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The Omni-Wave
Asian Hawk runs into trouble (Tremors P2)

DDS to upgrade MRMs

The DDS' stock of Medium Range Missiles (MRM) which is a superluminal capable space launched cruise missile is to receive an upgrade. MRM-1M as the modified missiles will be called will see improvements to the warheads and the signal management system.

The missiles will also see some components replaced by "hardened" versions to improve EMP survivability and to ease maintenance. All missiles in the DDS inventory (thought to be around 130) will be upgraded. The DDS are not currently building new MRMs though if they did it would be to this new standard.

• Although the situation is still considered "fluid" the DDS have decided to drop their alert status to GREEN in the light of the main Benito loyalist rebellion being crushed.

Wayne King-Meiouf : Boosting DDS attack air power

Professor Wayne King-Meiouf of the University of Proxima

The DDS Air Force, just like the army (or shall i say the Air and Land Divisions of DDS Terrestrial Forces!) have always been rather unbalanced. They have always been designed purely to do a single job and not be multi-spectrum and balanced.

The DDS have often wanted a balanced force but budget pressures have put paid to that. However in recent times the DDS have gained a number of new warplanes however the fleet is as unbalanced as ever. Currently the DDS has a fighter with a limited ground attack role and 3 light attack or COIN types. Now the DDS are looking at improving their attack aircraft options.

The problem is how. The DDS do not really want to add yet another new type to their fleet, plus it would likely have to be an off-the-shelf purchase form elsewhere due to the reasonably modest number that would be needed. That would likely mean a Clone type and the DDS are already a bit sniffy about becoming overly reliant on Clone weapons.

The other option is to improve what they already have. The third generation F-10X will likely be a much improved multi-role aircraft but that is not due until the next decade. Budget and time will mean a substantial update of the current F-10S is out of the question. What has been proposed has been a modest retrofit of the current SEP standard.

The SEPA concept will add a multi-mission "hump" atop the fuselage which will include targeting sensors, ECM and improved communications. This would be coupled with modifications to the cockpit to improve the multi-mode displays. If the DDS go ahead with SEPA then new build could arrive next year and the existing SEP could be quickly updated.

Another option is to improve the NDAA A-12. Although its a fairly small light-attack type it is a very clean and stable aircraft and has a lot of room for expansion. One concept being considered is the A-12EA which would have a boosted powerplant, strengthened wing and improved attack sensors.

The DDS are likely to go ahead with both the F-10SEPA and A-12EA. It won't be as good as a dedicated attack aircraft like the Clone A-84 but will improve DDS capabilities and help the DDS Air Division's role as a supporting arm for land operations.

Wayne King-Meiouf : The Tarbotians (3) : The culture

Professor Wayne King-Meiouf of the University of Proxima

Apologies for the delay but here is the final part of my in-depth look at the Tarbotian Empire. Here i look at the culture and how recently the racial make-up of the empire has changed.

The Tarbotians are an ancient people, their species is very long-lived and they usually adopt a very long-term view. No doubt they have thought about one day conquering the DDS but i wouldn't be surprised if any plans are decades away from coming into action. That doesn't mean the DDS should ignore the threat, if the Tarbotians see an opportunity to strike now they could take it. The DDS must be mindful of the long game and take steps to perhaps extend the Tarbotian plans still further.

The Tarbotians like to grow their empire piece by piece, the new province forged from ex-ABBO territory will slowly and carefully consolidated. New cities will be built, new colonies formed, new bases constructed. But these could take many years. The governor of the new province (Rotarios) still has his office in the neighbouring province pending construction of a new HQ.

Like many things the process is careful, deliberate and well-planned. Occasionally the Tarbotians thrown caution into the wind and act more spontaneously (the attack on the DDS in the 2090s was an example) but these sometimes end up in disaster and over time these events have become less frequent.

One recent change to the empire however could change the way the Tarbotians act forever... perhaps. The Tarbotian civil war in the early 2100s was an utter disaster for the empire, especially for the Tarbotians themselves. So many died in the strife and this forced Dr Slow when he was restoring the empire to bring in people from conquered nations to fill the gaps. These races like the Okram*Green are now seen frequently in Tarbotian deployments, while few have reached the top echelons yet that is surely just a matter of time. When the key decision makers are no longer Tarbotian then perhaps the thinking will change?

Maybe or maybe not. There are signs the conquered races are assimilated into the empire comprehensively (and conquered races are usually treated fairly - if they submit to the will of the empire) and may end up thinking like Tarbotians. If this can be carefully managed then by combining the Tarbotian long-termism with the energy and variety from other species the Tarbotian Empire may become even more dangerous than anyone can ever imagine...

Benito rebellion crushed

Finally displaying the ruthlessness Oojok had been demanding of him, Emperor Marcus has crushed the remaining Benito loyalist rebellion by ordering the apartment block they had been cornered in demolished by a sustained artillery barrage.

In an hour the large complex was pounded to rubble by ATC-107C guns, A-85 COIN aircraft also dropped cluster bombs to speed up the process. Its not known how many of the remaining rebels survive though the remaining senior officers are all thought to have been killed. The scene is currently sealed off by CDF Army troops.

End in sight for Benito rebels

Red Lizard special forces have seized a key command post held by Benito loyalists in Austini City and captured 2 of the 3 generals in command of the rebellion. Simultaneous thrusts by CDF Army troops at 7 points around the rebel held area also saw around 200 rebels killed or captured. The total death toll has now been raised to 972.

The rebels have retreated to a block of apartments on the edge of the park they once held. It is thought the rebels may number no more than around 150 now and could be running low on ammunition. They did manage to shoot down an A-85 with a SAM, the COIN aircraft was scanning the block with an IR camera. Marcus has told the rebels they must surrender by midnight tonight or he will "unleash the full power of the HCS" (he used the old army name probably by mistake). Artillery units have been bought up into the capital.

• The Remedians are keen to buy 2 Extender 73A oilers. The ships would be operated as part of the DDS fleet but would be dedicated to support Remedian operations, which from next year will be using Corkscrew 51A Medium Combat Ships.