Commonwealth Navy: Difference between revisions

A large number of enlisted personnel are in the navy to complete their [[Assembled Commonwealth#National Service|National Service]], and therefore, only have to serve for two years. However, it's not unusual for this to be voluntarily extended to a full five-year tour or even a full Naval Career.

====The Navy====

The Navy is the senior branch in the Commonwealth Navy. It encompasses both the Aether fleet and “shoreside” installations such as the [[Idarast]] orbital defence stations, Uriele Anchorage, and the Gate defence network. The Aether fleet is the name given to all the mobile vessels of the Commonwealth Navy, these ships patrol Commonwealth-controlled space and various foreign trade routes.

The Picket flotilla operates exclusively within Commonwealth space, its vessels consist of small patrol craft that performs the Navies customs and inspections role, scanning and inspecting civilian vessels entering and travelling through Commonwealth space. The survey flotilla operates in unexplored territory, its vessels are lightly armed and instead carry extensive sensor systems and science equipment. Their main aim is to find interesting and potentially valuable resources that the Commonwealth can exploit. Recently the Survey Flotilla has been assigned to aid the newly founded Board for the Exploration and Colonisation of Uninhabited Systems.

{| class="wikitable"

|+ The vessels of the Navy can be divided into several distinct classes:

|-

| Escort carriers || Are smaller versions of fleet carriers, they usually carry half the amount of squadrons that a fleet carrier does. Escort Carriers are designed to carry out long-range raids or provide protection to trade routes.

|-

| Battlecruisers || Are designed to have the armour and the armament nearly comparable to a battleship but with the speed of a cruiser. The Battlecruiser class is the newest developed class of vessel in the Commonwealth Navy and only a few have been built.

| Auxiliary ships || The Commonwealth Navy employs a variety of Auxiliary ships from missile colliers and tankers to medical ships and Bulk Freighters. Auxiliary ships provide logistical support to the Fleets, allowing them to operate far from commonwealth space and friendly ports.

|}

====Commonwealth Marine Corps====

The Commonwealth Marine Corps encompasses the ground forces of the Commonwealth Navy. Utilised if operations require planetary surface control, the Marines are highly trained in a wide variety of planetary operations, anything from quick tactical strikes to full planetary invasions and temporary occupation.

A Marine Brigade is made up of three Infantry Battalions, one Armoured Battalion, one Artillery Battalion, and a single Support Battalion. The majority of Infantry Battalions are designated as Light or Mechanised Infantry, the difference being Mechanised infantry are deployed with Armoured Transports. Armoured Battalions in the Commonwealth Marines are equipped with a mix of T-60 (heavy tanks), GT-62 (Grav Tanks), and M-67 (Light Mechs). Marine Doctrine uses M-67s as recon units and infantry support, M-67s are relatively light in comparison to other militaries, the Marine corps values the mobility and ability to provide close support to infantry units over Heavy firepower. Artillery Battalions field a mix of heavy to light artillery pieces as well as anti-air systems. Support Battalions comprise the logistic elements needed to support Marine Corps operations, including medical support, supply transports, and Engineer companies.

====Commonwealth Naval Aviation Corps====

The CNAC operates the Commonwealth Navy’s small craft, strike fighters, tactical bombers, shuttles, and Landing craft, heavy transports, and logistic craft. CNAC strike squadrons can be found on Aether fleet carriers and Naval defence stations, ground-based bases on [[Idarast]] and Mankira Niti, as well as attached to Marine Assault groups and at Corps level. Virtually every Aether fleet vessel will carry a handful of CNAC personnel to man the navy's shuttles.