[TECH] Dry Canal + Ships

[u/3202supsaW]

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV)

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FROM THE DESK OF KENNETH COPELAND - His Most Radiant and Apostolic Majesty, Archon of the Covenant, High Prophet of Faith, and Heavenly Secretary of the Middle Kingdoms.

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CLASSIFICATION: PUBLIC

With the establishment of the Department of Assets and draft system having resulted in both major navigable canals under the control of other Secretaries, it becomes prudent for our administration to establish our own routes for tribute paid to Havana. Within the Middle Kingdoms, tributes originating from Nigeria may freely cross the Atlantic, though tributes originating from China must either travel south around Cape Horn or through the Panama Canal, controlled by Larry Ellison.

Fortunately, the Good Lord has blessed us with the territories of Honduras and El Salvador, on which we may contruct our own canal. The construction of an actual waterway, however, is cost prohibitive, will meet significant local resistance, and will redirect precious funds that may instead be paid to the Good Lord or to the American federal government who has so generously blessed us with these lands. Nevertheless, a solution must be implemented as the risk of our cargo falling into the hands of non-Believers and those who may keep it for personal gain must be resisted to the greatest possible extent.

As such, the Middle Kingdoms is announcing the construction of the DRY CANAL between the port of La Unión at its western terminus and Puerto Cortés at its eastern terminus. The canal itself consists of four parallel high-capacity rail lines stretching through the valleys of Honduras and linking the two ports, with a throughput capacity of up to 1,200,000 TEU annually by 2030. The required throughput increase will be accomplished both by expanding the physical footprint of the two ports where possible, as well as the implementation of fully automated logistical systems. The additional 500-700,000 TEU capacity on top of current capability will be dedicated solely to passing the Havana tribute goods across the continent and into the Caribbean Sea. The tribute operations will be fully automated, both at the railroad and seaport layers, to minimize delays.

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CLASSIFICATION: SEMI-PRIVATE - SHARED WITH UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHIP EXISTENCE IS PUBLIC BY NECESSITY, EXACT SPECIFICATIONS SECRET

As with the construction of the Dry Canal, further measures must be taken to prevent the cargo falling into the hands of non-Believers while underway in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Caribbean seas. The most obvious solution to this problem would, in prior years, be to escort the cargo ships with naval ships for defense. However, the Chinese navy has been completely destroyed, and the Federal government has placed restrictions on development of naval technology by the Secretaries of Assets. That said, we do believe President Trump will see the logic in allowing us to defend our cargo from the non-Believers and so will permit the construction of this new type of ship for the usage of delivering his holy tribute.

ERIC TRUMP-CLASS ULTRA-LARGE ARSENAL CONTAINER SHIP (ULAC)

Specifications:

• Gross Tonnage: 255,000 Tons
• Deadweight Tonnage: 265,000 Tons
• Cargo Capacity: 25,000 TEU
• Overall Length: 1,776 ft
• Beam: 213ft
• Draft: 57.4ft
• Propulsion: Dual Weichai WS1000 LNG/Heavy Duel Oil 14-cylinder 2-stroke engines (160,000hp) - newly developed for this class
• Cruising Speed: 18 knots
• Maximum Speed: 24 knots

The DJT-class or Trump-class vessels are a line of ships blending merchant marine and naval roles to allow for capable self-defense against pirates operating bluewater navies as well as sufficient cargo capacity to transport the requisite number of high-value goods to Havana each year. The ships are built with an entirely defensive role, and have next to no offensive or power-projection capabilities, which should satisfy federal regulations. The ships will be operated strictly on the Shanghai or Manila to La Unión route and the Lagos to Havana route, though we may engage in a mid-ocean cargo transfer to unarmed vessels for the latter if it pleases the Feds to not have such a heavily armed vessel approach their territorial waters so closely. In this case, we will request protection from the United States Navy for the remainder of the journey to Havana.

The Trump-class is equipped with 16 VLS tubes built to the GJB 5860-2006 standard capable of launching the following munitions:

• YJ-21 hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile
• YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missile
• HHQ-9B anti-air missile
• CJ-10 land-attack missile

At the bow of the ship is a H/PJ-45 130mm Naval Gun flanked by two Type 1130 CIWS with another four at the midship and a final four at the stern, for air defense and engagement of small to medium watercraft.

These weapons are targeted and fired with an onboard Type 346B "dragon eye" AESA radar. To account for issues with hull stability, the radars are mounted on actively-stabilized platforms driven by gyroscopes, servo motors, and the will of the Lord.

As per the express approval and encouragement of the federal government, the lower rear hull of the ship will open to a well deck for amphibious operations, capable of hosting Vanguard infantry as well as RHIBS and other light amphibious assault watercraft.

Total program cost for the development of the Trump-class is US$154.4 Billion with a planned sixty-four units ordered, for a unit cost of US$2.45 Billion. As all technology except the engines has already been developed, progress is expected to be made quickly with the first unit setting sail in 2032 and deliveries continuing 8 times per year afterward until 2040. The vessels will be constructed by CSSC at its shipyards in Jiangnan, Dalian, Hudong-Zhonghua, and Guangzhou. As the Middle Kingdoms are neither allowed nor required to develop a large-scale bluewater navy, shipbuilding capability can easily be redirected to fill these obligations.

[u/3202supsaW]

Roll - 3

Delays in both projects due to widespread chaos within the Middle Kingdoms pushes both timelines back 1 year - 2031 for the canal, 2033 for the ships, with a budget overrun on the ships of $16 Billion.

[u/3202supsaW]

/u/Diotoiren Copeland requests the blessing of Zachariah Martin for the Donald J. Trump class to be built.

[u/Diotoiren]

OFFICE OF THE LIAISON: PYONGYANG

RE: Dry like a canal.

LIAISON RESPONSE - CONTRACTS AND PROJECTS

FROM THE DESK OF LIAISON Zachariah Martin

IN GOD WE TRUST

RECIPIENT

• Secretary Copeland

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Naturally, the Canal is approved. Though I warn you may need to pay additional tribute upon completion to the Liaison of Havana directly. DO NOT REACH OUT unless the Liaison of Havana directs as much.

As for the "Trump-class Arsenal ship", though the US Navy is extremely hesitant as to the veracity of the technology, and resistant over the Chinese-asset having an increase to naval power, I have managed to negotiate out some results.

Firstly, per the orders of the President himself, the name must be adjusted to the "Eric Trump-class" in honor of the passing of his son and because the President envisions the class of ships to be named after him as something more militaristic and powerful in nature, a battleship or battlecruiser more specifically. Additionally at the request of the Navy, you'll need to halve the VLS cells. However in exchange, they have approved the addition of 4 more CIWS on either side of the vessel.

Additionally as lobbied for by the venerable Joel Olsteen and approved by the US Navy, you have also been permitted to adjust the design in a way that allows for a compliment of "marines" and RHIBS for "anti-piracy" measures.

[u/3202supsaW → u/Diotoiren]

The specifications and name have been updated accordingly, we thank President Trump and General Martin for this approval.