The Ninth Fleet is part of the Fringe Command Fleet Group operating in the border between the Protectorate and the Exile territory of Vuniane as well as in the Second Erq. It is commanded by an admiral (Keónedana) headquartered in Task Force 95.
Task Force 90 – Carrier Battle Force
The role of the carrier battle force (CBF aka “Beef”) is to serve as a deterrent to peer-level threats. In the absence of peer-level threats (for example, in the 60-year period after the Second Uprising), the power projection of a traditional CBF is overkill. As a result, many of the CBFs have been reorganized to function more like Interdiction Carrier Forces. The changes include a reduction in the number of squadrons in the carrier wing (from 11 to 8), a reduction in escort destroyers (from 4 to 2), and the addition of an embarked special intervention commando force trained in counter-piracy and ship seizure operations. The Protectorate supercarriers are aging due to lack of perceived utility. However, serving aboard a supercarrier is still considered a plum assignment–they have lots of extra space.
Sóledon-class Supercarrier Raehk
- 2 squadrons (x7) Tiger Interceptors
- 2 squadrons (x4) Panther Strike Fighters
- 2 squadrons (x3) Hellcat High-altitude capable bombers
- 2 squadrons (x5) Ghost Hawk long-range recon and targeting craft
- 4 Mule medium transport shuttles
2 Basilisk-class Guided Missile Destroyers
1 Viper-class Railgun Frigate (flagship)
2 Wolverine-class Assault Corvettes
- 2 re-entry capable Heavy Airborne Support Platforms (HASP-R)
- 2 “Fire Ant” modified breaching tugs
- 1 Commando platoon (2 close combat squads) + demolitions squad or company HQ
1 Relief-class Supply Ship
- 2 Mule medium transport shuttles
Task Force 91 – Interdiction Carrier Force
The role of the interdiction carrier force (ICF) is to serve as a flexible response option to piracy, smuggling, and insurgency threats. Where most ICFs include a company of commandos to conduct ship seizure operations, Task Force 91 includes a company of embarked Light Scouts. These elite special forces soldiers are nicknamed “The Diplomatic Corps” and would be the tip of the spear in any action against the Exiles.
Qhadé-class Light Carrier Nurisenad (oathbringer) (flagship)
- 2 squadrons (x7) Tiger Interceptors
- 1 squadron (x4) Panther Strike Fighters
- 1 squadron (x3) Hellcat High-altitude capable bombers
- 1 squadron (x5) Ghost Hawk long-range recon and targeting craft
- 2 Mule medium transport shuttles
2 Basilisk-class Guided Missile Destroyers
2 Wolverine-class Assault Corvettes
- 2 re-entry capable Heavy Airborne Support Platforms (HASP-R)
- 1 Mule medium transport shuttle
- 1 Light Scout platoon (2 armored squads) + Company HQ or 2 sniper teams
1 Relief-class Supply Ship
- 2 Mule medium transport shuttles
Task Force 94 – Checkpoint Group
Fold-inhibitor craft
Task Force 95 – Command Support Group
Bakásbole-class Command Ship (flagship–Commander Ninth Fleet)
Survey and Research Vessel (SRV; flagship Task Force 95)
Itema-class Hospital Ship
2 Salvage and Repair Vessels (SAL)
Orbital Repair Yard
- 94th Fleet Engineers Battalion
Task Force 96 – Logistics Group
4 Nova-class Heavy Modular Transport Ships
- 6 “Space Ant” Tugs
- 48 large module (dry cargo, water, ammunition and ordnance, troop transport) slots OR 768 small module slots (a combination of large and small modules may be anchored)
- Optional squadron of Panther Strike Fighters (x4) if 2 Escort Support Modules are loaded
Wehwinal Usi–Karnalim Space Elevator
Rovid-class Mobile Staging Area
Task Force 97 – Guided Missile Destroyer Squadron
Task Force 97 provides escort protection as needed to the CBF, ICF, Logistics Group, or Surface Landing Support Group
3 Basilisk-class Guided Missile Destroyers
Task Force 98 – Surface Landing Support Group
The role of the Surface Landing Support Group is to transport the assault force to a planetary surface. Two of the three carriers each hold one infantry battalion and the shuttle force to land two companies at a time. (The Mules are included to drop troops and supplies quickly if a planet-side landing strip is secured or built.) The third carrier contains the brigade headquarters, the combat engineer company, the logistics company, the close air support squadron, and the tank company.
Qhadé-class Light Carrier Ebatkai (righteous purpose)
- 8 Mule medium transport shuttles
- 16 re-entry capable Heavy Airborne Support Platforms (HASP-R)
Qhadé-class Light Carrier Rióldiwa (sanctuary breaker)
- 8 Mule medium transport shuttles
- 16 re-entry capable Heavy Airborne Support Platforms (HASP-R)
Qhadé-class Light Carrier Tezal Ehat (to command order)
- 9 Comet “One-way Ticket” heavy dropships
- 14 re-entry capable Heavy Airborne Support Platforms (HASP-R)
Task Force 99 – Assault Force
Task Force 99 is the Ninth Fleet designation for the embarked 43rd Assault Infantry Brigade.
Brigade headquarters detachment
2 infantry battalions
Combat engineer company
Logistics company
Close air support squadron
- 14 HASP-R
Tank company
- 14 Fox Rocket-mortar tanks
