April 8th
European Union
In light of the US's rapid offworld expansion, the EU makes a number of changes. The terraforming research program is cancelled and all labs are directed towards the turret gearing research.
A new variation of the Victory class is designed. The Warlock class battlecruiser foregoes close in weaponry for a larger number of missile launchers. The changes are minor, and the shipyard will be ready to begin conversions by June.
Warlock class Battlecruiser 7,000 tons 730 Crew 785.2 BP TCS 140 TH 250 EM 0
1785 km/s Armour 4-32 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 6 PPV 32
Annual Failure Rate: 65% IFR: 0.9% Maint Capacity 421 MSP Max Repair 96 MSP Est Time: 3.18 Years
Magazine 212
Nuclear Thermal Engine E9 (10) Power 25 Fuel Use 90% Signature 25 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 200,000 Litres Range 57.1 billion km (370 days at full power)
Missile Launch Tube (8) Missile Size 4 Rate of Fire 60
'Pinpoint' Missile Target Designator (2) Range 57.6m km Resolution 100
'Bullseye' ASM4 (40) Speed: 10,000 km/s End: 88.3m Range: 53m km WH: 4 Size: 4 TH: 33 / 20 / 10
'Quicksilver' ASM4 (13) Speed: 15,000 km/s End: 14.4m Range: 13m km WH: 4 Size: 4 TH: 50 / 30 / 15
Advanced Search Radar (1) GPS 9600 Range 57.6m km Resolution 100
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Their commercial shipyard also begins producing an unarmed survey craft, to try and catch up on American efforts. It is estimated the vessel will be completed in early 2022.
Galileo class Science Vessel 6,650 tons 232 Crew 570.8 BP TCS 133 TH 250 EM 0
1879 km/s Armour 1-31 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/4 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Capacity 54 MSP Max Repair 100 MSP
Nuclear Thermal Engine E0.9 (4) Power 62.5 Fuel Use 9% Signature 62.5 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 200,000 Litres Range 601.3 billion km (3703 days at full power)
Geological Survey Sensors (4) 4 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
In a historic deal, the EU hires China to aid it the conversion of some of its conventional industry.
Realizes its ground forces are as out of date as its industry, the EU begins upgrading its tank forces to trans-newtonian technology. The first unit is scheduled to finish training in June of 2021.
Nihon-koku
Japan changes course on its research, aiming for longer range particle beams as well as improved research laboratories.
Plans are announced for the Kongo class Geological Survey Vessel. Smaller and faster than the EU's Galileo, the ships survey sensors are slower and less powerful. The first of the class will be launched in August of 2021.
Kongo class Geological Survey Vessel 3,500 tons 126 Crew 325.5 BP TCS 70 TH 200 EM 0
2857 km/s Armour 1-20 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/2 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Capacity 58 MSP Max Repair 100 MSP
Nuclear Pulse Engine E0.8 (2) Power 100 Fuel Use 8% Signature 100 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 642.8 billion km (2604 days at full power)
Geological Survey Sensors (2) 2 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
People's Republic of China
China begins work on the conversion of European industry, a welcome opportunity to aid in their income troubles. It is estimated the construction will finish by late July.
United States of America
The USA claims possession of Mercury and its mineral resources.
Due to the dissapointing results of the railcannon project, the US changes its strategy and pursues laser weapons.
With an eye towards the prize of Mercury, the US begins constructing mass drivers alongside its automated mines.
May 3rd
The 1st Survey Fleet reports the discovery of mineral deposits on Venus. The USS Liberty and her escorts set course for Mars.
Venus
Duranium: 32,001 (.4)
Neutronium: 60,264 (1)
Vendarite: 34,411 (1)
Uridium: 56,603 (1)
May 8th
The People's Republic of China begins construction of its first Luda class survey vessel. It is estimated to be completed in slightly over a year.
May 19th
The European Union completes construction of two Broadsword class gunships. With the conversion of the navy to a more missile armed force, the shipyards lie idle for now.
The 1st Survey fleet reports the discovery of minerals on Deimos, though both Mars and Phobos have no worthwhile deposits. The fleet will move to Earth for refueling and basic maintenance, then begin surveying the outer planets.
Deimos
Duranium: 25,674 (.5)
Mercassium: 84,576 (1)
Sorium: 56,789 (.8)
Gallicite: 34,568 (.9)
May 29th
US scientists discover a way to generate an infrared laser beam. They begin work on the techniques for turning this into a small scale weapon
June 9th
Maintenance on the 1st Survey Fleet is completed, and it embarks on the long voyage to Jupiter.
June 19th
The European Union completes retooling its naval yard for Warlocks, and begins to convert existing Victory class ships to the new design. They also begin missile production in preparation of the new ship's larger magazines. Each conversion is expected to require three months. Plans are under consideration to add an additional slipway.
July 19th
The 1st Survey fleet reports that Jupiter has large reserves of Sorium, though the technology to extract it does not currently exist
Jupiter
Sorium: 4,205,253 (1)
The People's Republic of China completes its conversion of industry for the EU and receives 1,500 megacredits. The PRC resumes construction of Financial Centres.
August 4th
The European Union completes the modernization of 100 mines. They begin converting more factories.
August 15th
The 1st Survey Fleet reports mineral deposits on Jupiter's moon Io.
Io
Duranium: 123,450 (1)
Neutronium: 6,387 (.3)
Boronide: 45,628 (1)
Sorium: 14,257 (.5)
Corundium: 3,484 (.4)
The USA completes construction of 2 Trekker class freighters, and the shipyards stand ready to build more.
The European Union also completes construction of 2 Outlander class Frigates.
(OOC: Every time the US builds a new fighter I get alerts from all nations when they detect it. Anyone know a way to get this not to pause the game? It's something that can be lived with, though.)