Orbital Forces Command (Barrayar)
| Orbital Forces Command | |
|---|---|
 Lesser Coat of Arms of the Imperial Military Service | |
| Active | 2901 A.D.-Present |
| Country | Barrayar |
| Branch | Orbital forces and interceptors |
| Part of | Imperial Service |
| Garrison/HQ | Imperial Service Headquarters, Vorbarr Sultana |
| Nickname(s) | Imperial Star-fighters Orbital Artillery |
| Engagements | Second Cetagandan War (2876) Komarran Conquest (2896 - 2897) Escobaran War (2899) Third Cetagandan War (2903 - 2904) Hagen Hub War (2921) Polian War (2962) Aslund Crisis (2991) |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of Orbital Staff | Lieutenant General Aral Byerly Phourthonous |
The Orbital Forces Command (ORBIFORCOM), also known informally as the Starfighter Command, is the Barrayaran command responsible for orbital deployments and interceptor (both suborbital only and capable of non differentiated flight inside ad outside orbit and atmosphere) assets of the Imperial Service. While equal in rank and position, the Chief of the Orbital Forces Staff takes precedence over the Landing Forces Command. The spacefighter fleet command is mostly dominated by non-Vor officers.
ORBIFORCOM is the descendant of both the Imperial Air Force and of some assets of the Imperial Navy. In 2901, immediately after the Vordarian Pretendership, the Imperial Air Forces was merged with the other Armed Forces to form the new Imperial Military Service. Since 2993 ORBIFORCOM's crafts are commissioned as His Majesty's Starfighter, with the initialism HMSF designating them, or His Majesty's Orbital Platform, with the initialism HMOP which identifies them. While the LANFORCOM has a naval hierarchy, the ORBIFORCOM has a ground-based ranks system, also because the now-disbanded Imperial Air Forces retained a rank system very similar to those of the Army. Form a cultural point of view, interceptors forces and units regard themselves as a sort of space light cavalry, while orbital defences are closely linked with the artillery heritage.
It should be noted that ORBIFORCOM assets do not contain all starfighters or all interceptors and orbital military satellites: not only the Logistics Command handles on its own significant suborbital and orbital crafts, but the Space Forces and Ground Forces have environment-dedicated crafts on their own: the Space Forces embark SPAFORCOM shuttles and interceptors, and may embark also ORBIFORCOM assets if required; on a similar way, the GROFORCOM has several low-altitude vehicles. The ORBIFORCOM just provide highly mobile or heavily armed assets in order to augment the strategic initiative in all situations: deep space mobile attack is a prerogative of ORBIFORCOM starfighters carried in SPAFORCOM carriers; strategic ground bombardment is carried by ORBIFORCOM gunships in support to GROFORCOM forces; orbital satellites management and major system defences are operated by the ORBIFORCOM in support to SPAFORCOM mobile forces.
The ORBIFORCOM mainly operate its Flying Wings from star bases and from the biggest vessels, but its orbital defence constitute the vast majority of space fixed installations. The Command is divided according functional lines; there are four Component Commands (ORBIBAR, ORBIKOM, ORBISER and EXPRESINT), which group eleven numbered Forces, each consisting of space interceptors (also known as starfighters) or of fixed orbital defences; Forces are deployed in combined or one-type elements according their destination. As a rule, odd-numbered Forces consist of fixed defence weapons, while the even-numbered ones consist of mobile defences such as starfighters and interceptors.
Fixed and Mobile Forces
Being static defence elements, the Fixed Forces (i.e. Numbered Forces having fixed defence weapon stations) are geographically subdivided into Defence Areas, usually led by Brigadier Generals, which contain several operational units, known as Fixed Regiments, with heavy missile and energy heavy weapons complements. Defence Areas are the counterpart of the Starfighter Brigades, which in turn are the "geographical" element of the mobile numbered forces.
Fixed Regiments are in charge for subsections of the Defence Area, or for functional lines of the same Defence Area (especially for those Defence Areas which guard the jump point); Starfighter Regiments are not assigned to a specific Fixed Regiment, but operate into the whole Starfighter Brigade space region of responsibility, which is clearly the same of the relevant Defence Area's space region of responsibility.
Mobile organization
The ORBIFORCOM is divided into eleven numbered Forces, six of whom being Mobile Forces. Within every Force there are several Starfighter Brigades of four Starfighter Regiments each. Each Regiment is made up of a pair of Squadron Groups of three Squadrons each. A squadron consists of twelve fighters of the same class and type and is usually the smallest independently operated unit. Within a Squadron are three Flights, each made of two pairs of fighters called a Section. Pilots are exclusively officers, while Troops and Warrant officers serve as support personnel or as secondary operators. It is to note that the numbering is referred to fighter crafts, while support crafts' proportions are not respected.
| Unit | Composition | Fighter Craft | Support Craft | Typical Command Rank | Combat Personnel | Support Personnel | Total Personnel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigade | 3 Regiments | 228 | 91 | Brigadier General | 324 | 2325 | 2649 |
| Regiment | 2 Squadron Groups | 72 | 28 | Colonel | 108 | 739 | 847 |
| Squadron Group | 3 Squadrons | 36 | 12 | Major | 36 – 60 | 336 | 372 – 396 |
| Squadron | 3 Flights | 12 | 3 | Captain - Major | 12 – 36 | 89 | 101 – 125 |
| Flight | 2 Sections | 4 | 0 | Lieutenant | 4 – 12 | 21 | 25 – 33 |
| Section | 2 Star-fighters | 2 | 0 | Ensign | 2 – 6 | 9 | 11 – 15 |
A Orbital Forces starfighter commander has similar decision powers to a starship commander. Units deployed aboard a starship operate under a similar method: in addition to reporting to the command in which the starfighter serves, the Starfighter Detachment Commander reports directly to the ship's commander. A starship-bound Orbital Forces Detachment receives orders in much the same way: long-term and broad tasks are assigned by the Detachment's ORBIFORCOM, while the vessel's commander is responsible for assigning short-term objectives and goals. In total, there are 9,840 Imperial Servicemen assigned to Starfighter Detachments.
- 45 Battleship/Space station Squadron Groups: 1,445 officers and troops;
- 35 Battlecruiser Squadrons: 3,535 officers and troops;
- 135 Cruiser Squadrons: 4,860 officers and troops.
Squadrons
A Squadron is a unit of the Starfighter Forces consisting of three Flights of four starfighters each, for a total of twelve starfighters. A squadron is typically the smallest unit to operate independently, and is the largest unit to be made up entirely of the same type of fighter craft. In addition to the twelve starfighters and their aircrews, a squadron has three attached support craft: an attack support, a tanker support and a search-&-rescue vessel, along with the eight personnel required to operate these craft. Additionally, there are between eighty-one and one-hundred twenty other support personnel, depending on the type of squadron and the class of starfighter it operates. A squadron is typically commanded by a Captain, but some Squadrons are assigned to Majors.
Within the ORBIFORCOM mobile components six Squadron types are deployed:
- Line squadron: combat, patrol, and defence;
- Attack Squadron: an Attack squadron is made up of heavier craft than a Line squadron, and is responsible for assault operations against both fixed and mobile targets.
- Interceptor Squadron: these squadrons utilize faster starfighters and rapid attack tactics to keep enemy starfighters at a safe distance from vessels and stations.
- Reconnaissance squadron: it typically operates divided into Flights or Sections, and scouts enemy positions and forces to aid operations.
- Bomber squadron: such squadrons attack fixed targets with heavy ordnance.
- Training Squadron: it is used exclusively for training purposes.
Most Starfighter Brigades assigned to system defence are with few, if any, bomber squadrons.
Orbital Staff
Although the Imperial Service is a fully unified operational command, ORBIFORCOM retains important responsibilities about the majority of issues related to high-altitude flight and with orbital probes, but with concern the logistics and transport. The Central Command of the Orbital Forces structure is centred around the Chief of Staff of Orbital Forces, who is part of the High Command.
Chief of Orbital Staff
The Chief of Orbital Staff (COS) is a post ordinarily held by a General in the Imperial Service, and is the most senior officer assigned to serve in the orbital-related issues; currently, a Lieutenant General is serving. The Chief of Orbital Staff is an administrative position, and while the COS does not have operational command authority over operational forces, the COS does exercise supervision of orbits-related organizations and activities, such as air and orbital traffic control in Barrayar. The COS reports directly to the Chief of General Staff for the command, utilization of resources and operating efficiency of the operating forces of the space forces and of the space forces landed activities. The COS also designates personnel and resources to the commanders of Service Strategic Commands.
Orbital Forces Barrayar
The Orbital Forces - Barrayar (ORBIBAR) is an orbital forces command in the Imperial Service, also known as the "Last Line". ORBIBAR area of responsibility includes the Barrayaran star system including the jump points in the wormholes. The command comprises the First, Second, Third and Fourth Forces.
ORBIBAR is based at ISB Tanery Base, Barrayar, next Space Forces Barrayar. ORBIBAR Command, differently from the other component commands of the orbital forces, shares the operation of intra-system defence crafts with its counterpart Space Forces command; however, these crafts are real battleships which are not provided with Necklin jumpers, but equipped with extra armour and weapons. In addition, SPABAR is in charge of the ORBIBAR-manned defence points based on the two Barrayaran moons.
The commander of the ORBIBAR is General Jonathan Lancer. ORBIBAR is a component command of, and reports to, Barrayar Command (BARCOM). Under General Jonathan Lancer's command there are four numbered Forces: First, Second, Third and Fourth Force. The organization attached directly to ORBIBAR is relatively small: it consists of the ORBIBAR staff, some security detached units, the Defence Points Commands (excluding the two moon defence bases) and the ORBIBAR Services Crafts Group.
- ORBIBAR Commander
- Secretariat ORBIBAR
- ORBIBAR Command Orbital Depot (dependent on the Logistic Command)
- ORBIBAR Staff HQ
- Service Security Liaison Officer
- ORBIBAR Minute Services Crafts Group
The Defence Points Commands are command elements which group and manage both fixed and mobile forces in a given area, combining both static space defences and fighters units. Each Defence Point Command is led by a Major General, who is in charge for the general defence and for the operational command; he is senior to Brigadier Generals under his command but strictly subordinated to the ORBIBAR Commander. It is to note that Defence Point Commands are directly subordinated to ORBIBAR, without further subdivision. ORBIBAR operates 22 such Defence Points Commands.
First Force
The First Force is led by Lieutenant General Serge Vorreedi and is composed of thirteen Defence Areas, each led by a Brigadier General. First Force's area of responsibility is the fixed defence of the Barrayaran system, including the external stronghold of Barrayar VIII, where there are the Fleet Depots and the main shipyards) as well as the fixed defence and the augmenting of the space forces at jump-points of the first two wormholes. Defence Areas are large three-dimensional portions of space, where a contingent is deployed. Alongside the thirteen Defence Areas which are under an ORBIFORCOM officer, there are also the two defence points on the two Barrayaran moons. Being integrated and combined with the Second Force, which is the starfighter Force assigned to the Barrayaran star system, the First Force deals with administrative and technical support matters.
- First Force Command HQ
- First Force Staff
- First Force Staff Group 1: Ordnance Disposal
- First Force Staff Group 2: Logistics Support
- First Force Staff Group 3: Space Security (Force Protection of ground operations)
- DA-11 Barrayar Planetary Orbit North (support to Third Force)
- DA-12 Barrayar Planetary Orbit South (support to Third Force)
- DA-13 Barrayar Large Orbit
- DA-14 Jump Point 0 (inside end of the first wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
- DA-15 Jump Point 1 (outside end of the first wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
- DA-16 Jump Point 2 (inside end of the second wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
- DA-17 Jump Point 3 (outside end of the second wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
- DA-18 Asteroids Belt ALFA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
- DA-19 Asteroids Belt BETA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
- DA-110 Asteroids Belt GAMMA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
- DA-111 Asteroids Belt DELTA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
- DA-112 Barrayar VI Orbital Defence
- DA-113 Barrayar VIII Orbital Defence
Second Force
The Second Force is led by Lieutenant General Aleksandr Kaminskji and is composed of fifteen Starfighter Brigades, each led by a Brigadier General. Second Force's area of responsibility is the mobile defence of the Barrayaran system, including the external stronghold of Barrayar VIII, where there are the Fleet Depots and the main shipyards) as well as the mobile defence and the augmenting of the space forces at jump-points of the first two wormholes. Starfighter Brigades have the same boundaries of the Defence Areas. Being integrated and combined with the First Force, which is the fixed defence Force assigned to the Barrayaran star system, the Second Force deals with administrative and technical support matters.
- Second Force Command HQ
- Second Force Staff
- Second Force Staff Group 1: Weaponry Disposal
- Second Force Staff Group 2: Logistics Support
- Second Force Staff Group 3: Space Security (Force Protection of ground operations)
- SFB-21 Barrayar Planetary Orbit North (support to Fourth Force)
- SFB-22 Barrayar Planetary Orbit South (support to Fourth Force)
- SFB-23 Barrayar Large Orbit
- SFB-24 Jump Point 0 (inside end of the first wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
- SFB-25 Jump Point 1 (outside end of the first wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
- SFB-26 Jump Point 2 (inside end of the second wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
- SFB-27 Jump Point 3 (outside end of the second wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
- SFB-28 Asteroids Belt ALFA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
- SFB-29 Asteroids Belt BETA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
- SFB-210 Asteroids Belt GAMMA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
- SFB-211 Asteroids Belt DELTA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
- SFB-212 Barrayar VI Orbital Defence
- SFB-213 Barrayar VIII Orbital Defence
- SFB-214 Moon Defence (under operational command of SPABAR)
- SFB-215 Moon Defence (under operational command of SPABAR)
Third Force
The Third Force is led by Lieutenant General Albert Scamus and is composed of twelve Areas, each led by a Brigadier General. Whilst First Force's area of responsibility is the fixed defence of the Barrayaran system, the Third Force's area of responsibility is exclusively the Barrayaran planetary system and its immediate neighbourhoods, including the Lagrangian Points (but excluding the two Moons). Defence Areas are large three-dimensional portions of space, where a contingent is deployed.Being integrated and combined with the Fourth Force, which is the starfighter Force assigned to the Barrayaran planetary system, the Third Force deals with administrative and technical support matters.
The Third Force is somewhat peculiar in that it relies not only on the orbital defence platforms, but also on the ground-based radar installations (Ground Warning Directorates, GWD). Such Ground Warning Directorates are widespread on the whole planetary surfaces (including poles and oceanic waters), and each GWD deals with a different type of space surveillance; each installation - usually an Imperial Service Station - consists of all five Ground Warning Directorates. Alongside the ground radar installations, the Third Force deploys both planet- and orbit-based fixed defence points.
- Third Force Command HQ
- Third Force Staff
- Third Force Staff Group 1: Ordnance Disposal
- Third Force Staff Group 2: Logistics Support
- Third Force Staff Group 3: Space Security (Force Protection of ground operations)
- GWD-31 Trial Centre for Testing and Control of Space Means
- GWD-32 Missile Attack Warning Directorate
- GWD-33 Space Surveillance Directorate
- GWD-34 Space object recognition Directorate
- GWD-35 Moment space surveillance Directorate
- DA-36 - North East (ground)
- DA-37 - North East (ground)
- DA-38 - North West (ground)
- DA-39 - North West (ground)
- DA-310 - South East (ground)
- DA-311 - South East (ground)
- DA-312 - South West (ground)
- DA-313 - South West (ground)
- DA-314 - Barrayar Orbital Defence Grid 1
- DA-315 - Barrayar Orbital Defence Grid 2
- DA-316 - Sun-Barrayaran Lagrangian Barrayaran Point 4
- DA-317 - Sun-Barrayaran Lagrangian Barrayaran Point 5
Fourth Force
The Third Force is led by Lieutenant General Petros Kantikaris and is composed of twelve Starfighter Brigades, each led by a Brigadier General. Whilst Second Force's area of responsibility is the mobile defence of the Barrayaran system, the Fourth Force's area of responsibility is exclusively the Barrayaran planetary system and its immediate neighbourhoods, including the Lagrangian Points (but excluding the two Moons). Being integrated and combined with the Third Force, which is the "artillery" Force assigned to the Barrayaran planetary system, the Fourth Force deals with administrative and technical support matters.
The Third Force is somewhat peculiar in that it relies not only on the orbital stations, but also on the ground-based spaceports. Such Ground Warning Directorates are widespread on the planetary surfaces (including poles). Alongside the ground-based spaceports, the Fourth Force also deploys orbit-based starfighter brigades.
- Fourth Force Command HQ
- Fourth Force Staff
- Fourth Force Staff Group 1: Ordnance Disposal
- Fourth Force Staff Group 2: Logistics Support
- Fourth Force Staff Group 3: Space Security (Force Protection of ground operations)
- SFB-41 - North East (ground)
- SFB-42 - North East (ground)
- SFB-43 - North West (ground)
- SFB-44 - North West (ground)
- SFB-45 - South East (ground)
- SFB-46 - South East (ground)
- SFB-47 - South West (ground)
- SFB-48 - South West (ground)
- SFB-49 - Orbits North
- SFB-410 - Orbits South
- SFB-412 - Sun-Barrayaran Lagrangian Barrayaran Point 4
- SFB-413 - Sun-Barrayaran Lagrangian Barrayaran Point 5
Orbital Forces Komarr
The Orbital Forces - Komarr (ORBIKOM) is an orbital forces command in the Imperial Service, also known as the "Central Guard". ORBIKOM area of responsibility includes the Komarran star system including the jump points in the wormholes. The command comprises the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Forces.
ORBIKOM is based at ISB Archangels, Vormoncrief District, Barrayar, although its Operational Head Quarters are based in Solstice, Solstice Sector, Komarr, next Space Forces Komarr.
The commander of the ORBIKOM is General Antoine DeVillier. ORBIKOM is a component command of, and reports to, Komarr Command (KOMCOM). The organization attached directly to ORBIKOM is relatively small: it consists of the ORBIKOM staff, some security detached units, the Defence Points Commands (excluding the two moon defence bases) and the ORBIKOM Services Crafts Group.
- ORBIKOM Commander
- Secretariat ORBIKOM
- ORBIKOM Command Orbital Depot (dependent on the Logistic Command)
- ORBIKOM Staff HQ
- Service Security Liaison Officer
- ORBIKOM Minute Services Crafts Group
The Defence Points Commands are command elements which group and manage both fixed and mobile forces in a given area, combining both static space defences and fighters units. Each Defence Point Command is led by a Major General, who is in charge for the general defence and for the operational command; he is senior to Brigadier Generals under his command but strictly subordinated to the ORBIKOM Commander. It is to note that Defence Point Commands are directly subordinated to ORBIKOM, without further subdivision. ORBIKOM operates 14 such Defence Points Commands.
Orbital Forces Sergyar
The Orbital Forces - Sergyar (ORBISER) is an orbital forces command in the Imperial Service, also known as the "Forward Outpost". ORBISER area of responsibility includes the Sergyaran star system including the jump points in the wormholes. The command comprises only two Forces: the Ninth Force and the Tenth Force. ORBISER is based at ISB Archangels, Vormoncrief District, Barrayar, although its Operational Head Quarters are based in Capital City, Sergyar.
The commander of the ORBISER is General Ser Galen. ORBISER is a component command of, and reports to, Sergyar Command (SERCOM). The organization attached directly to ORBISER is relatively small: it consists of the ORBISER staff, some security detached units, the Defence Points Commands (excluding the two moon defence bases) and the ORBISER Services Crafts Group.
- ORBISER Commander
- Secretariat ORBISER
- ORBISER Command Orbital Depot (dependent on the Logistic Command)
- ORBISER Staff HQ
- Service Security Liaison Officer
- ORBISER Minute Services Crafts Group
The Defence Points Commands are command elements which group and manage both fixed and mobile forces in a given area, combining both static space defences and fighters units. Each Defence Point Command is led by a Major General, who is in charge for the general defence and for the operational command; he is senior to Brigadier Generals under his command but strictly subordinated to the ORBIKOM Commander. It is to note that Defence Point Commands are directly subordinated to ORBISER, without further subdivision. ORBISER operates 10 such Defence Points Commands.
Role of the orbital forces in quelling ground-based revolts
Revolts, civil unrest and widespread disturbances may temporarily occupy large portions of the continental platform, and they also may isolate several areas from the immediate reconquest by the ground-based forces. On the other hand, while police and law enforcement agencies do have aerial vehicles and aircraft in order to patrol skies, they lack of the heavier assets necessary to carry out suborbital, stratospheric and orbital patrol duties; this leaves a window of opportunity to any criminal aiming to escape the planet or to instigate aerial disturbances.
Therefore, the Orbital Forces Command have the specific duty to protect the skies of the planets of the Barrayaran Empire from any threat coming both from the above and the ground, this duty being carried out trhought specific craft assigned to defence organizations.
In case of disturbances caused by a spacecraft flying at an high altitude, usually atmospheric revolt ships create a layer between the threatening vessel and the planetary surface and get closer before shooting, while corvettes or destroyers close in from above. The hoped result is the capture of the rebellious ship, but in case of problem the order is to bring down it with any method.
Delta-class atmospheric revolt ship
The Delta-class atmospheric revolt ship is essentially a cruiser that cannot exit the atmosphere but can deploy fighter craft almost anywhere on the planet. These stratospheric vessels ensure cities and outlying areas are protected. They carry a entourage of 80 fighter craft; and 20 Gunships, as well as 5 Drop Ships to drop off troops in the event of an emergency.
Use of orbital defence grids
Orbital defence grids are optimized for destruction of targets in space. Despite the intent of their design, however, orbital defence grids represent a strategic asset against anything representing an enemy of the network's controllers. Weapons platforms may be reprogrammed to target points on the surface, to the point to wield the firepower to render that planet's surface uninhabitable.
Orbital bombardment
Orbital bombardment is a strategic conduct of war, and it occurs during the blockade of a planet by a hostile force. Effectiveness is based on the naval capacity of the fleet in orbit, and its damaging effect depends on the orbital bombardment stance. Orbital bombardment is usually aimed to damage fortifications and settlements. Waiting for bombardment to destroy the defenses that greatly reduce the damage defenders take in combat and makes an invasion much easier, but there are times when invading is too urgent to wait; the power of an orbital strike can range from small precision strikes to the unleashing of full thermonuclear blasts. Typically, specialised munitions are used, designed to destroy all life on a planet's surface and potentially any entrenched even in the planet's crust. A term frequently used in relation to orbital bombardment is "glassing," which refers to the bombardment being intense enough to cause the soil to vitrify, or melt into volcanic glass.
While all Space Forces capital ships (down to cruisers) have some bombing capability against planetary targets, the orbital bombardment as warfare branch is dealt with by the Orbital Forces Command throught the Orbital Strategic Operations Command, which in turn directly operates low orbit bombers, bomber carriers and spacefaring vessels designed primarily to bomb from high orbit or even open space, but also from the low-orbit. Orbital Strategic Operations Command (OSOC) is the Orbital forces component command of EXPRESCOM and is the strategic and tactical orbital bombardment forces of the Imperial Service.
Spacefaring bombers are used primarily to destroy any planetary defence: such ships have both low-orbit tactical capability greatly increased in comparison to other vessels of similar size and high rapid fire against most defensive structures makes it effective for planetary assaults. Using satellite-guided targeting equipment and powerful plasma bombs, the bomber seeks out and destroys any defence mechanism it can find.
Low Orbital/Stratospheric Bomber
A Low Orbital/Stratospheric Bomber (LOSB) Mk.IX is a space/atmospheric bomber craft, designed to drop large amounts of air-to-ground weaponry onto a distant target for the purposes of debilitating the enemy's capacity to wage war; their primary scope is therefore strategic. Low Orbital/Stratospheric Bombers are designed to fly into enemy territory to destroy strategic targets. In addition to strategic bombing, Low Orbital/Stratospheric Bombers can be used for tactical missions.
A Low Orbital/Stratospheric Bomber is generally capable of space-to-air insertion and of air-to-space exertion, with limited space travel capability; however, more space-based variants do exist. Most LOSB designs incorporate high levels of stealth technology in an effort to avoid detection, especially by radar networks, but also by other detection means. Low Orbital/Stratospheric Bombers are primarily armed with nuclear warheads, but they can carry any hypersonic cruise missile (high-explosive, M/AM, plasma, etc.), and they are equipped with both force shields, combat drones and long-range plasma/laser guns.
While the Barrayaran Imperial Military Service deploys a number of light attack craft classes, there is only one LOSB class currently operated, with a large number of variants, which differ from the basic model also for significant parts. The Ziz-class Low Orbital/Stratospheric Bomber is a low-drag flying wing design, ultrasonic speed-capable craft with a combat radius of around 33,500 kilometres at 20,000 metres (with a minimum operational altitude of 7,500 metres) with full payload (on internal fuel), a payload capability of 20,000 kilograms and 4 plasma engines, as well as 15 EMP-resistant computers which, among other features, provide a powerful inertial stabilization and dampening system, an ablative heat shield, a sun-based precision navigation system, a flight stability support system and a informatics resilience defensive support system. It has the ability to carry hypersonic air-launched stand-off missiles in full-stealth configuration. The stealth capability is the result of combination of several elements; the hull is made up of very specific materials, in order to be both radar transparent and absorbing (including thermal/infrared detection and mass survey), while the craft is specifically equipped with electronic warfare equipment in order to disrupt and deceive long-range detection means. However, the Ziz-class is vulnerable to visual interception at ranges of 10 km or less.
The main features are the self-healing capability, which allows to the LOSB to remain in combat areas even after receiving substantial damage, and the "digital white blood cell": the concept of "digital white blood cell" is based on the ability to inoculate a network inert track harmful before spreading throughout the system.
Light attack crafts
The primary concern of the Orbital Forces Command is the military operations of light attack crafts, usually known as starfighters or interceptors. A light attack craft is a comparatively small, armed intra-system space vessel. The small dimensions, as well as the lack of jump capability, distinguish light attack crafts from the larger types of warships. Most star nations employ such crafts for their system defence forces.
Light Space Interceptor
The Rybamech-class Light Space Interceptors are the standard non-atmospheric bombing and attack crafts of the Orbital Forces. Rybamech bombers are large, slow crafts which are capable of operating in space vacuum and, if required, in atmosphere. A Rybamech interceptor is designed to carry a heavy payload of plasma mines and armour-piercing weapons for use mainly against enemy capital ships rather than planetary targets. Crewed by a pilot, co-pilot, an engineer (plus up to five assistants), various gunners and a logistics officer, Rybamech interceptors feature limited sleeping quarters, chemical toilets and an automated medical unit inside its hull. Armed with a multitude of short-range defence weapons that are used to fend off enemy starfighters, a lone Rybamech interceptor can cause a significant damage to an enemy capital ship.
The main armament consists of a forward gunner-operated twin-linked laser cannons, two gunner-operated twin-linked multi-laser cannons turrets, two side-mounted remote gunner-operated twin-linked plasma cannon turrets.
Taurus Mark VI
Favouring close combat prowess and survivability over agility and precision, the Taurus is packed with powerful short-range weapons systems and is designed as a heavy, well armored chassis for point-defence roles where dominance over a specified area of space with sustained point-defence engagement is the key objective: the armour consists of a 350mm composite interlaced triple hull fernite of carbide, supported by shield emitters, while the main armament consists of plasma rapid spooling flak-cannons.
Its mobility is ensured by quad-port plasma thrusters, wich give wide-angle thrust vectoring for high-load stability and control, and countermeasures are a dual-purpose Drone Electromagnetic Shield Pulse Emitter and an EMP system.
Orbital Defence Grids
Orbital Defence Grids are integrated systems of military satellites and battlestations responsible for defending Barrayaran inhabited planets from spaceborne threats. The ODG is an essential element of the planetary infrastructure. All Barrayaran Orbital Defence Grids comprise of two types of facilities. Platforms are unmanned satellites, and typically make up the bulk of any defence network. Most Orbital Weapons Platforms are exclusively dedicated to either weapons or sensors, although some platforms will mount both. The other primary component of a defense network are battlestations, manned satellites, usually both heavily armed, armoured and shielded. These are the command and control centres for an Orbital Defense Grid, and generally high priority targets for an invading fleet.
Strategic deployment
In modern strategy, most heavily fortified planets employ thousands of small, specialized defense platforms scattered in a globular, orbiting cloud, and Barrayar-held planets are no exception. Such a dispersion strategy prevents an attacker from quickly degrading an orbital defence grid's total firepower by offering numerous targets, none of which comprise a significant portion of the network's total capabilities. However, Barrayaran ODGs require large, constantly roving maintenance teams to keep the many weapons and sensor platforms in working condition.
Orbital Weapons Platforms
The Orbital Weapons Platforms are the most common fixed defence system used in orbital proximities. Each one holds a shield generator, three heavy disruptor cannons and a twin-linked plasma cannon. Orbital Defence Platforms consist of a central section with three weapons extendible arms; they are 50 metres across when extended. Each system is powered from some central reactor units which would be located nearby. This allows reactor and fuel to be removed from the individual platforms, making it significantly smaller. A network of these platforms is employed around each main planet of the Empire. The system operates entirely automatically. The most relevant weakness is that each platform is dependant on a single link (albeit redundant and well protected). Each Orbital Weapons Platform is equipped with a one to two types of space defence weapons.
Gauss Turret Platform
The Gauss Turrets consist of a system of powerful electromagnets which fires a projectile by accelerating between a number of metal rails. Gauss Cannons fire high-density metal projectiles at extremely high velocity. This weapon is so powerful when fired that it creates a sonic boom which is heard for miles, and the crew near the weapon must take special precautions due to the massive concussion effects generated.
The Gauss Turrets are a good defence against enemy ships. It is often compared to the Plasma Turret as an attractive defence. A Gauss Turrets node is extremely effective at scaring away fleets made mostly of medium-sized ships, because it can destroy a cruiser in one well-placed shot. One or two Gauss Cannons with a large amount of fodder will generally prevent any number of Cruiser-based fleets from attacking: the Gauss Turret is capable of bypassing the shields and the hull of both small and large cargos and fighters, destroying them with a single shot, provided that their mass shields disabled (through the support fire of Ion Cannons) are not in use or setted with the force generated by the gauss-shot projectile.
Ion Cannon Platform
The Ion Cannon is a fixed heavy weapon used in order to disable enemy informatics by sending EMPs against the target through a ion beam. Such a focused ion beam is capable of obliterating unshielded electrical systems and destabilizing the shield circuits within its target. These combined effects often cause the destruction of the target ship while sparing any biological cargo, including the crew members. This is the reason behind the rare use (outside the support fire role) of the Ion Cannon alone on Orbital Weapons Platforms, since live combat often requires total annihilation of targets as opposed to simple paralysis. On the other hand, Ion Cannons are often used as a spaceport protection.
Plasma Cannon
One of the most advanced defence weapons systems developed, the Plasma Cannon uses a large nuclear reactor fuel cell to power an electromagnetic accelerator that fires a pulse, or toroid, of plasma. During operation, the Plasma Cannon first locks in on a target and begins the process of firing. A plasma sphere is created in the turrets core by super heating and compressing gases, stripping them of their electrons to form ions. Once the gas is superheated, compressed, and a plasma sphere is created, it is then loaded into the electromagnetic accelerator which is then energized. Once fully energized, the accelerator is then activated, which results in the plasma sphere being launched at an extremely high rate of speed to the intended target. The plasma cannon is used in the inner defence layers or in conjunction with Ion Cannons, due to the necessity of disabling plasma mirrors. Plasma Cannons are also useful for being able to destroy an unprotected battleship in two hits, deterring attacks from fleets containing them.