Armada Imperial Mairano

The Imperial Mairan Armada (Lusophonic: Armada Imperial Mairano) is the spatial branch of the Imperial Mairan Armed Forces responsible for the space operations, warfare, trade route security and orbital defense of the Mairan Star Empire. Reorganized from the Mairan Republic's Star Navy, the Imperial Armada holds significant societal and political influence, and is generally regarded as a prestigious institution, with the Imperial Naval Academy holding a high reputation across the Empire as a whole. Beyond its responsibility and involvement in national security, the Armada also stands at the forefront of Mairan scientific research and development, and is typically responsible for sponsoring most colonization initiatives.

The navy operates 28,000 vessels, of which approximately 15,000 are largely fast-attack crafts prioritizing system-side operations prioritizing defense and anti-piracy operations.

Structure and Organization
The Imperial Armada is subordinate to the civilian Ministry of the Navy, which itself is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense. The overarching operational policy of the Armada is commanded by a Chief of Operations, while actual tactical operations are arranged by star system in regards to smaller defensive vessels/fast-attack craft, and by Astrofleets wielding a fair degree of operational autonomy in day-to-day tasks and duties. Operational responsibilities are divided as follows:


 * Comando da Armada do Império Estelar Mairano (CAIEM)
 * Grão-Almirantado (Grand Admiralty)
 * Comando das Astrofrotas Imperiais (Imperial Astrofleet Command)
 * Comando da Defesa Setoral do Império Estelar Mairano (Sectoral Defense Command of the Mairan Star Empire)

Hierarchy
Rank within the Imperial Armada is organized by circles, which are furthermore organized by seniority both within and beyond said circle.


 * Círculo de Oficiais-Generais (Circle of General Officers)
 * Grão-Almirante (G Alte) - Responsible for the command and oversight of multiple Astrofleets.
 * Almirante de frota (Alte Fta) - Responsible for the command of an Astrofleet.
 * Almirante (Alte) - Responsible for significant sections of command within an Astrofleet.
 * Almirante de esquadra (Alte Esq) - Responsible for the command of a squadron of vessels.
 * Vice-Almirante (V Alte) - Responsible for the command of a major capital ship.
 * Contra-Almirante (C Alte) - Responsible for the command of a capital ship.
 * Círculo de Oficiais Superiores (Circle of Superior Officers)
 * Capitão de espaço e guerra (CEG) - Responsible for the command of a significant combatant vessel.
 * Capitão de fragata (CF) - Responsible for the command of lesser combat vessels.
 * Capitão de corveta (CC) - Responsible for the command of corvettes and fast attack craft.
 * Círculo de Oficiais Intermediários (Circle of Intermediate Officers)
 * Capitão-Tenente (CT) - Immediate subordinate to a captain.
 * Círculo de Oficiais Subalternos (Circle of Subordinate Officers)
 * Primeiro-Tenente (1º Ten) - Equivalent to a 1LT.
 * Segundo-Tenente (2º Ten) - Equivalent to a 2LT.

Enlisted ranks are shown below.


 * Círculo de Suboficiais (Circle of Petty Officers)
 * Comandante Suboficial da armada (CSA)
 * Comandante Suboficial de astrofrota (CSAF)
 * Comandante Suboficial de esquadra (CSE)
 * Comandante Suboficial (CSO)
 * Suboficial (SO)
 * Círculo de Sargentos, Cabos, Marinheiros e Soldados
 * Primeiro-Sargento (1º SGT)
 * Segundo-Sargento (2º SGT)
 * Terceiro-Sargento (3º SGT)
 * Cabo (CB)
 * Marinheiro (MN) or Soldado (SD)

Astrofleets
The Astrofleets (Astrofrotas) of the Mairan Star Empire operate with a fair degree of tactical autonomy in order to best aid commanders in decisionmaking. There are currently twenty-four active Imperial astrofleets, each assigned to different regions and responsibilities within the Empire, whilst maintaining expeditionary deployment capability. Fleet nomenclature differs greatly, as they are named after persons, events and locations rather than using numerical fleet designation.

Mission
The purpose and mission of the Imperial Armada is the defense and security of the homeland, along with generally acting in the best interest of the State, a responsibility that includes colonial expansion efforts, scientific and military research, and with aid/relief operations in event of planetary disasters. The Armada's allegiance is to the Stellar Emperor, and as such is heavily influenced by, and influencing of, the decisionmaking process of the chief executive.