Sol Defense Corps Navy

The **Sol Defense Corps Navy (SDCN)** is the branch of the Sol Defense Corps responsible for astral warfare and operations. Its roles include astral warfare, orbital bombardment, the deployment of atmospheric and astral fighters, and the delivery of Sol Defense Marine Corps Marines into combat.

## Mission

The Sol Defense Corps Navy's mission is to "*Provide naval forces to ensure freedom of access for aerospace and terrestrial operations.*" More specifically, the Navy is responsible for destroying and suppressing enemy space combatants, especially those attempting to attack the United Nations commercial and territorial holdings. The Navy's collateral functions include;

* Interstellar transportation of Sol Defense Corps assets,
* Development of doctrine, procedures, and equipment that are of the common interest to the Marine Corps,
* Providing forces for joint aerospace and terrestrial operations, in accordance to SDC doctrine,
* Coordination with UN civil agencies for the establishment and maintenance of naval depots and orbital yards.

## Organization

### Command Structure

The Sol Defense Corps Navy is subordinate to the Chiefs of Staff. It is administered by the SDC Naval Command (NAVCOM), headed by the Commander of the Fleet. The CMF is assisted by the Vice-Commander of the Fleet. NAVCOM is split into three Commands;

* Fleet Command (FLTCOM) has oversight of ship deployment, mission structures, and space operations, including the transport of troops and naval fighter operations. It is the largest and most powerful component of any NAVCOM grouping.
* Logistical Operations Command (LOGICOM) oversees the construction, maintenance, and distribution of supplies and materiel, including ships, ammunition, replacement parts, and food.
* Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOC) are responsible for all naval special operations. They provide mission parameters, ships and specialist personnel to support Special Operations in deep space or planetary orbit.

The SDCN operates with UNICOM forces to form one of four Central Commands (CENTCOM) which hold responsibility over a certain area of space. Forces assigned to one CENTCOM cannot be moved to another without Chiefs of Staff approval. However a CENTCOM commander has the authority to act semi-independently from the Chiefs of Staff within the regional space they command.

### Operating Forces

The SDCN forces are split into a number of fleets. These tend to be large formations, though rarely patrol together; single or pairs of ships are commonly seen patrolling UN space. System defense fleets, such as the **Aegis Fleet**, are commonly formed to patrol and defend different sectors of human colonized-system. Defense fleets were often considered more than glorified revenue police, though have proved to be an imperative role during the Labyrinthine War as they have provided desperately needed training cadres and battle-ready warships. The SDCN also fields an expeditionary fleet, the Sixth Fleet, which was used to explore other systems before the start of the war.

Fleets are typically assigned to a Central Command (CENTCOM).

These fleets are further divided into several battle groups, more common tactical formations which are formed on an as-needed basis and vary dramatically in size from three ships to large carrier strike groups. Battle groups are flexible fighting organizations that can plugged together into arranged task forces. A squadron is a group of warships that is smaller than a fleet.

#### Hermes Fleet (1st Fleet)

The Hermes Fleet is the rapid response and offensive operations fleet, led by Admiral Ramik Asupani. The fleet is primarily consisted of quick, FTL-capable vessels, favoring frigates and cruisers over larger capital ships. The lone pair of capital ships in the fleet, the *Valiant*-class carriers SDCN Hermes (FCV-20) and SDCN Deimos (FCV-21), are often placed in the middle of battlegroups and have been retrofitted with faster propulsion equipment to keep up with the rest of the group.

Hermes is usually assigned as a QRF fleet and is often assigned to missions that require rapid response or rapid deployment. Hermes contains the largest contingent of NAVSOC operators in the fleet and also the second largest contingent of Marines.

#### Aegis (2nd Fleet)

The Aegis Fleet is the Earth's orbital guard and the central fleet of the SDCN, overseen by Admiral Harper Johnson. The fleet consists mainly of large defensive battlecruisers and carriers to provide a stalwart shield against attacks on passing vessels in Earth's orbit.

Aegis is normally rather dormant during peacetime and mainly serves as a border guard for Earth and Mars, checking trade vessels and providing anti-piracy security. During the Labyrinthine War, the fleet was reactivated after the first and later second attack on Earth.

#### Ares Fleet (3rd Fleet)

The largest and most aggressive fleet of the SDCN, the Ares Fleet is tasked with offensive operations and is often seen taking the role of the primary brute in battles and skirmishes. Led by Admiral Andrew Dartmouth, the fleet has earned a reputation for its aggressive tactics and strength-in-numbers strategy.

#### Poseidon Fleet (4th Fleet)

The Poseidon Fleet is often seen as the border guard for the United Nations, with a majority of its forces posted beyond Pluto, patrolling the Kuiper Belt and extrasolar colonies, to look for and quell any piracy or criminal activity other fleets wouldn't dare approach. They are the most experienced with counter-piracy tactics and are often deployed to areas with high illegal activity.

#### Argo Fleet (5th Fleet)

The Argo Fleet is the reserve fleet of the SDCN, currently led by Rear Admiral Danforth Whitcomb. Normally retired, the fleet has since been reactivated due to the UN's entry into the Labyrinthine War.

#### Odysseus Fleet (6th Fleet)

The expeditionary fleet of the SDCN and the parent division of the Final Frontier Project. The Odysseus Fleet is concerned with conducting naval patrols and activity outside of the Sol system, and as such, each individual vessel is heavily equipped to withstand and fight any force that might encounter it. Sporadic in nature, the Odysseus Fleet is often seen spread out, with up to 3 vessels being positioned next to each other. Odysseus Fleet vessels, unlike ships in other fleets, are not staffed with a marine detachment due to the research-oriented nature of the fleet.

The vessels operated by the Final Frontier Project, such as the Emissary, usually trek alone, their activities often being conducted millions of kilometers away from the nearest battlecruiser. As such, FFP ships are retrofitted to act as fighters of their own, boasting considerable artillery as well as advanced armor and shielding to protect against many threats.

### Naval Departments

The SDCN operates several different departments in conjunction with its commands.

Naval Department Commands
 SDC Ambassadorial Command | AMB | Liaison command between the SDC and both other military and civilian organizations. | VADM Cheyenne Goddard

## Personnel

Large numbers of men and women are employed by the SDCN. Navy recruits serve in initial basic training at one of many Basic Training Centers located on multiple planets. At basic training, recruits are trained, tested, and evaluated on their physical fitness, proficiency with firearms, and command potential. Following graduation from BTC, a naval recruit is required to complete additional training around the vacuum of space and microgravity. Finally, a recruit is assigned aboard a naval vessel or installation as a non-commissioned recruit within the Navy. Several colonies are also home to Officer Candidate Schools that provide training and allows civilians to become officers. Renowned OCS academies include the Norfolk OCS and Schiaparelli OCS.

Navy Personnel wear distinctive uniforms that vary between situation. Dress uniforms are worn on formal occasions, such as ceremonies and other official functions, while service uniforms and jumpsuits are the basic uniform worn by naval personnel while on duty. Carrier flight crews wear colored jerseys signifying their role on the flight deck; red for ordnance handlers, white for safety technicians, green for catapult technicians, etc.

## Equipment

### Astral Warships

*Main Article: List of Ships of the SDCN*

As of 2116, the Navy operates over XXX astral warships, including vessels of the FFP, employing corvettes, frigates, cruisers, battlecruisers, and carriers of varying age and capability.