Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3/Expanding

Expanding is basically enlarging your base to close or remote locations. Expanding can be used to secure Ore Nodes, Tech Structures, or to set up a forward base. It is common to expand your MCV, build some structures, and then pack up and move somewhere else. All units that are used to expand have no weapons and must be protected from enemy attacks.

Allies
The Allies can expand with their Prospectors. The Prospector deploys into the Command Hub, which gives a larger amount of ground control than the Soviet Sputnik, but takes more time to deploy. However, each Command Hub must be teched up individually.

A safer and less expensive strategy is to move the MCV itself to an expansion. When moving the MCV, placement of production structures must be kept in mind at all times of the game so that Technology can be used to the most effect.

Soviets
The Soviets expand with their amphibious Sputnik vehicles. They unpack into Outposts, which give less ground control than Command Hubs, but unpack much more quickly.

With the Crane structure, the mobility of the Soviet MCV can be brought into the picture. With the crane as the major build queue, the MCV can move along the map deploying only long enough to place scaffolds with the crane before moving along. This provides Soviets with the fastest potential to expand among the factions.

Empire of the Rising Sun
Nanocores — The Empire has the easiest way of expanding thanks to their Nanocores, which can deploy almost anywhere on the battlefield. However, because the Nanocores cost more than the other factions' refineries and must move to their destination from the MCV, Empire also has the most risky expansion method, especially when the expansion locations are far from the MCV.

Nanocores are excellent for taking Ore Nodes. It can be a good idea to have a contingent force of Nanocores on standby to set up a forward base, or to set up another base, in case your original one is destroyed. All Structure Nanocores, however, have a small ground control around them once deployed, which makes enclosing your base with walls hard. Furthermore, each factory building has to be teched up individually, which hinders you from pulling out high tech units from front line factories too easily.