Dr Forbidden here, apologies for missing 2 months HCS Intel reports, as you can appreciate sometimes i am so busy here at DDS Research...
It would not be inaccurate though slightly misleading to say that since the end of the Clone Wars HCS AFV development has stagnated. Its true there have been no new major types developed since the ill-faited T-92 but there has been a period of down-sizing and standardisation which was quite frankly desperately needed to clean up the mess of types operated and the logistic and engineering nightmares that caused.
The HCS Tank arm have seen the bulk of standardisation. The intriguing twin-hull T-105 was withdrawn, all T-88s below the T-88P2C mark withdawn (T-88P2 is the new name for the T-88++). Production of the T-91, the turretless replacement for the T-89 was ended after just 120 built and these have been withdrawn and put into storage. The T-92, the intended replacement for the T-88, was cancelled before production began despite excellent performance.
The HCS Tank arm is well and truly based on the T-89 now. Instead of replacing it the HCS have just continued to develop it using technology from the T-91 and T-92 projects. The HCS have just started to introduce the T-89E series, the biggest update since the end of the war. This new version is fairly similar to the T-89C in terms of hardware but has a totally new electronics and sensor suite. The HCS are trying to move into the info-rich technologically advanced age and move away from the old days of mass low-tech forces.
The secondary line T-55Z continues in service and production of course for terrorising peasants and the like. The HCS did toy with producing a copy of the T-62 instead but ended production after a few dozen. It was more expensive to build but just as massively obsolete so why bother?
Now we move onto IFVs, of course the iconic TRV-5 Tapir reigns supreme even though it was only intended as a reconnaissance vehicle (hence the designation) and is too small to carry that many troops. However it's survivability and reliability obviously scored well especially as it's contemporary, the TCV-7 Anteater has an unfortunate habit of exploding rather easily. Virtually all Anteaters have now been withdrawn no doubt to the relief of HCS soldiers.
The Tapir is now up to the F series and like the T-89E has had a number of improvements to systems in order for it to work in the info-war. The Tapir-F introduces fully synthetic driving views in order to delete the frontal armour weakness caused by a visor and to give the driver an enhanced full-spectrum driving view with overlayed tactical information relayed in real-time. Its rumoured the T-89E also has such a system though is unconfirmed at the moment.
The HCS have also designed a lighter wheeled version of the Tapir, the WCV-10 White Tapir to finally replace the hotch potch of internal security types used by the HCS. There are even a few dozen copies of the BTR-80 copy, the BTR-85 still in existance! The HCS plan to build 2000 White Tapirs to replace the BTR-85 and other assorted rubbish.
One area of the HCS thats firmly rooted in obselescence is the artillery arm. The ATC-107C still is the main self-propelled artillery gun even though it was designed 30 years ago as a stop gap! Much HCS artillery is still towed and desperately needs to be withdrawn. And to replace these ancient systems they are going to build... more ATC-107s!
The ATC-107G is a redesign though and finally has the communications and computer technology in order for the artillery to operate in the 22nd century and not the 20th.
So there is the HCS in 2106, no new types but plenty of work still going on and finally a coherant policy on procurement.
