I noticed there's no OOC thread for the Closure of Waterways event, so I figured I should make one for general discussion.
The thing that prompted it was this post by Nebula:
In the most generous count, it is 5,100 miles from the point of Nebula closest to Syrixia to the point of Syrixia closest to Nebula, and a less generous estimate places the distance as just over 6000 miles. Shei Ren is further still, but let's not account for that.
There are some planes which can traverse this distance in one go, of two basic types: Unmanned drones, and transport jets. Unmanned drones are not a possible way to transport large numbers of troops or missiles, as they are relatively small and can carry a minimal load. They are also vulnerable to being shot down, as they are much slower and less maneuverable than most manned aircraft. You can send 'em, and at ranges of 10-12k miles for the nicer ones you can even bring them home,, but they won't really accomplish an invasion.
Transport jets can certainly carry personnel and/or weapons. They generally seat two to three hundred people, and some models can reach max ranges of 6-8k miles. But even if you can get them where you're going - bearing in mind that they're significantly slower (from a few hundred to a thousand mph slower) and clumsier, and thus vulnerable to the faster, more agile fighter planes - you'd definitely need to fuel up before you left. And somehow, I doubt you'll be able to find a gas station that will serve you after, you know, you've invaded and bombed their country.
There is one modern-day fighter jet (yeah, just one) that can make the trip there in one go, the Su-27 Flanker (a Russian plane). It has a range of about 8000 miles - sounds good, right? Well... sort of. It's a two-seater, so no good for airlifting troops or many weapons (and its range is, of course, dependent on cargo), and although it's the longest-ranged fighter jet, it's also one of the slowest in cruising speed, at a modest 870 mph. The F22-Raptor, naturally an American plane, is one of the fastest, and cruises at 1,725 mph... but its range is only 1,800 miles. So much like the transport planes, the only model with the range to get there in one hop isn't fast enough that shorter-range speeders don't pose a threat. And also like the transports, once you got it there you'd need to refuel to come home.
So: One hop isn't going to work. What about faster planes and making shorter hops, refuelling along the way?
That is also an almost certain no. If you look at the map, in order to get to Syrixia, you would need to refuel in one of the nations roughly along the flight path. Norvalkin and Cronaal are close by, and as Norvalkin has not weighed in on the waterway closure, it's not impossible that they could allow a refueling stop on their bases. Cronaal is likely too close to be useful, though, as they are a very short hop away, and that's assuming they even wanted to help. Zyvetskistaahn and Kialga are also options, as they are near the middle of the hop, and also afaik have not taken positions on the matter. But they are neighbored by Floresque, the Imperium, Nierr, Russian Republic, and Kannex - all nations who have taken strong stances against the threatened violence and who would certainly use their combined diplomatic influence to prevent either Zyvetskistaahn or Kialga from offering aid.
Moving on from there, we have Guslantis and Funkadelia, who are also not options. Guslantis, at least, is supporting the waterway closure, and funkadelia almost certainly would if they were RPing actively right now. So refuelling mid-journey is basically entirely off the table.
The conclusions to draw from this are that a) the planes that can carry what you want can't get there and b) the planes that can get there can't carry what you want.
Of course, it's also safe to assume that if you were to try this anyway, the nations involved in the water blockade would close their airspaces to you as well... meaning you'd need to avoid getting shot down for the *whole trip*. That's a great way to lose a lot of planes and personnel.
The thing that prompted it was this post by Nebula:
This is highly implausible, going by modern tech and a pretty good estimation.Nebula:
In the most generous count, it is 5,100 miles from the point of Nebula closest to Syrixia to the point of Syrixia closest to Nebula, and a less generous estimate places the distance as just over 6000 miles. Shei Ren is further still, but let's not account for that.
There are some planes which can traverse this distance in one go, of two basic types: Unmanned drones, and transport jets. Unmanned drones are not a possible way to transport large numbers of troops or missiles, as they are relatively small and can carry a minimal load. They are also vulnerable to being shot down, as they are much slower and less maneuverable than most manned aircraft. You can send 'em, and at ranges of 10-12k miles for the nicer ones you can even bring them home,, but they won't really accomplish an invasion.
Transport jets can certainly carry personnel and/or weapons. They generally seat two to three hundred people, and some models can reach max ranges of 6-8k miles. But even if you can get them where you're going - bearing in mind that they're significantly slower (from a few hundred to a thousand mph slower) and clumsier, and thus vulnerable to the faster, more agile fighter planes - you'd definitely need to fuel up before you left. And somehow, I doubt you'll be able to find a gas station that will serve you after, you know, you've invaded and bombed their country.
There is one modern-day fighter jet (yeah, just one) that can make the trip there in one go, the Su-27 Flanker (a Russian plane). It has a range of about 8000 miles - sounds good, right? Well... sort of. It's a two-seater, so no good for airlifting troops or many weapons (and its range is, of course, dependent on cargo), and although it's the longest-ranged fighter jet, it's also one of the slowest in cruising speed, at a modest 870 mph. The F22-Raptor, naturally an American plane, is one of the fastest, and cruises at 1,725 mph... but its range is only 1,800 miles. So much like the transport planes, the only model with the range to get there in one hop isn't fast enough that shorter-range speeders don't pose a threat. And also like the transports, once you got it there you'd need to refuel to come home.
So: One hop isn't going to work. What about faster planes and making shorter hops, refuelling along the way?
That is also an almost certain no. If you look at the map, in order to get to Syrixia, you would need to refuel in one of the nations roughly along the flight path. Norvalkin and Cronaal are close by, and as Norvalkin has not weighed in on the waterway closure, it's not impossible that they could allow a refueling stop on their bases. Cronaal is likely too close to be useful, though, as they are a very short hop away, and that's assuming they even wanted to help. Zyvetskistaahn and Kialga are also options, as they are near the middle of the hop, and also afaik have not taken positions on the matter. But they are neighbored by Floresque, the Imperium, Nierr, Russian Republic, and Kannex - all nations who have taken strong stances against the threatened violence and who would certainly use their combined diplomatic influence to prevent either Zyvetskistaahn or Kialga from offering aid.
Moving on from there, we have Guslantis and Funkadelia, who are also not options. Guslantis, at least, is supporting the waterway closure, and funkadelia almost certainly would if they were RPing actively right now. So refuelling mid-journey is basically entirely off the table.
The conclusions to draw from this are that a) the planes that can carry what you want can't get there and b) the planes that can get there can't carry what you want.
Of course, it's also safe to assume that if you were to try this anyway, the nations involved in the water blockade would close their airspaces to you as well... meaning you'd need to avoid getting shot down for the *whole trip*. That's a great way to lose a lot of planes and personnel.
For all they know IC, you're just saying that in the hopes of sneaking some weapons over to bomb Nebula proper.
