From: Glenn M Wilson <triphibious@j...>
Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2001 20:38:51 EST
Subject: Future Wet Water Navy structure: Re: [OT] A variety of terminology/history questions
> On Thu, 6 Dec 2001 19:16:04 EST JRebori682@aol.com writes: <snip> > By the way, Anyone got any ideas on what wet navies might look like The Vacc-heads think (maybe rightly I tend to disagree) surface ships (other then glorified Coast Police roles) would be toast to Space ships (Although I only remember Oertillery mentioned in the ground strike role of DS 2 and how many scenario 'invasion fleets' include such ships?) but Beth referenced that Submarine vessels could/would have some strong reasons to exist. And someone else suggested submarine merchants (although shallow water non-combatants, IIRC) a possibility. The thread dealing with super-cavitation (again IIRC) postulated subs using (via self or weapons) such technology and acting as underwater fighters (back to my very minority view of space belong to the Aerospace forces derived from the pre-space Air Forces!) for combat. Weaponry would be modified from FT systems I expect for ease of moving to another rule book (right after DS3, FT3, FMA, and Bugs Don't Surf editted prepublication by Beth and Derek's now grown children.) Beams might be 'underwater only' varieties to reflect different (for lack of the right word) 'frequencies'? Replace MTM/SM with Supercavitation "Missile Torpedoes"? What Needle Beams? SMP would be replaced by supercavitating miniature traditional torpedoes? Or rocket driven unguided supercavitating warheads? Beth had mentioned a while ago in her underwater rules some color graded Laser weapons, again IIRC. And my latest madness; the Navy has been talking about a fire support ship using low superstructure, stealth (?), and VLS "fire support missiles" (what is the name of those!?) to give Marines some fire support bigger then 5" guns without bringing back the "shore support or sink" designs of all gun ships. SO you get SM type weapons when surfaced for shore bombardment/landing support and secondary systems (or less effective versions of SM's) for underwater sub (ship) to sub (ship). All underwater combat (except for supporting landings) would require a new game mechanic I would think. Sort of like "everybody is cloaked until detected" space scenarios. Maybe that's why Mr.Tuffley has avoided that. Or maybe the IC/OU war involving "Gun Skimmers" has become the de facto method of sea control warfare. I sure hope not! Gracias,