Lodamun

[imperialpearl]

Following a lengthy process wherein the DPA alongside officials from the Lodamese Marine Corps (LMC) and Lodamese Navy (LN) had reviewed numerous proposals from international partners, it was revealed via a process statement earlier this morning that the LMC would acquire the Harrier jump jet as part of a multi-billion dollar, long-term agreement with Burrell Systems. The statement, produced by the DPA, confirmed that the agency had approved the procurement of a local pattern of the Harrier jump jet, a vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft with service in numerous armed forces throughout the world. The announcement comes in tandem with the launching of the 2nd St. Christopher-class amphibious assault ship, LCS-Pembroke by Cowgill-Masterson Maritime Engineering (CMME) earlier this morning and forms part of a larger effort by the LMC and the LN to enhance the former’s warfighting capabilities. The formal commissioning of the St. Christopher-class amphibious assault ship represented a major step up for the Lodamese Marine Corps as their deployment as “mini-carriers” worked towards actualising the Marine Corps’ expeditionary ambitions. “These ships have been a major development for the Marine Corps as it meant that they could finally bring significant firepower to bear within any theatre of deployment. A miniature tool for power projection,” Cameron Slater, a defence analyst commented.

Despite their inherent advantages to the Marine Corps, the ships have been largely useless beyond being a larger platform for anti-submarine warfare helicopters and their most basic function as at-sea bases for the deployment and launching of troops and accompanying vehicles onto shore. Where airpower and airborne battlefield support are concerned, the vessels are nonetheless wholly dependent on aircraft flown on from land-based airfields. The initial deployment of the LCS-St.Christopher to Malivia revealed a major flaw in this structure as it placed significant emphasis on air support on airbases within the area. “In those instances where there aren’t friendly airbases in the area from which we can launch aircraft to support expeditionary operations, we are going to be in significant challenges,” lamented Commandant of the Lodamese Marine Corps General Corey Newman. At a Committee Hearing following the Migrant’s Pass debacle, General Newman revealed that notwithstanding the debacle itself, numerous lessons were imparted on the Lodamese Marine Corps which now informed a restructured outlook. “That event exposed numerous gaps in our capabilities. Had the situation escalated into a major engagement, it is likely that notwithstanding the capability (at the time) to bring airpower from Lodamun into Malivia and potentially Luthori, the Action Group’s ability to not only defend itself but provide significant fire support would have largely relied on the defensive and offensive capabilities of the guided missile frigates and destroyer present,” General Newman explained.

As the Lodamese Marine Corps is expected to operate four (4) amphibious assault ships, significant attention would undoubtedly be placed on ensuring each ship is provided with a suitable complement of aircraft. By their very nature, the Harriers are vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft and thus possess the ability to take off from short runways such as those on the St. Christopher class and other vessels of the kind. Their deployment follows earlier Luthorian deployments of V/STOL aircraft, which in part informed the use of similar aircraft by Kazulia, Mordusia and Hutori. The DPA noted in its press statement that some 120 Harriers were to be produced exclusively for the Marine Corps for deployments in sections of x20 per ship. Although the aircraft is by no means the highly manoeuvrable strike fighters currently in service with the Lodamese Air Force (such as the F-16 and F-15), they are nonetheless capable of numerous functions including fleet air defence and electronic warfare (via EW pods). However, their primary role remains ground attack.

Although its payload may not be as extensive as the A-10, it can nonetheless bring significant firepower to bear. Initial testing and reviews of V/STOL aircraft had been conducted by the LMC and LN as a means of developing an acumen for such operations, recognising that Navy and now Marine Corps pilots are primarily familiar with conventional take-off and landing procedures. “We want to build a level of knowledge of these aircraft so we can eventually use that against potential adversaries. V/STOL aircraft is certainly new to the Lodamese Armed Forces and will thus take some time before we can confidently say we are indeed proficient in their use,” said Commander Henry Powell, an instructor at the Lodamese Marine Corps Flight Academy. “I wouldn’t call this a trial by fire for some of our pilots; it is more practical to what has traditionally been taught in classrooms via theory. Getting into the jet and learning its basics is the fastest way we can master these aircraft.” He added. A simulation suite has been bought for LMC and LN pilots to hone their skills whilst the aircraft is being manufactured, thus when they eventually arrive, we will have become accustomed to some, if not most of its basic controls and functions.