Carrying the mercenary unit structure further, I'd like to design a
mercenary brigade. For this purpose I do not intend to use specific
vehicles, weapons or technology level. The only assumptions I am making
are:
1. The unit is at least TL8.
2. That it is an ad hoc formation, based on the battalion I
posted earlier.
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Brigade, Mercenary, Heavy:
1 HQ company(+)
1 Recon company
1 Signals company
1 Artillery company(+) [includes its own logistics - platoon]
1 ATGW platoon
2 Armoured battalions
1 Infantry battalion
1 Training Cadre platoon
1 Training battalion
Personnel: 1713 regular
435 training and cadre
Vehicles:
2 Armoured battalions: 160 Tanks (includes tanks for the CO, EO, IO, etc)
14 APC/FS
10 APC/CC (Command Centre)
8 Recon APC
20 Light Trucks (Jeeps/Blazers/Humvees/etc type)
30 Medium Trucks (M-325/Negev/Reem/etc type)
1 Infantry battalion: 50 APC
7 APC/FS
5 APC/CC
4 Recon APC
10 Light Trucks (Jeeps/Blazers/Humvees/etc type)
15 Medium Trucks (M-325/Negev/Reem/etc type)
1 Artillery company(+): 5 SP Artillery (assuming 7 crew/gun)
11 SPA/SR-SSM (assuming 5 crew/launcher)
16 APC/AC (ammunition carrier)
6 Light Trucks (Jeeps/Blazers/Humvees/etc type)
16 Medium Trucks (M-325/Negev/Reem/etc type)
1 ATGW platoon: 4 LT/ATGW (Jeeps/Blazers/Humvees/etc type)
5 APC/ATGW
1 Recon company: 26 Light Trucks (Jeeps/Blazers/Humvees/etc type)
1 Signals company: 13 Medium Trucks (M-325/Negev/Reem/etc type)
13 APC/SIG
1 HQ company(+): 20 Medium Trucks (M-325/Negev/Reem/etc type)
10 Light Trucks (Jeeps/Blazers/Humvees/etc type)
6 Heavy Trucks (Reo/PLS/etc)
6 Tank/ARV
Totals:
160 Tanks
132 APC of all types (actually, same type with role modifications)
94 Medium Trucks
76 Light Trucks of both types
11 SPA/SR-SSM
6 Heavy Trucks
6 Tank/ARV
5 SPA
Of these, the greatest variety is in the APC. Some 37% are
standard infantry APC of the appropriate TL. The rest are almost
evenly divided between Fire Support, Command Centre, Signals,
and Artillery Ammunition Carriers. Finally there is a handful of
ATGW APCs. These can all be based on the same type. In fact, the
CC and SIG models may be very similar.
This formation is slightly lopsided. It would do much better _without_
the Training battalion. I assume that a mercenary _unit_ would have
almost 30% of its personnel as trainees at a given time. Of these, 50%
are of a sufficient level to accompany the unit in the field, without
unduly straining the logistic echelons of the unit. Of course, such
consideration comes only at the brigade, the division and the corps
level. The training sub-unit would have to be self-supporting as far as
logistics are concerned.
I decided to give the brigade its own artillery assets. This is to
allow the brigade to be independent of the employer. The battalions are
dependent on their organic fire support platoons.
The problems of this formations are, as always, logistics. If the unit
is to operate without advanced support formations, the soldiers must be
their own logistics experts. Everything from system D to systemized
liberation of supplies and fuel will have to tolerated or seen to by the
hiring government. A second, glaring, problem is the lack of organic air
assets unless the unit is grav capable.
The brigade is heavy in the sense that it can (almost) operate alone.
It is a formidable force, but a breakable one. It must mainly haul
ammunition and replacement parts and rely for food and fuel on the hiring
party. The equipment must be highly standardize. The brigade must
establish a good staging area if it is to conduct lengthy operations.
Yours in advance,
yaniv, Sgt(res), Division 'The Steel'