Further Terrestrial Force cuts announced

UNDF Terrestrial Force Land Divison is to be further cut, saving millions of zarks which can be used elsewhere. X04 Combat Brigade East (Reserve) is to be disbanded within the next few months. Most of the regiments are to be disbanded as well, a couple will be transferred X02 Combat Brigade West (Reserve) which will become the only reserve brigade (and will lose the West part of it's name).

Zeppelin said that there will likely be no further reductions in the size of Terrestrial Force. DF was now looking into improving it's artillery equipment.

Two new patrol ships join the fleet

Two new patrol ships have joined the UNDF fleet. 57-220 Veltheimia is the latest Violet 57B. It has been joined by 56-109 Midge, the latest Mariner 56A. Both are expected to perform their first patrol duties over the next few weeks.

DF have said they will reduce the Okra 86L fleet to just five ships as more capable patrol assets become available. The other five ships will be placed in storage, it is thought they may be converted back into shuttles.

Advanced Rome to be Type 216A

DF has decided that the Advanced Rome is going to be sufficiently different to the Rome 46A to warrant a new type designation. The Advanced Rome will be the first destroyer in the new extended number allocation sequence for the type and be the Type 216. It is thought DF will keep the Advanced Rome name, the ships will be named after cities of the Roman Empire.

Production of the first ship, the prototype, is soon to begin. It is expected that the ship will be completed before the end of the year. It may enter service by the end of 2127 or early 2128. DF have announced that at least twenty will be built.

Black Triangle has first deployment

The four Black Triangle 126A ships and their Rainbow 166A support tender has joined a DF fleet deployment near Saeou. The Black Triangle ships will be used for mock combat training and also for further evaluation of ships of this type. Although DF does not plan to build any more Black Triangle, they are interested in the concept and may revisit it in future.

The deployment is the first to be commanded by the alternate Windscorpion who has taken the position of UNDF Protector.

UNDF Commander Torus said that DF aims to get it's exercise schedule back on track, something else which was lost during the MBO years.

Wizard World turns down chance to join with other ex-CSE-E planets

Wizard World will not join with the other CSE-E planets like Miliaris in forming a loose alliance after they gain independence from the Clone Star Empire. The planet has always been an oddity in the empire, the population is very mixed with nearly 30% being human (slightly more than Eritrans). The planet has also not seen trouble, with hardly any Clone Defence Force assets on the planet. Wizard World is generally known as being a "hippy" planet.

Politicians on Wizard World say they will go their own path and aim to continue to build on the planet's reputation as a safe and friendly destination.

DF introduces TPM-4

UNDF have begun limited use of the next generation attack missile, the TPM-4. This missile is 20% smaller than the TPM-3 though has slightly longer range and similar performance due to a new and highly optimised engine architecture. The smaller size will mean that ships with dedicated TPM-4 launchers will be able to carry larger loads. The TPM-4 can also be used with TPM-3 launchers.

The engine of TPM-4 is also said to have a 270 degree vector thrust for enhanced agility though this may be disabled in initial production rounds due to problems with the vector control system. The guidance package has also been enhanced with improved penetration aids.

DF will use the TPM-4 on a limited basis this year with the aim of entering full production and beginning the phase out of TPM-3 next year. The TPM-4 was initially planned to enter service in 2124 but was delayed due to the chaos of the MBO era.