[Research Megathread] Marrish R&D

[Artsy Astra]

With multiple project split between several teams under the watchful eye of the department of Research and Development, a reorganization effort was made to better keep the groups together and organize them.

--OOC--
I'll be putting a list of all my current research threads here before the rest of the mega threads content on other projects to keep everything easier for mods to find with threads that have already been made.
Radio Development
Pre-War CNRC Vehicle Development
Nevarran-Marrish Captured Weapon Research
Tank Vertical and Horizontal stabilizers
Chemical Weapons Research
Gas Masks, armor, and PPE research
Walker Research with Lusatia
CN tank Development Thread


From this point on, all new project posts will be made within this thread, previous threads that are with other nations will run their course, and will be added to this list to keep things easier to see and find for the mod team. Y'all are awesome and do great stuff!

[Artsy Astra]

Project 'New Blood'
With Success' made with the TM-32L and previous conception of an enlarged TM-32, the Marrish R&D board was tasked with finally taking the next step. A 'light' tank. Building off both concepts to make a new slightly larger and more versatile vehicle that retained the Tankettes speed while further bolstering its armor and crew space better than the "Large Tankette" concepts tried to accomplish.

The XTM-35.

A step up in Marrish tank development that wanted to reduce the reliance on a more cramped class of armored vehicle. Using the same 50mm gun as the TM-35L 'Dodger' with modifications to further increase the speed of the round up to around 850 m/s. It would feature a 4 man crew: Commander/Radioman, Gunner, Loader, Driver. Engineers would be tasked with making sure it could reach a speed of atleast 25 MPH, and its frontal hull armor would need to be atleast 60mm.
(Light tank creation project)

The 'New Blood' development team would also work closely with the radio development team to accommodate space for a radio integration in the future should the project not produce a producible unit before the tanks completion. 

Project 'Renovo'
Other projects would be brought about concerning equipment longevity. Using lessons learned in the reverse engineering of Galran firearms optimizations on current designs would be made for production streamlining, part endurance, and overall equipment integrity to ensure Marrish firearms continued to be unrivalled in quality. What could not be made up for with sheer manpower would be made up with the equipment Marrlan would issue to its troops.
Specific firearms that would be getting this quality update first were:
The SAIR-31
The IR-25
The NHG-34 'Pitcher Joe'
The HATR-31
The MPM-31
and the HSM-31
(Project to reduce production costs and increase reliability without reducing equipment quality.)

Project 'Can Opener II'
Following further disparity in Marrish and Grinvish armor, another project was drawn up to further alleviate the woes of infantrymen everywhere. A new grenade type, or rather, altogether projectile custom made to work with the Pitcher Joe launcher was concepted. A shaped charge launched by the launcher with a much shorter harpoon to reduce weight and increase range and speed. The project would begin ASAP to further close the armor gap. (Shaped charge aka HEAT round development/research)

[Artsy Astra]

With the CN having more and more needs for armored solutions, Marrlan continued its development of the TM-14 Landship. Hoping to use its simpler construction as a perfect export testbed, more optimizations of its engine, transmission, and layout were concepted along with minor hull changes and turret alterations. Other technologies like stabilizers were integrated, and thanks to the old Trade Compact with the UKUG, some radios were acquired while Marrlan's domestic project was still chugging along.

XTM-14A2 concept vehicle with CN markings.
(Tank Upgrade Project)

[Artsy Astra]

The best and brightest of all Marrish armor design, if not already spared for Project New Blood, would be assigned to Marrlan's growing line of Medium Tracked Machines. Reports from field use were quickly processed from Harbaville's grueling slog and brought to every egghead possible in Marrish vehicle R&D.
The Canner needed an upgrade.
While it was preforming well, further enhancements were required to make it the vehicle it deserved to be.
The Technical specification for alterations and features in the TM-35A1 are as follows:
60mm main gun, .30-06 coaxial machine gun, a roof mounted .50 for commander use, a spotlight for commander use. Turret frontal armor increased to 70mm with an effective thickness of 110mm on the turret cheeks, and 205mm on the front roof. Cannon base plate thickness increased to 90mm. Main gun (TMC-60mm-M1)barrel length increase by 1 meter increase of muzzle velocity to 817m/s with an effective penetration of up to 116mm of armor, space optimization and "fat trimming" effort.
Engine and transmission improvements result in a higher top speed of 27MPH (If speed limiter disengaged top speed of 33 but risks engine overstress). Able to reverse at 16MPH in less than 1.80 seconds for ease of escape and maneuvering.)
Neutral steering improved upon, very responsive.
Suspension system improved, smoother ride to aid crew comfort and stabilizer effectiveness.
All-rounder capability in most environments and terrain, master of none adequate at all.
Ground pressure issue was found to be bogus, tracks were wide enough to accommodate weight and have not been altered other than being thickened by 1mm.
Upper front plate was flattened to make a singular flat surface, new UFP was thickened to 55mm and angled at 55 degrees for an effective thickness of 111mm.
Lacks radio, compensated for with 2-inch signal smoke mortar. Purchases from the UKUG and domestic development being looked into to remedy this during the project or shortly after. A "Radio Box" has been added to the outside of the turret to allow more space within while accommodating a future addition.
Vertical and Horizontal gun stabilizer. (Maintained from previous variant)
Multiple hatches for crew escape, additional one added to roof for loader.
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.)

XTM-35A1 Canner Test bed.
(Tank Upgrade Project)
(Cannon Upgrade Project)

[Artsy Astra]

In an attempt to further curtail the efficacy of enemy air elements on Marrish forces, new anti-aircraft vehicles and guns were commissioned. (AA Vehicle Research Project)

The GPLAV platform was again used as a base to carry 6 HSM-31's on a turret mounted in the rear of the vehicle.

SPAATV-35X

The second platform used the AUTV-32 'Packer' as a base. Without need to carry crew, space was used for a turret that housed a quad 37mm auto cannon array and accompanying ammo.

AAAV-35X

With these two projects, a further drive to make shells that utilize a proximity fuse were commissioned. Direct hits are much harder to achieve, and as such a shell able to explode near a target was needed to better engage enemy aircraft. Timed fuses and altitude fuses were utilized, but had not met expectations.
Two primary ideas were explored:
The first was some form of optical sensor that would detect the aircraft and project two images, one very large the other very small, to a very rudimentary brain. Once the disparity between the images was great enough, the shell would detonate.
The second was a small radio sensor that would transmit a small signal that, upon approaching an aircraft, would generate interference. Once an interference threshold was met, the shell would detonate.
(Proximity Fuse Research Project)



A new AT rifle was also commissioned in light of Grinvel's heavier armor, and while adequate the previous AT rifle could use an upgrade. (AT Rifle Research Project)

A semi-automatic anti-material rifle chambered in 20mm RHC, firing either explosive rounds for destroying less hardy components or cup saboted solid shot to penetrate the vehicle itself, from a 6 round side mounted box magazine. The barrel sits in a water jacket with a heatshield to increase cooling ability in case water is depleted or low. The stock has a strong spring to reduce recoil  impact upon the user, and the bolt has a buffer system to further reduce internal wear. Finally, it features a scope and accompanying mount for longer distance engagement of armor and infantry in a marksman role.

HATR-35X