SS Alpha is now undergoing some modifications and refitting ahead of the second phase of development tests next year. One major change will be a modest fuselage extension (about 1.5m) which will help allow for improved crew comfort facilities. The ship will also have its M6502 engine uprated to allow for a speed increase in hyperspace mode.
- Firefly has agreed initial funding for the Air Division of Terrestrial Forces to develop its own training fleet and pilot development system. Currently all Air Division pilots have to be trained by separate UNP air forces but this has seen pilot quality vary somewhat and there are problems integrating the different pilots into the DDS. It is likely the DDS will look to procure Clone built T-76 and T-1 trainers though first of all infrastructure will need to be built, probably at DDS City.
- Starbotian leader S101 has said the Starbot fleet will be increased in size. Currently the Starbotians have 6 destroyer type ships (4 being DDS Type 35s) and 3 frigates (soon to be 4) of the Isometric type. S101 wants another 2 destroyers (1 being a Starbot design) and 6-8 frigates perhaps of the Corkscrew 51A design. Starbot will enter talks with the DDS later in the year.
- The Raegris are to offer their Yel'Tema RC-2B cruiser for export. The powerful ship, which is probably best known in its HCS Cosmos version (though the Clones have evolved the design in some different ways) will be offered as part of the DDS export portfolio soon.
