Clones to develop next generation Gale ICBM / CSM

Admiral Anderson has agreed the development of the replacement for the Gale-III ICBM which also forms the launch stage of the CSM. The Gale-IV could enter service in the early 2130s and will include improved signal management, reduced infrared emissions and an improved guidance system.

Gale-IV will also only be mobile launcher based. The Clone have been wanting to shut down the Gale silo ring for some time. The fifteen remaining silos used for Gale/CSM will be closed, four sites will be repurposed for other Clone Army use, one silo will be used for development and missile research.

Clones developing longer range CSM

The Clones are working on a new version of the Clone Space Missile which could enter service in the next decade. CSM-NG as it is currently known will have many improvements including enhanced stealth and guidance capabilities. It will also have a longer range.

CSM can currently reach most parts of the UNP though other powers such as the Dino Empire are out of reach. CSM-NG could reach Dino-Land and Castarian which could raise political tensions between the Clone Star Empire and the Saurian Alliance.

DF introduces TPM-4

UNDF have begun limited use of the next generation attack missile, the TPM-4. This missile is 20% smaller than the TPM-3 though has slightly longer range and similar performance due to a new and highly optimised engine architecture. The smaller size will mean that ships with dedicated TPM-4 launchers will be able to carry larger loads. The TPM-4 can also be used with TPM-3 launchers.

The engine of TPM-4 is also said to have a 270 degree vector thrust for enhanced agility though this may be disabled in initial production rounds due to problems with the vector control system. The guidance package has also been enhanced with improved penetration aids.

DF will use the TPM-4 on a limited basis this year with the aim of entering full production and beginning the phase out of TPM-3 next year. The TPM-4 was initially planned to enter service in 2124 but was delayed due to the chaos of the MBO era.

Clones to develop new generation of nuclear weapons

Admiral Anderson has ordered the development of a new generation of nuclear warheads for use on CSM, Gale ICBMs and cruise missiles operated by the Clone Defence Forces. It is thought the Clones are fielding at least 5,000 warheads across all arms of the CDF. Anderson also wants the number increased to 8,000.

Anderson said this would be part of the renewal of the Clone Defence Forces, he also hinted that funding would also be provided for upgraded versions of the Gale and CSM.

Clones conduct large CSM test with live warheads

The Clones have conducted a large scale test of it's Clone Space Missile. Five missiles were fired from mobile launchers deployed to Randalf 74 (the first time CSM is known to be been deployed to the planet). Several days later a small asteroid near to Petric was hit by all five missiles which had nuclear warheads. The asteroid is said to have been pulverised.

Admiral Anderson has hailed the test of the CSM, which is understood to have recently received upgrades to it's guidance and management systems. The test will also be a warning to rival powers of the Clone interstellar nuclear deterrent. One source has said that the Clones now possess over 100 armed CSMs ready to launch from land silos, mobile launchers and submarines.

Gale-IIIB enters service

The latest version of the Clone ICBM, the Gale-IIIB, has entered service and will be deployed from next year. It is thought most Gale-IIIBs will be used for Clone Space Missile booster duties. The new missile can be silo and mobile launcher deployed.

The new missile has improved cold flame technology further reducing the infra red signature. It also has modifications to the engine management system to reduce fuel usage rate (and hence increase range). No figure has been reported for the range increase.

The improvements will next be worked into a new version of the SeaGale SLBM.

NS conduct successful test of LRM-20T

NS have conducted a successful test of the LRM-20T, a tactical version of the Long Range Missile strategic weapon system. The LRM-20T is a variant of the LRM-20 with a conventional warhead, it is operated from mobile launchers mostly based on Proxima 7.

In the test five missiles were launched from Proxima 7 and two from Proxima 5. Six targets were struck at a range on Liberation. One missile is reported to have suffered a failure in it's boost mode and was destroyed. An NS spokesman said the test was considered successful. It is not known how many LRM-20Ts have been built as they are an expensive option for tactical attacks though Viceroy Caratore is said to want the option.

Clones conduct major CSM exercise

The Clones have conducted their largest test firing exercise of Clone Space Missiles yet. Seven missiles launched from silos on Cloneworld, land mobile launchers on Cloneworld and Sandworld, and a submarine on Cloneworld struck targets on a lifeless planet in the Geulis system. The CSMs were not fitted with nuclear warheads.

With tensions high with MBO-New Sparta, it is thought likely the exercise is intended as a demonstration of Clone strategic attack capabilities. A spokesclone said that all missiles had hit the target within acceptable measures of CEP.

Caratore orders more LRM to target Cloneworld

Viceroy Caratore has ordered a second LRM-20 battery to be targeted at Cloneworld. Usually the targeting of NS strategic weapons is a closely guarded secret but after the Clones offered safe harbour to the so-called Real DDS, Viceroy Caratore has promised a response.

This is a symbolic threat however as the number of CSM targeting Proxima 7 is likely to dwarf NS' LRMs. Caretore has ordered NS to speed up development of LRM-X, which will have a longer range, so Dino-Land - which is just out of range of LRM-20 - can also be targeted.

Dinos will be able to deploy DIM to Joloka and Illiatri

The Dino Army has announced it will build support infrastructure for the Dino Interstellar Missile (DIM) on Jeloka and Illiatri. Both planets are the closest in the Dino Empire to MBO-New Sparta and this will put much of the UNP within range of the Dino Army's new missiles. However, the Dinos have said they will not routinely deploy the missiles though there will be occasional deployments for training purposes.

The missiles are operated by the 1st Space Artillery Brigade, part of the 1st Legion. Total strength is unknown though the Clones are said to have sold twenty mobile launchers to the Dinos. Missiles are now being built by the Dinos but it is unknown if mobile launchers are. A UNP source said that the Dinos have 12 launchers operational at the moment though no missiles are thought to have nuclear warheads.

Dinos begin production of DIMs, nuclear armed?

After using Clone built CSMs to become operational the 1st Space Artillery Brigade of the Dino Army has just taken delivery of the first Dino produced version of CSM, known as Dino Interstellar Missile or DIM. The DIM is said to be an exact copy of current CSM though the Dinos plan to develop the missile for their own needs.

Unlike the CSMs currently deployed, the DIM might be nuclear armed though the Dinos have not commented on it. Specialists from the SS unit which specialises in nuclear weapon integration have been seen at the base of the missile brigade.

First Dino CSM brigade declared operational

The 1st Space Artillery Brigade, part of the 1st Legion of the Dino Army, has been declared operational. The unit will be equipped with the Dino Interstellar Missile (DIM), a Dino version of the CSM. At the moment the brigade has Clone built CSMs and a number of mobile launchers. The exact number of missiles available is not known though the Clones have supplied sixteen missiles in total to the Dinos but some were used against the Terrasaurs.

A Dino Army source said that the missiles will not have nuclear warheads and the brigade will be mostly involved with training and integration testing with other Dino Army units. The first DIMs will be delivered next year. Three more brigades are planned to be formed by 2127.

LRMs returned to NS control

A number of LRMs were launched by the MBO during the war with New Sparta and were a key part in forcing the UNP and NS to surrender and accept the rule of the Mutre Bee. The missiles were kept cloaked in deep space, each containing a number of nuclear warheads. One missile was used against iP Services, the others have remained hidden in deep space.

Today Gomber, the deputy to the Viceroy, announced that the missiles had been stood down. The missiles had powered down and decloaked. NS ships have retrieved them. The space attack stages will now be refurbished and will be mated with new booster stages before being returned to strategic attack squadrons.

Gomber said that there had been changes to the launch protocol for NS' strategic weapons. Missiles will only be launched after receiving a fractal encrypted key from a small number of MBO-New Sparta personnel (thought to be Caratore, Gomber, General Honey and the Mutre Bee himself). One LRM squadron has been put under the direct control of the MBO Honour Guard.

Dinos and Clones meet to discuss MBO threat

Emperor MBH and Eternal Leader Oojok have held a secret summit on Paragon. It is thought they discussed the threat of the Mutre Bee Organisation now it has taken over New Sparta. While the Dino SS runs a robust MBO clone scanning system on the lines of the now abandoned NS DSA, the Clone Star Empire does not scan for MBO clones apart from in senior leadership. The Dino Empire is going to share scanning technology with the CSE to help them ramp up their efforts.

A key area will be strategic interstellar weapons after the MBO take over of 5 NS LRMs. The Clones are keen to begin scanning of personnel involved in the operation and deployment of CSM as soon as possible. Some classified updates to the security and launch protocol are said to have already been made.

NS withdraws TPM-1, creates Canister TPM-2

Canister TPM has been used to provide extra protection to non-combat ships in the fleet. The Canister TPM consists of a self-contained TPM-1 round and handling equipment bolted to the exterior of a ship and linked to a ship's own sensors (though once fired it uses it's own guidance only). With TPM-1 now considered obsolete NS has been working on an improved Canister TPM using some of the thousands of surplus TPM-2 sounds in storage.

Canister TPM-2 will replace existing installations during the next round of ship maintenance and updates. Around five hundred TPM-2s have been converted.

NS begin field tests of TPM-4

Although an introduction into service is not expected until 2124, NS has begun field tests of the next generation TPM-4. This is a clean sheet design though, as some parts of the missile are not ready yet, the test version is currently fitted with the engine and guidance package from the TPM-3 Omega 2. The TPM-4 being tested is said to be 20% smaller than the TPM-3 family and thus will have implications for weapon loads when ships convert to it later in the decade.

The TPM-4 will be more agile and faster than older missiles. A new engine with a 270 degree vector thrust will be tested next year.

Dinos receive first CSMs

The Dinos have received five mobile launchers and sixteen CSMs from the Clones. These are to be used for training and development purposes ahead of the delivery of Dino built launchers and missiles from 2123. The Dinos aim to field three brigades of mobile launchers, to be known as Space Artillery Brigades plus a fourth reserve/training unit.

A Dino Army source said that the Dinos would only deploy land mobile launchers and not field CSM (to be known as DIM, Dino Interstellar Missile) in ground silos or from submarines. It is expected to have around 100 DIMs in service by the end of the decade. The Dinos have not said what the warheads will be though a new nuclear weapon factory is said to be under construction.

Clones hold dramatic demonstration of strategic power

The Clones have launched five CSMs from Cloneworld, including two from a submarine. All five hit separate targets ranging from three to five lightyears from the planet. All missiles carried inert warheads though in service CSM carries a range of nuclear payloads.

The exercise was a dramatic demonstration of Clone strategic capabilities. This is the first time a CSM test has involved multiple targets. It is thought the exercise was a warning to the Clone Star Empire's rivals and also internal dissidents. Emperor Terin has said that "no traitors are safe and will face the full firepower of the Clone Defence Forces."

NS agree to sell LRM-20 to Molab

Last year Molab requested LRM-20 interstellar missiles from New Sparta but were turned down as NS did not want to anger the Clones at the time. However, a second Molab request made this week has been accepted by NS. Molab will buy thirty mobile launchers and ninety LRM-20 missiles plus ten training rounds which are limited to atmospheric operation. The missiles will be conventionally armed.

The Clones will likely condemn the move but an NS source said that the Clones are already deploying CSM to the parts of the Clone Star Empire where the Free Eritran States are in range. NS said that they could not stand by while their Eritran allies were threatened. The first LRMs are expected on Molab next year with operational capability in 2123.

Clone Navy launches third Walrus and holds impressive SeaCSM test

The Clone Navy has launched the third of a planned six Walrus ballistic missile submarines. The submarine is due to enter service next year. Once it does then the elderly conventional boat CNSS Warhammer will revert to being a trials submarine only instead of an auxiliary part of the strategic attack force.

To celebrate the launch of the third Walrus, the Clone Navy held a powerful demonstration of it's interstellar-attack capabilities. One of the in-service Walrus launched two SeaCSMs, two days later the two missiles hit separate asteroid targets over seven light years away from Cloneworld. The two targets were two light years apart. A CN source said that each Walrus can carry up to 12 SeaCSMs, each able to hit a separate target. An NS source said that in practice Walrus carry a mixture of SeaCSM and SeaGale SLBMs.