Overview – Spetznaz Guard Brigade
The Spetsnaz Guards, Russian: Гвардия специального назначения, (literally Special Purpose Guards) are the most elite formation within the Russian Military. The original Spetsnaz units were created in the early 20th Century under the control of Soviet intelligence. Spetsnaz quickly acquired an impressive reputation for toughness and professionalism, even creating their own martial art, which they called "Systema" (simply the System). These units consisted solely of infantry, and were not, as the name suggests, frontline combat units. The present unit seems to be under the Ministry of Defense. Unlike the original Spetsnaz, the Spetsnaz Guards have their own armored, aviation, artillery, and infantry components; and are frontline troops, which make their name sound odd. The Spetsnaz Guards maintain the high standards of their predecessor unit. They are hardened veterans of Russia's many regional conflicts; these troopers are a highly effective, determined, and ruthless force. The Spetsnaz Guards strategy emphasizes heavy weapons and heavy armor, individual brigades often ingeniously modify standard-issue equipment to suit their needs, resulting in vehicles bristling with bolted-on weaponry the original designer never dreamed of including. Soldier to soldier, no military force on Earth or anywhere else can match the SGB in terms of raw brute force, the Spetsnaz soldiers are veterans of various conflicts. This has hardened the Spetsnaz considerably, making them far more brutal and uncaring compared to the JSF, NCRA and EFEC.
Infantry:
SGB Wolves - It is without a doubt that the Russian Spetsnaz Guard Brigade Wolves believe it is better to be feared than to be loved. They are known for their toughness, brutality, and ruthlessness in combat. The SGB Wolves may very well be the single most feared military unit in the entire galaxy.
This has led to many critics who say that the Wolves are little more than sociopaths and thugs who enjoy killing. However, this criticism is both unfair and untrue, as the men and women who make up this group have just seen so much conflict and war that what is considered inhuman to others no longer fazes them. Also, considering them just "thugs" would be a fatal mistake as they are among the most skilled and experienced soldiers in the world.
Spetsnaz Wolves are extremely tough whereas Ghosts rely on technology and training and the Kommandos on skill and precision, Wolves rely on heavy armor, durable weapons, and deadly experience, giving them three layers of defenses whereas their rivals only have two. No other infantry can survive in a firefight as long as they can, it also makes them much less likely to be killed running to new positions and makes them very difficult to defeat when they are in cover. The Wolves seem to have a preference towards female snipers.
Standard Issued Equipment:
Primary weapon: AK-221 assault rifle with GP-20 grenade launcher or PKP-210 LMG.
Secondary weapon: MP-32 Iron pistol
Special weapon: OSV 12.7 mm sniper rifle
SGB Bears - Bears are the Spetsnaz Guard Brigade's engineer unit comparable to the Enforcers' Grenadiers, NCRA's Serpents, and JSF's Pioneers. If you compare the Spetsnaz Guard Brigade Bears to engineers from the other factions, you may think that they are not as well-equipped and less effective, but looks can be deceiving. Their weaponry and equipment may be a bit older, but Bears don't let this hinder them. All the equipment used by them is battle-proven. It may not look pretty, but it gets the job done.
The same can be said for the Bears themselves. They are every bit as experienced as their rifleman brothers in arms. SGB engineers are quick to adapt to any situation, and while it's not wise to deploy them against riflemen, they can do well against gunships and armored vehicles when behind sufficient cover or properly garrisoned. Their uniform requirements are not as strict and they often customize their own gear. Basically they are crude but effective. They carry Mini Kornet-K RPG launchers, AK-221s, Flamethrowers, and PP-3000 sub machine guns. They can take down most armored enemies in range when they are in cover.
Standard Issued Equipment:
Primary weapon: AK-221 assault rifle
Secondary weapon: PP3000 submachine gun
Special weapon: Mini Kornet-K RPG launcher
Other: Flamethrowers
Vehicles:
T100 Ogre MBT - If there's one thing the Russians have excelled at, it's making tough armored vehicles. Compared with its equivalents in other forces, the M5A2 Schwarzkopf, Barracuda MBT 3000, and the Panther 1A3, the Ogre aims for sheer brute force. In terms of raw firepower and armor, no other tank in the world matches the T-100. Its massive 152mm smoothbore gun is of a completely new design and dwarfs those of other tanks. The range and full capabilities of the Ogre's main gun are a tightly-kept secret. It does slightly less damage against armor than the Schwarzkopf's main cannon, but ground troops love it in urban warfare because the fatter shell carries more explosive, making it more effective against enemy infantry, and the radial damage it can cause
Standard T-100's are already incredibly lethal, but the SGB have continued to upgrade and modify these behemoths. One popular upgrade is to fit the Ogre with two 12.7mm anti-aircraft guns, one attached to each side of the turret. The Ogre can also be upgraded with a mine plough that enables it to carve channels through enemy minefields. This helps compensate for the lack of Russian smart mine technology.
The actual thickness and composition of the T-100's armor is also a well-kept secret, but it is known that the SGB employs a number of additional survivability features in the Ogre, such as next-generation explosive reactive armor. One of the reasons so little information is available on the Ogre is because the first T-100s rolled off the assembly lines in early 2156. This void of information has only led to widespread speculation, and very often, exaggeration of its abilities
Height: 7'6" (2.3 meters)
Length: 32'2" (9.8 meters)
Width: 12'9" (3.9 meters)
Weight: 75 tons
Armament: 152mm smooth bore cannon
Bumblebee flamethrower
7.62mm Co-axial machine gun
2 - 12.7mm AA machine gun
Defensive Capabilities: Kontakt Armor
Shtora Jammer
Explosive Reactive Armor
ARENA Active Defense
Kinetic Barriers
BTR-112 Cockroach - By 2120 many countries have built Infantry Fighting Vehicles with Anti-aircraft abilities. However, many of them are either better at being anti-aircraft platforms than transports, or better transports than anti-aircraft platforms. With the Cockroach, the Spetsnaz Guard Brigade has managed to create a nearly perfect balance. The BTR-112 Cockroach is the IFV for the SGB. It is armed with two 57 mm AA cannons. Their damage output is increased against heavy units or buildings by adding ATGM systems and its AA capacity is further upgraded with a short range air defense radar. The cockroach is the least sophisticated IFV used in the field, however it is the toughest.
Despite its large guns and vast collection of onboard electronics, the BTR-112 can still comfortably carry a full squad of SGB Bears or Wolves. Its size and weight makes the Cockroach a bit slower, but its heavy armor makes it remarkably tough. The BTR-112 is built on the same platform as the KV-20 and is roughly the same size. Its powerplant is also the same as its artillery-focused counterpart.
Length: 37' 8.67" (11.5 meters)
Width: 11'6" (3.5 meters)
Height: 13'1" (4.0 meters)
Weight: 60 Tons
Armament: 2- 57mm Autocannons
Coaxial 7.62mm Light Machine Gun
27mm AA gun
ATGM system
60 - 88mm Anti-tank rockets
Defensive Capabilities: Kontakt armor
Ceramic armor plating
ARENA Active Defense
Shtora Jammer
Kinetic barriers
Complement: 4 SGB Wolves or Bears
GAZ-2975 Boar - The vehicle was designed to transport troops and various equipment quickly on the road and off-road. It has a chassis frame construction, with a traditional layout of front engine, the middle crew compartment, and rear cargo area. The GAZ has both offensive and defensive capabilities and can be configured to become a troop carrier, armament carrier, ambulance, reconnaissance vehicle, or communications vehicle. All GAZ are designed to travel in all weather conditions and terrain.
Standard features include power steering, independent all-wheel torsion suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers and stabilizer bars, and a transfer case with a locking center differential, limited slip differentials, dual-range transmission, automatic tire inflation, engine block heater, and electric winch.
Length: 19' (5.7 meters)
Width: 7'9" (2.4 meters)
Height: 7'9" (2.4 meters)
Weight: 15.9 tons
Armament: 30mm grenade launcher
12.7mm heavy machine gun
Defensive Capabilities: Kontakt armor
Reactive armor plating
Shtora Jammer
Flares
Complement: 6 SGB Wolves or Bears
KV-20 Zhukov - The KV-20 is the Spetsnaz Guards artillery piece of choice. Named after Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov, the KV-20 is considered to be crude, but highly effective. Ostensibly designed and built by the MAZ automobile works, the same bureau responsible for the MAZ-7310, the primary TEL for SCUD missiles. The Spetsnaz Guards opted for the traditional cannon over the missiles and rockets traditionally preferred by the Russian/Soviet Armies due to the greater fire rate and increased accuracy of artillery over rockets. The KV-20 self-propelled artillery piece is also upgradeable to fire chemical rounds and also mount an extra barrel compared to the artillery of the EFEC, JSF, and NCRA.
Length: 38'4.1" (11.7meters)
Width: 11'5.7" (3.5 meters)
Height: 10'4" (3.15 meters)
Weight: 15 Tons
Armament: 2 - 152mm Howitzers
Chemical shells
Defensive Capabilities: Kontak Armor
Reactive armor
Infrared Jammer
ARENA Active Defense
Kinetic barriers
ZSU-30 Flea – The ZSU-30 is a heavily armored Russian self-propelled, radar guided anti-aircraft weapon system capable of outright destroying any known aircraft in existence. Unfortunate souls that managed to survive encounters with this metal contraption of death have nicknamed it the wailing crier due to the sound its guns make when firing. Its more akin to a mechanical monstrosity than a true military vehicle as it boasts an overwhelming array of firepower than could ever be conceived.
Length: 21' 5" (6.5 meters)
Width: 10' 3" (3.13 meters)
Height: 11' 8" (3.6 meters)
Weight: 19 tons
Armament: 4 – 60 mm Autocannons
Roof Mounted Kornet-K Pod (40 Missiles)
ATGM System
14.5 mm Heavy Machine Gun
Defensive Capabilities: Kontakt Armor
Explosive Reactive Armor
Shtora Jammer
ARENA Active Defense
Kinetic Barriers
Ka-65 Howler- The Ka-65 Howler is the SGB's attack gunship; it is equipped with 8 missile pods, 4 on each side, a small cannon under the nose of the helicopter, 10 fuel air explosive rockets, and 2 tandem warheads. It also comes with a deadly missile systems and a chain gun. It features 2 pilots and an arsenal of heavy weaponry. This makes it slightly better armed than its JSF counterpart, the Blackfoots, but then again it lacks the stealth technology of the latter gunship. The threat alert system enhances both inter-vehicle communication, threat detection, and awareness by providing target designation abilities between primary and secondary positions. Unlike the Blackfoot, which was built more with stealth and evasion in mind, this gunship is heavily armed with stronger armor plating and is capable of easily destroying even the most heavily armored targets
Despite having thrusters, the Russians still rely on highly durable rotors. Using hyrbrid fixed wings with articulating rotors allows it to match other gunships in combat while being able to take extensive damage. Ironically, the lack of thrusters actually lowers the heat signature of the gunship making it harder to detect than the NCRA and Enforcer gunships.
Length: 43'3.7" (13.2 meters)
Width: 20'0.16" (6.1 meters)
Height: 17'8.6" (5.4 meters)
Weight: 15 tons
Armament: 30mm cannon
60 - 88mm Anti-Tank Missiles
10 - Burantino 220mm fuel air explosive rockets
2 - Tandem Warheads
Defensive Capabilities: Titanium Armor
Armored Cabin
Electronic Warfare System
Kinetic Barriers
MAZ-660 King Spider - The MAZ-660 King Spider is the Command vehicle for the SGB. It is protected by regular Russian Army soldiers armed with AK-001 assault rifles. It is equipped with two 23mm chainguns on each side of the turret and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The MAZ-660 King Spider includes an eclectic mix of modern and old equipment. The modern equipment includes ECM systems, high-end video and audio surveillance hardware, battlefield computers, and communications gear. The low end equipment acts as a backup system and includes everything from a wired tactical telephone set with a 650m cable reel to signal flags
Length: 22' (6.71 meters)
Width: 17'.07" (5.2 meters)
Height: 13'9.3" (4.2 meters)
Weight: 40 tons
Armament: 2 - 23mm chain guns
12.7mm coaxial heavy machine gun
Defensive Capabilities: Ceramic Armor Plating
Kontakt Armor
Shtora Jammer
ARENA Active Defense
Anti-Aircraft suite
Kinetic barriers
Su-49 Halal: Possibly the most destructive bomber ever designed by man, the Su-49 Halals are meant to not only bomb a target, but to erase it completely. Its nuclear payload shows its commitment to Russian brute force and is favored among Spetzanz Guard Brigade pilots. Of interest is its old-fashioned external hardpoint weapon mounts which carry its fearsome abundance of rockets and Tzar bombs. Its menacing size and weaponry makes it a large target by opposing fighters. The vinyl scheme, similar to Howler gunships, has been known to strike fear in crews of enemy starships.
5 – Manned
Role: Long range/Heavy Bomber
Length: 90' (27.45 meters)
Width: 116' (35.38 meters)
Height: 29' 4" (8.96 meters)
Armament: 40mm Mass accelerator cannon
1,000 - Myriad rockets
2 – Tzar Nuclear warheads
Defensive Capabilities: Kontakt Armor
ARENA active defense
Shtora Jammer
Kinetic barriers
2- auxiliary engines
Su-147 Slamhound: When the Russian military began modernizing its military, the Ministry's Air Force lobbied intensively for a new aircraft to replace their ageing fleet. The result was the Su-147 Slamhound. The Sukhoi bureau borrowed extensively from previous designs when it built the Slamhound. The pilots of the Su-147 sits in a high strength carbon nano-tube bathtub, which also surrounds the avionics, helping to increase the plane's survivability without adding significantly to the mass. The aircraft has thrust vectoring nozzles, which improve the aircraft's handling, allowing the Su-147 to perform the trademark "Pugachev's cobra" and tail-slide maneuvers
The Su-147 is exceptionally tough, being able to survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high-explosive projectiles up to 75mm. It is the largest and most durable fighter ever developed. What it lacks in technological innovation, it makes up for in durability, tough armor, and heavy weaponry. The aircraft is designed to fly with one engine, one tail, one elevator, and half of one wing missing, a testament to Russian durability.
2 - Manned
Role: Fighter/Interceptor/Rapid close air support
Length: 70' (21.33 meters)
Width: 50' 5" (15.4 meters)
Height: 20' 4" (6.22 meters)
Armament : 2 – 50mm Mass-Accelerator Cannons
24 - Arrow missiles
60 - Myriad rockets
Defensive Capabilities: Kontakt Armor
Titanium plating
ARENA active defense
Shtora Jammer
Kinetic barriers
Su-T3 transport: Built like a flying tank, the Su-T3 is a latest-generation utility helicopter now fielded by SGB forces. It is multi-role in that its design fits civilian use as well, but the military variant has been given advanced armor and kinetic barriers. Able to take multiple hits and carrying enough armament to render a infantry platoon combat ineffective, the Su-T3 practically guarantees that all troops aboard will reach their destination.
Sturdy and robust, this shuttle is mostly used by the SGB for practical reasons. Since any SGB operation usually ends with an explosion, stealth is not a concern for the SGB while heavy armor is. It is a solid and capable vehicle, well-suited to the job it has been given in the SGB military.
Role: Troop/Light Vehicle transport
Length: 70' (21.33 meters)
Width: 72' (21.94 meters)
Height: 20' (6.096 meters)
Armament: 50mm nose cannon
2 - 40mm side grenade launchers
24 - Arrow missiles
Defensive Capabilities: Titanium armor
Ceramic plating
Shtora Jammer
ARENA Active Defense
Kinetic barriers
Complement: 20 SGB Wolves or Bears
4 GAZ - 2975
Conventional WMD:
Motherland Guard- The Russian satellite system, far less dense than either the UNAS or EF analogues, relies on sheer force with the intent of destructive force. Each Motherland Guard carries numerous nuclear warheads, peerless delivery systems, and hundreds of conventional missiles for use in either orbital bombardment or space defense. The SGB's uncaring attitude, ruthlessness, and strive for success has give them a proven history of being willing to the orbital weapon whenever necessary.
As the network is stationed well outside a planet's atmosphere, radiation does not have much time to bleed into the atmosphere before the entire planet has moved beyond the field. Ships, however, are far more susceptible to this form of bombardment, rendering occupants impotent in the best of circumstances, and flash-burning the entire vessel in the worst. Being able to deliver a computer guided nuclear missile with a power of 20 kilotons, the Motherland Guard is the most destructive weaponized satellite. Just the existence of these satellites make anyone hesitant to invade Russian controlled territories.