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 Factions within HGN command structure: the jeune ecole
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| Methuselah |
Posted on 28-09-2005 11:59
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 Posts: 53 Joined: September 07 2005 |
( Article of reference: http://www.nwc.navy.mil/press/Review/2005/autumn/art6-a05.htm ) It is no surprise that successful organisations become that way through uniting the strengths of the individuals that comprise them. Through encouraging creativity and lateral thinking, difficult problems can be resolved with a literal plethora of solutions. A telling example is that of the Hiigaran Navy upon facing the advent of Vaygr warships equipped with the previously-unseen Laser Defence System. The swift reaction of the HGN occurred thanks to the strengths of its personnel, and the organizational structure within which they operated. The near-obsolete Broadsword-class Ion frigate became resurgent within the ranks of the Line Combat Divisions, Hiigaran warships began to pack heavier energy armaments, and the substantial R&D elements of the Navy began working on new classes of DEW. More specifically the range of variations on the Broadsword-class which appeared mere weeks after Vaygr LDS made its field debut reflect the scope of creative thinking within the HGN. The workman-like Lothringen refit became the defacto DEW frigate for the Hiigaran Navy, but it was not the only refit of the Broadsword in service at that time. Of the other refits the most common alternative was the Sabre-class. While the Lothringen emphasised tactical flexibility over the single-weapon design of the Broadsword, the Sabre took a different approach involving an up-rating of power and manoeuvre systems as well as improved electronic warfare capabilities. The success of the Lothringen over the Sabre is a telling example of how factionalism within an organisation can shape its direction, and further shows the relationship between the majority traditionalists or 'alte Schule' of the HGN, and the minority radicals or 'jeune ?cole'. Within successful, creative organisations the number of differing viewpoints on how problems can be best solved will sometimes lead to factionalism, a common problem in politics. The best way of illustrating the difference between the alte Schule and the jeune ?cole is to look at the difference between the Lothringen and Sabre in more depth. The Lothringen appeared as a solution to what had been perceived as the main weakness of the Broadsword, that is to say its reliance on a single over-sized weapon. This over-specialisation left the Broadsword at the mercy of almost every craft in local space, and while the damage it was capable of inflicting was tremendous, the challenge of employing it correctly led to a dilution of force effectiveness. So how was this overcome? For the alte Schule this was resolved by a downgrading of the main weapon system on the Broadsword. With this done, the extra available power was spent on deploying defence field generators and supplementary weapon systems. This turned the frigate into a versatile combat frigate and pack hunter, able to fight without needing local vessels subordinated to defending it. The Sabre, on the other hand, was the lesser-deployed variant of the Broadsword and emphasised the thinking of the jeune ?cole. Where the Lothringen employed a downgraded Ion Cannon, the Sabre kept the main weapon of the Broadsword but replaced its power plant with prototype systems intended for the Bloodhound 2. The main armour of the Broadsword was overlaid with low-sensor-return composites, while the internal structure of the Sabre utilised valence fields in a skeletal toughening role, ensuring that the Sabre maintained its structural integrity under fire and under high-G manoeuvres. Beyond the alteration of stealthing and strengthening, the Sabre also benefited from improved manoeuvre systems that allowed it to bring its main weapon to bear, as well improving the frigate's tactical translation velocity to almost 270 m/s at flank speed. The Sabre did not correct the deficiencies of the Broadsword in the way that the alte Schule saw them, but was deployed as a refit to Broadsword hulls that improved the strengths of the vessel. It was quicker, difficult to engage, and a difficult target to spot. So why did the Lothringen become the defacto heavy frigate of the Hiigaran Navy, and not the Sabre? Again the internal differences of the Hiigaran Navy came to bear, as well as technical issues around deploying the Sabre refit. In the view of the alte Schule, the Sabre did not correct the deficiencies of the Broadsword as they saw them. It represented the continuation of a ship design 'proven' to be flawed despite the successes of Sabre vessels operating with frigate packs. The Lothringen represented a network-capable combatant; its secondary systems suited co-operation with remote fire direction ships, it needed no battlefield babysitting, and still maintained an adequate battlefield punch. To the jeune ?cole the Lothringen was a watered-down asset, despite its obvious improvements over the original Broadsword. The Lothringen represented an asset which was somewhat tough, somewhat flexible, and somewhat well-armed while being none of those things particularly well. Its secondary systems relied upon fire direction for their effectiveness, as well as being vulnerable to strike craft in the manner which most external systems were. The jeune ?cole stands by the effectiveness of the Sabre, with limited numbers still on the naval TO&E and 'protected' from retirement by politicking and rapid rotation to under-strength forces. Beyond the example of a single frigate, the jeune ?cole represents other ideas in the direction of the future Hiigaran Navy. Reducing missile armament on warships and exchanging it for a smaller number of more capable missiles is one goal, referenced by the Crossbow standoff fighter. The work underway on the Linebacker VII, its improved avionic package and CIWS capabilities are another project within which the influence of the jeune ?cole are noticeable. Without, however, the appearance of an influential patron within the higher ranks of the Hiigaran Navy's command structure, it is likely that the influence of the jeune ?cole will remain in the minority, and the future of the Navy will be down an evolutionary path, rather than a revolutionary one. |
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| MDD |
Posted on 28-09-2005 23:30
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 Posts: 32 Joined: September 26 2005 |
Do you intend to leave the names of the "factions" as they are? Old school and new school? Seems a little to "earthy". Or maybe its just me. |
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| Cobalt Shiva |
Posted on 28-09-2005 23:44
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 Posts: 118 Joined: September 07 2005 |
Try translating to Arabic. Otherwise, fascinating read, excellent work! "This is tactical control..."
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| yasotay |
Posted on 01-10-2005 04:26
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 Posts: 637 Joined: September 09 2005 |
In an attempt not to be "alte Schule" - I think this is a great bit of societal fiction. This is a very natural dynamic in almost any military institution, regardless of society or age. However if you are really going to be "jeune ?cole" you ought to consider how the social effects of the Kiith system impacts the varied school. For instance are the Paktu and S'jet more inclined to "alte Schule" or "jeune ?cole"? The Soban? Now while the HGN at war would have to be very pluralisitic to survive, a little undercurrent of Kiith particality would make for an intriguing area of concern. Interestingly, in "Talbock's Patrol" I am writting that the Fleet Admiral is facing the Mahaan'sa who is demanding more work in automated systems to reduce the number of personnel on ships. The Mahaan'sa is becoming concerned at the number of Kiithmen and women being lost in the war, and wants to find ways to reduce casualties. The Admiral will have to turn to his Chief / Fleet Design Board to review. The C/FDB is already unendated with new technology while trying to field systems to the fleet, this will be yet another burden. But then... this could never happen.  |
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| mrWHO |
Posted on 01-10-2005 11:20
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 Posts: 485 Joined: September 02 2005 |
It's very good fanfiction. I always wonder why there is no internal arms race in PDS (something like Boeing and Nothrop competition for US military funds). |
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| TelQuessir |
Posted on 01-10-2005 12:33
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 Posts: 2598 Joined: August 30 2005 |
Yasotay's situation for C/FDB is correct. I can have 5 news posts on 5G weapon systems if desired. Very nice read, and I like the innovation here for references used. I'd like to see more. Consider this semi official fluff. |
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| yasotay |
Posted on 02-10-2005 04:45
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Posts: 637 Joined: September 09 2005 |
Relax- I would agree that the Soban would be less tranparent on their views, external to the Kiith. Even as a martial Kiith, they would have internal disagreement. After all Soban are for the most part A type personalities who hold their own decisions as paramount. It is human nature. As to mrWHO and the internal arms race, it has never been expressed in writing but there have been several discussions over the last year on this. I think that the Kiith and some of the Kiithless industrial concerns are in fact doing just as you proposition. However since the Hiigaran nation is in a war of exisitence, there is both enough work to go around and most likely little tolerance on the government side for the usual corporate 'spin' on weapons procurment. Of note, in "Talbock's Patrol" the Mahaan'sa who is demanding research into automation from the HGN ADmiral, will recommend to the Admiral that the Mahaan Science Society be given the funds and lead on the program. Politics does not change... anywhere (as long as it is human anyway). Edited by yasotay on 02-10-2005 04:47 |
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| Methuselah |
Posted on 02-10-2005 18:33
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Posts: 53 Joined: September 07 2005 |
Thank you all for your comments. I deliberately ignored references to kiith in the article for two primary reasons; I don't have a full understanding of kiith interplay within Hiigaran society, and I assumed that in the same manner as most professional militaries such racial divides would be purposefully supressed. It's probably true, as Yasotay states, that certain Kiithid are inclined one way or another, but I refer to my earlier point on lacking an understanding of the full kiith structure which could well have made my article look clumsy. Cobal Shiva; if I was writing with the Vaygr in mind, I'm sure I'd have gone with Persian names. As it is, I went with the usual terms of military reference in the spirit of von Clausewitz - I decided to just 'get on with it'. My next 'subject' is likely going to be on the organistational structure of the Hiigaran Armed Forces, and as such will probably serve as a template, rather than a finalised piece from the get go. Militaries being subjected to civilian oversight commitees and all that ;-) . |
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| yasotay |
Posted on 03-10-2005 22:54
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Posts: 637 Joined: September 09 2005 |
Hiigaran Officer structure at: http://www.pds.homeworldaccess.net/forum/viewthread.php?forum_id=3&thread_id=104&rowstart=20 Working on the enlisted/ratings now. Ground Force and Vaygr have not been touched to my knowledge. |
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| Methuselah |
Posted on 04-10-2005 22:05
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Posts: 53 Joined: September 07 2005 |
If I had access, I'd look at it :-) However, rather than the ranking hierachy, I'm interested in the actual command structure of the HGN. Logistics, FDB, Combat commands, civilian oversight, procurement etc. |
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| yasotay |
Posted on 04-10-2005 23:32
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Posts: 637 Joined: September 09 2005 |
From the other page: Hiigaran Rank System Officers Phia?sa - (?the honored commander?- trans. from Kharakian) Admiral [ADM] - Senior Officer of the HGN. Responsible for the overall management of the HGN military operations to the Diiamid. Can be a sitting member of the Diiamid, but cannot also be a Kiith?sa to the Diiamid at the same time. Phia - (?the commander?- trans. from Kharakian) Commodore [CDR], Commands numbered fleets (as in 15th Fleet). Other than the numbered fleets there are only three Phia within the HGN structure: the Deputy HGN Commander (Second only to the Phia?sa. Occasionally known as the Phia Tesh), the HGN Operations Officer and the HGN Logistics Officer. Jak?sa - (?the honored leader?- trans. from Kharakian) Fleet Captain [FC] - ('one who leads?- trans. from Kharakian) Commands elements of a numbered fleet (as in Task Forces). This rank is also referred to as "Task Force Captain [TFC]" in task force command situations. Jak?Phi - (?command {great} leader?- trans. from Kharakian) Captain [CPT] - Commands combat capitol ships (BB, BC, CV) or capitol ship flotilla. Senior staff officer, non-command. Runs staff elements such as Fleet Intelligence, Operations or Logistics. Anamehej - (?trail knower?- trans. from Kharakian) Vice Captain [VC] - Commands capitol ships (CL, DD) or Frigate Flotilla. Also a staff officer who runs sections within staff sections such as Covert Section, Fleet Intelligence. An example would be that the senior logistics officer for a Fleet Task Foirce. Anamehej Tesh ? is a lateral rank that gives a flotilla commander seniority if more than one one officer of rank is assigned to a flotilla. Also the Anamehaj Tesh is commonly the rank of the chief of staff within a Flotilla of Task Force commanded by a Jak?Phi, commonly the second senior ship commander within a TF or Flotilla. Jefet?ne - ('one who leads?- trans. from Kharakian) Commander [CDR] - Commander of frigates or strike craft Groups (multiple squadron), mid field grade officer. A crucial rank within the fleet as it is the first rank at which individual commands a heavier combatant vessel or multiple squadron of strike craft. Within the support staffs this rank is the next step for those who demonstrate superior staff skills within their expert field. Most staff Jefet?ne come from the ranks of the Jefet Tesh. Jefet - ('one who would lead?- trans. from Kharakian) Sub-Commander [SC] - Commander of strike craft units (interceptor squadrons, corvette squadrons). Junior Field Grade officer and the grist of any staff {coffee Sir?}. Also known as the ?Mehej sadan? (?splitting of the trail? - trans. from Kharakian). Those not remaining in command of strike craft units are moved into staff positions either on larger capitol ships or dirt side. The Jefet who remain on fleet vessels remain in contention for larger combatant commands along with the strike craft commands. Here they learn and work with all of the facets of operating fleet units. The dirt side Jefet will commonly move into positions of support within specialties, such as logistics, technology, or administration for the myriad of various activities required to keep the Hiigaran Navy functioning. This is the most common rank within the HGN. Many officers peak at this level and remain for the duration of their career. There is a lateral rank of ?Jefet Tesh? that recognizes an officer who has significant expertise within a given area, such as science or admin that allows for internal staff leading procedures. Hadat'ne - ('one who shown promise'- trans. from Kharakian) ? Senior Ensign [SE] - Junior officer who has managed to not commit terrible infractions as a Hadat and thus really does shows promise. Junior officers who have had at least one fleet mission completed. Having demonstrated adequate knowledge of their area of training they are moved to positions where they control ratings, and on larger capitol ships potentially Hadat. In strike craft they commonly control individual ships or potentially two ship sections. On frigate class they can become responsible for ship operations or navigation. The Hadat?ne assigned to frigates are the very top performers who are being trained for higher command rank. Many of these are former corvette section leaders who have demonstrated superior combat skills in action. Hadat - ('one who shows promise'- trans. from Kharakian) ? Ensign [EN] - Fresh from school one who provides both comic relief and grief for more senior officers and ratings alike. Most arrive with specialty training in engineering, weapons, communications or logistics. Only the Hadat in the top fifteen percent, evaluated and showing excellent aptitude for command are trained in operations and navigation. Because of their immaturity with combat they are usually found on the larger capitol ships under the tutelage of more senior officers and ratings. They are also common in strike craft and corvette class ships where they can assume control of individual combatants once they demonstrate proficiency with the vessels systems. |
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