Editor Note:
World Press News as obtained a FSA Whitepaper detailing some of the Free State Alliance weapon systems and strategy detailing how the FSA plans to maintain MAD. We are aware some may claim the FSA leaked this to the WPN to give clarity to how the FSA plans to secure itself, as a undisclosed system cannot provide deterrence. We decided to go ahead and publish sections of this white paper. Much of the technical details such as speed was redacted in our copy. Also the FSA announced the Kruger system, mentioned in this white paper, as suspended for political reasons.
Ratel White paper
Or how I stopped worrying and loved Mutual Assured destruction.
The Ratel, known in English as the Honey Badger, is one of the most fearsome creatures of the veld. Thus it is highly appropriate that the overall weapon system to maintain Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) is named after such beasts. Traditionally, ICBMs provided such a shield. However, recent technology such as the Meson weapons have left traditional ICBMs in the dustpan of history. Thus the FSA must update the concept to make sure that any attack on the FSA itself or its critical interests can be responded in lethal form.
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Missiles
The Ratel System consists of two missiles designed by the Missile Bureau of the Free States (MbFS). To confuse any spies these systems were given more then one name. However this whitepaper gives the offical designation for each of these missiles.
ICBM+ - designed to take advantage of the large size tubes that the ICBM uses, the ICBM+ is by far the most deadly weapon in the Ratel system. With enough speed to strike before even advanced sensors can detect it, it carries a large nuclear warhead designed to smash into hardened targets, or completely eliminate large structures such as shipyards. These weapons are designed to take out key installations as identified by the Free State Intelligence Service (FSIS) on Earth or in LEO.
Ratel Mark II - A smaller, much less expensive missile designed to replace ICBMs as a whole in a expensive manner. While not carrying as much firepower as the ICBM+, they still travel at Speeds that prevent meson strikes, and provide the bulk of the MAD. These will be targeted at population centers, military units, and soft targets, or less key installations.
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Sensors
To accurately target the missiles of the Ratel system, active sensors need to be deployed. After much research it was decided that many small sensor platforms hardened from nuclear attack will provide the best chance for sensor survival, and in numbers and design to prevent a meson first strike.
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Meson cannon
The Kruger system is designed to provide protection of the FSA from traditional ICBMs. There is some debate on the need for it, as most nations will be going to Post-ICBM systems, and a meson PDC could be viewed as a first strike weapon. The builders of the Ratel system designed the Kruger system as a addition to the Ratel system, and to provide backup, but is well aware that it may be excluded for political reasons.
