Deep Periphery Survey Detachment

• Formed just after Kerensky's exodus to explore the Deep Periphery rimward of the Inner Sphere
• A cone with an opening angle of approximately 45 degrees originating at the 2nd RSAB homeworlds extending rimward
• Purpose is multifold:
  • Precisely catalog all star systems for navigation purposes
  • Survey and assay systems, worlds, moons, and asteroids for potential resource exploitation
  • Establish potential locations for Omega and Beta sites for the relocation plan
  • Gather general scientific data and knowledge
  • Catalog and document any Deep Periphery settlements and peoples for threat assessment purposes
  • Deploy and maintain HGP relay stations to enable long range communication
• Originally used several hastily converted civilian DropShips and JumpShips
• Then adapted to use second-hand or retired military JumpShips, WarShips, and DropShips
• Ultra long range missions use one of three custom-designed JumpShips
  • Known as Grand Pathfinders
• Also uses DropShips designed for the Deep Range Reconnaissance Patrol for initial navigational assays of systems due to reliability and long range
• While ostensibly a civilian/scientific operation, all JumpShips and DropShips are commanded and manned by active military personnel, many drawn from the Deep Range Reconnaissance Patrol ranks
• Original mission lengths were 12-16 months due mainly to the limits of consumables
• Current mission lengths are roughly 5 years
• Ultra long range missions can last up to 10 years but may involve rendezvous with one or more resupply convoys
  • Primary purpose of ultra long range missions is to establish basic navigational data for future missions
• All JumpShips used are modified to have at least two large Grav Decks
• Unit reports to both the Reserves Naval Reconnaissance and to Quartermaster Command, with Naval Reconnaissance dictating operational priorities
• The unit as a whole, civilian and military members combined, is trained in Naval Reconnaissance and all civilian members must be certified as "Combat Ready" prior to assignment
  • Most civilian members are registered both as their science/engineering specialty as well as infantry/marines.
• As of 3050, the unit is in the middle of the planning stages for the establishment of a supply and staging base in the Deep Periphery in order to augment their ability to perform their mission
• The unit makes use of very few BattleMechs but extensive use of IndustrialMechs
• As of 3050, the unit consists of:
  • 3 Ultra-long range JumpShips
  • 28 Survey JumpShips
  • 120 DropShips
  • 200 Aerospace Fighters
  • 400 Aerospace Fighter Pilots
  • 200 Small Aerospace Craft
  • 600 Small Aerospace Craft Pilots/Personnel
  • 36 BattleMechs
  • 72 BattleMech Pilots
  • 12 Land Air Mechs
  • 36 LAM Pilots
  • 200 IndustrialMechs
  • 400 IndustrialMech Pilots
  • 200 VTOL's
  • 400 VTOL Pilots
  • 15,000 Scientific Personnel
  • 1,800 Combat and Civil Engineering Personnel with attendant equipment
  • 500 JumpShip Personnel
  • 280 Medical Personnel
  • 2,500 DropShip Personnel
  • 8,000 Technical and Support Personnel
  • 2,200 Marines
  • 300 Communications Personnel/HPG Specialists