History and Technology of the Twenty-First Century

I write this as of 2010. 40 years is a long time, but one works with what one has. This is a load of bullshit, I know, but I need something to build on.

By 2050, the metropolitan USA is almost completely computer-savvy to some extent or other. The USA's dying economy, in a final blaze of glory, gives up its financial manipulations to build a gigantic nationwide system of light industry. With economic collapse in the USA, the dollar became practically useless, overinflated to zimbabwean levels. Within weeks the people had already come up with a completely new currency, the Energy Credit, backed by power generation and regulated via the internet. In 2052, co-ordinated via the internet, in particular servers linked to 4chan, the Second American Revolution rose up. Across the United States, what was left of the Army and National Guard embroiled itself in a bitter civil war that lasted for half a month as both sides employed devastating conventional weapons and lightning warfare to the fullest. A new record was set for the largest tank battle in history as over ten thousand armoured vehicles clashed in a nine-day battle that left the USA's land military in flaming ruins. (Approximately 4500 MBTs, 4000 APCs, and 1500 assorted other armoured vehicles participated, on both sides)

In the aftermath, no formal government arose. From the vast communications network of the old america rose a new system of democracy that conveyed the voice of the masses. The new America was a industrial society, focused on rebuilding what had been lost and creating what had yet to be built. Japan threw off its century-old bonds, the JSDF was renamed the JSSDF, and retreated from the international scene.

Three years later, the Third World War broke out. In a complete surprise, the underwater carriers Los Angeles and San Fransisco destroyed the chinese strategic submarine reserve, even as china's own hunter-killer submarines hunted down the remains of the european and US strategic submarine reserves. In the Middle East and western Asia, armies maneuvered and clashed over strategic points. Across the Pacific, the PRC and the new USA traded punches evenly, neither side gaining an advantage. Within six months, the hot war had gone cold again, but the damage was done. Australia, using the same methods as the americans, had by force of arms wholly reclaimed its mineral deposits. Shifting agricultural focus to plant foods and opening its gates to refugees seeking safety from encroaching armies and the ever-present fear of nuclear strike, its population hit 300 million by 2060, with a massive industry to suit. Deprived of natural oil supplies, Australia became the world's first wholly nuclear nation, with its cutting-edge reactors supplying nearly 80% of the nation's power supply. Amid the environmental destruction of the age, the island nation became famous for its green approach to everything and anything.

After the War, Europe was as much a single country as anything else; nominally a EU, with individual nations, it was a United States of Europe in all but name. China consolidated its gains, annexing a large part of Asia, including Korea, Taiwan and much of South-East Asia. In talks with Japan, it famously stated it would not attempt to annex Japan before there was solid land between the two nations. Over the next century, China would move uncounted tons of rock from the Himalayas to build two kilometer-wide bridges stretching down to the seabed. Terraforming megaprojects. It's their forte.

Anyway, let's move on and see what new toys we have to play with. By 2055, the USA is employing the following awesomeness:

25mm R/A as standard short-range ammo, .50BMG as standard long-range ammo.

Abrams, still, but a lot of M113s have been up-armoured and converted to assault guns. Twin Gatling Shotgun is very scary when sweeping for infantry, and is also good for stopping RPGs if the gunner's good enough.

Powered Exoskeletons, allowing for heavily-armoured Guardian suits, and lightly armoured Striker suits, as well as the mobile infantry artillery, Hammer.

Hypersonic waveriders, and hypercavitating submersible ships. Air/sea fighters.

Fixed-emplacement laser cannons(PRC) and laser arrays(USA), and particle beam cannons(EU).

The PRC uses a mix of basic, simple, ingenious tech, and cutting-edge equipment. You'll find infantry squads with mixed laser rifles and Kalashnikovs in some units. The PRC prefers mid-range ammunition, 6.5mm, guided missile systems, and short-band lasers. They're long-ranged, but are either weak, or have low ammo.

The EU's equipment is a mix of absolutely conventional, and advanced lab tech. NATO 7.62 and 5.56 are still common; 5.7 is widespread, while 20mm tends to be preferred for heavier applications. The EU prefers artillery over missiles. Instead of lasers, the EU has particle beam cannon systems. They're medium-ranged, but penetrate optical screens(smoke).

The USA keeps what's left of its old military in reserve, while its acting military is a rapid-strike force consisting of high-speed round-the-world transports that land troops via drop pods. It uses a mix of high-velocity 4mm, 12.7mm, and explosive 25mm rounds, as well as the common 105mm recoilless rifle. The USA employs armoured elite infantry, over artillery and missiles, and tends to employ CO2 laser arrays. Its laser cannon arrays are fragile and short-ranged, but powerful.