[Con/Dev Megathread] The Foundry Horn Sounds

[Artsy Astra]

Marrish reports of invasion flooded all forms of internal communication. Word, Telegram, Letter, and even the very few Telephone lines between government. Production centers received a flood of orders from Marrlan High Command for all types of equipment, but the most requested was that of the new fangled tracked machines.

An order for 800 Tankettes  (400 TM-32's, 400 TMJ-32), 60 Heavy Tanks(TM-32H), 200 Landships, 250 Warsharks, 100 Rosark Starwolfs, 500 Recon Planes, and 4,000 Supply Trucks was made.

The engineers at Aberdeen were ordered to make a stopgap design while other tracked machine development started up again. An officer suggested an upgrade package for the existing TM-14 while another suggested a new vehicle that shared a hull with a more advanced design for ease of production. Both Ideas were accepted, but development of the upgrade package secured more focus as there were many more TM-14's in circulation and allies who were also using the design who could benefit from its more lax production requirements.

[Artsy Astra]

The first project to bear fruit, unsurprisingly, would be the TM-14 upgrade project. The TM-14E2 had removed excess crewmembers, added enlarged and improved the engine, and added a High Velocity (739 m/s - 2424  fps) 60mm gun and turret in the reallocated crew space, added better ventilation, and replaced the large roof mounted HTM's with smaller chunkers in pintle mounts on the top hatches. Further changes like a powertrain swap and another hull remap were concepted, but deemed to drastic to remain a cheap stopgap measure. Testing would begin as soon as a new TM-14 was rolled off the assembly line.


The APDCS (Armor Piercing Discarding Cup Sabot) round initially concepted 3 years prior would also see expanded production as the Grinvelian Tracked Machine menace had truly reared its head, their heavy armor proving more than an equal match for Marrish tanks.

[Artsy Astra]

Progress continued to build as 2 working prototypes of the TM-14E2 had finished. It showed some crew space issues, which would have to be worked out but the fact it worked was a blessing. The turret also had some traversal problems, with the motor not being strong enough to slew the turret at an acceptable pace. Ammo was also moved into the floor to reduce a penetrating hit striking the shells and detonating the tank.

Another was started, similarly quick in pace. Armored cars were needed to bridge the armor number gap. As such, the GPLAV was looked to for a new variant to ease development time and production line strain.
Using the GPLAV-UA as a base, the engine was moved to the rear and more armor was added to the front (Roughly 15mm's). The spare wheel was removed and the hull was altered to allow the top and bottom sections to be produced more easily. A turret was pulled from the TMJ-32 and placed on the new hull with the same internals. Testing and concepting would continue before a actual prototype could be made, but a wooden mock up from the original GPLAV project was being modified to better visualize the upgrade process and get a feel for how it would preform.

[Artsy Astra]

The sounds of the forge filled the Eastern Marrish country side. The pistons rang out like pianos, the clang of presses and hammers the drums, the groan of machine and man alike the choir. A symphony of industrial might, working towards a single purpose. Survival.
A new order was brought along by Marrish High Command following the losses at Ferville:
1,200 Supply Trucks, 900 trucks for Motorized Regiments, 900 Mortars, 700 Field Artillery, 700 Howitzers, 100 Siege Artillery Batteries, 100 CAS planes (Assblasters), 50 Warsharks, 100 Tankettes, 30 Heavy Tanks (TM-32H), 40 Landships.
Additionally, 30 Armor Factories, 15 Arms Factories, 12 Motor Factories, and 50 Aircraft Factories were commissioned.


Marrish R&D projects were progressing swimmingly, especially with the information provided by the battle of Flatrood. The TM-14E1's new engine showed great promise, despite weight concerns, it pushed the its top speed to 16MPH on road, and 10MPH offroad. With the extra crew members and other guns removed, save for the 2 forward facing ones, the void they left was filled appropriately and efficiently. The new GPLAV variant, now dubbed the GPLAV-HSV/TMD (Heavy Support Variant/Tracked Machine Destroyer), has also made heady way. A working prototype has finished and trials are being conducted. Full spectrum environmental testing is both impossible due to Roskana's invasion cutting off extreme cold weather condition tests, and time constraints on the design team forcing them to make some shortcuts. Reliability and ergonomics testing will continue to previous standards.

New projects had begun as well. The TM-32 was proving useful alongside its cousin, but Grinnish tanks still outmatched them and other units. To cut costs, 2 light tanks designs were concepted. A outright upscale and improvement of the TM-32, and a brand new light tank to better maneuver and flank Grinnish vehicles. The TM-32A1 project would start with a wooden mockup and further concepting alongside its sibling project nicknamed the "Canner."

Prototype TM-32A1 upscaled prototype with Koi Defense front Markings.

TM-34 "Canner" Prototype with Marrlan Defense front markings.

Following information from Flatroods 4 month slog, revisions in the air corps were also brought up. The Gaelic Starwolf had proved its mettle and would most definitely continue production and futher chances for improvement. The lone Warshark was looked too for a maneuverable counterpart for strike capabilities to better assist infantry. The Albatross also enjoyed a drive to try and improve upon it with a new engine and Rolbeck .50's to replace the MPM-31's.

Warshark Strike Variant Concept

Albatross Upgrade Concept


Finally the infantry. Production of current arms continued as demand increased.  Beast Hunter and Marine Shocktroops were effective but lacked something. The Beast Hunters being heavy shock infantry were able to get by with their machine guns, but couldnt settle in for sustained assaults without rest due to their weight. Even a full sized 9' Rel needed a break lugging everything around. A new compact machine gun for easier clearing of buildings and fortifications was needed in the dense city fighting to come, and to reduce strain on the average soldier. John Rolbeck and Higgins were both contracted for the project, codenamed "Chatterbox". Higgins for their fondness for small caliber arms, and Rolbeck for their quality production methods. A new shotgun was also commissioned to replace the lackluster CCW-20. 

Rolbeck Chatterbox Prototype Compact Machine Gun X-08


Higgins Chatterbox Prototype Compact Machine Gun X-18


Rolbeck 800 Series Shotgun Prototype

[Artsy Astra]

In the face of mounting adverse conditions, more eccentric designs are chosen. Marrish DoD designers, faced with the new pressures being applied to tracked machine, attempted to alleviate this stress with a new locomotive idea. Legs. The 'Armored Hen" project would begin concepting for a vehicle that could more easily operate in an urban environment, being able to shoot over shorter buildings and move through rubble that would otherwise be impassable. It would use a modified variant of the TM-32J's turret that had more crew comfort in mind. The difficulty came when trying to fit both an effective engine design, and leg motors within a confined space while allowing space for both the turret basket and driver. A wooden mechanical mixed mockup would be constructed to test configurations beyond the drawing board, but it would take awhile to develop the legs themselves. The project team took to calling them 'BP's' for short, and it seemed stick.


Marrish Bipedal Support Platform (BSP-34X) 'Ostrich' Concept

[Artsy Astra]

Further investigation into city fighting has given further ideas in formidable structure clearing and area denial. Fire. A reaction that has been weaponized since its initial harnessing before recorded history. Now the question was how and it what form.
A concept for a projection platform was brought to the table and approved for further testing, but another problem arose. Some structures are tougher than others, and while close quarters weapons could be used to clear them, outright denying the enemy their use should an attack fail or limiting manpower used to disable said emplacement could prove useful. As such, thermite was integrated into design planning, and a basic anti-emplacement explosive was made in addition to the projection platform as both a companion and a way for more troops to be able to utilize them.

Prototype Anti Infantry and Emplacement Projection Platform (AIEPP) 1934

The projector could either be used to fire gasoline, diesel, or some type of flammable jelly for area denial and anti emplaced infantry use. Or it could project a stream of thermite gel onto a target before a companion stream of gas, diesel, or gel was fired afterwards to ignite it. Both variants worked on a similar chassis with multiple overlapping components, but the second design had a secondary tank that stored the thermite gel and a stream switch system to swap between from said thermite gel and normal fuel.

Prototype Anti Emplacement Incendiary Device (AEID)

The third design was a gel dispersal and ignition grenade that upon detonation would coat an area in the gel then ignite it. Designers quickly realized this could be used for anti armor purposes and a sticky variant was also concepted either using an adhesive or magnets.

The last to come from the thermal weapons program, now codenamed "Wickerman", was to convert existing White Phosphorus smoke grenades into anti infantry incendiary weapons. Simply increased the amount within the grenade and added an explosive charge to spread the material over an area rather than slowly release the vapor.

[Artsy Astra]

The Armored Hen project continued but ran into its first set of issues. Namely, powered/electric turret traversals. The current traversal motors, while adequate, have been deemed too sluggish for the Hens and as such are being improved. The added stability issue of a moving gun platform that must deal with increased sway has also caused a request for some form of stabilizer to be developed and research has begun on at minimum a single-axis stabilizing mechanism. Development of the legs was showing slight progress with a basic hydraulic system being devised to make a walking mockup, weight distribution issues however caused one of the pistons to fail and explode.

The TM-14E1 continued to show promise and made decent progress with modified vehicles being tested with crews to get feedback from the actual men and women who would end up using them. The GPLAV project had further tests with prototype vehicles in mock towns and buildings alongside the TM-14E1.

The TM-32A1 project had a setback after the main testbed was lost in a car accident while in transport. A secondary testbed was thankfully already around for use, but does not have the same tweaks and components as the original main and will need to be brought up to spec. The TM-34 project would continue its conception stage and borrow some engine improvements made in the TM-14E2 project to improve upon the engine prototype. The wooden mockup had been made and was being used to better tweak dimensions and projected component placement.

The Airforces combined Warshark and Albatross upgrade would continue to build off of each other with frequent sharing between the teams. The albatross gained a new chassis usurping its old skin entirely. While not the cheapest option, and overall improvement was valued more over the volume of aircraft. The Pusher engine used in the Warsharks Strike variant proved just as powerful in a traditional configuration if not slightly more on the Albatross A2. Full-scale prototyping of both would begin soon.

Rolbeck's Chatterbox prototype was a hit with the troops that used it. The usual Rolbeck quality was expected and delivered. Troops found it both fun to shoot, and quite controllable thanks to the buffer system in its stock. Clocking in at only 38 inches, it was quite easy to use in close quarters and maneuver with in cramped environments. The Higgins prototype, while crude, was also liked. It tended to buck much more than the Rolbeck design as it had no buffer, but the collapsing stock gave it an edge over the Rolbecks fixed stock, allowing even further freedom of use in enclosed spaces. At 36 inches long uncollapsed and 25 Collapsed, it remained a less liked but still reliable building sweeper. The Rolbeck shotgun was the only small arm to run into significant issue. The loading gate and tube spring had both been designed strangely and feeding issues were common requiring some adjustments.

Project Wickerman continued with mild success with prototype AEID's proving quite effective against emplacements. Test targets that were reinforced with metal or concrete had been heavily damaged when the gel ignited, however, getting the gel to ignite had been a problem. The secondary ignition stage of the grenade had a 40/60 chance of successfully igniting or just leaving the gel all on its lonesome and the team went back to the drawing board to choose ignition agents. The AIEPP or simply the 'Imolator' had continued development with minor issues. A self-contained unit was not deemed sufficient as it had to little fuel to stay in the fight long enough. (Roughly 2.3 seconds of fuel.) A back-mounted supplementary take was designed and tested but generated concern among the soldiers tasked with using it. Sighting it as a significant target for enemy troops and a shrapnel magnet waiting to explode on someone's back. This was deemed a necessary risk for the trade-off, and trials continued.

[Artsy Astra]

The armored Hen project finally made some decent headway with a working prototype achieving not only an adequate traverse rate but a walking prototype with a roughly stabilized gun. The VAVGS and HAVTS systems were both implemented and worked effectively on the design. The recently improved electric traversal also allowed the other prototypes to benefit from an increased traversal rate of up between 3-5 degrees a second. The BSP-34X still had problems with attaining speeds higher than 18 MPH, and the legs had several reliability issues with the functioning but still inadequate hydraulic system. Both the legs and engine required some further tweaking to cap off the design, but for all intents and purposes, the next prototype could very well be the full production model.

The TM-14E1, now TM-14A1, was finished wholeheartedly and was ready for construction and conversion of existing models in the field. The modifications were complete and the test vehicle was the first of hopefully many to achieve a more reliable way of resisting Grinvelian imperialism.

The TM-32E1, now TM-32A1, had bounced back from its original setback and had finalized many of its improvements over the original pre-war design and was ready for the production line.

The Chatterbox was ready to start talking as it was finalized and blueprints rolled out to factories to produce.

The Wickerman was ready to burn with the incendiary arsenal reaching their peak. Further improvement to the Imolators backmounted tank design allowed a modified Beast Hunter chestplate and plating to be given to the wearer for added protection. The Beast Hunters themselves enjoyed this design as well allowing Marrlans shock troops to well and truly live up to their names as demons. All other weapons within the project were finalized and rolled blueprints out as well. Self-contained units remained a production item for 'one and done' tactics during assaults to supplement infantry so the heavier units that would be dedicated users could get reprieve and to spread the effectiveness around.

[EpicToaster1]

RECRUITMENT AND CONSTRUCTION STATUS

FIRST ORDER
400 TM-32 Tankettes - 350/400 Completed

400 TMJ-32 Tankettes - 160/400 Completed

60 Heavy Tanks - Completed - Don't know what specific type. You have TM-32 used for both a Tankette class and a Heavy Tank class.

200 TM-14 Landships - Completed

250 Warsharks - 30/250 Completed

100 Rosark Starwolfs - 40/100 Completed

500 Recon Planes - 60/500 Completed

4,000 Supply Trucks - Completed

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SECOND ORDER
1,200 Supply Trucks - Completed

900 trucks for Motorized Regiments - Completed

900 Mortars - Completed

700 Field Artillery - Completed

700 Howitzers - Completed

100 Siege Artillery Batteries - Completed

100 T-30A CAS planes - Previous Order of Aircraft Unfulfilled

50 Warsharks - Previous Order of Aircraft Unfulfilled

100 Tankettes - Previous Order of Tankettes Unfulfilled

30 Heavy Tanks - 10/30 Completed - Still Unsure of type

40 TM-14E2 Landships - 20/40 Completed - Post previous to the order spoke of a TM-14E2. Post with order stated TM-14E1. Don't know the difference or if just typo. It's type should be whichever [if they're separate things] was created prior to the order.

30 Armor Factories - 11/30 Completed

15 Arms Factories - Completed

12 Motor Factories - Completed

50 Aircraft Factories - 12/50 Completed

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THIRD ORDER
BSP-34X 'Ostrich' - Still in Prototyping

TM-14 / TM-14E2 to TM-14A2 Conversions - Not yet started

TM-32 / TM-32E1 to TM-32A1 Conversions - Not yet started

Rolbeck Chatterbox Compact Machine Gun - Factories Retooling

Wickerman White Phosphorous Smoke Grenades - Factories Retooling

[Artsy Astra]

With the passing of seasons, projects advanced as time was spent painstaking developing and testing. Concepting theorizing and putting thing into practice to see if they actually worked, and thankfully some of these things had bore fruit once more. While alittle late to the party, large gains on both Marrlan and Roskana pushed the government to announce a state of Total War and continue steps to mobilize the Republic against all threats.

The Ostrich was finished. With its hydraulic issues lessened but not entirely resolved, it was ready for its planned purpose of armored urban warfare. Able to peak above building and crouch behind them to hide, while crossing the difficult terrain that fallen buildings presented. Decent enough armor to survive blows from light armor, and speed mixed with the aforementioned ability to hide to avoid heavier armor. The final prototype would successfully pass a test within a mock town at the Aberdeen testing facility while also preferming adequatley in natural environments though this was an area that was more of an area for further improvment they hoped would come with an A1 variant after field data returned. An order would be placed for 300 units of the BSP-34 'Ostrich' (Light Mechanized Warriors). It was placed high on the priority production list right under the 'Canner'.

To reiterate its technical specifications:
37mm Gun, .30-06 coaxial machine gun, roof mounted .50 for commanders use.
Top Speed of 19 MPH (23MPH if speed limiter is disengaged but has potential to overstress and detonate leg hydraulic system.)
Exceptional maneuverability in city environments and in uneven tough rubble. (Rocky uneven terrain by extension.)
Adequate armor for an interwar light tank.
Lacks radio, compensated for with 2-inch smoke signal mortar.
Vertical and Horizontal gun stabilizer.


The TM-34 Canner made decent progress and had concluded with a working fully realized prototype. The R&D team had dubbed the it a new classification as the vehicle no longer matched the description of a heavy nor light tracked machine. Following data taken from reports at Nellrae and Flatrood, its classification would change to a 'medium tracked machine' (Medium Tank) for future reference. The prototype turned finished blueprint ready for final tests was... ambitious to say the least, but the team was confident in their work. An allrounder vehicle made to both engage enemy armor, and support infantry rather than specializing like previous designs. It also retained no environment specific design ideas or modofications making it suitable for every environment but not particularly strong in any of them. It distributted its weight well enough in soft terrain but issues could still arise based on the strength of the substance, its armor was heavier than most would consider for a medium but fell short of actually being heavy, its guns caliber was a middle ground between the potential explosive yield one could put in a shell and the penetrating power required for solid shot to penetrate armor. It was very much so in essense, the everyman workhorse. But for all the good ti could do, there were currently none of them. The DoD wished to rectify this with an order for 600 TM-34 'Canners' to be produced. They placed it highest on the priority list over the 'Ostrich' as they wanted something to combat Grinnish armor in time for the inevitable battle of Harbaville. Concepts like flanking Grinnish tanks with speed would be retained as to diminish the chances of head on fighting, but commands minds were open to change depending on performance.

To reiterate its technical specifications:
60mm main gun, .30-06 coaxial machine gun, a roof mounted .50 for commander use, a spotlight for commander use.
Top speed of 20MPH (If speed limiter disengaged top speed of 28 but risks engine overstress)
All-rounder capability in most environments and terrain, master of none adequate at all.
Slightly heavier than normal armor means ground pressure is a slight issue despite the wider tracks, track extensions are slated for production to negate this entirely.
Below adequate armor for a heavy interwar tank ((VERY good for a medium of that era)) (45mm frontal plate 70mm effective thickness due to angling.)
Lacks radio, compensated for with 2-inch signal smoke mortar.
Vertical and Horizontal gun stabilizer.
Multiple hatches for crew escape following data from Flatrood and continued data from Nellrae.
Ease of access to integral parts of engine and transmission via armored access doors and removable bolted plates. (Namely the lower front plates armored access doors, ((5mm thinner than rest of the plate, compensated for by angling for greater effective thickness.)) and the engine decks removable covers.)


The GPLAV-HSV/TMD (Heavy Support Variant/Tracked Machine Destroyer) Now nick named 'Timmy' to stow the word soup the engineers had come up for it was finished as well. A light support and armored scouting vehicle that could punch above its weight but not take the same heat. Able to engage infantry and light armor effectively while being the most mobile piece of armor Marrlan could field. While remaining true to the superstructure and most of the chassis for ease of production,  'Timmy' was clearly different from his cousins in the UA and standard GPLAV armored cars. While being on the biggest backburner of all the other projects. An order for 300 Armored Cars would be placed.

To reiterate its technical specifications:
37mm main gun, .30-06 coaxial machine gun.
Top speed of 22MPH. (24MPH with the speed governor removed, risks engine strain and potential explosion.) ((Performance barely squeaked to a similar level as the UA.))
Below adequate armor for a light tank (Barely above armored car, 15mm thick 40mm effective thickness due to angle.)
Shares parts with all other GPLAV platforms for ease of production and maintenance.
Vertical and Horizontal gun stabilizer.


Along with these orders, 100 non critical factories would be converted to armor factories, with an additional order of 30 new ones to be constructed to help facilitate the growing Tracked Machine fleet along with another order of 200 Landships (TM-14A1). Another 15 Chemical plants would also be commissioned to assist with the incendiary weapons production and bolster medical aid. 

[Artsy Astra]

With conventional warfare evolving into one of a chemically wasted battlefield, Marrlan would begin working on its Bromine weapon concepts and using its chemical production for more than just medicine and Wickerman weaponry.

Gas bombs holding liquid bromine with a timer were put in the process of being developed. The timer would start from the moment the bomb was dropped so that the liquid bromine could be spread into the open air where it would quickly evaporate and blanket a wider area in the deadly bronze haze as the heavier the air gas settled to the ground.

Wickerman grenades and standard smoke grenades would also be converted for production ease to host bromine gas.

Further more, the TM-32A1 was taken back to the drawing board for another update. The hull would be enlarged one last time to fully convert the 'Large Tankette' into an actual light tank.

An additional 35 Chemical plants were also commissioned to support the growing gas warfare doctrine. 10 more Armored factories were also commissioned.
More replacement orders were also filed following combat losses.
Land
50 Heavy Tanks
100 Medium tanks
150 Tankettes
200 Armored Cars
500 Howitzer Artillery
500 Siege Artillery
--
Air
50 Starwolves
50 Warsharks
--
Naval
6 Super Cruisers
10 Heavy Cruisers
15 Light Cruisers
20 Destroyers

[Artsy Astra]

With mounting air threats and a lack of diversity in anti-air options, Marrlan would begin pursuing mounting a custom turret onto the back of its supply trucks (JA/ATTGT-1932 "Ardent Bus") for mobile anti-air batteries and a smaller variant mounted on the ubiquitous GPLAV-1932 armored car. The supply trucks turret was to house 6 .50 cal HSM-31's, and the lighter armored car variant would only house 2 but be more maneuverable. Concepting would begin quickly as engineers rushed to finalize an initial design.

[Artsy Astra]

--OOC--
For future reference, this will be the Construction and development mega thread for Marrlan.

[Artsy Astra]

A production order for 30,000 Supply Trucks, 40,000 Mechanized Vehicles (AUTV-32's), 200 Armored Cars(GPLAV-HSV/TMD "Timmy's"), and 400 Light Tank Destroyers (MGP-32's) was placed. Marrlan would begin an attempt to further mechanize and motorize its army.

[Artsy Astra]

A production order for 120 Carrier Light Fighters and 120 Carrier Light Bombers was placed by the Marrish Navy, along with 2 more Light Aircraft Carriers, 20 Heavy Cruisers, 5 Super Cruisers, and 4 Fast Battleships.