Clones announce second-generation CSM

The Clones have announced their second-generation Clone Space Missile (CSM). The much improved weapon is thought to be much needed after New Sparta have closed the gap with their LRM-20. CSM Mark 2, or CSM2, is said to have a range of twenty light years - double that of CSM1 (though the same as LRM-20).

CSM2's space stage is said to be faster and has improved stealth and electronic countermeasures. It is also able to accept mid-course corrections via a new system of covert communications (which the Clones are not saying any more about).

CSM2 will be fielded in the ring of silos on Cloneworld first, possibly before the end of the year. CSM2 will be rolled out to mobile and submarine launchers in subsequent years.

Dinos developing neural link for ship control

The Dinos are experimenting with a neural link for ship control using an implant. The implant is said to allow direct control of a Dinomark using thought. A Dino Army trial has been run where a Dinomark was operated by a single Dino using the neural link, it is said the Dino felt like the Dinomark was an extension of his own body.

It is thought the neural link would only be used in low-risk and routine operations. In a combat simulation it was found the sheer amount of sensory data was overwhelming to the implanted Dino. In future advanced filtering and multiple implanted Dinos may allow for neural control during combat operations.

Molab requests LRM

Molab has requested the NS Long Range Missile. NS's interstellar missile is not part of the NS export portfolio but Molab has said they should be allowed to buy the system as they are Tier 1 allies. Molab would like thirty mobile launchers and eighty missiles.

Molab said they would opt for conventional warheads for their LRMs, though Molab have the capability to build their own nuclear warheads. NS have turned down Molab's request.

NS hold first large ground forces exercise

The NS Terrestrial Forces Land Corps has held it's first large scale exercise, Operation Green Shoots, on Proxima 7. The entire X01 Combat Brigade was engaged in a number of set-pieces including tank operations across the Gereiter Plain. Mock combat against Prowler special forces and L05 Infantry Regiment (X02 Combat Brigade) was also held.

The head of NS Armed Forces Zeppelin said he was pleased with the progress the Land Corps has made in operational flexibility. Further exercises will be held this week with aircraft from the Air Corps operating in close support. Zeppelin said that there will be a yearly large scale exercise from now on though did not give any more details.

NS announce fractal based communication system

In what is said to be the biggest technological advance and change since worm drive, today President Windscorpion announced Fractal Encrypted Communications or FEC. Windy said that FEC would underpin all NS communications and operations within 5 years and would be impossible to break or hack (although in a more detailed briefing Dr Forbidden said virtually impossible).

FEC will use fractal algorithms to encrypt data using chaos theory. Rolling out FEC will take a number of years (and is expected to cost at least 15 billion zarks). Windy said FEC would be rolled out in a number of phases, work on phase 1 would begin before the end of the year.

Phase 1 : data / comms links between all NS bases, space ports and front line warships. This is expected to take about a year.

Phase 2 : all other NS communication nodes (down to field radios) will have adaptors fitted so they can use FEC without other modification or replacement. The interface between the adaptor and the rest of the system will be a weak point but this will be a necessary stop-gap. This is expected to take about 2 years.

Phase 3 : all NS communications to be fully FEC. In most cases this will require new equipment and will be rolled out during normal upgrade cycles were possible. This will take around 5 years at least.

Phase 4 : UNP communications will also be migrated to FEC, a longer term project not part of the current plan. UNP/NS military data is covered in Phase 2.

Windy said that once NS has completed rolling out FEC then the days of info-attacks and hacking will be over giving NS a big advantage over it's rivals.

Talks to form denuclearised zone fail

Talks between New Sparta and the Clone Star Empire to form a ten light year denuclearised zone either side of the borders between the UNP and CSE have broken up with no agreement. The zone would have meant no nuclear warheads including nuclear tipped CSM/LRM would be allowed, as well as space ship based nuclear weapons.

However it is thought the Clones, have initially been warm to the idea have cooled their interest once they realised the strategic advantage they would lose to NS. Dialogue will continue though it is not thought it will go anywhere.