NORTHAG Division #9 - NATO’s US 9th Infantry Division (Motorized)
Well, hello there.
Welcome back to Division #9, in which we - aptly so, the numbers align once again - will brief you on NORTHAG’s NATO US 9th Infantry Division (Motorized).
Let’s go, commanders!
[h2]NATO’s US 9th Infantry Division (Motorized)[/h2]
With this week’s last two NORTHAG Division previews, we go a bit beyond. The American 9th Infantry Division (Motorized) wasn’t supposed to fight in NORTHAG command specifically, but slightly further north, destined for Denmark. However, much like its Warsaw Pact counterpart, which we will preview later this week, the US 9th Infantry Division (Motorized) was too cool to pass up for WARNO - NORTHAG expansion.
The division is rather unique. In 1981, it was the first to be converted into a “light division” within the US Army to do so. The main idea was that it could deploy rapidly and still engage heavy threat forces. The 9th Infantry (Motorized) Division served as a testbed to try out new equipment, and as such, in 1983, the formation became officially known as the High-Technology Test-Bed (HTTB). It got the interesting nickname - by the rest of the Army - as the “Toys “R” Us Division” for the weird hotchpotch mix of prototypes found in the divisional armory. The formation was also responsible for writing the manuals for employing exotic and untried equipment.
[h2]The US 9th Infantry Division (Motorized) Detailed[/h2]
From the start, the 9th Motorized was to be entirely equipped with two new dedicated vehicles: the Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV) light utility truck and the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or the Humvee). It tested the latter vehicles and the many variants that came after, some of which saw actual deployment, while others did not (such as the Humvee LOSAT firing high-velocity kinetic ordnances or the Humvee Red-T with the Bradley’s 25mm chaingun, see below).
As soon as the HTTB validated a weapon or vehicle concept, it moved along to other divisions. This is how the 82nd Airborne, the 101st Airborne, and the 10th Mountain Division all converted to a light, Humvee-based TO&Es by the mid-1980s. Notable weapon systems that passed the gamut included UAVs, the Mk.19 grenade launcher, US-Roland, and Avenger, and more.
For you WARNO connoisseurs, the 9th Motorized will be a bit like a US counterpart to the Soviet 27-ya Gvardeyskaya Motostrelkovaya Diviziya (27th Guards Motor Rifle Division) with its “Division 90” filled with cutting-edge units and technology. A key difference is that the American division has a lighter role, although from 1987, one of the 9th Infantry’s brigades was inactivated and replaced by a heavier National Guard mechanized “rounded brigade” (which we will duly represent).
[h2]The US 9th Infantry Division (Motorized) in WARNO - NORTHAG[/h2]
Let’s take a look at how the 9th Infantry (Motorized) looks like in-game.
LOG
INF
ART
TANK
RECO
AA
HELO
AIR
The 9th Infantry (Motorized) Division is a light but versatile division with plenty of new tricks, traits, and vehicles under its high-tech sleeves!
[h2]NORTHAG Expansion Explained[/h2] WARNO - NORTHAG is the first major expansion coming to WARNO. World War III hits the North German Plain where the attacking Warsaw Pact needs to overcome the staunch defenses of NATO’s NORTHAG. Under British command, Belgian, Dutch, West German, and American forces battle against the powerful northern formations of the Soviet Group of Forces in Germany, including East German and reinforcing Polish armies. The expansion is planned for later in 2024.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2978620/WARNO__NORTHAG/
WARNO - NORTHAG will feature:
We have started detailing WARNO - NORTHAG’s features. Check the list below!
[h2]Until Next Time[/h2]
That’s it for this week. We’ll be back later this week with NORTHAG’s very last Division preview: the Warsaw Pact’s Polish Korpus Desantowy!
Join the WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.
See you on the battlefield, commander.
Welcome back to Division #9, in which we - aptly so, the numbers align once again - will brief you on NORTHAG’s NATO US 9th Infantry Division (Motorized).
Let’s go, commanders!
[h2]NATO’s US 9th Infantry Division (Motorized)[/h2]
With this week’s last two NORTHAG Division previews, we go a bit beyond. The American 9th Infantry Division (Motorized) wasn’t supposed to fight in NORTHAG command specifically, but slightly further north, destined for Denmark. However, much like its Warsaw Pact counterpart, which we will preview later this week, the US 9th Infantry Division (Motorized) was too cool to pass up for WARNO - NORTHAG expansion.
The division is rather unique. In 1981, it was the first to be converted into a “light division” within the US Army to do so. The main idea was that it could deploy rapidly and still engage heavy threat forces. The 9th Infantry (Motorized) Division served as a testbed to try out new equipment, and as such, in 1983, the formation became officially known as the High-Technology Test-Bed (HTTB). It got the interesting nickname - by the rest of the Army - as the “Toys “R” Us Division” for the weird hotchpotch mix of prototypes found in the divisional armory. The formation was also responsible for writing the manuals for employing exotic and untried equipment.
[h2]The US 9th Infantry Division (Motorized) Detailed[/h2]
From the start, the 9th Motorized was to be entirely equipped with two new dedicated vehicles: the Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV) light utility truck and the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or the Humvee). It tested the latter vehicles and the many variants that came after, some of which saw actual deployment, while others did not (such as the Humvee LOSAT firing high-velocity kinetic ordnances or the Humvee Red-T with the Bradley’s 25mm chaingun, see below).
As soon as the HTTB validated a weapon or vehicle concept, it moved along to other divisions. This is how the 82nd Airborne, the 101st Airborne, and the 10th Mountain Division all converted to a light, Humvee-based TO&Es by the mid-1980s. Notable weapon systems that passed the gamut included UAVs, the Mk.19 grenade launcher, US-Roland, and Avenger, and more.
For you WARNO connoisseurs, the 9th Motorized will be a bit like a US counterpart to the Soviet 27-ya Gvardeyskaya Motostrelkovaya Diviziya (27th Guards Motor Rifle Division) with its “Division 90” filled with cutting-edge units and technology. A key difference is that the American division has a lighter role, although from 1987, one of the 9th Infantry’s brigades was inactivated and replaced by a heavier National Guard mechanized “rounded brigade” (which we will duly represent).
[h2]The US 9th Infantry Division (Motorized) in WARNO - NORTHAG[/h2]
Let’s take a look at how the 9th Infantry (Motorized) looks like in-game.
LOG
- Not super impressive. While the 9th Motorized is not an airborne or air assault division, it is a quick-reaction formation intended to be airlifted into a foreign theater on short notice.
- This means that on the supply side, you do have access to a FOB and M35 SUPPLY, as well as the new M1008 CUCV SUPPLY. These units are complemented by a UH-60A SUPPLY.
- Command vehicles include M1025 HUMVEE CP and UH-60A CO, as well as a M577 courtesy of the attached National Guard brigade.
- This means that on the supply side, you do have access to a FOB and M35 SUPPLY, as well as the new M1008 CUCV SUPPLY. These units are complemented by a UH-60A SUPPLY.
INF
- A very good category, as can be expected from a US Army’s light division. There are two different kinds of troops.
- LIGHT RIFLES (as shared with the Berlin Brigade) in command and LAW variants, as well as the new LIGHT RIFLES (DRAGON II) squads. They can all be deployed in unarmed M1038 HUMVEE or UH-60A BLACKHAWK, or 9th Motorized’s dedicated new M998T ISC (Interim Squad Carrier), an M2HB armed transport Humvee.
- National Guard provides N.G. RIFLES (command, LAW, and Dragon I variants, which is the same as the 35th Infantry Division) in either M35 trucks or N.G. M113A1 APCs.
- LIGHT RIFLES (as shared with the Berlin Brigade) in command and LAW variants, as well as the new LIGHT RIFLES (DRAGON II) squads. They can all be deployed in unarmed M1038 HUMVEE or UH-60A BLACKHAWK, or 9th Motorized’s dedicated new M998T ISC (Interim Squad Carrier), an M2HB armed transport Humvee.
- ENGINEERS (command, explosives, Flash, and Dragon versions) in unarmed or armed HUMVEES.
- Support units a mix of National Guard and Army M60 and H2MB machine guns or Mk.19 as fire support. Plus TOW, I-TOW, and TOW-2 ATGM teams. National Guard units come in M151 MUTT, while 9th Motorized squads can deploy in the new CUCV.
- MP and MP PATROL (M67) military police will move around in M1025 HUMVEE MP.
ART
- Relatively decent with an average number of slots and plenty of varied choices, plus some cool new ones.
- These include M30 107mm towed mortar, and N.G. M125 and N.G. M106A2 mortar carriers.
- The M2 105mm light (airliftable in CHINOOK) and M198 155mm field howitzers. The latter is divided into a regular version, and a new high-tech one called the M198 155mm (CLGP) variant with Copperhead guided ammo, working exactly as the Soviet 2S3M (from the 27th Guards).
- Self-propelled artillery includes the M270 MLRS and N.G. M109A2, as well as the new M60A1 AVLM mine-clearing vehicle based on an M60 Patton chassis. It is an American more heavily armored counterpart to the East-German SPW-50PK(MRF) from Rügener Gruppierung.
TANK
- Average to good with a decent amount of slots, a medium number of tanks, but lots of powerful missile-based tank destroyers.
- Tanks include M60A3 (TTS) CP command variant with a two-to-one ratio of N.G. M60A3 (TTS) versus M60A3 (TTS).
- And plenty of ATGM carriers: N.G. M150A2 TOW-2, plentiful M1025 HUMVEE TOW, but also the brand-new M1008 CUCV GLH. This is a CUCV light truck mounting a two-missile launcher with a Ground-Launched Hellfire, the same missile usually only mounted on an AH-64A attack helicopter!
RECO
- A very good category, second only to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Most of the funky units and prototypes can be found here:
- Existing units featured are NG. SCOUTS, SCOUTS, OH-58C SCOUT, and OH-58D KIOWA.
- New ones include the first American UAV, the new MQM-10 AQUILA.
- Another new aerial recon is the JOH-58. Around half a dozen OH-58s were converted with a fixed-forward M197 20mm gun, the same as the one used on the COBRA.
- New ground vehicles fall into either one of two categories: the new M1025 HUMVEE G/VLLD (pronounced GLIDD), a target-designation Humvee which we’ll treat with Exceptional Optics, and the new FAV (Fast Attack Vehicles) family. These latter units are the counterparts of the British LSV sand-buggies; they come in recon M2HB, Mk.19, and TOW-2 variants. They are manned by regular soldiers, so no special forces traits or added veterancy.
- New infantry scouts include:
- FOLT: a 2-man GSR team riding in transport FAV.
- CEWI. Not new (since they are already featured in the 35th Infantry Division), but these squads will be converted to their proper SIGINT recon role.
- SNIPER (M82): your usual 2-man sniper team, yet one of them is equipped with the hefty Barret M82 12,7mm anti-material rifle. It has an extended range and the ability to engage light armored vehicles. Now a famous weapon, it was still being tested by the US Army in 1989
- FOLT: a 2-man GSR team riding in transport FAV.
AA
- Rather average with only light and towed equipment.
- N.G. STINGER and STINGER MANPAD, as well as M998 AVENGER.
- The M1067A2 VADS 20mm Vulcan gun.
- Even the Chapparal had to lose some weight. In this division, it comes as the new XM895 T-CHAP being a towed variant.
HELO
- Not so good. The division could count on a lot of UH-60A for battlefield mobility, but at the expense of attack helicopters.
- This means only a few expensive slots to be filled either with AH-1F COBRA or AH-1F TOW COBRA.
AIR
- An average category, but note that the AIR tab is still being worked on and will be subject to change.
- The 9th Motorized mostly relies on F-15C [AA2] with a few F-16C [AA2] “shotgun” air superiority fighters as backup.
- The F-16C is the main close support plane, with HE, new CLU, and SEAD variants. The cluster payload is new, bringing a whopping 8x Mk-20 Rockeyes.
- A unique plane will be a “baby A-10”, being a new F/A-16, equipped with M61A1 Vulcan (classic!), Pave Claw 30mm anti-tank gun pod, 4x Maverick, and 2x AIM-9P. Hence a four weapon slotted-unit!
The 9th Infantry (Motorized) Division is a light but versatile division with plenty of new tricks, traits, and vehicles under its high-tech sleeves!
[h2]NORTHAG Expansion Explained[/h2] WARNO - NORTHAG is the first major expansion coming to WARNO. World War III hits the North German Plain where the attacking Warsaw Pact needs to overcome the staunch defenses of NATO’s NORTHAG. Under British command, Belgian, Dutch, West German, and American forces battle against the powerful northern formations of the Soviet Group of Forces in Germany, including East German and reinforcing Polish armies. The expansion is planned for later in 2024.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2978620/WARNO__NORTHAG/
WARNO - NORTHAG will feature:
- 2 new Army General campaigns.
- 4 new Operations.
- 10 new Divisions, including NATO’s Belgian 16e Pantserdivisie, Dutch 4e Divisie, the British 4th Armoured Division and MultiNational Airborne Division, and the American 9th Infantry (Motorized) Division, while the Warsaw Pact deploys the Soviet 25-ya Tank. Diviziya, the East German 9. Panzerdivision, and the Polish 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowan and 20 Dywizja Pancerna.
- 3 new playable nations: NATO’s Belgium and the Netherlands, and Warsaw Pact’s Poland.
- New voice acting.
- New units and models.
We have started detailing WARNO - NORTHAG’s features. Check the list below!
- In the very first DevBlog, highlighting Division #1, we show off NATO’s Belgian 16e Pantserdivisie going to war with powerhouse cousin Luxembourg. Read more about the new battlegroup in this dedicated post.
- In Division #2, we focused on the Warsaw Pact’s Soviet 25-ya Tank. Diviziya or 25th Tank Division. Read more about this battlegroup here.
- In our Division #3, we look at the Dutch and their hard-hitting 4e Divisie. Check it out in this DevBlog here.
- The Division #4 looks into the poster child of the East German Nationale Volksarmee, the 9. Panzerdivision. Take a look in this DevBlog.
- In our Division #5 we take a gander at the British 4th Armoured Division. Check it out in this DevBlog.
- And our Division #6 looks at the new Polish mechanized fighting forces of the 4 Dywizja Zmechanizowana. Check out the DevBlog here.
- The special paratroopers of British-led MultiNational Airborne Division get their chance to shine in this dedicated Division #7 DevBlog here.
- In Division #8, we turn back to the Polish and their armored vanguard made up of the 20 "Warszawska" Dywizja Pancerna. Read more about it in this DevBlog here.
[h2]Until Next Time[/h2]
That’s it for this week. We’ll be back later this week with NORTHAG’s very last Division preview: the Warsaw Pact’s Polish Korpus Desantowy!
Join the WARNO community. Check the latest news on the Steam News page or visit the Steam Forums. Get together with other players on either the excellent Discord server, Reddit page, YouTube or our Instagram.
See you on the battlefield, commander.