MBO base led by Von Kane detected and destroyed

UNDF has reported that it has discovered a major MBO base in the Rim Worlds, on the previously unexplored planet of Beta Algol 635B. The MBO was led by Kommandant Kurt Von Kane, the former NS officer who betrayed NS to join the MBO. It is thought Von Kane was trying to build an army of new MBO drones loyal to him.

A DF force led by Stella attacked the MBO base, which was protected by four MBO ships - survivors of the destroyed MBO fleet - and destroyed it. Von Kane is reported to have been killed during a battle with Stella.

DF units are now searching for any MBO survivors in the area.

CDF core communications node hit by drones

Although the news is being heavily suppressed, non-Clone sources are reporting that a critical piece of CDF infrastructure has been hit by a drone attack. The key communications node for the CDF, which relays communications between GHQ and other vital bases and orbital assets, was struck by drones and attacked. It is not known if there were any casualties.

The node was knocked out of action. The problem for the Clones is that the back-up node, which is supposed to activate within a second, failed to activate. For 27 minutes data communications with orbital assets was unavailable, though within a few minutes radio communications were restored. The CDF are now reviewing their back-up facilities as a data communications gap of that length in the event of Cloneworld being attacked could be catastrophic.

DF working on Coril replacement

The Coril shuttle is a venerable design, originally built by the Tarbotians in the 2070s, but copied by many nations and built since including by the DDS/NS/UNDF. Although it continues to be a highly useful ship, DF are now looking into a replacement which could enter service in the early 2130s.

At the moment the project is known as the Next Generation Utility Shuttle (NGUS) though DF projects tend to change name as they progress. NGUS will be of a similar size to the Coril, DF are said to be looking at a common core for the ship with a range of different crew compartments for different roles. DF have approached Consolidated Spacecraft and other commercial spaceship builders to assist. 

Anderson hails return of Clone space ship building as two new Sharks join the fleet

Admiral Anderson has said the arrival of two new Shark SKB frigates to the Clone Space Navy means that Clone space ship building has finally been restored after several years of chaos when barely a ship could be completed due to a skills shortage and a supply chain collapse.

Anderson said that more Sharks and also new Cosmos CM cruisers would be joining the fleet later this year and also in subsequent years. New ships are badly needed due to the looming withdrawal of the Kalahati Tuul S fleet and also the retirement of end-of-life Cosmos CA over the next few years.

Anderson also said the fleet would be further strengthened by three more Mekit MK4Y cruisers bought fron the Rectoids. Analysts say this purchase indicates that heavy combatant production may not resume for a while yet.

Clones unveil anti-drone Tapir

The Clone Army has unveiled a new version of the evergreen Tapir IFV. The J7HMA Defender Tapir will be new-build machines based on the latest version of the Tapir (HD), though it is possible older Tapirs could be retrofitted if necessary. The Defender Tapir is equipped with a 400 cell DART system with integrated radar. The DART is a new kinetic warhead missile dedicated to fighting mass produced drones.

DARTs are very small, almost pencil sized and are very short range. However, they can be built and fielded in the huge numbers required to protect against mass produced drones and other attack projectiles. The Clones are hopeful that mass deployment of DART will negate the growing threat of Molab type drones.

The Defender Tapir is also equipped with a radar guided machine gun as a back-up. The Clone Army has ordered 500 of them, with the first regiment already equipped and in training.

Anderson says operators of "terror drones" will be executed

Admiral Anderson has condemned the drone attack on Central Air Force Base a few days ago. He said the Clone Defence Forces would no longer tolerate "criminal, terrorist and treasonous" actions on Cloneworld and elsewhere in the Clone Star Empire. He said that operating, possession and building of drones would be punishable by death. Even possessing the plans for drones would be heavily punished.

The Clone Army has moved more anti-aircraft assets to key strategic positions on Cloneworld. A new version of the Tapir IFV dedicated to anti-drone warfare is said to be ready to enter service.