Lodamun

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As much of the front-end work related to the Lodamese Space Programme continues, the Lodamese Space Administration announced that it had signed onto a joint partnership with Hemlock-Rogway, Burrell Systems and various universities for numerous projects connected to the national space effort. At a press conference held at the LSA’s headquarters in Kensington, LSA Administrator Dr John Edgar confirmed that the agency had recently penned two separate agreements with defence contractors Hemlock-Rogway and Burrell Systems and numerous universities throughout the country, including the NIT, Drumford University, BSU and UoB. At the press conference, Dr Edgar noted that it was unreasonable for one to conclude that the various projects carded for the space programme, including the development of advanced rocketry and satellite technology, could be done “in-house”, without the involvement of third-party entities. Here, he noted that it was extremely important for the LSA to look outside of its own engineering department and seek the assistance of those with both theoretical and practical experience in the various areas where collaboration and technical assistance are required. “I think it is unreasonable for some to look at us as an agency and conclude that we can do all of this on our own. From designing advanced rockets and space modules to satellites and other space-flight innovations, it is only reasonable that we cooperate with those entities that have experience in these areas, be it theoretical and/or practical. It is extremely important to that we give our engineering department that breathing room to delegate certain projects to other entities, thus allowing them to focus on the more important areas of this programme,” Dr Edgar explained.

The collaboration between NIT, Drumford University, BSU and UoB primarily relates to the development of rocket engines. As the Lodamese Space Programme virtually begins from scratch and has placed “indepenedence of design” at the forefront of much of the engineering decisions being made, significant emphasis has been placed on ensuring the LSA can field rocket engines capable of being (1) easily produced and maintained and (2) faster and more fuel efficient. This stands in contrast to other space programmes that have benefited from significant support from states with a long history of rocket research. This collaboration between the LSA and the aforementioned universities is primarily aimed at developing a domestic acumen for rocketry (both in terms of research and engineering). “In its truest sense, I think that we are seeking to build here is a capacity to truly state that we are competent in this area and that we can do these things on our own,” Dr Edgar stated. One of the major challenges highlighted by the collaboration primarily relates to whether the LSA should use liquid kerosene-fuelled engines or liquid oxygen, with the latter being more efficient than the former but more expensive and complex as well. Beyond research and development into rocket engines, the collaboration also focuses on the design and development of launch vehicles. Dr Edgar noted that the Lodamese Armed Forces’ involvement of the programme (although independent), has had some role in altering the agency’s initial plans for launch vehicles. Whereas previous it had been envisioned that it would design a super-heavy lift launch vehicle for geostationary obit and beyond, the Strategic Defence Agency and the Lodamese Air Force have expressed interest in developing launch vehicles (from small to superheavy lift), with the intent of delivering payloads in varying orbits from low earth orbit to geostationary orbit.

Hemlock-Rogway and Burrell Systems’ involvement is centred around the development of advanced satellites. It has long been articulated that one of Lodamun’s major vulnerabilities lies in its inability to possess independent satellite systems, be it for global positions, communication and intelligence. Concurrently, the nation reluctantly utilises various satellite networks from international contractors from Beiteynu, Lourenne and Dorvik. In establishing the space programme, former Secretary of Science and Technology Dr Lydia Alexander placed significant emphasis on Lodamun possessing its own satellite capabilities, thus reducing and/or eliminating its dependence on third-party entities. The collaboration between the defence contractors and the LSA focuses on three (3) core areas: global positioning satellites, space-based tracking and intelligence. Global positioning satellites, being self-explanatory, is likely to learn from the lessons of the Dorvish and Trigunian global positioning satellite networks and would stand as the least taxing (in terms of manpower) of the three areas of focus. Owing to its importance to national defence, the Strategic Defence Agency (SDA) and the Armed Forces Projects Agency (AFPA) are likely to be part of the space-based tracking and intelligence portions of the public-private collaboration. Space-based tracking satellites would enable the SDA to track the movement of various threats throughout the world, including intercontinental ballistic missiles from launch, to midcourse and the terminal stage. Concurrently, Lodamun only maintain the ability to destroy ICBMS and other rockets in their launch phase through the General Missiles equipped by the Lodamese Navy’s guided missile destroyers and frigates, as the GUARDIAN system undergoes significant tests. The intelligence-gathering portion primarily covers the development of advanced optical satellites capable of enhancing the ODI (Office of Defence Intelligence) geospatial intelligence capabilities. “We have long underscored the importance of information superiority for Lodamun, and I believe that we can achieve that by enhancing our satellites' capabilities, not only focusing on geospatial/imaging satellites but also nuclear detection. We must work to establish and hold an edge over potential adversaries,” Director of the ODI, LG Jared Kimble, commented.

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At the now completed rocket engine propulsion facility at the Venfield Space Flight Centre in Barrington, scientists and engineers connected to the various projects under the broader Lodamese Space Programme gathered to conduct a series of tests on three (3) engines developed by the five universities initially tasked with developing innovative rocket engines for the LSA’s small to heavy-lift programmes. The day represented the culmination of months of work by the various universities, engineers and their respective supervisors in building three classes of rocket engines, specifically built for the Lodamese Space Programme’s future small, medium and heavy-lift launch vehicles. Following the announcement that the Lodamese Space Administration (LSA) would ultimately partner with the likes of numerous universities, the agency and other partners (i.e. the SDA and Lodamese Air Force), expressed interest in maintaining launch vehicles in varying classes, ranging from small to heavy lift. Although much of the work related to the design and subsequent construction of these launch vehicles continues, the construction of their engines nonetheless points to the programme crossing a crucial milestone. “I think this is an extremely important moment for everyone involved in the various projects. We have been hard at work for the better part of the past five years, having spent some 4-5 billion LOD in research and development on these engines. It is certainly a lot to take in as we now put them through their first and a series of tests to determine whether our designs are fit for purpose,” Dr Anthony Carr, Principal Engineer/Project Manager for the Medium-Lift Engine Development Programme (MLEDP), explained

Engineering students from the Drumford University partnered with the rocketry startup firm, Doyle Aerospace on the development of the Rapier 1 engine. In designing the engine, particular emphasis was placed on reliability and whether sufficient quantities could be produced within a short time period. It represents a unique innovation in rocket engineering, in that it utilises electric pumps instead of the conventional gas generators. Conventional rocket engines, particularly those of the “open cycle” variant, are primarily powered by gas generators, which require some fraction of input propellant to feed much of the engine’s combustion cycle. This ultimately makes the engine less efficient as the opportunity cost of diverting propellant to power the gas generator reduces the amount available for primary thrust. In the case of Rapier 1, it uses electric pumps, ultimately eliminating the need for a gas generator for the oxidiser pump. Project Manager for the Small-Lift Engine Development Programme (SLEDP) and a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Drumford University, Dr Nolan Galloway, stated that the Rapier needed to be as efficient as possible, recognising its relative importance to the future of the Lodamese Space Programme. "Although one could underscore the importance of medium to super-heavy lift capabilities in advancing the space programme, small lift capabilities will undoubtedly be the backbone of the LSA’s activities. From launching satellites to scientific probes, we [Lodamun] will be launching these smaller pieces of equipment into orbit with greater frequency than, say, pods for some future space station,” Dr Galloway remarked. “We’re excited to see how the engine does under the static firing test. We aren’t concerned with build quality as we have a unique emphasis on quality assurance.”

Having structured the engine development programme such that each lift category would ultimately inform the following, the medium-lift programme had been informed by the pioneering work done in the SLEDP. Both the University of St. Christopher and the Berkwaki State University collaborated on the Titan rocket engine alongside Burrell Systems. The engine had taken significant inspiration from an engine BS had designed but had never manufactured for operational use. There had been some controversy surrounding the engine as it had been the centre of a dispute between Burrell engineers and UoSC and BSU engineers, with the former being in favour of a gas generator and the latter being in favour of expanding on the SLEDP’s work for an electric generator. The dispute was ultimately settled as both came to an agreement on a gas generator owing to the fact that a gas generator would provide a medium-lift launch vehicle with instantaneous power generation alongside a higher power density. “Engines under the MLEDP are primarily designed with a focus on delivering varying cargo into LTO (Low Terran Orbit) and GTO (geostationary transfer). As I understand it, these rockets and their launch vehicles will be wholly responsible for the building out of COSMO (Coordinated Orbital Satellite Mapping and Orientation), Lodamun’s indigenous global positioning system,” Dr Anthony Carr explained. The Titan is an expander cycle engine, wherein the engine's combustion chamber is cooled by the fuel, which absorbs heat and changes phase. Before being fed into the combustion chamber and consumed, the heated and gaseous fuel first powers the turbine that powers the engine's fuel and oxidiser pumps. Similar to the Rapier 1 rocket, the Titan will undergo a similar static firing test to stress test the engine’s initial design, as Dr Carr anticipates that the group may have to return to the design board owing to some “teething issues.”

Being the most complex of the three lift categories, Newchester Institute of Technology partnered with Hemlock-Rogway on the development of the XS-44, their proposal for a rocket engine for the Heavy-Lift Engine Development Programme (HLEDP). Much of the R&D for the project had primarily originated from NIT, which had worked previously with both Hemlock-Rogway and Hudson & Pike on engines for C-5 Galaxy. Engineers noted that although the task of developing an engine with enough thrust to take heavy cargo into orbit was daunting, it was nonetheless a “refreshing” experience. “For our students and a lot of the guys at Hemlock-Rogway and Hudson & Pike, this was a refreshing experience as we were ultimately forced to bring our collective heads together to design something based on concepts made by H&P engineers decades prior,” Dr Ben Kirkland, a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at NIT and the HLEDP’s Principal Engineer.

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With significant attention being placed on enhancing Lodamun’s at-sea capabilities, President George Menkyn announced that the Department of Defence, through the Defence Procurement Administration (DPA) had signed off on the production of three (3) nuclear-powered aircraft carriers which, when complete, are set to transform the structure and functionality of the Lodamese Navy. At a press conference held at Whitehall in Kensington, Secretary of Defence Wesley Randall confirmed that Cowgill-Masterson Maritime Engineering (CMME) had been selected as the preferred bidder for the entire project, which has been dubbed the Next Generation Carrier Program (NGCP). The announcement represents the culmination of decades, if not centuries of mounting interest among Lodamese defence planners, who throughout the years have maintained altering opinions of whether Lodamun indeed needed an aircraft carrier to project influence beyond its borders.

Prior to CMME’s selection as the project’s preferred bidder, the Department of Defence continued a series of field investigations and studies, observing the historic use of aircraft carriers throughout the world among various nations including Beiteynu, Lourenne, Dorvik, Hutori and Luthori. These studies primarily focused on the way in which the vessels were deployed/utilised among the various nations, their design concepts/philosophies, alongside their role in advancing the defence and foreign policy objectives of the respective nations. Although the Lodamese Navy possesses knowledge in amphibious/sea-borne air operations, as has been done via its four (4) St. Christopher-class amphibious assault ships, the construction and subsequent deployment of a carrier strike group represents a fundamental expansion in Lodamese naval capability. “Although the Lodamese Navy is by no means a lesser or ill-prepared force, these carriers represent a transformation of the force itself: granting Lodamun the ability to truly operate anywhere and everywhere,” Patrick Morrow, a defence reporter, noted.

CMME’s design features a Catapult-Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) type design with an angled flight deck layout, which has been the preferred design for most aircraft carriers, setting aside Luthori’s ski-jump carriers. The CATOBAR works such that aircraft are launched using a powerful catapult to reach flying speed quickly and then land by catching an arresting wire on the deck to slow down and safely stop on the carrier, essentially allowing for heavier aircraft with less powerful engines to operate effectively on a limited deck space. The angled deck is meant to allow for safer and more efficient landing operations, particularly for jet aircraft, by providing a "go-around" option in those instances where a plane that misses the arresting wires can simply accelerate and take off again instead of crashing had the deck been straight. The carrier will supposedly possess two nuclear reactors, which will provide them with the ability to remain at sea indefinitely, barring the need for R&R and repairs.

The vessels will be rated to carry up to 75 aircraft of varying roles and complements. Although the vessels have not been constructed, the Department of the Navy has confirmed that the LF-18, alongside the LF-35C, will form the backbone of Lodamun’s carrier air combat wings. Beyond this, AEW and light cargo aircraft are currently being selected as part of the airborne early warning and cargo wings, which will operate alongside combat aircraft. With Lodamun having taken over the X-43 programme, the multi-role stealth fighter, as mentioned prior, will play a central role in projecting Lodamese influence in all areas where the carriers may be deployed. “There is a unique opportunity for naval aviation to reinvent itself. With the X-43 programme now under our supervision, it would be worthwhile to experiment with its use in our amphibious assault ships and our future carriers. These aircraft, if fully integrated into the lodamese naval aviation doctrine, could very well aid in enabling us to maintain and enhance our lethal edge,” Secretary of the Navy Peter Arnold said.

In a press statement released following the announcement, CMME noted that although it had been selected as the preferred bidder in the project, the carriers may not be wholly built in Lodamun. The company noted that as it continues to fulfil the Harrington Company’s ship orders, the vast majority of Lodamun’s ports, excluding the company’s principal facility in Portswood, are occupied. “We have ensured that a drydock has been placed in reserve for these carriers so that the lead ship may be built within Lodamun proper; however, we do not believe that we will be capable of building the remaining carriers in time should we remain within Lodamun,” CMME’s statement read. The company noted that it intends to have the remaining two carriers constructed in Kalistan and Gaduridos. “This does not represent a collapse of the Lodamese shipbuilding sector. In fact, it remains one of the strongest such industries in the world. What this decision represents is the reality that the Lodamese shipyards capable of accepting orders of this scale/scope are occupied and thus, we must look to the facilities in Kalistan and Gaduridos. We have long partnered with shipyards throughout the world because there is a deep belief within the Lodamese shipbuilding sector that we must ensure that all benefit/share in the bounty.” The CMME statement concluded. Liberal estimates from the Office of Fiscal Responsibility noted that the per-unit cost of the proposed carriers could be as much as 15 billion LOD, making the vessels the most expensive to be ever fielded by the Lodamese Armed Forces.

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Having refrained from commenting on the new “regime” governing the Migrant’s Pass,  largely out of a broader respect for the initial effort which went into make the 3 Points Federation possible, the Harrington Company has seemingly caught on to the fact that the framework places them at a unique disadvantage. The collapse of the Beiteynu-led order in Majatra following the nation’s internal implosion has brought with it a new scramble for power and influence, as nations attempt to occupy the space wherein Yishelem once governed over vast amounts of wealth and influence. Of the many structures erected under the former Beiteynu-led order, the 3 Points Federation stood out as one of particular note. Borne out of the Migrant Accords between Beiteynu and Narikaton/Darnussia, the 3PF had been initially established as the principal structure responsible for governing all matters related to the Migrant’s Pass, ranging from trade to defence. Although for much of its infancy, it had existed largely in the shadow of more prominent agreements such as the Yishelhafen Pact, the Migrant Accords and the 3PF came into their own around the latter half of the 5550’s. 

During this time, and largely motivated by the fact that the vast majority of the nation’s crucial rare earth minerals trade flowed through the strait, Lodamese Armed Forces, more specifically the Lodamese Navy and Air Force, enhanced forward deployments to the region. What followed became known within Lodamun as the Migrant’s Pass Conundrum, wherein a series of geostrategic moves by both Lodamun and Beiteynu dramatically transformed the concept of peace within the pass itself. Although the situation led to a major restructuring of the Lodamese Armed Forces towards expeditionary warfare, a fact which remains true to this day, it also transformed how the nation and by extension the Harrington Company interacted with the various actors present within the area. Although the nation’s rare earth minerals trade with Vascania had largely existed in the background of the conundrum, crises’ aftermath proved to both sides (Beiteynu and Lodamun) the importance of the strait to global trade and the broader global economy. Reforms to the 3PF had been initiated by Narikaton and Darnussia, who were bothered by the ever-intensifying grandstanding between Kensington and Yishelem, and sought to impose an order within the strait which would be governed and guaranteed by all actors with a stake in the area itself.

Then Merchant-General Charlotte Farr, revealed an otherwise difficult truth which had come to inform the Narikaton/Darnussian-led order in the Migrant’s Pass: buy-in was essential. She underscored that in contrast to the Beiteynu/Yishelem-led order, the government in Bannerhafen recognised the importance of ensuring that any structure imposed on the strait itself would be both recognised and in turn, defended by all involved parties. In her memoir, “Swan Song,” former MG Farr notes: “Lodamun had been encouraged to join the reformed Migrant Accords to ensure buy-in by a nation that had traditionally hedged its policy on the idea of unrestricted movement through the pass itself. Even going as far as to openly court a potentially devastating military confrontation. It is this understanding that sets Bannerhaffen aside from Yishelem.” Amidst the news of the imposition of new regime within the Migrant’s Pass, recently appointed Merchant-General Hank Wexler stated that the Harrington Company was not interested in adhering to a regime which, unlike its predecessor, had been born out of an inherent thirst for power and influence.

In April 5631, the Selucian Government declared that it would be imposing a dramatically modified regime to govern trade and the movement of shipping through the pass. Under this new regime, a policy of tariffs would be imposed on foreign trade flowing through the pass to ensure “no other nation becomes richer and powerful at our [3PF] expense.” At a press conference held at the Quarter Building in Harrington, MG Wexler stated that the unnegotiated regime imposed by the Selucian Government abandoned the otherwise cooperative spirit of the Bannerhaffen-supervised Migrant Accords and represented a ‘flagrant’ disregard of the policy of buy-in championed by Narikaton and Darnussia. The tariff regime as imposed by the Selucian Government provides for exemptions for direct members (those nations specifically listed in the treaty), a 50% discount on fess for non-direct ratifying nations and a 25% discount on fees for allies of direct members. As argued by the Selucian Government, the regime had been structured to “encourage” nations to adhere to the new regime and thus access its supposed ‘benefits’.

MG Wexler stated that although the HC had remained largely silent and in some instances cooperative to the new regime, such a policy would be terminated. “The Harrington Company is not interested in the games being played by the government in Selucia. We have long articulated our interests in the regime and have set aside our historic indifferences with Beiteynu (now Amudim) and Narikaton and Darnussia and have traditionally been a respectful partner in the pass ever since. To impose this new regime without consultation, and expect buy-in among states is simply emblematic of the ineptitude which has become common place to politics in Selucia,” MG Wexler noted. Accordingly, Wexler has ordered that vessels of the Harrington Company seemingly ignore the regime and attempt to move through the “maritime barrier” established by the Selucian Navy as he noted that the HC’s assessment of Selucia’s control of the pass itself was ‘tenuous’. MG Wexler’s comments did not come alone, as it had been matched/augmented by statements from both Secretary of State Wilbur McFadden and Secretary of Defence Todd Cummings who warned against attempts to board or impound Harrington Company ships. “These vessels have been given their orders to avoid docking in Selucian ports and have also been urged to reach out to our base in Malivia should it become clear that they might be boarded by the Selucian Navy as part of the enforcement of this regime,” Secretary Cummings proclaimed. When asked as to whether the administration intended to re-establish active naval escorts through the pass, Secretary Cummings stated that it was one of the many options currently being discussed with President George Menkyn.

[GreekIdiot]

Himmelshtern
3PF deploys Yishelhafen Fleet as "potential deterrent" amidst rising Lodamese-Selucian tensions
January 5641
https://forum.prtcy.com/thread-3-post-7342.html#pid7342

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Commander of the Lodamese Armed Forces Majatran Command (MAJCOM), Admiral Jonathan Whitney, is reportedly enroute to Auroria, alongside the Merchant-General of the Harrington Company Hank Wexler, where the two are expected to meet with the nation’s two consuls and other key figures. According to Whitehall Press Secretary Evan Morris, the meeting is likely to cover numerous areas of contention between Lodamun and Selucia, principally the issue related to the Migrants Pass. Since Selucia’s initial imposition of a new tariff regime in the Migrants Pass to significant international backlash, the nation has since recinded the tariff regime, yet its maritime barrier remains. In a bold statement issued earlier this morning, MG Wexler stated that the Harrington Company was not interested in adhering to what it believed was a regime imposed on the broader international community without due consultation, especially with those states that have had a historic role in the region due to trade and other affairs. The Migrants Pass’ significance to Lodamun cannot be understated as it is the principal means through which the nation imports rare-earth minerals from Vascania; rare-earth minerals which are essential for the nation’s burgeoning semiconductor sector. “Lodamun has demonstrated time and time again that it will respect any and all structures throughout the globe, as long as it does not place it at an inherent disadvantage. We saw that during the first conundrum within the MP with Beiteynu and we are potentially seeing that again,” Patrick Ortiz, a geopolitical strategist from the Centre for Geostrategic Policy and Research.

Although the tariff regime has seemingly collapsed, according to some Selucian sources (yet this has not been officially confirmed by the Selucian Government), Admiral Whitney maintains that the Lodamese Armed Forces and the Harrington Company require significant guarantees that the Selucian “maritime patrols” supposedly being conducted within the MP as an extension of the new regime within the 3PF will not disrupt the movement of Lodamese shipping, be they civilian and/or military. An Expeditionary Action Group has been dispatched to the region to augment existing Lodamese forces based in the area, which led many to believe that both Admiral Whitney and MG Wexler’s visit to Selucia is an attempt to calm the situation before it spirals out of control. “Notwithstanding our clearly articulated policy, what we are looking for here are guarantees that when our ships move through this area, they will not be harassed by Selucian ships,” Admiral Whitney said during a brief press conference prior to their departure. Whitney noted that the Lodamese Navy, which continues to conduct patrols within the MP via long-range maritime patrol drones and aircraft, has always been in support of nations being able to exercise their inherent freedoms of navigation, especially in international waters. He reiterated that the sudden apprehension towards military traffic moving through the region is particularly unfounded, granted that a peace has existed in the region up to Selucia’s takeover of the 3PF, as he noted that the Lodamese Navy has historically conducted itself in an extremely responsible fashion. “Our forces have always acted with a great deal of responsibility, and I think that for the Selucian Government to suddenly clutch its pearls at the sight of military ships moving through the area as being completely unnecessary,” Admiral Whitney explained.

MG Wexler stated that the very idea of Harrington Company and, by extension, Lodamun having to adhere to the new regime, even when one considers the fact that Lodamun was a party to the 3PF agreement prior to Selucia, would be off the table. “As I have said before, we are seeking the restoration of the previous N&D-led order, which provided a fair means for all nations involved in the Migrants Pass. We [Lodamun] have no intention of courting military engagements with the Selucian Navy in such a crucial artery for global trade. We have always maintained that our primary concerns within the area are related to trad,e and our security stance has always been in support of that. It is my hope that when we sit with Selucia’s Consuls that we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement.” MG Wexler explained. Some analysts have speculated that should Admiral Whitney and MG Wexler fail to bring about a “change in terms” within the MP, that it could lead to military action, especially as the EAG Malivia (Expeditionary Action Group Malivia) approaches the area from their routine maintenance schedule in Portswood.

[imperialpearl]

As Lodamun’s ambitions to position itself as a serious play in space development are gradually being realised, the Lodamese Space Administration (LSA), the Strategic Defence Agency (SDA) and the Lodamese Air Force (LAF) have collectively issued more than thirty (30) contracts to numerous defence firms throughout the country for various satellites and orbiting systems which will form the basis of the nation’s outer-space observation and communication network. Since the early moments of the space programme, it had been argued by numerous government officials that by leveraging its investment into an indigenous space programme, Lodamun may eventually possess the capacity to develop and maintain space-based systems of its own. Here, they noted that as the nation progressed, it could no longer become heavily reliant on the “goodwill” of other nations in providing satellite-based networking for the Lodamese Government, the Armed Forces and the nation as a whole. “Eventually, the goodwill runs out, and we find ourselves in a position of complete uncertainty. Wholly at the behest of foreign entities who may not have our best interests at heart,” a former LSA official noted. 

Among these ambitions, the development of an indigenous global positioning system, a satellite-based ballistic missile early warning detection and tracking network and a publicly-owned geospatial imagery had been identified as major areas of focus for the Space Programme’s satellite development wing. As the agencies responsible for overseeing that development of such systems alongside private-sector collaborators, the Research Projects Administration (RPA) and the Armed Forces Projects Agency (AFPA) had taken command of the civilian and military sides of the programme respectively after it became clear to officials within the LSA that its initial plan to develop both civilian and military satellites internally would not have been feasible, given the multitude of projects currently in steam. Here, it was decided that the RPA and the AFPA would work as quasi-subordinates to the LSA and thus surrender designs/schematics to the respective agencies (LSA, SDA and LAF) once much of the work had been completed for contracts to be distributed for their construction.

Via a joint collaboration between the RPA, engineering students from the Newchester Institute of Technology (NIT) and a new space-based research startup, AstroVista Innovations, the development of an indigenously built geospatial imagery satellite has made significant progress. The satellite, coined GeoEye-1, represents a major milestone for the Lodamese space programme as it represents the first satellite to have been conceived and developed within Lodamun. Similar to other geospatial satellites, GeoEye-1 is designed to provide high-resolution images for environmental analysis, disaster management and a suite of other responsibilities/roles. As the satellite is primarily for civilian use, the involvement of students/engineers from NIT became an imperative for the LSA, who argued that without hands-on experience, the space-engineering acumen with which the agency has been labouring to develop may never be realised. “GeoEye-1 is the culmination of months, if not years, of work by engineers not just from NIT but from other institutions and private companies. We were humbled when we were selected by the RPA to work alongside their engineers and AstroVista to design the satellite itself. Although these satellites have been around for centuries, they are otherworldly in the eyes of our students who may not have appreciated the fact that those high-resolution images they play around with in their lectures come directly from satellites like GeoEye-1,” Dr Dave Fulton, the Lead Engineer from NIT, explained. 

In its contract to Carthorn, the LSA ordered the construction of some eight (8) satellites at the cost of $3.2 billion ($400 million per unit). Some have noted the potential for satellites (when constructed and launched) to be used by private-sector companies. In a press statement, the LSA’s Director of Public-Private Partnerships, Todd Sweeney, confirmed that the agency had advanced plans to rent out the satellites to private-sector companies and to sell the data gathered from the satellites to private-sector firms involved in geospatial work. “We are currently in advanced talks with firms to build out a government-owned, publicly accessible geospatial information portal from which individuals and firms can draw data from the satellites. Beyond that, we are also in discussions internally as to whether we should rent out these satellites to private-sector companies given their potential as a serious money-making venture,” Sweeney explained.

The Lodamese Government has long articulated its hopes of maintaining an indigenous network for precise locating and timing, arguing that similar to its dependence on other states, primarily Dorvik, Trigunia and formerly Beiteynu for such services, the nation remained significant at risk of being “exploited”, pointing to the possibility that the nation might be denied access to such services should it enter into a protracted argument with one of the aforementioned states. Alongside GeoEye, the LSA had joined forces with the Lodamese Air Force and Burrell Systems on the development of the satellite, which may form the basis of the nation’s indigenous global positioning network. Coined, NavSat, its design takes numerous inspirations from previous models operated by other territories. Similar to these models, NavSat possesses an advanced atomic clock, which enables it to maintain extremely accurate recordings of the time alongside a similarly accurate reading of its orbit. It works such that receivers in Lodamun (be they cars, ships, aircraft, etc) receive signals from the satellite and by calculating the time taken for a signal to travel to the receiver, it is capable of determining its distance. Accurate data on an individual’s precise location is obtained through the use of multiple satellites undergoing which process of sending signals and receivers calculate the distance travelled. 

As mentioned before, NavStat is but the satellite through which Lodamun’s global positioning network operates and does not represent the entire network. The network in question, coined COSMO (Coordinated Orbital Satellite Mapping and Orientation), comes into its own when the LSA, in conjunction with the Lodamese Air Force, eventually launch numerous units of NavSat (approximately 16), for a “constellation” to be formed. It is through this constellation that COSMO and the Lodamese attempt at an indigenous global positioning network would ultimately take form. Burrell Systems stands as the company responsible for building all 16 units of NavSat, with the LSA and Air Force being responsible for launching and managing the satellites in orbit. Secretary of Science and Technology Dr Lloyd Gilmore confirmed that once COSMO becomes operational, it would not mean that other GPS services become unavailable, however, he noted that, as it pertained to the federal government and the armed forces, use of COSMO would become mandatory. “It is our intention to mandate that COSMO be used exclusively by the federal government and the armed forces, leaving civilians with the freedom to choose whichever platform they believe works for them,” he explained.

The Air Force and Strategic Defence Agency’s joint plans for the development of a constellation of early warning satellites have long been referenced in the latter’s ambitions towards “securing Lodamun and North Seleya”. Having had the development of such technology sit alongside the Lodamese Space Program, it was nonetheless expected that such a development would come alongside its COSMO and GeoEye. The satellite concept, coined RedEye, employs infrared sensors to identify the heat signatures generated from missile engines (be they short-range, intermediate or intercontinental). By consistently scanning/surveying the planet’s surface for heat signatures which align with those of missiles, the satellite is able to transmit data related to its trajectory, relative distance and more. SDA Director Admiral Sean Howell stated that such a technology was crucial to national security. Here he noted that although the Lodamese Air Force and its AWACS aircraft continue to act as an intermediate to a system such as RedEye, the limited range these assets possess ultimately places the nation at a unique risk in that it may only have a moment’s notice of (1) being aware of perceived threats and (2) responding to them in kind. 

“We need to ensure that we are given enough time to analyse threats, especially those posed by ballistic missiles and hypersonic weaponry. We need to be given the time to determine whether these are indeed threats and where it is within our reach/means to eliminate these threats. RedEye brings such a capability to us, and I believe it will be essential to negating the clear and present threat posed by ballistic missiles and other advanced, long-range weaponry,” Admiral Howell explained. Hemlock-Rogway has been granted the contract to construct some 8 RedEye satellites, which will eventually be launched to form a constellation called Strategic Electronic Network for Target Interception and Early Location (SENTINEL) for near-persistent monitoring of terra for activity from low terran orbit (LTO). There have been notions towards a broader partnership between the SDA and the Anantonese Empire as a whole on granting access to the SENTINEL constellation to Kalistan and Gaduridos via the Anantonese Defence Treaty.

[imperialpearl]

Only a mere three years into his term as Administrator-General, Dr James Forrester has been sent to Kaliburg, Kalistan, to deliver troubling terms on behalf of the Lodamese Government. For the better part of the past century, there has been growing animosity surrounding Lodamun’s role in the Anantonese Empire, with many questioning whether the benefits initially championed by Kalistani/Ananto officials were truly having an effect on Lodamese economic and political development. Recent polling from Jackson Analytics found that when compared to the nation’s standing prior to its ascension into the AE, 67% of respondents believed that Lodamun was “less free” under the Anantonese Empire. The research pointed to numerous factors involved, including the perception of Lodamun having very little wriggle room with respect to its foreign policy. Although this does not point to the idea of Kaliburg maintaining an overbearing sense of control of the nation’s foreign policy decisions, it does, however, point to the fact that the nation has had to negotiate around whether its foreign policy decisions might draw the wider AE into situations by proxy. 

As Lodamun is viewed as an integral part of the AE, most of its foreign policy decisions, ranging from its involvement in the Migrants Pass to its historic engagements with Beiteynu (now Amudim), have been mistaken (be it intentionally or otherwise) as the broader policy of the Anantonese Empire. Beyond this, the nation’s unique relationship with the other nations of the AE, including the Empire of Kalistan and Ananto and the Kingdom of Gaduridos, has left many to believe that had Lodamun remained outside of the grouping, its relationship with the two states would not have changed fundamentally. “Not only have we lost our voice in the world, our relationship with Kalistan and Gaduridos has not changed. Much of the “benefits” we “enjoy” today were already part of agreements we maintained with these states prior to becoming a member of the empire. Prior to becoming a member, we were making concrete steps towards establishing those benefits whilst maintaining our sovereignty,” Leonard Dyer, the National Coordinator for the “Independent Lodamun” campaign. “There is a growing sentiment within this country that we would be better off without Kalistan. Yes, our economy will ultimately take a blow, but I see nothing but positives for our long-term prospects.”

Dr Forrester’s visit is also set against the backdrop of a paradigm shift in Kaliburg. Recently, Empress Mary I, proclaimed that Kalistan was officially in “retrenchment mode”, wherein it would be withdrawing from its historic role in global affairs, likely a consequence of the series of supposed PR disasters which has significantly damaged the nation’s once positive global standing. President George Menkyn expressed serious concern at the prospect of Kalistan taking on a more isolationist stance, as he noted that it could spell serious issues with respect to Lodamun’s relationship with the Anantonese Empire. “We recognise the importance for nations to focus on addressing their internal/domestic issues. We also recognise the importance of being an active participant in global affairs. As was rightfully noted in the Kalistani media, “Sometimes domestic interests need to take a backseat to the global good, and keeping Kalistan in its place on top of the regional order is the only way to ensure that we can ensure both good for Kalistan and good for everyone else,” If the sentiment is that Kalistan no longer wishes to as active a member in global affairs as it once was, then I think it is time that we begin reconsider our relationship with the Anantonese Empire, as I have no intention of watching Lodamun be dragged into the melancholy which has seemingly gripped Kaliburg. We have long viewed Kalistan as an important player in global affairs, and it would be a grave error for the government in Kaliburg to withdraw from global matters.” President Menkyn stated that Kalistan’s supposed withdrawal would potentially leave numerous issues in limbo, particularly the situation surrounding Kundrati and its broader implications for the political economy of the Artanian Sea. “We wholly depended on Kalistan to address the situation in Kundrati and the Artanian Sea in full, notwithstanding its understandable apprehension towards working with Luthori. This places us at a unique risk as uncertainty within that part of the world could spill over into the Artanian Sea, which is critical for our economy,” President Menkyn added.

Dr Forrester is expected to meet with numerous officials, including Empress Mary I, and Foreign Minister Lady Anya Waltrip as their representative in Lodamun. In a press statement issued prior to his departure, Dr Forrester acknowledged the growing sentiment within Lodamun for its independence from the Anantonese Empire and reiterated his commitment to articulate the national mood to the Empress. “In my discussions with Her Imperial Majesty, I vow to ensure that Lodamun's grievances with respect to Kalistan’s retrenchment are respectfully conveyed. I remain committed to advocating for the Lodamese people and to seeking out the best path forward that honours and respects the will of the people,” the statement read. Secretary of the Treasury Dr James Woodall stated that the Department of the Treasur,y alongside the President’s Economic Advisory Board has begun an assessment into the economic impact of Lodamun’s decoupling from the Anantonese Empire with the intention of crafting policies aimed at ensuring the nation can pull off a soft landing should this go through.

[imperialpearl]

Amidst decades of false starts, the Strategic Defence Agency (SDA) announced that it had obtained approval from the Department of Defence to begin work on a new radar platform which could enhance Lodamun’s current efforts towards information dominance, especially in the anti-ballistic missile domain. In a press statement issued earlier this morning, SDA Director Admiral Sean Howell confirmed that following an in-depth meeting with the Secretary of the Navy, wherein the supposed benefits of a sea-based radar system for ballistic missile tracking had been discussed, final approval for the provision of a mobile offshore platform had been granted. For the better part of the SDA’s early existence, the agency has continuously lobbied both the Department of Defence and Whitehall for their approval for a mobile radar platform, which, when fully deployed, would allow for greater accuracy with respect to tracking ballistic missile threats and other airborne targets. The development comes as part of the agency’s broader goals and objectives towards establishing its “Continental Ballistic Missile Defence” initiative (CBMD). The initiative, largely borne as a result of the nuking of Metz-Leonid in Xsampa by Beiteynu, envisions Lodamun at the centre of a broader network of systems and platforms capable of negating the threat posed by small, medium, intermediate and intercontinental ballistic missiles. “The nuclear explosion in Xsampa was certainly the wake-up call many in Kensington needed to take the warnings of the SDA seriously,” Admiral Howell explained. “We have long pointed to Lodamun’s and by extension, the Seleyan continent’s vulnerability to threats of this nature, particularly given that they have historically originated from extra-regional territories. The CBMD is but one of the many initiatives we have sent down the pipeline for implementation.” Advanced radar systems will play a crucial role in not only the defence of Lodamun but the wider continent. It is thus against this backdrop that the agency has long lobbied for approval to begin work on a mobile radar platform which can be moved throughout the continent whenever required.

Admiral Howell noted that given the proposed system’s benefits, particularly with respect to long-range detection and tracking, its development would ultimately enhance Lodamun’s response to the ever-growing threat of hypersonic weapons. He noted that in addition to its capability to track ballistic missiles of varying capabilities over large distances, it provided the agency with a capability to enhance its detection of hypersonic missiles. “We have long underscored the importance of developing platforms which give us that edge with respect to being able to detect and hopefully destroy hypersonic missile threats. The ability to widen our field of detection beyond our current capabilities is an important step towards being able to track these weapons throughout their various stages. In essence, the closer we are to detecting these systems as soon as they are launched from ground-based ballistic missile sites, the better it is for us,” Howell explained. According to the SDA, it is envisioned that the agency would operate four (4) platforms which would be deployed throughout the Seleyan continent and could see potential deployment to other parts of the world. At the very basic level, the platform is a decommissioned mobile platform once used by North Seleyan Petroleum. The Navy’s permission was ultimately needed to transfer the platform to the SDA as it had been acquired by the Navy for a project which had since been cancelled. Positioned on the platform would be a large X-band radar dome, which would be the basis of the platform’s capabilities. Initial cost estimates for a singular platform place it at around 900 million LOD. The Armed Forces Projects Agency (AFPA) is reportedly connected to the platform’s development as the very first unit, which is set to begin construction next year, will become a test-bed for future radar subsystems for the AFPA and the SDA.

[imperialpearl]

Although Lodamun has long articulated its ambitions towards the development of an indigenous “next generation” fighter, most plans and initiatives towards actualising said ambitions have always fallen short. The LFX-100 program had been launched in the 4900s and had been primarily aimed at developing a highly advanced, stealthy multirole fighter. Although progress had been made with respect to research into stealth technology, the program was ultimately abandoned by the Department of Defence as a direct result of the formal relaunch of the X-43 Program, as it became clear that procuring a ready-made design was more economical compared to pouring billions into a domestic alternative. Additionally, the Advanced Tactical Fighter Program (ATFP), launched in the 5100s, was propped up as the supposed answer to Lodamun’s critical deficiency in pure air superiority aircraft. Having taken numerous lessons from the X-43 program, it was believed that there might be a genuine effort towards developing an advanced, stealth-based air superiority fighter for the Lodamese Air Force. However, concerns related to cost overruns ultimately forced the Department of Defence to abandon the project, although much of the stealth technologies developed for the program had remained shrouded in “national security”-level secrecy.

At a joint press conference held at the Department of Defence building in Kensington, Secretary of Defence Roy Baker, Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Abbott and Chief of the Air Force Gen. Eugene McNeil confirmed that the Defence Procurement Administration (DPA) had selected a preferred bidder to lead the Lodamese Air Force’s new effort towards the development of an advanced, stealthy air superiority fighter. According to Secretary Randall, prior to the commencement of the bidding round, it had been well articulated that the project would be significantly different when compared to its previous iterations. Among other considerations, it would be primarily supervised by the Armed Forces Projects Agency (AFPA) and will possess two aerospace defence companies working together towards implementing many of the designs of the AFPA. “This is not a competition wherein the bidders present their designs. The AFPA has developed its own design, and what the bidders do is that they will work with the AFPA to realise their ambitions by utilising the AFPA’s research and using their own internal “capabilities” to develop the fighter,” Secretary Randall explained.

Hemlock-Rogway and Burrell Systems are the preferred bidders in question. Insiders have noted that the selection of the nation’s two largest defence firms was no mistake on the part of the Lodamese Government, but represented an extremely calculated decision. Here, it was noted that the program intended to utilise the clear economies of scale between the two firms alongside their extensive research and development bureaus to “fine-tune” to aircraft’s design and the functionality of much of its internal subsystems. A major concern among the DPA assessors is primarily related to the potential for the two firms to develop a truly superior stealth aircraft. It was explained that the X-43 is the only capable stealth aircraft currently in operation alongside other non-stealth air superiority fighters throughout the world; it was possible for significant lessons to be learned with respect to designing and subsequently creating the “optimum air superiority fighter”. “I think what they [the DoD] are looking for is a Lodamese 5th Generation fighter. I think that given their experience and potential of their collective research/capabilities, Burrel Systems, Hemlock-Rogway and the AFPA can develop a truly next-generation aircraft,” Arnold Bishop, a defence reporter for Heatbur News.

Secretary Abbott noted that, owing to the otherwise sensitive nature of the program, the public ought not to expect much in the way of routine updates on the aircraft development, much less on the progress made in developing much of its subsystems,  including the stealth technology to be integrated into the aircraft itself. “Let me clear up something which I think will become important later. Owing to the sensitive nature of this program, the public should not expect much of the way of routine updates. This program is fundamentally different from its predecessors in that we [the Government] will not share information beyond that we believe is necessary,” Abbott explained. Details surrounding the project’s cost have also been sealed from the public, with the Office of Fiscal Responsibility noting that requests for information related to the project’s broader financial details would be directed to the Department of Defence.