News from The Nation of Selenarctos

[iKrolm]

[b]Classified:[/b]

Per the Order of the President,
At the recommendation of the Army,

The hazardous environment procedures and preparations implemented in Manila shall be expanded to include the cities of Mariveles and Batangas as well. These cities near Manila have seen levels of growth smaller than Manila, but that never less may pose a potential hazard should the need for combat operations within the area arise.

Recognizing that airborne pollution levels have not increased as rapidly in these cities as Manila, the President has recommended that the changes be implemented within the next twelve to eighteen months.

[iKrolm]

[b]Highly Classified:[/b]

A sole prototype X-111 fighter jet successfully took off from calm shore waters today at an isolated testing location near Bongao. In an eleven minute flight, the X-111 taxied, lifted off, flew and landed on the water again. Later this week, the X-111's first supersonic flight is scheduled to take place, with flight complexity slowly increasing while the affects of water take off and landing on the aircraft are studied in detail.

[img]http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/iKrolm/supersonic-e-111.jpg[/img]

Work on the F-X fighter continues at the expected pace by Bulldog and the Artega Group, and with a pair of prototypes scheduled to begin test flights next year.

[iKrolm]

[b]Public Advertisement:[/b]

Do you worry about the air you breathe? Is your family safe? Last month, the Department of Humanities Bureau of Health reported that air quality within the greater Manila metropolitan area ranked below save levels on twenty-seven out of thirty days, up from twenty-three out of thirty-one days the month before. The Bureau of Health keeps records of polluting chemical and particulates found in the air that can cause long term health problems including lung cancer. If you wish to protect yourself and family, Precision Tactical is here to help.

Precision Tactical, best known for the Standard Combat Uniform used by the Selenarctos Army, has applied our substantial knowledge and expertise to develop a line of products that clean the very air you breathe. First up, we would like to introduce the Respro® mask: a simple and attractive partial face mask with passive air filters to remove airborne particles and contaminants before they reach your lungs. As our smallest model, the Respro mask can be folded up and slipped into a pocket or purse upon entering a building.

For those desiring additional protection, the CAS mask offers active electronic air filtration. Although larger than the Respro mask, the CAS mask offers superior filtration and is recommended for suffers of asthma, severe allergies, or those with trouble breathing.

Finally, the Venus full face mask offers our highest levels of protection. With full MilSpec certification for nuclear, biological and chemical protection, the Venus mask is the best safety money can buy. Don't wait to protect yourself, contact your local pharmacy today for more information or to order a Precision Tactical air filtration system.


Some people dream of a cleaner tomorrow, we design for a healthier today.™ This message brought to you by Precision Tactical.

[IMG]http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/iKrolm/model_photo20copy5B15D-1.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/iKrolm/cas-air-cleaning-mask-1_6npw1_24429-1.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/iKrolm/gas1.jpg[/IMG]
From left to right: the Respro® mask, the CAS mask, and the Venus full face mask.

[iKrolm]

[b]Public:[/b]

The Selenarctos government is pleased to announce that the 101st Airborne and 104th through 106th Mechanized Divisions of the Selenarctos Peacekeeping Force are ready for deployment. In the coming months, they will begin to supplement and eventually replace active duty Army divisions currently deployed in the proctorate zones receiving assistance from Selenarctos.

[iKrolm]

[b]Classified:[/b]

The 2nd Mechanized Division has completed it's withdrawal from the Borneo Procetorate Zone, and is now fully deployed to it's holding location of Davao City (in the southern Philippine islands). In place of the 2nd Mechanized, the 104th and 105th SPF Mechanized Divisions have been activated to maintain security and support essential services within the zone.

[iKrolm]

[b]Classified, Military News:[/b]

The Navy has begun adopting a modification of Precision Tactical's Standard Combat Uniform (SCU). Like the Army's variants, the uniform supports advanced composite armor plates and built-in nuclear-biological-chemical protection. Additionally, the Naval variant introduces a blue camo pattern and offers attachment points for an inflatable flotation device.

[img]http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120821233723/cnrp/images/7/71/Brasher_Navy_Armor.png[/img]


For the Air Force, the Artega Group announced that the F-X Strike Fighter has begun flight tests. Hernandez-Segura followed up the classified announcement by stating that results are very positive, and hopes that the first squadron of F-X fighters will be combat ready in two years' time.

[img]http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/iKrolm/BoeingnewF-X1.jpg[/img]

[iKrolm]

[b]Public Announcement:[/b]

"Today, we are proud to announce the completion and inauguration of the Selenarctos Orbital Launch Loop. Five years in the making, this monument to Selenarctan technological and manufacturing prowess stands over two thousand kilometers long and eighty kilometers high.

"The launch loop provides Selenarctos with the ability to cheaply and efficiently launch large goods, materials, and people into near earth orbit. From there, transfer to a Kaptan-class Orbital Relay Vessel to reach Freeside, the moon, or anywhere else with in the Earth/Lunar gravity well is possible."

-Ms. Sora Armijo, Secretary of Humanities

[url="http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/iKrolm/title.png"][IMG]http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/iKrolm/launch_loop_small.jpg[/IMG][/url]
[size="1"]Land masses removed and scale altered to increase clarity.[/size]

[iKrolm]

[b]Public:[/b]

The results of the third national census have been released, revealing that the trend of population growth and increased urbanization has continued unabated. The population of Selenarctos stands at just over thirty million citizens, in increase of six million since the last census. The Department of Humanities, which is responsible for the census, attributed much of the growth to the President's immigration changes that relaxed requirements for those of Filipino heritage living abroad but wished to return to Selenarctos.

Overall, 83% of the population of Selenarctos lives in a city, or developed urban setting; up from 76% at the last census. The largest growth was observed in Manila with a population increase of nearly four million. Mariveles and Batangas both experienced rapid growth as well, at an additional eight hundred thousand and five hundred thousand citizens respectively. Other major cities in Selenarctos also showed respectable growth, ranging between fifty to three hundred thousand additional citizens.

Analysts in the Department of Humanities have attributed the massive growth centered around the capital as a result of the economic recovery and later, from the government's emphasis on industrial development for the launch loop. Nearly 80% of contracts and benefits were awarded to companies and branches in Manila, Mariveles, and Batangas, with less than 5% awarded to foreign nations. That left 15% spread out through the rest of Selenarctos and as a result, Manila now hosts the largest industrial and high tech complexes in all of Selenarctos. Though this has greatly improved the economy of Manila, other regions have suffered slow economic recovery.

-The Manila Times

[iKrolm]

[b]Classified:[/b]

The first four combat-ready X-111 jets began training flights over the Sulu sea this week. So far, the plane has proved to be highly maneuverable, stealthy, and far exceeding the predecessor F-22 in many ways. In post-flight debriefings, pilots said the X-111 was more comparable to the Typhoon fighter than the F-22, but the glass cockpit and instrumentation exceeded the capabilities of either. Training flights will continue in the coming months as more pilots are rotated through the program, but the training schedule is severely bottlenecked by the limited number of planes as well as the careful timing and positioning of flights to avoid detection by non-allied ships and radar networks.

We have also begun construction of permanent hangar facilities for the planes near the Tayabas Bay. From the air, the facility looks similar to an expensive marina with covered boat docks. We believe this will adequately serve for aerial camouflage for the time being, and continue to investigate additional camouflage and defensive measures.

-Air Force memo


[img]http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/iKrolm/1_37.jpg[/img]

[iKrolm]

[b]Public, Investor Announcement:[/b]

Construction workers from Precision Tactical broke ground today on a new research and testing facility on Makin Island, in the Micronesian Protectorate Zone. This new facility will support as many as 3,000 staff devoted to the top-notch research into optical and military technologies that have placed Precision Tactical at the forefront of its field. To provide security arrangements for the new Makin Island Research Facility, Precision Tactical has signed a contract with the private security company Terminus Systems.

Company officials confirmed a number of classified projects in the works would soon be revealed, including a large partnership with Bulldog Armored vehicles for optical equipment of an unspecified purpose.

[img]http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/iKrolm/Precision_Tactical_Logo_1_small.png[/img]



Edit: Corrected a typo, should read '3,000 staff' instead of '8,000' staff.

Edited September 5, 2012 by iKrolm

[iKrolm]

[b]Public Advertisement:[/b]

Are you purchasing a house or renting an apartment in the greater Manila metropolitan area? Then you should know that Department of Humanities Bureau of Health has rated outdoor air quality in Manila below 'Acceptable' every day last month.

Industrial particulates found in the air are dangerous to adults, children, even pets. They have been linked to breathing problems such as athsma and life threatening conditions such as a weakened immune system and cancer. But pollutants don't stay out doors: pollutants and particulates are just as dangerous indoors where they accumulate and present long-term exposure risks.

So when you search for your new house or appartment, ask if it is a Bulldog® house. Bulldog has teamed up with local construction contractors to supply military-grade filtration systems to new constructions and renovations. Our filtration systems are available for all budgets: we offer clean air solutions from a simple particulate filter on your air conditioner to positive-pressure blowers that remove pollutants, all the up to fully sealed NBC-level air seals. Contact one of our local partners for a quote and installation information today.

Protect your family, protect your friends, protect your health. Don't settle for anything less than a Bulldog® house.



[IMG]http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/iKrolm/Bulldog_Armored_Vehicles_Logo_1_pip.png[/IMG]
This message has been paid for by Bulldog Armored Vehicles.

Edited September 5, 2012 by iKrolm

[iKrolm]

[b]Private, Classified:[/b]


"Good morning, Mr. President."

"Good morning, Mr. Cartell," President Melchoro Diokno rose to return the man's half-bow and shake his hand.

"Please, call me Georgio, Mr. President."

"Certianly Georgio, please have a seat," Melchoro gestured to a chair and seated himself facing Georgio Cartell. They were in the unofficial President's office. The President's official office was in the Capital Building, of course, but sat elaborately decorated and rarely used. The President's [i]unofficial[/i] office, on the otherhand, appeared to the unknowing eye as if it had been assembled from IKEA, although a closer inspection would reveal the furniture to be both very expensive and stylistically bland. The office itself resided in an unmarked buiding in metro Manila, close to the center of power but hidden away from public view--the way Melchoro prefered it--and if was often used.

"Now I must say, Georgio," Melchoro continued after the customary greetings, "I was curious when my secretary told me you requested a meeting today. After all, it's not every day that the head of Special Projects at an arms contractor requests a meeting with the President."

Georgio laughed, mistaking the question for a joke. "No, Mr. President, no it's not. Normally I would request a meeting with the Secretary of Security, but you have always exhibited a strong interest in space, and I believed you would like to hear my pitch directly.

"Now as you know, my company--Hernandez-Segura Systems--developed the Goalkeeper Block B1 close in weapon systems that now reside aboard most of our Navy's ships. Missile defense systems have a small space in my heart (they always have), and so after the official end of Block B1 development I put together a small team in Special Projects to continue development, under the codename Goalkeeper Black.

"The goal of project was to develop a missile defense shield to be used in space, and we have done so. The Goalkeeper Black model is designed to operate indefinately in the harsh conditions of space. Each unit includes its own independent power supplies, radar and lidar tracking systems, and computer systems designed to plot and intercept trajectories in microgravity. We're ready to test the system, Mr. President, but we need your support to move forward."

"An interesting proposal, Georgio," Melchoro said, "And I commend your initiative for embarking beginning it. You are aware, however, that weaponization of space has the lowest approval rating--below selling Selenarctos to Tianxia, even--of any recent polls."

"Yes, Mr. President, and I know the measures you took to hide the deployment of two platoons of 1st Mechanized security forces onboard Freeside. This is why I approached you directly, Mr. President: my team is fully prepared to proceed with the utmost caution and secrecy."

"Very well, Georgio, I'll sign the order this afternoon. Was there anything else?"

"No, thank you Mr. President."

"Thank you."

[iKrolm]

[b]Public:[/b]

"Welcome everyone: investors, members of the press, and members of the Selenarctos Armed Forces. On behalf of the Artega Group, thank you for taking the time today to come out to Factory 217 and allow us to publicly display for the first time, the results of much hard work. My name is Pedrozo Toro, I am a Senior Systems Engineer with the Artega Group and your guide for today. I helped design Factory 217, so feel free to ask any questions you may have.

"One last thing before we begin: Artega Internal Security has asked me to remind you that while photography is permitted everywhere I take you today, the rest of the building is off limits. If you do leave tour group, security officers must confiscate any electronic devices on your person and they will not be returned. Now if there are no immediate questions, let us begin."

Pedrozo led the group of twenty men and women out of Factory 217's lobby, through a security checkpoint (disabled for today) and down a hallway to their first destination. This was one of several such tours today to boost interest, investments, and support from Selenarctos as the Artega Group prepared to expand and sell it's manufacturing prowess.

"Through the glass," Pedrozo said, "You can see an assembly line building personal electronics." He continued with a few statistics--rate of output, etc.--before noting: "Some of you may be wondering why we asked you here to see an assembly line? The assembly line is the most efficient method of mass production, in the history of mankind. The assembly line has been improved upon certainly, but never beaten since the American Henry Ford developed it in the early twentieth century. Three-dimensional printers were once heralded as the end of the assembly line: their flexibility allows a single unit to produce nearly anything and they boast minimal manpower requirements, but to count efficiency--to count units per hour--the assembly line remains supreme."

Pedrozo began leading the group towards the next display, walking backwards as he talked. "At the Artega Group, we have developed a method of hybrid manufacturing and in doing so, finally reduced operational manpower requirements to the absolute limit: zero.

"Behind me now, is where the assembly line you just saw began." Through a second set of glass windows, stood rows of identical, large, white Artega Group-branded cubes. "These are our most advanced, though not largest, 3D printers. Each one is thirty cubic meters inside and can print steel, titanium, copper, various plastics: anything you might expect to find in an industrial application."

Pedrozo gestured to a printer near the front with an open door. Inside was full size industrial robotic arm, complete with an arc welder on the end. "Could we produce end consumer goods inside one of these? Of course, but with the upfront costs you'll be struggling to break even for the next half-century and still on be not be very competitive, price-per-unit-wise.

"So we don't compete. The Artega Group 3D printers you see here are exclusively tasked to construct assembly line components. Arms, cranes, conveyor belts, whatever it is we have a printer than can build it exactly to specification."

At this point, Pedrozo led the tour away to a third set of windows overlooking a factory floor under assembly. Wheeled robots were hauling equipment across the floor, a pair of unmanned cranes suspended from the ceiling lifted heavy machinery into place, and several tank-like robots with tracks and drills were bolting racks into the floor.

"And so the Artega Group decided: if we can design a factory any way we want, why not design out the human component? If you've ever bought a table or chairs from IKEA, well, this is even easier. An entire factory can be built in a matter of weeks, days even for smaller establishments like the electronics line you saw earlier, or the one behind the glass now.

"With minimal oversight, this line has been brought from an empty room to what you see now in under a day." A digital clock above the window was counting upward 22:40:28, :29, :30, as Pedrozo spoke. "One more day for assembly, one for cleaning, and it will be up and running. This particular line includes a small printer to produce replacement parts--only two cubic meters, you can see it near the back of the room--and once finished, can run indefinitely if kept stocked with raw materials."

"If you remember from the assembly line earlier, there there was not a person floor. In fact, no one has entered that room since last week and only then to ensure the room was clean and presentable for today's tours. Likewise through the glass right now, there is one employee on the floor overseeing the assembly and even he is unnecessary; he is only there as a precaution. Once this floor goes online, it will remain closed save for once per month when a technician enters to preform a general inspection. Thus, we have removed or reduced 90% of the overhead costs for establishing and running a factory."

Pedrozo would have continued, but for the storm of questions from investors in the tour who realized where the Artega Group was going.

"No, the Artega Group will not be entering the consumer goods market. The assembly lines you've seen today were constructed for an electronics company in Manila whose name I am not permitted to disclose."

"Yes, we will be working with many more and larger companies to utilize hybrid manufacturing."

"No, at this time the government of Selenarctos has blocked the export and sale abroad of our hybrid manufacturing techniques."

"Yes, there are several unnamed defense contractors who have expressed interest, as well as branches Selenarctos Armed Forces; you can ask them yourselves," Pedrozo gestured to the pair of Army Colonels in the tour who declined to comment when the reporter redirected his question.

"I'm sure there are more questions, but we are out of time today. If you require any thing else, please accept a card," Pedrozo handed out a stack of business cards. "My name and contact information are on the front, as well as contact information for the Artega Group's Sales, Outreach, and Business Departments on the back. Thank you once again for coming, and please enjoy the rest of your day."

[iKrolm]

[b]Public Announcement:[/b]

The Air Force revealed the F-X Strike Fighter to the public for the first time, today. The F-X is a 6th generation fighter jet designed to replace the F-35 Strike Fighters currently used by the Air Force at home and aboard the SS Manila.

Developed in secret, the F-X fighter was designed by Bulldog Armored Vehicles and the Artega Group. Neither company had developed a fighter jet before, but officials said they worked closely with Air Force pilots and former Selenarctos Aerospace Consortium engineers to design the F-X. The Air Force confirmed they considered bids from the SAC and Bulldog/Artega before selecting to proceed with the F-X.

The Air Force officers and pilots at the event today praised the F-X as 'one of the most advanced planets in the world', with a completely original air frame and stealth features. Although the F-X does not offer the VTOL capability of the F-35, the F-X sports a short take off and landing distance that fit well with carrier operations and allow take off and landing at smaller air facilities.

Like it's predecessor, the F-X is designed to carry standardized guided and unguided munitions used by the rest of the Air Force, and integrate with the Security Department's communication system to provide rapid support of forces on the ground. The F-X is supersonic, with a cruise speed of Mach 1.8 and a combat range of seven hundred hundred nautical miles.

One squadron of F-X fighters has been completed, and the Air Force has ordered nineteen squadrons more (for a total twenty squadrons), to be delivered over the next five years. This is an increase from the twelve squadrons of F-35 fighters the Air Force previously maintained. When asked about this change of policy, an Air Force spokesman stated that the additional planes would allow the Air Force to better fulfill role of protecting the Selenarctan skies and waters and supporting the Army as well as the newly created Selenarctos Peacekeeping Force.


[img]http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/iKrolm/BoeingnewF-X1.jpg[/img]





[b]Classified:[/b]

Additionally, the F-X offers a hybrid UAV setup, whereby the aircraft can be operated by a pilot in the vehicle, or by a remote operator. Unlike the Predator line of UAVs, the F-X's unmanned mode provides the pilot with full access to all of the controls, gauges, and feedback (including tactile and audible noise) that a pilot in the cockpit would receive.

The Artega Group has begun construction of a factory in Batangas to produce F-X jets. Using Artega's Hybrid Manufacturing process, the F-X factory will be largely unmanned and highly automated. A second factory in Mariveles will produce spare parts for F-X squadrons.

[iKrolm]

[b]Public:[/b]

In an addendum to today's earlier announcement, the Air Force added that optical and communication equipment for the F-X was produced by Precision Tactical. Precision Tactical was granted many of the Selenarctos Strategic Defense Corporation's patents for optical technology, and seems to have developed it further based on this latest partnership.

[iKrolm]

[b]Actions:[/b]

At this time, the Selenarctos government is preparing for the event that the Republic Of Papua has fallen. Elements of the 7th Mechanized Division who remain in the country are attempting to contact the government of Papua and if unsuccessful, will incorporate the territory as a protectorate.

[iKrolm]

[b]Action:[/b]

With contact restored, the 7th Mechanized returned to everyday duties.

[iKrolm]

[b]Classified:[/b]

After careful consideration, the Artega Group's proposal to install a pair of high capacity printers on Freeside has been approved. The benefits of the installation include a local supply of spare parts, reducing the need to ship components from the Lunar Republic and Selenarctos. The unit will be operated only by Artega Group personnel, and will additionally be used to research and design future modifications for improved microgravity manufacturing.

The Freeside communication systems will upgraded. The new subsystems allow greater interfacing with the native Selenarctan civilian channels of communcation, at the cost that all communication from Freeside must be routed through the Selenarctos mainland, by way of commercial ground receiving stations or communication satellites in Selenarctos' constellation. A discrete military channel will also be installed, for use by authorized personnel on board Freeside.

[iKrolm]

[b]Classified:[/b]

In orbit on Freeside, the Artega group's experiments with printing in low gravity have encountered a number of material deposition flaws that have slowed progress dramatically. Under centrifugal artificial gravity, the printers have preformed on par with their grounded counterparts and been integrated into secret use by security forces on the station.

Also on Freeside, the Goalkeeper Black project has successfully tested debris interception capabilities against simulated garbage on a collision course with Freeside. Several modifications had to be made to the prototypes, for which the Artega Group's printers were tasked with on-site manufacturing. The Hernandez-Segura Special Projects team is preparing the deployment of concealed Goalkeeper Black systems to both ends of the cylinder to cover docking bays.

Finally, on the ground X-111 production remains on hold as Aerospace Consortium engineers tweak the plane's stealth coating. The four prototypes exhibited greatly increased stealth capabilities after repeated landings in salt water, and the Air Force has refused to consider the design finalized until these issues are addressed.

[iKrolm]

[b]Classified:[/b]

The 3rd Davao Fleet shall deploy to the Pacific side of the Magellen strait until ffurther notice. Maximum stealth measures are in effect, and the use of all microwave frequency communication if prohibited.

[iKrolm]

[b]Public:[/b]

Earth side, the 3rd Davao Fleet would be retasked and supplied with civilian shipping support to dismantle the ex-Lunar Republic Orbital Launch Loop floating over the Atlantic Ocean and ensure it didn't fall on anyone.

[Centurius]

[quote name='iKrolm' timestamp='1350689214' post='3043122']
[b]Public:[/b]

Earth side, the 3rd Davao Fleet would be retasked and supplied with civilian shipping support to dismantle the ex-Lunar Republic Orbital Launch Loop floating over the Atlantic Ocean and ensure it didn't fall on anyone.
[/quote]

"As part of the operation in the Atlantic the Launch Loop is considered part of the former Lunar Republic, Athenian forces have already commenced operations to assume control of the launch loop"

[iKrolm]

"Certianly. If you would like any assistance, please let us know."

[Centurius]

[quote name='iKrolm' timestamp='1350689925' post='3043133']
"Certianly. If you would like any assistance, please let us know."
[/quote]

"At this point in time assistance is not required, we are however always willing to negotiate arrangements for other nations to use such assets as launch loops"

[iKrolm]

"Thank you for the offer, but our own loop is more than sufficient for our needs at this time."