SRA Military Developments and Projects

[Markus Wilding]

Construction of new bases has finished in Florida, Kansas, Michigan, and Georgia, with the following bases to begin construction in Alabama, New York, and Kentucky:

Naval Station Mobile
USAAF Base Albany
Fort Campbell
Redstone Arsenal

[Markus Wilding]

With the end of active combat in the Rocky Mountains, the SRA has turned to rebuilding and rearming. Primarily, the new M211 Infantry Fighting Vehicle has been sent to front-line Marine units in China, and the Enterprise has been commissioned for active service. Units involved in combat at Salt Lake City, Montana, Phoenix and Las Vegas have been rotated out as occupation duty transfers to the National Guard.

In response to the growing capability of enemy air defense networks and the need for rapid redeployment rather than strategic holding, the Airborne will receive two new transports - the lightly armed UH-3 Aleut and properly armed UH-4 Navajo. These two helicopters will serve as the primary means of moving American airborne from battlefield to battlefield, securing their landing zone with machine gun fire and rocket pods as well as engaging enemy armored units. The lessons learned from previous conflicts have shown that the Airborne cannot be constrained by large transports and easily shot down mass paradrops - these have their place, but in general, the way forward is with armed helicopters paving the way.

[Markus Wilding]

Due to the reorganization of the Socialist Republic Army plan of 1968, orders have been placed for the production of new vehicles for the Army. Now, at least 22 divisions will now be outfitted with the M211 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, while several new army groups have been created to ease administrative issues and provide a more flexible strategy in the future when considering deployments against enemies of the Revolution. Further ordered was a unit of new nuclear-powered submarines, the Benjamin Franklin-class.

[Markus Wilding]

Given the increasing likelihood of satellites necessary for national defense falling out of orbit, NASA has ordered the construction of 12 new communications satellites, 8 new VISINT satellites, and 8 new SIGINT satellites. These are expected to be ready for launch in 1968.

[Markus Wilding]

By the orders of President Connally, the 1st Fleet has been deployed to the Indian Ocean. It is expected this cruise will be relatively short and little action will take place.

[Markus Wilding]

The SRAAF has initiated a project called GUNSHIP, whose purpose it shall be to modify large ships such as the common C-130 frame to mount weapons for a direct aerial fire support role against concentrated groups of infantry. Indeed, the primary purposes of this project will be to greatly increase the ability of the SRAAF to respond to ground attack requests without sending an entire wing of overarmed B-52H aircraft or risking bombers in a fighter-bomber role. For now, experiments have shown the C-130 frame can only accept two 7.62mm miniguns and one 20mm rotary cannon, though experts predict this armament can be increased in the future.

[Markus Wilding]

Due to losses and unsatisfactory combat performance, the SRN has ordered new Belknap-class cruisers and the new Pensacola-class of cruisers to replace Leahy-class cruisers which are currently serving in the 1st Fleet.

[Markus Wilding]

New radars in Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan and Alabama have completed construction and are operating at peak efficiency. Likewise, expanded facilities in Georgia, Kansas, Michigan and Florida are operational. Meanwhile, replacement of the M57 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage has finished, and no new models are expected to be produced. Retired systems will be given as military aid to friendly allied nations.

The Socialist Republics Army is now up to 95% total strength following losses sustained in previous campaigns.

[Markus Wilding]

The SRA has ordered two new OTH radar sites, scheduled to cover gaps in the Northeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Two sites are to be built in New York, while the other will be in Florida. Two additional OTH radar sites, intended to cover the West Coast, with one site in Arizona and the other in Idaho. These sites are expected to become operational in 1970.

New airbases are slated to be built in Montana, Nevada, and New Mexico to protect American strategic forces from first strike attempts. These hardened hangars and structures are expected to be operational in 1969. Additionally, in order to properly communicate with the SRA's vast submarine fleet, two new ELF antennas and three new VLF antennas have been ordered.

With a new budge came another expansion - Blackwell Academy has been founded near Chicago, specializing in teaching new officers the skills needed to join the Airborne upon graduation. Members of the 101st and 82nd Airborne have been assigned to make up the cadre, and each member of both of these divisions will serve at least one year of their duty contract in this school as a technical advisor and teacher. Furthermore, the SRA has ordered several new nuclear submarines, as well as a new series of LPH ships for the SRN. It is expected all ships will enter commission by 1970.

[Markus Wilding]

The SRA has begun initial planning operations for Operation Whistleblower, as well as preliminary exploratory options for Operation Eye Opener. It is expected that the SRA will be able to act on these operations within the beginning of April 1968.