Emperor MBH has begun an extended visit of the former Free Eritran States, now known as the eastern states (not that directions mean much in space) of the Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations and Starbot. MBH has met the leader of Molab and will also see the leaders of Helinox and Sear N7. He will later chair a meeting of the leaders of the CIN East members on Starbot.
Sear N7 has requested information on the Swordfish patrol ship. Starbot are also said to be interested in it.
Last month the Clone Defence Forces reinforced Teriatri 7 with two infantry regiments, a Red Lizard brigade and three COIN air regiments. This was possible to the ending of the insurgency in the CSE-E which has relieved a lot of pressure on the CDF.
The Clones have launched what they say will be a month long offensive against Teriatri insurgents including aerial and land assets. A K85 COIN aircraft is reported to have been lost though it is unclear if this was due to being being shot down or another reason.
The Swordfish, the Dino equivalent to the Pentekonter and Clone Shark, has begun final proving trials. The Swordfish is a multi-role small combatant which will be used by other navies in the Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations (CIN). Representatives from New Arit were on board during an early test run, they will be the first customer to receive ships, eager to replace their life expired Kalahati Tuuls at last!
The Swordfish is based on the Dinomark GL design, which had lost out to the PT in a competition for the Dino medium combat ship role. The design has been fully updated though specifications have not yet been made public. Although the Dinos do not plan, at this stage, to buy the type it has been given the designation Dinomark RA.
Production of the Z26 Halogen, an icon of the Clone Wars, ended a couple of years ago. The replacement, the Future Universal Helicopter (FUHX), is under development though has been delayed due to various problems. The first helicopters are not expected to enter service until the late 2130s, though as the Clone Air Force has over 8,000 Halogens in service, it is not expected to be a problem as they can rotate operational stock and have a large pool of spares.
However, the Clone Naval Air Service does have a problem. They have a much smaller fleet of navalised Halogens, many of which are old. With new carriers and other warships planned they need more helicopters and cannot wait over ten years for FUHX to deliver.
Clone Aircraft Corporation has been asked to look into the feasibility of restarting the Halogen production line ready for an order of 75-100 Halogen Z26ZNX, these will have some avionic improvements over the WNS already in service. CAC did look into the possibility of modifying surplus CAF Halogens but the work involved, including different avionics, engines, corrosion resistance covering and other changes would mean a virtual rebuild and not be much cheaper than building new from scratch. Any new Halogens could be completed by sometime next year if the order is finalised.
The singleton Rainbow 166A tender ship for the Black Triangle 126A fleet will be converted into a Sparkle 162A elint ship, DF have said. Both classes of ship are based on the Friendship platform, DF say that adding the required equipment and retaining the ability to support Black Triangle is possible, though some degree of modularisation will be required.
The first Sparkle is due to enter service next year, they will replace the Marconi EW fleet. 166-001 Rainbow is to trial some of the equipment intended for Sparkle later this year.
UNDF have said the Quasar 15A bomber fleet will begin withdrawals in 2128 with the aim of the whole fleet being withdrawn by 2130. The ships, the first "generation 3" ships DDS built are due to reach the end of their fatigue lives by the early 2130s. It had been considered to rebuild them to help them reach the end of the next decade but DF has changed it's plans. DF bought back three ex-Raegris Quasars which only entered service last year! DF say these ships will be the last to be withdrawn.
The Warrior 16A bomber fleet and LRMs will perform the strategic attack role with back-up by ships like the Type 35 which can carry MRMs. DF did consider building some extra Warriors but have also changed their plans here too. The existing fleet is considered adequate.
Although capable ships, the Quasars are more expensive to run than more modern ships, plus their age had seen their availability drop.