote control mine disposal system with 2 x remotely controlled submersibles, acoustic sweep - towed, magnetic sweep, mechanical sweep, remote control floating mine towing device
Deployment: Rear drops, moon pool
Propulsion: 2 x diesels developing 1900hp, 1 diesel for pulse generation and auxiliary drive, 2 shafts + bow thruster.

Proposed Coastal Cutter

Material: Aluminum
Displacement: 175 tons
Length: 41 meters
Beam: 7 meters
Draft: 2.4 meters
Speed: 28 knots
Sensors: I band radar
Propulsion: 2 x diesels developing 2500hp
Armament: 1 x 25mm Machine Gun, 2 x .50 Caliber Machine Gun, 2 x General Purpose Machine Gun[/b]

He closed the specs up in an envelope. Out in the yard, the huge 1/10 scale models were being loaded up in pieces on the trucks. Now it was Ourtime's problem to put the boats in the waves.

He had one set of 1/95 scale models put out in the ENDTech lobby. The other set was sent off to the Quadragon. On the bow of the minesweeper model was the name "Audacity." On the bow of the cutter was "Konstantine Vilms."

 

[unmerged(10397)]

O'Floinn walks into the lobby of the ENDTech HQ. Strolling across the floor, O'Floinn pauses to glance over several models of Eutopian vehicles. Nodding appreciatively, he walks over to the front desk, where he calmly stops when asked by security.

"Inform General Levarge that the Attorney General is here to see him."

 

[Voshkod]

With a feeling of dread in his stomach, Levarge opened the door to his modest office to the Attorney General.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Attorney General. You're here to talk about the class action suit? Can I get you some bad coffee?"

 

[The_Hawk]

A phone call comes in on a secure line from the Quadragon. "General, I just got the Audacity and Vilms-class models. They look excellent. Since things are moving along apace I have a couple of new projects for you. I know, there's still other stuff in the queue; don't worry, most of this can be appended to the end.

"First, I'd like to parlay your experience in naval design into a more ambitious project. Specifically, I'd like ENDtech to design, and OurTime to build, two oceanographic research vessels. I'm thinking something in the 3000-ton-displacement range, give or take 500 or 750 tons. Pathfinder and Thompson class ships are good bellweathers. I'm looking for the sort of thing capable of, I quote, 'physical, chemical, and biological oceanography; multi-discipline environmental investigations; ocean engineering and marine acoustics; marine geology and geophysics; and bathymetric, gravimetric, and magnetometric surveying.' Obviously, armament is unnecessary and speed can take a back seat to advanced equipment and lab space.

"Second, with the Hydra project coming along nicely we'll need to do something with our M113s. What I would like to do is first undertake to evaluate our stock and determine whether they're going to continue operating for the foreseeable future. Then I would like to refit the majority as M113A3+/M113A4 Engineering Support Vehicles. I would also like to refit a handful as M113A3+/M113A4 HazMat vehicles for our NBC teams."

"Third, is there any possibility one of the prototype Hydras can be outfitted with a armored shell locker in place of one of the infantry seats? The expected cargo would be 120mm mortar shells or 105mm howitzer shells. If it is feasible and doesn't hamper passengers moving about the cabin, I'd like to start that as a variant of the basic design. I would need 4 of every 21 Hydras built to be of that model.

"Hmm... there is one other matter, but I'll brief you on that in person. So that's it for now. I'm looking forward to our game on Saturday."

 

[The_Hawk]

"Oh, I nearly forgot. Please include in the near-future R&D cycle tests to assure that the Type 91 bridgelayers and Type 90 armored recovery vehicles we acquired from the Japanese are compatible with the production-model Gorgon IIs and any other military vehicles currently in use. It would be awfully embarassing to have a tank go toppling off the bridge the first time we tried to lay one in combat."