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.

Rainbow to be converted into Sparkle

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.

Quasar fleet to be withdrawn by 2130

UNDF have said the Quasar 15A bomber fleet will begin withdrawals in 2128 with the aim of the whole fleet being withdrawn by 2130.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 DF say these ships will be the last to be withdrawn.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.

DF begin work on Solaris replacement

UNDF has begun design studies on a replacement for the Solaris 37C cruiser which could enter service in the late 2130s. Although construction of the type only ended in 2117, the oldest ships (then known as the Velocity) were built in the early 2100s and will be reaching the end of their fatigue life by 2140.

DF are expected to look into a flexible design which can also be used to replace the Type 35 family which will also begin withdrawals in the 2140s.

Operation Atomic Fist 2126

For the first time in three years, the DF strategic attack exercise Operation Atomic Fist will be held over the next couple of weeks. The exercise will involve a number of mock attacks on targets built on asteroids in the Terran system. The final exercise will involve a live nuclear strike on a moon of Uranus. 

The ships involved will be:

36-105 Minotaur (flag)

16-101 Warrior

16-106 Wolf

16-115 Warp

35-306 Killer

51-201 Repulse

52-102 Nautilus

52-107 Night

71-121 Supplier

73-103 Zenith

Clones developing longer range CSM

The Clones are working on a new version of the Clone Space Missile which could enter service in the next decade. CSM-NG as it is currently known will have many improvements including enhanced stealth and guidance capabilities. It will also have a longer range.

CSM can currently reach most parts of the UNP though other powers such as the Dino Empire are out of reach. CSM-NG could reach Dino-Land and Castarian which could raise political tensions between the Clone Star Empire and the Saurian Alliance.