The OA-25 Advanced Close Support Aircraft (ACSA), which will be the backbone of UNDF air power over the next few decades, has begun flight testing. This is a highly flexible aircraft powered with a hybrid ducted fan. The first version is expected to replace the Clone built A-85 in COIN duties.
The second version, expected in the early 2130s, will have enhanced attack capabilities and will replace the A-12 NDAA.
After New Sparta (as UNDF was then) decided to get rid of it's amphibious warfare fleet and later on deeply cut it's Terrestrial Forces it was wondered what UNDF would be aiming for with it's land forces. Zeppelin has revealed the new SSD Land Warfare Doctrine which answers some of these questions.
SSD stands for Space Superiority - Special Forces - Drones. Instead of trying to land a powerful armoured brigade on enemy territory, UNDF will aim to keep it's edge in space and control that area of the battle sphere. On the planet itself special forces (UNDF Marines are being greatly increased in size and scope) and a new generation of drones will be used.
UNDF are expected to reveal their plans for drone warfare, both defensive and offensive, later in the year.
The Clone Air Force has announced that the final withdrawal of the K40 fighter has been bought forward a couple of years and the last will be withdrawn before the end of 2128. Less than 300 now remain in service, all of them the final K40S variant. Withdrawal from CSE-E and the resulting disbanding of dozens of squadrons has allowed the K40 to be retired early.
A CAF spokesclone said that the K40 was iconic and had served the Clones with distinction since the Clone Wars but it was time for it to be retired.
The Clone Army is to disband dozens of regiments as part of the withdrawal from the CSE-E and a reorganisation of the army structure. Hundreds of tanks will be withdrawn, mostly older types. Over three thousand other armoured vehicles will also be withdrawn. The army say this will save several billion zarks a year, the money will be recycled into newer weapons.
The Clones are looking to try and sell these withdrawn vehicles, though many may be cascaded to territorial and internal security forces.
The Repicans, a hyper capitalistic Saurian nation who have been aligned to the Bolitic Confederacy in the past, have made overtures to the Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations about joining. A senior Financial Officer of Repic has visited Castarian and met with Emperor Melson. Senator El Diablo also attended the meeting.
Whilst it is unlikely the Repicans could join the CIN in the short to medium term, it is possible Repic could join the Saurian Alliance - a sub-grouping which consists of the Dino Republic and Bolitic Confederacy.
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.