The HCSAF have issued a request for designs for a new "stealth first strike and reconnaissance aircraft". This will fill a gap in the air force since the retirement of the RS-80 Spyder a few years ago. This is thought to be different to the existing "stealth" project the RQ-1 UAV and is likely to be a manned platform and not the UCAV-AX project. The HCSAF have given aircraft companies until the Summer to come up with basic concepts before they decide if to proceed any further.
Another old type the HCSAF are looking to resurrect (this time with the navy) is an amphibion for air/sea rescue and maritime patrol. The P-1 Marina served for a few years but was withdrawn due to rather glaring design faults. The HCSAF/HCSN are looking into recreating the design with those faults fixed.
The HCS have begun an upgrade programme for it's fleet of artic AFVs, the TRV-34 Snowcat. The type serves in small numbers in the army but where it serves (on places like Lomar) it is vital to the army's presence. The type has been neglected however and is not even compatible with the current HCS radio system! The upgrade (to TRV-34B standard) will fix the radio problem, it will also bring the type to current HCS operabilitity and safety standards.
The HCS Navy have announced details of their version of the A-85 COIN aircraft, the A-85NTN and NTK. Both will differ from HCSAF examples in the IFF used and the recovery equipment fitted (as they will be travelling over water often), they will also have beefed up emergency distress beacons and improved datalinks. The NTK will have strengthed undercarriage and an arrester hook of course. The first NTN is currently in building and should enter service in the Summer, the first NTK is due for 2111.
A new VLF station for communication with submarines has opened in Micom though as yet the HCSN only has 1 submarine! Construction will begin in the Spring of the new Seawolf class SSK, these will be similar to the existing Tinfish (or to be exact the Lhrana class SSK) but refined using Sirikwanese knowhow and able to fire cruise missiles as will Tinfish one day. The first Seawolf is hoped to enter service "before the end of 2110".
With the Kalahati Tuul and Kalahati Tuul 2 now out of service the HCS Space Navy has slowed Shark production. The Kalahati Tuul S fleet is not as urgent to replace as it was upgraded fairly recently and has around 4-8 years service yet. The HCSSN are looking into a evolution of the Shark to replace the KT-S and older Cosmos in future though full details will not be decided until later this year. Until then production will continue at minimum rate. Just 3 are likely to be built this year.
This will help save quite a bit of money which will enable the Molentic Tuul M programme to be bought forward and could begin later this year with the oldest MT-As. This will bring the whole fleet up to the MT-GX standard and also improve systems across the board as well as refurbish ships to keep them in service until 2120 (though the Clones expect to refurbish them again to keep them going to 2130).
