Clones to debut Active Camouflage System with J55Z8 tank

The Clone Army has demonstrated a new version of it's tank the J55Z8 (sometimes also referred to as the T-55Z8). This is the first version for some time that is not based on a Dino development. The main change with the Z8 is something the Clones are referring to as Active Camouflage System (ACS).

This is a layer added on top of the tank's armour similar to e-ink technology. This is able to give a real time display matching the tank's surroundings. A 360 degree camera on top of the turret analyses the tank's surroundings every second and updates the ACS layer to hide the tank from all angles.

ACS is said to use up a good deal of power thus this has an effect on the tank's top speed, therefore it would not be used all the time.

The first Z8s are expected to reach regiments early next year.

Freedom Miliaris open to talks

Freedom Miliaris have said they are open to talks about a ceasefire, though the likelihood of the Clones offering one seems remote. The Clones have put ethnic Eritran areas of the planet under heavy and sustained attack which seems to have hindered FM operations largely due to the chaos and upheaval in Eritran areas.

Admiral Anderson says that FM will be crushed and order will be restored to the empire. He said the Clones are in no mood for a ceasefire.

Sparkle 162A will be new EW ship, new special forces support ship also named

UNDF have announced the name of their new EW ship which will replace the Marconi 81A. The Sparkle 162A will be a development of the Depender 161A intelligence gathering ship (though this role has not officially been confirmed).

The Sparkle will be based on the Friendship platform, it will have a Proton RM-01C e-Core engine as was tested on one of the Dependers. The first Sparkle is expected in service in 2127. DF have ordered seven.

Another new type, and also Friendship based, is the Dreamscape 163A which will be a tender ship to support special forces operations. DF have not yet committed to this type, though the fact it has a type number and name in the DF database indicates that it will be built as well.

Dinos order Dinomark HX as new heavy cruiser

The Dinos have placed an order for five new cruisers to replace their ageing Dinomark RS. The new Dinomark HX is based on the Bolitic Furl design. The Bolitic will provide new Furls to the Dinos which will then be finished with Dino weapons and systems, and a worm drive. The first HX could enter service in 2127.

For the last three months a Bolitic Furl has been loaned to the Dinos and has been used for evaluation and training. The Dinomark HX will be used as command ships for major fleet deployments and also be in charge of defending the home system of the Dino Empire.

DF order three more River class

UNDF have placed an order with Consolidated Spacecraft for three more River 75B medium transports. The ships are expected to be delivered next year and join the ten in service (one will be a battle replacement, the other two will help reduce pressure on the increasingly hard pressed transport arm of the fleet).

DF said that they are looking into buying new Providers and Extender from the Dinos who now have the production rights to SUP derived ships. However, it is more likely DF will try and make do with converting the Missileers and hold out for the next generation heavy transport in the 2130s.

Major loss of face for Clones as Freedom Miliaris strike targets on Austini 55

Earlier today, military HQ on Austini 55 was hit by five SRBMs of the new type developed by Freedom Miliaris. One missile did not explode but the others caused damage to the large Clone Army base causing a number of deaths and damage.

At the same time two missiles were fired at a military fuel depot near the capital though these missiles missed and did not cause any damage.

Freedom Miliaris later claimed responsibility for the attacks though the Clones do not know if it was actual FM from Miliaris or local sympathisers who had been supplied with the missiles. This is a great embarrassment for the Clones though as they struggle to stop the growing insurgency on Miliaris, now the fear is this could help re-launch other uprisings across the CSE-E.