[Androgeos Exeunt]

And keep in mind that production of the GTW Prometheus was halted in 2335 because Sol was cut off. The Prometheus needs deuterium, which Sol has in spades.

[SPECTRE87]

GTVA has the Kayser and Maxim cannons (and Balor autocannon) 

And they do actually have the ability to produce the Prometheus cannon.

The original GTW-5 Prometheus S was removed from service when the link to Earth was lost and the GTVA was unable to obtain sufficient quantities of argon (a required element in the Prometheus's power-generation module). Recent deployment of Anuket and Zephyrus gas miners has enabled us to resume production of the GTW-5 Prometheus S. The S-type is a minor variant of the original Prometheus laser cannon. The S-type's faster recharge cycle and lower energy drain cause many pilots to prefer it over the R variant.

Now they make it look like it is less capable than the original, but a fast comparison points towards the S-type... It certainly has range over the original.

Furthermore I'd suspect that the Erinyes would a standard fighter by the time in question. I'm also pretty sure the Pegasus stealth fighters would have been developed into something far more polished and deadly... (The F-22 Raptor of FreeSpace)
So apart from Alpha 1 being on UE side I don't see what real military advantage they would have...

Anyhow I'm actually dying to see the next chapter, Darius 

[Commander Zane]

They may of found a way around the no-Sol-to-help-make-certain-weapons but guess what? During that time gap that the GTVA was stuck using the piece of **** Retrofit, Sol would have more than enough time to make something BETTER.

[SPECTRE87]

  Except the retrofit and later standard (pretty much equal to original) weren't all that sucky as you try to make them. They at least have range advantage. But that is of little relevance as we all know that GTVA has access to Shivan technology. I'm not sure you can't say the same for Sol. But I'll leave that to Darius, as it was after all he I asked for and not you guys.. 

[General Battuta]

Except the retrofit and later standard (pretty much equal to original) weren't all that sucky as you try to make them. They at least have range advantage. But that is of little relevance as we all know that GTVA has access to Shivan technology. I'm not sure you can't say the same for Sol. But I'll leave that to Darius, as it was after all he I asked for and not you guys.. 

As has been stated before, you don't have anything to worry about, because Darius has hinted the UEF is at a military disadvantage in ship quality and probably numbers.

[Commander Zane]

But the ships are too damn sexy for me to care.

[Darius]

Just got back from the country, give me a day or so to recover and then I'll read through everyone's questions

[Darius]

Since it has been established that Earth was sealed off from the rest of the Universe during the end of the Great War we must assume that Earth (unless another form of travel has been invented) had nowhere to go and was confined to their own solar system, Sol. So that's one system versus at least 10+ systems, and in that regard UE looses badly to the GTVA in terms of resources available. Even if Sol was loaded with resources...

And we must also assume that Sol is pretty much depleted of resources given the fact that most if it must have gone into the Great War and all the time before it. So here we are 60 years after the end of the Great War and they suddenly find themselves under attack from the GTVA. How do you explain them being able to afford a fleet capable of withstanding the GTVA?

This is my take on the Freespace 2 universe.

The GTA was primarily an expansionist power that required the exploitation of colonies to power its economy. Earth (and Sol) would be the GTA's industrial, economic and cultural centre, much like how London was the political and cultural hub of the British Empire. When Earth was cut off from the wealth of the colonies, the Earth Government would have had to change from the existing unsustainable economic policies of the GTA and redesign the economy from the ground up. Sol would still have the GTA 1st Fleet that was based there, but with the change of government, those ships would have been decommissioned and broken down for scrap. Earth's formidable infrastructure would still remain, which would eventually help whatever economic reforms the Earth government makes into policy.

Because the GTA had been on a "total war" policy for the past fourteen years, the military would have been receiving the bulk of funding, and would therefore be the first to be axed to save money. Downsizing the military and redesigning ships to be more economical and flexible would be the military doctrine for Earth's future fleet. This is where concepts like the GTC Sanctus cruiser-transport comes in, and deploying fighter squadrons to provide the bulk of military power. There would also be more focus on creating fast, versatile ships to serve in command roles that could be deployed to many different hot spots in the system (UEFg Karuna). Once the economy recovered, the government could afford development of larger capital ships for military and psychological power projection.

Earth's got plenty of powerful fighters, and some fast, powerful frigates, but lacks capital ships with real punch. Conversely, the GTVA's focused its doctrine on capital ship power (after their experiences with superior Shivan destroyers and cruisers), and using cheap, light fighters to bolster the ranks of its strikecraft squadrons (Kulas and Myrmidon fighters).

Hope that answers your question

[Androgeos Exeunt]

So what you're saying is that, while the GTVA has been making larger ships that have more guns, the UEF have been making smaller ships that are hard to hit?

Two different philosophies there.

[Pred the Penguin]

That makes it seem like the GTVA is the Empire and Earth is the rebellion. XD

Then again, guerrilla warfare would not always be viable for Earh.

[Darius]

Actually, the Galactic Terrans are Italy, Earth is Greece, and the year is 1940.

[SPECTRE87]

I don't really buy the whole deal of neglect of strike crafts within the GTVA. If anything FS2 proves the opposite here. Take the Erinyes, Perseus, or Pegasus as an example. The only real advantage I can see the UE has is that it can deploy all of it's forces to one theater while the GTVA might only be able to deploy a couple of fleets as they have vastly more territory to cover. So maybe I could be able to fight a defensive war, but going on the offensive? Hardly.

Given your response I assume that UE does not have access to any other star system, right?

[Pred the Penguin]

Actually, the Galactic Terrans are Italy, Earth is Greece, and the year is 1940.

Then who the hell are the Vasudans?

[Dilmah G]

I don't really buy the whole deal of neglect of strike crafts within the GTVA. If anything FS2 proves the opposite here. Take the Erinyes, Perseus, or Pegasus as an example. The only real advantage I can see the UE has is that it can deploy all of it's forces to one theater while the GTVA might only be able to deploy a couple of fleets as they have vastly more territory to cover. So maybe I could be able to fight a defensive war, but going on the offensive? Hardly.

Given your response I assume that UE does not have access to any other star system, right?

The GTVA LEARNED from Capella, and the events of FS2. The Erinyes is great for blasting fighters into fifty million pieces a few seconds faster than a Kulas armed with a Balor can, but really, capital ships such as the Ravana, Demon and the Juggernaught, the Sath, is what really gave the Shivans a leg up. Remember, the Erinyes, Perseus and what-not are still used in BP, Al'Faddil (how however you spell it) flies an Erinyes.

So from what Darius says, the GTVA have turned their doctrine from surgical strike actions, with capital ships being used as fire-support, as seen in the retail campaign, to a capital-ship based doctrine, in which the fighters provide cover, and forward reconnaissance for capital ships entering the field of engagement. Forced Entry for example, they were clearing the way for the fleet.

We don't need another Erinyes clone to do that. We need something that can be deployed fast, moves fast, shoots fast, and packs light, like the Kulas. The Erinyes is still there, but remember, the GTVA lost pretty much 1/2-3/4 of its fighter squadrons in the Terran 3rd Fleet. To replace these, they needed something cheap as well, which fits with their doctrine of light spacecraft.

And he didn't say strike fighter squadrons had been neglected, these squadrons clearly still exist, but to bolster the ranks, and to boost the "Cannon-Fodder" the GTVA had available to them, what's better than the Kulas and the Myrmidon? They're cheap, do their jobs, and I would assume they have a relatively high attrition rate compared to the strike fighter squadrons, which I also assume would be something similar to pilots flying the F-22 Raptor at the moment. They're the Strike Squadrons of the GTVA, but now the GTVA's buying lots of F-16s and F-15s to bolster the ranks, and support the operations of the F-22 Raptors, which'll soon be supplemented by the F-35 JSF, which is like the Artemis in some sense. You could almost say, Perseus fighters were designed to protect the bombers of their generation, such as the Artemis. Akin to how some strategists could say the F-22 is at it's base level, there to support and escort F-35s on their deep strike/infiltarion missions. Then you have the F-15s and F-16s, the Myrmidons and Kulas fighters, they're there to carry out your line jobs.

[SpardaSon21]

I really like the tactical differences between the UEF and the GTVA, especially the smaller, more flexible Earth.  Although being smaller won't help against a hitscan "whatever beams the GTVA uses now".

And Darius, please, please for the love of God don't pull an Inferno and introduce Shivans as a deus ex machina.  I want to fight this war to its bloody human-on-human end.

[Mobius]

Actually, the Galactic Terrans are Italy, Earth is Greece, and the year is 1940.

lol...

[Snail]

Actually, the Galactic Terrans are Italy, Earth is Greece, and the year is 1940.

Then who be the Nazis?

[decembered]

Finished the campaign yesterday, and on my mind, it stands just second, story-wise, to the main FS2 campaign, although BP is extremely different in style and, to say so, spirit from the 'canonic' FS2. Derelict and Procyon Insurgency I've played so far are just great, but BP is the one I liked the most.

Anyway, I can't see the point of GTVA's military invasion to Sol with apparent reconquest in 'high command' minds, other than those minds are mean beyond all comprehension 

This ain't no criticism, but rather a question. Anyway, I'm dying to see the story's further development, for it's more than promising.

[eliex]

Anyway, I can't see the point of GTVA's military invasion to Sol with apparent reconquest in 'high command' minds, other than those minds are mean beyond all comprehension 

New times new changes. 
Although I think Darius had to use a new character setting within an existing universe so it'll be explained in WiH.

[Stormkeeper]

Anyway, I can't see the point of GTVA's military invasion to Sol with apparent reconquest in 'high command' minds, other than those minds are mean beyond all comprehension 

Simple answer; symbolism. Earth is the cradle of humanity, the home of all humans. The main reason that I could see for the recapture of Earth for the GTVA would that recapturing Earth would make a powerful statement to the rest of the GTVA, like "Hey, us Terrans? We've got our home back!"

I suspect the Vasudans would support this endeavour simply because they understand what it is to lose their homeplanet, and the wanting that the Terrans would have for being reunited with Earth. Although once they discover that the UEF is rather benevolent, I'm not sure whethere they'll still support the Terrans ..