Mars Defense Grid

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The Mars Defense Grid is one half of the most advanced defense system in all of Atlantian Oceania; the other half being the Ivppiter Defense Grid; both belonging to Nova Roma. The Mars grid, however, is responsible for dealing with incoming missiles and enemy aircraft, rather than ground based targets.

Developed by NovaTech and constructed by Roman forces during the Nojikan Spies Affair to protect Nova Roma against Tachbian and AORDO forces, the Mars Defense Grid has proven to be extremely cost effective. Originally, the grid was a series of Patriot missile launchers placed strategically throughout Nova Roma to thwart air and missile attacks. As the Patriot missiles were to slow to launch, this method proved to be a costly blunder. Thousands of lives were lost to air raids and chemical missiles that could have been easily stopped.

It wasn't until NovaTech made a breakthrough in their laser research that the Mars portion of the defense grid actually became a viable candidate for adequate defense. The breakthrough of NovaTech came in the form of the MIRACL, or Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser. Capable of charging and firing much faster than a Patriot missile system, this new weapon soon became the talk of the Roman Senate. A contract was made with NovaTech and the Mars Defense Grid was outfitted with the new MIRACL system.

The Patriot missile launchers were scrapped and were replaced by small two-man monitoring stations with a MIRACL system on top. Over the years, NovaTech has persuaded the Imperator to allow the grid to be monitored and operated by an AI known as Caelestis; the AI has improved the coordination and accuracy of the grid by over 130%.

Several years of peace were rudely interrupted by the Nova Roman/Lamonian war in which cruise missiles were launched by the hundreds. The Mars grid proved itself worth the ridiculous cost after it shot down over 75% of the incoming missiles and over 80% of targeted aircraft.

Currently the grid is in a state of repair as most of the stations have been destroyed by coastal bombardment and bombing runs.