10.10.90

The Clone Army

The Clone Army (CDF-CA) is the land forces component of the Clone Defence Forces. Details of equipment currently operated by the CDF-CA is given below. Model numbers now to the new CDF 2113 Scheme (legacy numbers also shown for clarity). Last update 11/07/20.

Structure of the CDF-CA

The CDF-CA is split into legions, of which there are currently 21 (down from a peak at the height of the Clone Wars of 37).

Legions are organised into Military Districts. In the past each planet in the empire had it's own district but recently there has been rationalisation to just 7 :

Centre - Cloneworld, HQ
Reserve - Cloneworld
Core - Daggaddon, Sandworld, Lomar, Taragargi, Lornaca Melnig
East - Aquaworld, Randalf 74, Petric, Paragon
Rim Worlds - Calentratia, Colom, Geulis, Aouris, Teriatri 7, Gonas, Zoneland
New Rome - Austini 55, Woloron 12, Laalande 21649, Rendrial 4
Outer Rim - Wizard World, Mintjulip, Miliaris

Legions are organised along divisional lines which in turn are broken down into brigades and regiments. The composition of divisons depends on the planet they are operating on. For example a minor planet like Geulis will only have a single second-line panzer regiment while Cloneworld has several first-line panzer divisons. An arctic planet like Lomar has more mountain infantry and specialist winter troops and so on.

Major changes are expected as part of the Clone Defence Force Devolution where around 2/3 of the Clone Army will become "National Armies".

Main Battle Tanks

J89 Eradicator (T-89)

The main tank in the CDF-CA is the J89, production of which has lasted for 13 years making it the most successful HCS tank of all. The J89 was a development of the J88++ (some wags have said it was called J89 because J88+++ was too clumsy!) Production finally ended in 2111 and there are over 10000 in service. Numbers have dropped to just under 9,000. Currently work is progressing on upgrading part of the fleet to FSU2 standard).

J55Z Destroyer (T-55)

The CDF-CA wanted a secondary tank for internal security and support roles. At first they considered the J87 but in the end used the old Terran T-55 design and copied it. It is now the second most produced tank in army history and also is the standard tank of the Dino Army who have funded development of the current production version the J55ZDM2 (officially known as J55Z7 though the Clones seem to be using the Dino ZDM2 name).

The J-55Z has overtaken the J89 in production with over 9,000 are in service. It is the only Clone MBT currently in production or development.


J55ZDM (in Dino service)

The standard engineering tank of the CDF-CA also uses the J55Z as it's base, this is the J55ZE Excavator.

Other AFVs

J5 Tapir (TRV-5)

The Tapir is the most heavily produced AFV in history (including Terran). Originally it was part of a suite of new CDF-CA IFVs, the smaller Tapir was intended as a faster reconnaissance orientated counterpart to the larger infantry carrying Aardvark. In practice though the army preferred to use the Tapir for everything and now it is ubiquitous in army service (and many now used by other nations including the Dinos).

The latest version is the J5HD development of which was Dino funded. It is said that while the Clone Star Empire still exists the Tapir will remain in production. The total number of Tapirs in service is unknown but is estimated at over a quarter of a million though many of these will be in storage or withdrawn. The next version will be the J5L with a hybrid engine, new armour alloys and a new EM defence system. This is expected by the early 2120s.

The J6S Sand Tapir is an optimised version for desert operation (there are a lot of deserts in the empire!)

J10 White Tapir (WCV-10)

This is a lighter wheeled version of the Tapir for internal security in areas where a tracked vehicle is not suitable (such as where it might destroy roads in city centres). It was introduced to replace the mix of ancient types used by the security services and is in steady (but slow) production. Around 800 are currently in service.

J34 Snowcat (TRV-34)

The Snowcat was a simple winter optimised AFV designed for Lomar and other icy places in the empire. It is now rather obsolete but does it's job well. The re-engineered and upgraded J34CDM Snowcat 2100 is now in production to replace the original AFVs. Around 3,000 are in service.

J4 Stoat (TAA-4)

The Stoat is an anti-aircraft system that uses the J55Z chassis married to twin 30mm cannons and a radar system. It also carries up to 4 SA-4 (a now obsolete missile). The Stoat has been neglected in CDF-CA service and is now rather obsolete though recently has been given datalinking ability to allow it to use more up to date radar data. Around 2000 are being upgraded to J4NG with SA-6A missiles and improved radar/electronics. The total number in service is thought to be around 6500.

J15 Ferret (TAA-5)

This is a new anti-aircraft system in co-development by the Clones and Dinos. Using reconditioned J89 chassis it is equipped with 3 medium range SA-8A missiles.

Artillery

J107C/G (ATC-107C/G)

Some would say Clone artillery begins and ends with the J107, which is a bit unfair but the vast majority of artillery in the army is now this reliable if originally quite crude tracked gun. The J107C was one of the CDF-CA's earliest weapons and was a bit of a "lash-up" meant as a stop-gap, that stop-gap has now lasted for over 3 decades!

The army have begun production of the next-generation J107GDM which is a total redesign and refinement and has also been funded by (and sold to) the Dinos. Around 58,000 are in service though the majority are in storage.

J98 & J90 series (RBU-980 & 9000)

The J98 is a rocket artillery system that uses the same chassis as the J107. Recently the CDF-CA have developed a next generation system called the J90 series which uses new rockets and reconditioned chassis.

Weasel towed system

The main towed artillery gun in the CDF-CA was a 100mm gun and it was paired up with a dedicated tracked artillery tractor based on the J1 Kangaroo to form the Weasel system. The army prefer self-propelled guns these days and not many Weasel systems remain.

J110 system

The J110 system includes the SS-10 Gale IRBM and road-mobile launchers. It is now entering service with the army.

Transport & utility (main types only)

J2x GUT series

The General Utility Transport is the standard truck of the CDF-CA and is based on a Dino design. The army have maintained the type in production, upgrading it regularly. The latest version is the J26. Early trucks were called the Mule though this name was later taken by the ubiquitous J2.

J24 TUT Kangaroo

The TUT is a tracked version of the GUT for difficult terrain. Not many of the type exist in the army anymore because of their vulnerability (they are unarmoured).

J2 Mule

If the Tapir has a rival for ubiquity then it is the Mule (though at first called the Termite). This is the standard field car and utility vehicle of the CDF-CA and has been made in the hundreds of thousands. Production has currently ended though a civilian version is still produced meaning that more could be built for the army at a later stage.

J3 Beetle

The J3 was a more refined version of the Mule intended for staff officers (as it's suspension is said to work). A fair number have been built over the years but their numbers are dwarfed by the Mule. It is expected to be phased out of service later in this decade.