Janes DDS Analysis is reporting that the DDS are looking into moving into the commercial spacecraft sector in partnership with an existing commercial builder. Its thought the DDS are going to sell a civil version of the Provider transport ship. This would help solve a problem the DDS have with the Provider and other SUP based types. The SUP production line at Solaris is larger than the fitting out line (for Providers and other SUP based types) at Proxima 5 and a backlog of SUP skeletons is building up. These skeletons are the backbone of the ship and are capable of operation (a pressurised control pod is fitted to them and they travel themselves from Solaris to Proxima).
The DDS are looking to subcontract the completion of a civil Provider to Consolidated Spacecraft (though Boeing-Avery has also been mentioned) using surplus SUP skeletons. This surplus is building up and the DDS are keen to gain a new revenue stream. Cargolux Space have already asked the DDS for the price of a civil Provider.
Civil Providers would be powered by an existing civil powerplant (and thus have a lower performance) as the engines used by SUP include some secret military components.
