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I think it got missed because they look the same due the the word limit, but I put down another version of our letter focusing more on the internals, if someone could please look it over and give me feedback I'd greatly appreciate it.
Production logistics in general isn't quite right, so much as equipment logistics of the guns. Either way though I think its pretty good.
 
Production logistics in general isn't quite right, so much as equipment logistics of the guns. Either way though I think its pretty good.
The idea was that with the explicitly mentioned massive supply of the 75mm and whatever preexisiting production line we have for the 13.2mm to have it be standard would cut down on the costs of making the mech itself due to not requiring new production lines, but if people feel that its better as equipment logistics I'll swap it out.
 
I don't disagree with the vote, but I feel it may be slightly missing the point. How good our mech is in war time isn't the question, with one not expected to occur (yes Germany is rearming, but in a deniable way France thinks it can beat via being able to have an open army, training system, etc). It's peace time characteristics are the issue, namely expense. Fortunately we have a slight upgrade system built in with how the armor can be taken off and upgraded easily due to a mounting system. Alternatively, we can appeal to pride. Capability does lead to more impressive victories, and for someone who is likely to lead said forces...
 
(yes Germany is rearming, but in a deniable way France thinks it can beat via being able to have an open army, training system, etc).
I agree that we should focus on cost more than its fighting ability, but only because we demonstrated that pretty well in the tests already. It's pretty clear that the German "agricultural" mech designation is only a fig leaf.

Contest 1: Final Acceptance & The Party said:
Talking to your contacts in the Army, you quickly got a few more additional items to look at. Speed wasn't the primary concern here: firepower was, and to a lesser extent armor. The latest German 'agricultural mecha' had been observed with heavy armor, and more importantly a number of heavy hardpoints that could be adapted to filled with heavy weapons.
 
[X] Gen. Prioux
-[X] Our Mech is expensive, but it's an investment. Rarely will replacements be needed with how tough it is. It's simplicity means anyone can pilot it, so you can build a mecha operator training corps easily. It's ease of supply and direct fire capabilities make it so it can put down almost anything in the same bracket, and in a pinch can be used for indirect fire. A mech designed for the now, and for the future as technology marches on.
 
[X] Gen. Prioux
-[X] Our Mech is expensive, but it's an investment. Rarely will replacements be needed with how tough it is. It's simplicity means anyone can pilot it, so you can build a mecha operator training corps easily. It's ease of supply and direct fire capabilities make it so it can put down almost anything in the same bracket, and in a pinch can be used for indirect fire. A mech designed for the now, and for the future as technology marches on.
 
[X] Gen. Prioux
-[X] Our Mech is an investment. Rarely will replacements be needed with how tough and stable it is. It's simplicity means anyone can pilot it, so you can build a mecha operator training corps easily. It's ease of supply and direct fire capabilities make it so it can put down almost anything in the same bracket, and in a pinch can be used for indirect fire. A mech designed for the now, and for the future as technology marches on.
 
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[X] Gen. Prioux
-[X] Our Mech is expensive, but it's an investment. Rarely will replacements be needed with how tough it is. It's simplicity means anyone can pilot it, so you can build a mecha operator training corps easily. It's ease of supply and direct fire capabilities make it so it can put down almost anything in the same bracket, and in a pinch can be used for indirect fire. A mech designed for the now, and for the future as technology marches on.
 
We could use our guns as an argument to the cost focused generals. We are using the same guns and ammo as some of their more common weapons, that's a long term cost and logistics complexity saver.

"Common" in this case is relative. Sure, the French 75 is everywhere, but the 13.2 Hotchkiss isn't nearly so widespread. It normally shows up in the Antichar units as their GPMG and vehicle weapon of choice to augment their stock of SA 18 guns, and also with the armored car regiments, but it is far from the Everyman's Machine Gun.

Do we think we could feasabily make our armor thinner if we needed to cut costs?

This would not meaningfully cut costs. For layman cost estimates, multiply surface areas by complexity of geometry. Making the dome shape thinner doesn't fix the cost drivers.

One thing we have going for us is that while it's debatable if our mecha is the best choice now, it's likely the best choice in five years. The heavy armor and big gun is going to mean it stays combat relevant the longest.

Unless something changes the name of the game in five years. This being the 20s, that's a pretty safe bet.

@7734 did both of Workshop 1 make it through, or was one of them disqualified?

A singular Workshop 1 mecha suffered a breakdown and had a DNF.


You get that next update.

I have a question: What the hell happened to these mechs?

Lots of shitty terrain and transverse slopes traversals on wet ground. Plus a forrest, some bogs, a little abandoned bocage. The usual.
 
[X] Gen. Prioux
-[X] Our Mech is expensive, but it's an investment. Rarely will replacements be needed with how tough it is. It's simplicity means anyone can pilot it, so you can build a mecha operator training corps easily. It's ease of supply and direct fire capabilities make it so it can put down almost anything in the same bracket, and in a pinch can be used for indirect fire. A mech designed for the now, and for the future as technology marches on.

I get the feeling that some mechs crashed into each other during the march.
 
I think the biggest misstep in the vote is trying to play up the armor as a cost advantage rather than a capability gap over our competitors. Because it isn't: the military is looking to get job lots of frames to fill out formations for deterrence and preparation, not immediately fight a war.

Ah well. What's done is done, and I've already said I didn't disagree with the statements made. The armor is an advantage for the crew and their commander, the thing is future proofed, and so on.
 
Well, our advantage on the combat protections side is something I believe has already been made plenty apparent by thr destructive testing. I do not believe we really need to reiterate the point when we really didn't get any competition come close on that test.
 
I need too check if any of the options emphasized our stability. Right now operational losses are what will destroy the mecha in peacetime, things like falling over and totalling the mech. Since ours is very stable that's probably what the high up front cost, low long term cost should emphasize.
 
Well, I did a write in that focused on the ease of logistics compared to the other mechs which would need to start up new production lines. From what I can tell, we do meet Prioux' requirements for terrain handling, it's just that of the mechs which do ours is the most expensive. I did manage to squeeze a line in there about rough terrain shooting and troop morale in there as well.
 
[X] Gen. Prioux
-[X] Our Mech is an investment. Rarely will replacements be needed with how tough and stable it is. It's simplicity means anyone can pilot it, so you can build a mecha operator training corps easily. It's ease of supply and direct fire capabilities make it so it can put down almost anything in the same bracket, and in a pinch can be used for indirect fire. A mech designed for the now, and for the future as technology marches on.

Made some slight adjustments to what I was voting for.
 
[X] Gen. Prioux
-[X] Our Mech is an investment. Rarely will replacements be needed with how tough and stable it is. It's simplicity means anyone can pilot it, so you can build a mecha operator training corps easily. It's ease of supply and direct fire capabilities make it so it can put down almost anything in the same bracket, and in a pinch can be used for indirect fire. A mech designed for the now, and for the future as technology marches on.

I'll swap if the vote's still open.
 
[X] Gen. Prioux
-[X] Our Mech is an investment. Rarely will replacements be needed with how tough and stable it is. It's simplicity means anyone can pilot it, so you can build a mecha operator training corps easily. It's ease of supply and direct fire capabilities make it so it can put down almost anything in the same bracket, and in a pinch can be used for indirect fire. A mech designed for the now, and for the future as technology marches on.

Sure
 
[X] Gen. Prioux
-[X] Our Mech is an investment. Rarely will replacements be needed with how tough and stable it is. It's simplicity means anyone can pilot it, so you can build a mecha operator training corps easily. It's ease of supply and direct fire capabilities make it so it can put down almost anything in the same bracket, and in a pinch can be used for indirect fire. A mech designed for the now, and for the future as technology marches on.
 
[X] Gen. Prioux
-[X] Our Mech is an investment. Rarely will replacements be needed with how tough and stable it is. It's simplicity means anyone can pilot it, so you can build a mecha operator training corps easily. It's ease of supply and direct fire capabilities make it so it can put down almost anything in the same bracket, and in a pinch can be used for indirect fire. A mech designed for the now, and for the future as technology marches on.
 
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