Talk:AFOH/@comment-14850713-20171101165641/@comment-14850713-20171113090834

IC:

Air/Aerospace Craft

With more of the new Curtana multi-role aerospace fighters being produced, the Aerospace Fleet has decided to retire the Durandal and Vautour fighters, taking out the distinction between the "heavy" and "light" fighter designations and standardizing on a single type. Although most will be scrapped, some will be retained for training purposes, while a number if Durandals will be retained for conversion as Durance medium transports.

Mirroring the changes in the Aerospace Fleet, the Air Force will also retire the Aigle strike fighter, essentially standardizing on the Aethon for all fighter missions.

Land Vehicles

AFOH Land Forces have reorganized the armored divisions, phasing out the "heavy" and "regular" designations. With this came new equipment, the Mace main battle tank (MBT) and the Cataphract heavy infantry fighting vehicle (HIFV).

The Mace replaces the Manticore and the Martel A3 and A1i. After a more thorough study, High Command decided that AFOH forces should have the requirements of firepower, protection and mobility in one package, and the Matador tank didn't fulfill all of these. So DORAD adapted the gun and turret of the Ardant heavy tank to a new and smaller front-engined hull. To cut down on cost, it will have a less-powerful fusion engine and omitted the anti-gravity assisted suspension, giving it lower road and cross-country speeds than the Ardant (but matching the Manticore and Martel). It will also have the same extensive armor protection and the latest-generation Protektor III APS.

The Cataphract HIFV will replace the Cuirassier and Chimera in all the armored and mechanized infantry divisions. Based on the Mace but with built-up sides, it retains the latter's full armor protection suite, allowing it to engage tanks toe-to-toe if necessary. Because of its size, it can comfortably carry a full 12-man squad wearing complete power-armor, which was not possible with the older vehicles. It is armed with a modified Bofors 40mm auto canon (a big upgrade in lethality from the standard 27mm gun) and a reloadable launcher for the latest version of the venerable Anti-Tank, Anti-Air Missile (ATAAM) in an automated turret.

The Cuirassier-based Cheval APC will remain in service support roles, and will continue to serve as mortar carriers, medevac and command vehicles, and as the platform for the Roland 150mm SPGH and Tiger Eye/SMA SSM/SAM launcher (which will now include the capability to mount 16 of the surface-launched variant of the dual-purpose Helios hypersonic missile in its arsenal). High Command is also evaluating the SAU's Matador tank and Manguste IFV to replace the Griffin light tank and Pegasus light IFV for the Light Reaction Brigades (formerly called Multi-mission Expeditionary Brigades).