Member
Crimson Flame
Kensai
wintersoldier
Thayr
FourtyTwo
Lunamaria Hawke
datadogie
Half Pint
FosterUseful Resources for Players
Here are some useful resources for both in and out of character information.
Not everyone is especially familiar with military, and especially military aviation terms. Especially all of the acronyms that are involved, and the specific technology and systems that are integral to modern military aerial warfare.
As such, hopefully some of these links and information will be helpful in understanding some of these terms, and giving an insight into what the life of a military combat pilot is like.
Fighter Pilot Slang - if you want to make your characters seem more authentic, pepper their dialogue with this!
Brevity Codes - what it means when someone says 'Fox One' or 'Feet Wet' and other such things, and how to use them yourselves.
A - somewhat lengthy and poorly written - overview of aircraft weapons and their roles
The category page on Wikipedia for military aircraft, which also has links to lists by decade, role, type and more, as well as informative articles.
Aerospace Web has a lot of useful information in its' Q&A sections
Finally, here is a glossary of some aviation related terms, acronyms and technologies that I have put together, hopefully helping with understanding of some modern technology, tactics, strategies, and other relevant things.
As such, hopefully some of these links and information will be helpful in understanding some of these terms, and giving an insight into what the life of a military combat pilot is like.
Fighter Pilot Slang - if you want to make your characters seem more authentic, pepper their dialogue with this!
Brevity Codes - what it means when someone says 'Fox One' or 'Feet Wet' and other such things, and how to use them yourselves.
A - somewhat lengthy and poorly written - overview of aircraft weapons and their roles
The category page on Wikipedia for military aircraft, which also has links to lists by decade, role, type and more, as well as informative articles.
Aerospace Web has a lot of useful information in its' Q&A sections
Finally, here is a glossary of some aviation related terms, acronyms and technologies that I have put together, hopefully helping with understanding of some modern technology, tactics, strategies, and other relevant things.
Shattered Steel PMC - An Overview
The PMC Shattered Steel is one of the largest and most well-equipped PMC's in the post-Heavenfall world, and especially of the small number of legitimate ones working for the N/UN.
Shattered Steel is organised along the lines of any military force, with a military-style commander structure and ranks, and a number of divisions handling all the necessary infrastructure supporting the forces in the field.
The main thrust of forces are the Air Wing, which consists of fifteen Tactical squadrons of combat aircraft, supported by ten Logistics Squadrons, which are dispersed and their aircraft and personnel attached to the Tactical squadrons for support. Three squadrons are exempt to this; one personnel transport flight that shuttles people between facilities worldwide as necessary with a mix of varying sizes of personnel transport aircraft, and two aerial refuelling squadrons; one naval-oriented and one heavy land-based, both of which are dispersed between various facilities world wide as needed for various contracts and operations to support other aircraft.
One squadron of Airborne Warning and Control System - AWACS - aircraft split between navalised and land-based types are also dispersed to support contracts, missions and operations worldwide.
The tactical and logistics squadrons also have some squadrons devoted to helicopter support, as well as light, medium, and heavy transport planes in the case of logistics. The Tactical Squadrons also feature a single squadron of Heavy, land-based strategic bombers, as well as specialised submarine hunters/maritime patrol aircraft. A single tactical squadron also deals solely in strategic and tactical reconnaissance missions, with a mix of light and heavy aircraft for various specialised recon roles.
One squadron of Airborne Warning and Control System - AWACS - aircraft split between navalised and land-based types are also dispersed to support contracts, missions and operations worldwide.
The tactical and logistics squadrons also have some squadrons devoted to helicopter support, as well as light, medium, and heavy transport planes in the case of logistics. The Tactical Squadrons also feature a single squadron of Heavy, land-based strategic bombers, as well as specialised submarine hunters/maritime patrol aircraft. A single tactical squadron also deals solely in strategic and tactical reconnaissance missions, with a mix of light and heavy aircraft for various specialised recon roles.
Naval combat forces include the advanced aircraft carrier, Iron Maiden, otherwise known affectionately - and otherwise - by Shattered Steel personnel as the 'metal bitch', 'rusty wench', and the 'tin tub', among other titles. The ship was purchased unfinished from a French shipyard, and then finished jointly by the N/UN and Shattered Steel.
A small flotilla of escort ships protect the carrier, in the shape of a refitted and modernised ex-Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer and a MEKO 200 class frigate, suitably fitted for the role, along with suitable logistics support ships. All of these are crewed by mixed N/UN and Shattered Steel crews, and the ships are under Shattered Steel control, while being part-leased from the N/UN, and serviced and maintained by their shipyards and facilities.
A small flotilla of escort ships protect the carrier, in the shape of a refitted and modernised ex-Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer and a MEKO 200 class frigate, suitably fitted for the role, along with suitable logistics support ships. All of these are crewed by mixed N/UN and Shattered Steel crews, and the ships are under Shattered Steel control, while being part-leased from the N/UN, and serviced and maintained by their shipyards and facilities.
Ground Combat elements also exist.
Some serve as security forces for the deployed Shattered Steel units, guarding airfields and bases, and carrying out other such roles. Some also act as forces to take-and-hold objectives once the air forces have done their work.
Not heavy forces, or able to sustain long campaigns, they are intended for swift, decisive operations to take-and-hold an objective until other forces can relieve them, much like the US Marine Corps amphibious brigades, and similarly equipped to be mobile, flexible, and self-contained, albeit on a much smaller scale, having no heavy armour - such as main battle tanks - instead relying on armoured personnel carriers, and mobile gun systems or missiles as their 'organic' firepower. Artillry is only light towed artillery and/or mortars. All air support and mobility provided by the Air Wing.
Some serve as security forces for the deployed Shattered Steel units, guarding airfields and bases, and carrying out other such roles. Some also act as forces to take-and-hold objectives once the air forces have done their work.
Not heavy forces, or able to sustain long campaigns, they are intended for swift, decisive operations to take-and-hold an objective until other forces can relieve them, much like the US Marine Corps amphibious brigades, and similarly equipped to be mobile, flexible, and self-contained, albeit on a much smaller scale, having no heavy armour - such as main battle tanks - instead relying on armoured personnel carriers, and mobile gun systems or missiles as their 'organic' firepower. Artillry is only light towed artillery and/or mortars. All air support and mobility provided by the Air Wing.
Shattered Steel has few permanent bases worldwide, deploying as needed to various territories and facilities for their contracts as needed. However, their main base is an otherwise unnamed island in the Bahamas, leased from the N/UN and Bahamian government. Part of the agreement was to develop the island's infrastructure, and to employ locals in the operation of the base and its' facilities, as well as providing security, search and rescue, disaster relief, training and air traffic control for the local region.
The Forge, as it was dubbed, is a modern, newly-built facility with hangars, housing, support and administration facilities for the majority of Shattered Steel's combat personnel as well as the support personnel to run the base. A small 'village' of civilian operated businesses supports the base as well with R&R facilities such as bars, shops, businesses, restaurants and so on, as well as civilian-run schools to support families on the island.
The island has its' own power grid, supplied by a mix of tidal, solar and hydroelectric power. A port as well as the airfield itself provide logistics and transport between the various islands and further afield. The island is also protected by several fixed and mobile air and surface defence weapon emplacements.
Other physical locations include a long-term maintenance and supply and administrative facility in the continental united states, with no active combat units based there.
The Forge, as it was dubbed, is a modern, newly-built facility with hangars, housing, support and administration facilities for the majority of Shattered Steel's combat personnel as well as the support personnel to run the base. A small 'village' of civilian operated businesses supports the base as well with R&R facilities such as bars, shops, businesses, restaurants and so on, as well as civilian-run schools to support families on the island.
The island has its' own power grid, supplied by a mix of tidal, solar and hydroelectric power. A port as well as the airfield itself provide logistics and transport between the various islands and further afield. The island is also protected by several fixed and mobile air and surface defence weapon emplacements.
Other physical locations include a long-term maintenance and supply and administrative facility in the continental united states, with no active combat units based there.
And finally, just for fun - here's a playlist I put together on Spotify with inspirational music
