Lodamun

[imperialpearl]

Although it had long maintained an internal policy against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other associated weapons of mass destruction, Lodamun’s ratification of the Treaty to Ban Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Weapons represents a major change in step for Kensington. Whereas previously, it had maintained much of its policy decisions against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in step with the treaty, its ratification has undoubtedly changed the nation’s relationship with the concept of WMD proliferation. This, coupled with the recent detonation of a nuclear weapon in Xsampa by the putsch regime in Yishelem, Beiteynu has prompted Air Force officials to reconsider its hesitance towards actively enforcing the treaty’s articles throughout the world. Even as it had contemplated a broader, more public policy statement against the proliferation of WMDs, the Lodamese Government has reserved a degree of hesitancy as it believed that it might become a slippery slope for the active enforcement of other treaties currently in effect. 

Concurrently, Lodamun maintains numerous Open Skies treaties with various nations, which allow for certain military aircraft to pass through various nations’ airspace without harassment. At a press conference held at the Department of Defence building in Kensington, Chief of the Air Force General Walter Lindsey confirmed that the Lodamese Air Force had long contemplated procuring a small fleet of aircraft which were capable of conducting atmospheric testing in search of nuclear explosions. He explained that the immediate aftermath is no longer a consideration as it is “too late” for the Lodamese Air Force to have any meaningful impact. “What we need to do is to determine those nations who are currently conducting nuclear testing as jumping into action after the fact is simply too late. We need to be proactive in identifying those states which place the safety and security of other nations, including ourselves and our Anantonese brothers and sister, at risk,” General Lindsey explained.

Requests for proposals were issued by the DPA in the months immediately following the devastating detonation in Xsampa, with Burrell System and Hemlock-Rogway being major contenders alongside smaller outfits. A major specification for the aircraft, as envisioned by the Air Force, was related to range. It noted that whereas it may be feasible to develop such an aircraft from a business jet, considerations had to be made for the fact that the aircraft may have to loiter in place for extended periods of time alongside having to travel vast distances, especially in those instances where a Lodamese-operated/owned airbase may not be wherein the immediate vicinity. “Notwithstanding those proposals which advanced small to medium-sized business jets as the primary platform of this mission, considerations ought to be made for the fact that these aircraft may have to conduct mid-air refuelling and/or travel vast distances to reach either their area of operation or the nearest Lodamese airbase,” the DPA’s revised specification read. 

Additionally, it noted that given the unique role the aircraft is supposed to embark upon, it is likely that it will have to carry numerous sensors in excess of those standards to Lodamese airforce “auxiliary” aircraft. The DPA specification noted that the aircraft must possess air sampling pods which would allow for crews to collect and analyse air samples for radioactive emissions from a fallout. Additionally, it must possess gamma-ray and mass spectrometers to detect and analyse radioactive isotopes. “For all intents and purposes, these aircraft must, by their very nature, become flying analysis labs. It is our view that even though nations may not be a party to the treaty, compliance is still important as most nations agree that these weapons have no place in the modern environment.” General Lindsey concluded.

The DPA ultimately selected the Burrell Systems design, which uses the fuselage of the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, with four (4) aircraft to be manufactured. Some have noted that given the nature of the mission (i.e. searching for evidence of nuclear explosions), such a task ought to be granted to a high-altitude long-endurance drone similar to the Azuron maritime patrol drone. Proponents have noted that the employment of a drone would ultimately eliminate the need for manned missions which would open up opportunities for other operations. However, officials at Burrell Systems have noted that although such a concept could be designed, the question remains whether it can match the “Able Sniffer” in terms of sensor capacity.