La Nueva Libertadores

[TheShammySocialist]

With Colombia's economy continuing to recover from the blows of lost growth due to the de Santa Anna rebellion, which was alleviated a significant amount by foreign aid being pumped into the country and targeted at specific portions of the economy that brought Colombia back to its' feet relatively quickly. In a government shift, the Ministry of the Treasury absorbed the International Commerce Department (ICD), as well as Interstate Trade Directorate (ITD) to streamline bureaucracy, and putting the Ministry of the Treasury as the second most important office after the Ministry of Home Affairs, whose bureaucracy was immense to begin with. In a bid to attract further international investment, as well as foster both imports and exports, the government was utilizing some of its redevelopment aid to fund targeted public relations campaigns across the world through international broadcasters within Colombia.

This targeted campaign would seek to eliminate the leftover memories of Lupe de Santa Anna and the war itself to focus on the progress the region had made in the last decade, championing the stability and peace of the region, and amongst the member states of the region. Tourism would be a large focus of public relations campaigns; with destinations that included the old Dutch colonies such as Aruba and Curacao, as well as Margarita Island and Trinidad, along with the mainland beaches and climate, Greater Colombia was a festive mix of cultures that brought something unique to the region. Large immigrant populations from Europe, individuals who could trace their roots back to the indigenous populations of old, those who could trace their lineage back to nefarious means of being brought to the region, all brought their own spice to the country and had notably made it a country rich in heritages and colorful backgrounds.

Increasing international tourism in the country was a prime goal of the government, repairing the image of hostility and encouraging a sense of hospitality and welfare that had been lost due to the efforts of a madwoman and her cult of followers. Such repairs to the image of the nation were meant to be a double-edged sword, not only would the country increase tourism revenues and foster the service industry that had suffered setbacks from the war, it would also potentially draw more substantial economic activity. Colombia was a country that had done much to nurture and help along its heavy industry, and although the countries' industries had suffered a shortage of resources during the war, as well as some technical difficulties with open networks and DDoS attacks, the damage had long been repaired.

Colombia had established itself as a place of not only getaway vacationers, but also had done much to foster heavy machinery manufacturing, including industrial assembly and production process machines that were built to withstand harsh working conditions including temperature extremes and low-maintenance standards. These tough standards were backed up by the government, who were beginning to amply reward industrial manufacturers with various tax or economic incentives for promoting after-purchase service excellence, and companies that established technical service and troubleshooting offices in foreign countries that bought Colombian industrial equipment and heavy machinery.

In a lesser-known and lesser-publicized instance however, the government had also begun the long and painful process of relocating a number of armament production facilities from outer reaches of the country towards the center. On an even more lesser-known fact, defense contractors and facilities considered vital to the defense of the nation were afforded extra protection from direct aerial and standoff missile attack with the emplacement of both mobile and static anti-air/anti-missile defenses nearby. Depending heavily on priority, most of the facilities that were relocated were industries involved in higher-technological weapons manufacturing, notably including aircraft production, vital components (including micro-processers and chips), artillery and large direct-fire projectiles, as well as replacement parts. Arsenals that included ammunition plants were kept in relative locations, given the number and distribution of them throughout the country, their relocation wasn't as essential. All industrial plants were also consulted by the Interior Ministry's Network Security Division and Colombian Armed Forces Cyber Warfare Command (CAFCWC), which would help all manufacturers with network security and data transfer from external sources.

Essentially, if external source data had to be transferred into the company servers, any data transfers had to have a security code that data packages had attached to them, which would be verified from information given to the company involved in the transfer by the source of data. No outside network access could be made by machine operators or data input and processing personnel, and the computers involved in this process had an array of security features including up to four-level password processes before they could even achieve a basic connection with the internet. Industrial machinery and control systems also could not be directly attached to open networks, and could only be attached to inter-facility networks, and had similar security patterns and restricted operation codes for vital systems that could not be tampered with, even if the facility's network was breached from within.

Logistics were also improved through the use of a three-tier understanding between individuals involved in shipping and receiving, all deliveries and shipments in heavy industry (including all defense contractors) had a restricted open network copy of shipment/delivery schedules, as well as an inter-facility network copy that could not be tampered with, as well as a paper trail of all deliveries and shipments. All liaisons involved in industrial logistics were to be given training in network security, and during times of [i]extreme nature[/i], would be assisted by an appointed government or military officer who would help them coordinate logistics priorities, especially for defense contractors. All companies involved in logistic operations throughout the country were held to similar standards as well as stringent government guidelines that were put in place to avoid another fiasco like the one that happened during the war.

On a more sensitive and classified note, Synergy Aerospace also began the full production and field testing of their newest product that would take the place of the B-2 [i]Osprey[/i], whose performance in the war had come under scrutiny from Air Force leaders for its lighter ordinance load and modularity options. Synergy Aerospace, in a bid to replace their competitor, Aguila de Colombia, with providing the air force with a hard-hitting, high-tech tactical bomber would win a contract for the [url="http://www.hitechweb.genezis.eu/futurebombers.files/lockheed_future_strike_aircraft_2.jpg"]B-3 [i]Sombra[/i][/url] or 'Shadow'. Building on its experience from building the F-1 [i]Halcon[/i] and venerable heavy-hauling B-1 [i]Condor[/i], the B-3 [i]Sombra[/i] was the newest in a line of aircraft that had given commendable accounts of themselves during the war.

Desiring to build an aircraft that more than doubled the payload of the [i]Halcon[/i], but was suited for low-observable, low-level penetration attacks, combat air support in contested airspace, air superiority support, electronic warfare, and some anti-aircraft defense network support features, the [i]Sombra[/i] "bridged the gap" between the F-15SE [i]Silent Eagle [/i]tactical strike fighters, and the B-1 [i]Condor[/i]. With a combat range of over to two thousand kilometers when equipped with full low-observable fuselage-conforming fuel tanks, the [i]Sombra[/i] could also be extended in range with air-to-air refueling, done from a retractable fuel probe. The tactical bomber was also similarly built like its smaller cousin, the [i]Halcon[/i], making use of a variety of materials including radar-reducing synthetics and optical flight controls, along with specially-designed air intakes for reduced heat and radar signature. With heat-absorbent material built around its thrusters, the bombers' infrared signature was slightly-reduced, and active-cancellation technology, coupled with a 'smart' DFRM jamming pod helped keep the bomber's presence over the battlefield minimal.

In order to increase the aircrafts' ordinance-carrying capability, which was relatively substantial without underwing options, the [i]Sombra[/i] had the ability to utilize a triangular strongpoint in both wings, to carry up to eight two-hundred-pound small diameter bombs, with interchangeable warheads, which could be used in both close air support, as well as in a standoff support role. With a reinforced wingroot for carrying such armament, as well as two heavy output engines, the [i]Sombra[/i] was a heavy hitting aircraft that exceeded the B-2's ordinance delivery by almost fifty percent. Along with a stealth-enhancing electronic suite, the bomber was also equipped with similar radar features to that of the F-1 [i]Halcon[/i], which allowed it to partake in a missile truck role, advancements in technology allowed the [i]Sombra[/i]'s electro-optical distributed aperture system equipment to fulfill a standoff surveillance role that could detect and track ballistic missiles out to a range of one thousand miles.

As with all news on Colombian defense procurement deals, the [i]Sombra[/i]'s initial testing forays and initial deliveries would be done under the utmost security measures, and squadrons equipped with initial models would be located at rural air bases as opposed to units operating out of urban areas.

Edited January 12, 2013 by TheShammySocialist

[TheShammySocialist]

With an effort underway to split tactical airlift responsibilities between two aircraft, the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A400M_Atlas]C-400N Tactical Transport Aircraft[/url] and the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alenia_C-27J_Spartan]C-27K STOL Medium Transport[/url], both aircraft assembled by Aguila de Colombia, the Colombian Defense Ministry was in the beginnings of decommissioning or selling most of the Armed Forces' C-130 fleet. This would include sale offers on both the domestic and international market, in an effort to offset costs over the procurement of the duo of aircraft which were being brought into service under the auspices of the 'Tactical Transport Modernization Program' also known as 'Project Halo'.

The program was an effort to dispose of the aging C-130 transport fleet, which had given good service throughout its lifetime, and replace it with two aircraft, the larger of the two providing a platform for Electronic Warfare, Psychological Operations, SEAD Missions, and other possible modular designs including special operations variants. The C-27K was to be able to provide a variety of mission packages, including a possible combat support option as well as performing a battlefield coordination role for air and ground support assets in support of combined arms operations. Both airframes were also expected to be utilized by the Colombian Coast Guard in search-and-rescue (SAR) operations, as well as ongoing sovereignty and illegal activities interdiction operations.

An extension on 'Project Halo', was the inclusion of Aguila de Colombia's newest design, known as the [url="http://www.jetfly.hu/rovatok/jetfly/hirek/hatalmas_helikopterek_epulhetnek/05.jpg"]XVQTR-1 [i]Mula[/i][/url], departing from the dual tilt-rotor of the likes of the V-22, the [i]Mula[/i] was a full sized aircraft that could land and take off vertically. With a cargo capacity relative to a standard C-130, the [i]Mula[/i] was under strict consideration for an auxiliary role by the Colombian Marines as a ship-to-shore connection, as well as by the Colombian Army as a transport to get vehicles and supplies into restrictive terrains. Possible variants of the unique aircraft including a refueling aircraft, psychological operations, and an special operations support gunship. With joint funding from both the Marines and Army, Aguila de Colombia was given the task of producing a prototype that could provide cargo movement and aerodynamic stress trials.

Edited January 12, 2013 by TheShammySocialist

[Kevin Kingswell]

[quote]
To: [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Colombian Defense Ministry[/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]From: New Greenland Military Command[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]RE: C-130 Sale[/font][/color]

[font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]We have become aware of the sale of a number of C-130 transport planes by yourselves on the open market and we would like to express our interest in purchasing these planes from you to join the New Greenland air force. If it is acceptable with yourselves we would like to open negotiations for purchasing the stated aircraft. [/color][/font][/quote]

[TheShammySocialist]

[quote][b]To: New Greenland Military Command
From: General Rafael Gordillo, Interim Minister of Defense

RE:RE: C-130 Sale[/b]

You are correct on the information you have received, the Colombian Air Force, Coast Guard, and Navy are in the process of selling a large number of these transport aircraft, with up to four hundred and fifty of the aircraft available for sale, in various configurations. Current costs for the aircraft in question are to be pegged at an average of fifty million Bolivarian Dollars apiece, and all have up-to-date maintenance and service checks, as well as logs of all maintenance operations done on them.[/quote]

[Kevin Kingswell]

[size=3] [/size]
[quote][size=3]To: General Rafael Gordillo, Interim Minister of Defense[/size]
[size=3]From: New Greenland Military Command[/size]

[size=3]RE: C-130 Sale[/size]

[size=3]After consulting the available finances we can afford to [/size][size=3]purchase one hundred of the C-130 aircraft to start with and every three months afterwards purchase another one hundred up to the maximum of all four hundred and fifty available planes. If this is acceptable to you we can wire across the first exchange of funds immediately [/size][size=4][/quote][/size]

Edited January 14, 2013 by Kevin Kingswell

[TheShammySocialist]

[quote][b]To: New Greenland Military Command
From: General Rafael Gordillo, Interim Minister of Defense

RE:RE:RE: C-130 Sale[/b]

[i]Enclosures[/i]

We cannot promise further availability beyond your current purchase order allotted, as we are selling these aircraft on the open market, but we will gladly accept your offer on the initial one hundred aircraft, and will sell the other batches to you if they are still available. The enclosed information in this transmission will give you instructions on payment transfers to the Colombian Treasury.

We welcome your government to send pilots to Simon Bolivar International Airport, where our government will provide transportation and lodging before introducing them to the aircraft and ensuring they can fly them correctly. From there, your aircraft will be allowed to make the flying relay to Greenland, with Colombian Air Force long-range aerial tanker support if needed.[/quote]