DF makes big changes to export portfolio

UNDF has made some dramatic changes to it's spaceship export portfolio in an attempt to kickstart a new wave of orders. The Olympus-E, Provider-E and Extender-E have all been cancelled, the latter two due to DF closing it's SUP derived ship line.

The Oceania (which has not yet secured any orders) and Depender multi-role support ships have received a specification bump with improved sensors and tactical system options.

The best-selling Pentekonter Protector has also been upgraded to the x90 specification. The 390 and 290 models have improved sensors, defensive systems and tactical computers. The upgrade is fairly modest though.

DF are also looking into the possibility of an export version of the Advanced Rome to compete with the Dino Swordfish design.

Oojok warns that Clone Star Empire has no succession plan

Former Emperor of the Clone Star Empire, Oojok who is now living on Dino-Land, has said he has concerns about the CSE. He said that Admiral Anderson is the last clone standing from the generation who came to prominence in the Clone Wars. He warned that Anderson has eliminated most of his potential rivals, which may bring some short-term stability but if Anderson falls then the obvious successor is unknown.

One potential successor is the Clone Wars hero Xerxes, former commander of the 1st Armoured Division and now military commander in the Ailier South sector on Cloneworld. Cicero, the former deputy of Marcus, is now the governor of the CSE-E is another potential future leader. Oojok said that he hoped Anderson would not purge people like Xerxes and Cicero as the CSE might need them in the future.

MBH visits CIN East and Starbot

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.

Clones launch offensive against Teriatri insurgents

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.

Swordfish begins final trials before deliveries

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.

Clones may re-open Halogen production line for Navy

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.