(SPOILERS) New Weapons

SciFi90 wrote:

saber964 wrote:I was thinking, with the appearance of Katyusha by the AoG and the rifle grenade by the ICA. What other weapons could come out that would not use electricity. Then it hit what about a Bazooka with a fuse ignited rocket and contact explosive as a bunker buster not a anti-tank/armor weapon. The last generation Bazooka's had a range of 1000 yds with an effective range of 2-300 yds. If the ICA makes a bazooka half that effective it could be very useful.

A bazooka is useful against machinery, like a tank. Of greater use would be a machine gun, either water-cooled (like a .30 caliber) or air-cooled (like a .50 Caliber). Ammunition and linkage problems would have to be solved. The effect against the AofG masses of troops could be considerable, perhaps decisive. Weapon development is, of course, up to Mr. Weber.

StealthSeeker wrote:The CoGA katyusha is going to change things about fixed fortifications and trench warfare. I see next summer's battles being more a case of manoeuvre and fire operations. I can see modified gorilla style of fighting where you hit them hard then reposition before the katyusha's can be put to use and then fire again. I want lots of 3 inch mortars that small units can move around with easily.

When katyusha's are involved, I cant see sitting in one place letting the CoGA armies use them effectively. Manoeuvre the enemy into an open position where anti-personal shrapnel shells can be used to devastating effect.

Jonathan_S wrote:CoGA katushas have fairly weak (black powder) warheads. They're not going to have any noticeable penetration power against armor or overhead cover.

So I can't see them being effective at clearing out fixed fortifications / trenches. It's too easy to add overhead cover capable of stopping relatively low velocity shrapnel.

On the other hand being used to help defend fixed fortifications or trenches... They're not really accurate enough to want to use for final protective fire (unless your defenders all have overhead cover), but they could provide counterbattery fire against any artillery concentrations within reach. Kind of hard to smash up forts using angle guns when the angle gun battery is targeted by katyushas.

StealthSeeker wrote:

Jonathan_S wrote:CoGA katushas have fairly weak (black powder) warheads. They're not going to have any noticeable penetration power against armor or overhead cover.

So I can't see them being effective at clearing out fixed fortifications / trenches. It's too easy to add overhead cover capable of stopping relatively low velocity shrapnel.

On the other hand being used to help defend fixed fortifications or trenches... They're not really accurate enough to want to use for final protective fire (unless your defenders all have overhead cover), but they could provide counterbattery fire against any artillery concentrations within reach. Kind of hard to smash up forts using angle guns when the angle gun battery is targeted by katyushas.

I am remembering the chapter where the "inner circle" was discussing the CoGA demonstration that was viewed by SNARK. Everybody in the "circle" thought the demonstration was depressingly effective. They discussed building their own version which would have longer range and a dynamite explosive charge. They also discussed the CoGA building larger versions that could be used as shore batteries against ships. It was said that as the arch of the munition would make it "plunging" fire, it would pose a threat to the KH-VII's as the thickness of the deck armor may not hold up.

With that in mind, I'm doubting that any fortification is going to be more protective than the KH-VII's. So if they can get the rockets in range of a fixed fortification, I don't expect that fortification to be in very good shape after a barrage or 2 of rockets.

StealthSeeker wrote:The CoGA is going to bring to the battleground some new rockets that were compared to Russian katyusha rockets from WWII.

Charis is intending to bring to production a better version using better propellants with dynamite explosive charges that results in longer range and more destructive power.

What I am wondering is if they couldn't also start to make man portable shoulder fire versions of these. Can any body say "R P G." They could come in handy in street fighting or in ambushes. And unlike the Harchong "sling" weapon they can be fired from cover. (more or less)

The CoGA katyusha is going to change things about fixed fortifications and trench warfare. I see next summer's battles being more a case of manoeuvre and fire operations. I can see modified gorilla style of fighting where you hit them hard then reposition before the katyusha's can be put to use and then fire again. I want lots of 3 inch mortars that small units can move around with easily.

When katyusha's are involved, I cant see sitting in one place letting the CoGA armies use them effectively. Manoeuvre the enemy into an open position where anti-personal shrapnel shells can be used to devastating effect.

JustCurious wrote:

StealthSeeker wrote:The CoGA is going to bring to the battleground some new rockets that were compared to Russian katyusha rockets from WWII.

Charis is intending to bring to production a better version using better propellants with dynamite explosive charges that results in longer range and more destructive power.

What I am wondering is if they couldn't also start to make man portable shoulder fire versions of these. Can any body say "R P G." They could come in handy in street fighting or in ambushes. And unlike the Harchong "sling" weapon they can be fired from cover. (more or less)

Charis has not introduced every weapon that they could have. They have not introduced weapons that the other side could easily copy and which usage by both sides would eventually work to their disadvantage. The Katushas are a good example, Sea mines are a better one. So are bazookas and panzerfausts such a development?

phillies wrote:Rocket batteries?

Mindful of the historical roots of Harchong, one might wonder whether the CoG katyushas will turn out in the end to be modestly more effective than 19th century Chinese rocket artillery, which is to say, primarily a danger to the people firing them.