Fleet news (27/06/07)

The DDS are reporting that the production version of their ground attack pod for the Rome OPV has been cleared for use by the DDS and 6 pods have been ordered. The DDS are said to be planning a mass attack using 6 Romes on Loeuss, 6 Z5g cannons could be very unpleasant for Utrek ground forces...

Pentekonter OPVs 3501 Thucydides and 3509 Hesiod have become the first Pentekonter-M mine warfare ships. The ships are equipped with HCS SPECNES mine handling and detection equipment. 4 more Pentekonters will similarly equipped though in the longer term it is thought that a mine warfare pod for the Rome will be developed.

Quasar cruiser 1214 Graviton will become the second Quasar-ILU, the ship was badly damaged in fighting earlier against the Zones. Repairs had been delayed due to a lack of capacity in DDS ports but now the go-ahead has been given to repair the ship and carry out the ILU update at the same time. The ship is expected to rejoin the fleet in the autumn.

Isometric frigate 3113 Oligocene which was also damaged earlier in the year has completed repairs and is currently running trials before a return to service in early July. The frigate is the first of 2 Isometrics equipped with Pave Yellow control and communication equipment to enable it to operate with the Pentekonter-M. The ships will act as escorts and directors on mine warfare operators.

Finally the 3700 class OPV will be named the Fighting Falcon class.

Three new ships join the fleet

Deputy Commander Firefly conducted the commissioning service of the three latest ships to join the DDS fleet in a ceremony at GHQ. 2205 Evolution is the latest Velocity class destroyer to join the fleet and is to S2 standard (though the actual details of this have not been given).

3220 Sea Of Oskhotsk is the latest Terran Sea frigate and is to C standard. It also has been fitted with the new Raegris 360 Degree CIWS which will become the standard (Evolution has not been fitted with it yet because of delays in calibrating the technology with the Velocity but it should be ready by the time of the ship's scheduled refit later in the year).

Finally 7914 Commando is the latest Provider transport and is to the Provider A2 standard which includes extra weapons and improved communication facilities. The two warships will join the fleet at Remedia Prime within the next couple of weeks.

DDS officially name Ferret UCAV

One of the biggest development programmes currently is the space fighter UCAV joint-project between the Dinos and DDS (with the Starbotians assisting). Dr Forbidden gave a media briefing earlier today where he confirmed the UCAV will be known as Ferret in DDS service. A space-mode UCAV will be produced first with air-mode added later (aerodynamics add a great deal of complexity to the project).

The Ferret will be subluminal, requiring carrier ships like the UCAV to transport it to a battle zone, but will have a very high thrust-to-mass ratio. Dr Forbidden said the Ferret would be highly nimble and agile and would literally be able to run rings around lumbering space ships. The Ferret would rely on speed for protection but would have a basic shield system to protect against lower grade weapons. The Ferret will be able to carry 2 TPMs and also will have a laser cannon. The Ferret will have A.I. mixed with base control for fighting, targeting data will be continuously sent from DDS ships. It will also have basic sensors for target analysis and navigation. The Ferret will decide itself the best plan of attack once it reaches terminal mode. The Ferret will also be able to feed back sensor information back to the mothership and other ships operating in the area.

Overall Dr Forbidden regarded the Ferret the future of space warfare and all warships would likely carry their own complement of Ferrets along with other weapons (he said for example the Panther would be able to carry a small force of 4 or 5) and said the first prototypes were due to begin testing by the end of the year though production grade Ferrets were some way off. He envisaged a fleet of over 500 of the types.

DDS confirm Dinomark purchase plans

The DDS have confirmed that they will buy at least 10 Dinomark XTs, to a DDS defined specification. The as-yet unnamed class (though it has been allocated the class number 3700) will be defined as patrol boats / littoral warfare ships. They will be used to support DDS ground forces as well as providing the link between DDS ground and aerial assets and space assets. They will be optimised for operation in high-atmosphere / low-orbit regions (so-called "littoral" regions).

Sea Urchin leaves hospital / Zeppelin

Commander Sea Urchin has left hospital finally after receiving near fatal wounds in battle against the Zones at the start of the year. Sea Urchin is said to be going to spend the rest of the year recuperating at his family home on Terra. He is not expected to be ready to return to service until next year.

Another injured DDS hero Zeppelin has returned back to GHQ and following tests and treatment by DDS doctors is expected to be fully recovered in a couple of months. He was injured during fighting on Loeuss.

Dinos commission Clones for improved tank

The Dinos have largely rebuilt their panzer forces using ex-HCS and new T-55Zs but are now looking for improved tanks for their best panzer units like the SS Black Dragon Martyrs Brigade. The Dinos have asked the HCS tank design bureau TANKCOR to develop an improved turret that can be fitted to a T-55Z chassis. The improved turret will have an improved gun with the ability to fire missiles as well as extra space for sensors and better armour.

A TANKCOR spokesclone confirmed the request from the Dinos and said if the customers were happy with the design produced then they would procure 1000 new turrets for fitting to their existing tanks and also order 250+ new build tanks. A provision designation of T-56Z has been granted for the project.

DDS begin to plan Isometric ILU programme

DDS Research have begun consultations with captains, maintenance chiefs and other experts about the Isometric ILU (Intermediate Life Update) programme which is due to begin sometime in 2109. Although the DDS have some plans for the update including full-FIDO capabilities and OA 2.0 they also want to listen to the people who captain and maintain Isometrics to see what kind of things they would like improved. Already some changes to ease maintenance have been highlighted.

The Isometric ILU will exceed a Terran Sea C in terms of performance and combat potential (though of course Terran Sea will also be updated later on) and will form a very useful part of the escort and patrol fleets.

Windy sets out for the front line

Windy has left DDS GHQ for the first time since becoming DDS Commander Elect (there is no word yet about when the formal vote will take place) to relieve The Orchid in charge of the DDS fleet at Remedia Prime. SS Carboniferous set out accompanied by a Rome class OPV which is reported to be fitted with a Z5g cannon. Its likely Windy will first command a ground attack operation on Loeuss before moving onto the main fleet. Another Z5g equipped Rome is already en route to the planet.

In other Windy has appointed Action Painting the commander of DDS forces on Loeuss replacing the injured Zeppelin, Action Painting is thought to be making his way to Loeuss in a Starsystem (the one which has been sent to receive the injured men from Loeuss), it is likely AP will be briefed by Zeppelin on the situation before he takes command.

Third convoy reaches Loeuss as war role debated in Dino senate

With perfect timing the third Dino relief convoy, this time commanded by M-B-H, has arrived at Loeuss. The convoy included supplies and equipment and a rotation of Dinomark XTs (bringing the force up to 8 again) though no extra soldiers. Badly injured men were evacuated including Zeppelin. A Starsystem has been sent to rendezvous with the convoy as it returns to Dino-Land to receive the DDS and Remedian casualties.

The fourth convoy is currently being prepared which will be commanded by El Diablo but a debate has raged in the Dino Senate about the Loeuss situation. Consul Ronald wants to send more men including an armoured brigade but some senators including Jimmy, the head of the Liberal Party and likely to be elected Consul at the end of the year, said the Dinos should be careful not be dragged into a "quagmire or meat grinder". He said human history was replete with examples of unwinnable attritional wars and the Dinos should try and avoid it. He did give agreement to increasing the number of ground attack Dinomark XTs to 12 however.

Breaking news : The Senate has agreed a compromise, a new armoured brigade will be sent to replace the mauled one currently in the field and will be boosted by a batallion from the brutal SS Black Dragon Martyrs Brigade.

Zeppelin injured in battle on Loeuss

The commander of the allied forces on Loeuss, Zeppelin of the DDS, has been injured after the aircraft he was in crashed after coming under heavy ground fire. The incident occurred as the allies desperately tried to stem the Utrek offensive that has already badly mauled the Dino 3rd Armoured Brigade. Much of the territorial gains of the last month were lost as the Utrek took advantage of adverse weather and allied confusion to press home their advantage.

The Utrek attacks are said to have now been finally halted but at the cost of over 1000 allied soldiers, over half of them Dinos. The Dino commander Legate Morphy has taken over command from Zeppelin who is likely to be evacuated when the next Dino relief convoy arrives in a few days.

Dinos suffer military setback on Loeuss

There are reports coming in of the Dino suffering a military setback on Loeuss. An offensive by a Dino armoured brigade fell into chaos because of a sudden and unexpected rainstorm that sank the Dino T-55Zs into the sudden quagmire (Loeuss is known for it's rainfall and mud, indeed Loeussy is Remedian slang for muddy). The Utrek counterattacked with artillery and UCAVs and cut the stranded Dino tanks to pieces.

Over forty tanks and an unspecified number of Tapir AFVs were destroyed and several hundred Dinos killed. A Dinomark XT supporting the ground forces was also hit hard a swarm of UCAVs and forced to crash though the crew managed to teleport out.

Solaris to be sold to Aritans

Following on from news that the last Intrepid in DDS service is to be transferred to the Aritans the DDS have announced the sale of the entire Solaris fleet to the Aritans for 125 million zarks. However the sale will not take place until after the conclusion of the Utrek war so if there are further losses to the Solaris fleet then the price will be adjusted accordingly.

As part of the terms of the sale the DDS will have free use of the ships for surveying for the first year and afterwards will pay a rate yet to be decided. Initially the DDS wanted to keep 2 Solaris for surveying but have decided on this as a cheaper option.

Final Intrepid to leave DDS service

The final Intrepid in DDS service 9001T Relentless is to be transferred to the New Arit Defence Force (the Is Lanki) where it will join 7 of it's sisters. The DDS are going to provide upgrade kits for all 8 Intrepids using cascaded Isometric technology and so upgrade the sensors and computers of the fleet. In return the Aritans are returning their 2 Starsystems to rejoin the DDS fleet. These ships will not be reactivated immediately as they have not been used by the Aritans for some time and have been cannibalized to some extent. The DDS will return them to service and recommission them later in the year. The ship transfers will take place in a few weeks once Relentless completes a patrol near Sanger Alpha.

As well the Aritans sole Quagan class frigate will be returned to the Porquatians. The ship, one of the few survivors of the Porquatian fleet after the DDS-Porquat 640 war, was handed over to the Aritans as part of the surrender terms however the ship is not popular in Aritan service and has been little used. The DDS are keen to get the Porquatians into the DDS family as an associate member and the ship will be given back to help kickstart their fleet rebuilding. Recently the last DDS occuping forces left Porquat 640 and the Porquatians have been allowed to start building ships again, 6 Quagans have been ordered and building will soon begin. The Porquatians are said to be keen to join the DDS like the Aritans and reep the dividand of being on the right side for a change.

Raegris detail their DF-1 frigate, also for the DDS?

Some time ago the Raegris ordered 8 frigates off the DDS based on the Terran Sea / Isometric platform. At a press conference today a Raegrian minister said that the Raegris had come to an agreement with the DDS to deliver the first 2 frigates within a year of the end of the war with the Utrekians.

The DF-1 He'Taka is based on the Terran Sea but has some notable differences. The Z-cannon has been moved to a belly-mounted turret with 110 degree field of fire. The dorsal position is now to be taken up with an interchangeable weapons pod, the Raegris said at first there would be 2 pods : missile attack and mine laying but others may be added later. The DF-1 would have a cruising speed of 900c and a sprint of 1000c.

Analysts are saying that the DDS may use the DF-1 design as the basis for their next frigate. Although 15 Terran Seas are on order its likely only half of those will be built (unless the war carries on for a long time). The DDS want to build 10 new frigates to replace the Remedian fleet and the DF-1 design is likely to be basis of it.

Post-battle news round-up

Because of the poor state of the fleet after the battle the DDS have decided not to pursue the Utrek but instead use the probably lull caused by the Utrek losses to carry out some urgently needed refits and maintenance of the fleet. Indeed it has been reported that Isometric class SS Mississippian was lost because main power failed in battle due to a fault in the reactor coolant. Another Isometric is reported to have suffered a shields failure in the battle but luckily managed to avoid damage. A Pulsar and 2 Isometrics have set off for Proxima 7 for refit.

Crews need refitting too, a Provider has set out from Solaris carrying replacement crews, 11 ships in the battle suffered battle casualties and injuries and some ships are said to be light on crew. Remaining crews are also said to be utterly exhausted, therefore The Orchid has instigated a rotation of her ships to guard against a Utrek attack with the others getting some much needed R&R.

Meanwhile 4 Remedian ships have returned to action and are helping to guard the stood-down DDS ships. 3 more Remedian ships are said to be repairable reasonably soon but the rest are long-term repair jobs. A complication though is the fact virtually all Remedian orbital facilities were around Remedia Prime and these were destroyed by the Utrek. The DDS have loaned the Remedians an Extender to carry out what repairs are possible out of dock.

Reinforcements are soon to be on the way, a Terran Sea and 2 Rome class are reaching the end of their proving trials and should be ready to be sent to the fleet next week. Its rumoured Windscorpion will accompany them to relieve The Orchid. SS Carboniferous' refit and upgrading has been completed and the ship is being prepared for an unspecified long range mission. An unconfirmed report in the media states that SS Carboniferous is the first ship to receive the new Raegris CIWS that energises the entire hull with radiation and can fire out beams from any position... giving true 360 degree coverage.

ANALysis : Utrek battle losses

We all know that over 200 Utrek warships have been destroyed in the war so far but what exactly have the Utrek lost. Here at DDS Latest Victory News we have analysed released DDS and Dino combat reports to try and get the true picture of the Utrek losses, and it makes bad reading for the Utrek.

The Utrekians have lost 70% of their first-line combat units, nearly all of the units committed to the war have been lost. These ships are late Molentic Tuuls and Reptoli Tuuls with the best crews and they have been mauled, even some of the latest RTs have now been lost. The 30% that remain are protecting the core of the Utrek Federation and cannot really be spared for the war. Much of what remains of the invasion fleet is second-line and third-line units. Second-line arn't bad. Their equipment is early-to-mid Molentic Tuuls and late Kalahati Tuuls but they lack the experience and expertise of the first-line units, that experience has now been largely splattered across Remedian space. Equipment can be replaced, fairly quickly too with the impressive Utrek industrial machine, but experience cannot.

Third-line units, old Kalahati Tuuls with reservists and rookie crews, are of dubious combat use. They have been used on internal policing up until now, ok for scaring smugglers perhaps but against top class DDS warships? Dogmeat.

Another problem for the Utrekians is many of the surviving ships are damaged, desperately needing maintenance and repair (though the DDS also have this problem) and their crews are exhausted and shell-shocked.

With some recent reinforcements called up it is estimated the Utrek currently have around 130 warships in Remedian space, however only 15 are thought to be first-line (3 of the Reptoli Tuuls) with around 65% of the rest third-line. The Utrek don't have a great deal of quality left.

2nd Battle of Remedia Prime

Earlier today a mighty fleet led by The Orchid engaged and smashed a larger Utrek fleet and regained control of the space around Remedia Prime. The DDS battle fleet was a formidable force consisting of 7 Quasars (including the Q-ILU), 4 Pulsars, 2 Velocitys, 8 Isometrics and 10 Terran Seas with 5 Pentekonters and 2 Solaris acting as flank protection. Following the debacle in the first battle of Remedia Prime no Remedian ships took part in the battle (not that there are many left in any way ready to fight at the moment).

The DDS reverted back to their classic holding tactics where smaller ships pin down the enemy and crowd them in where they can then be pounded by the central core of cruisers. 11 Z-cannon equipped cruisers certainly made the Utrekians suffer, it is estimated at least 43 Utrek ships were destroyed and a number of others damaged. At least 2 of the new Reptoli Tuul were among the destroyed.

The DDS lost 3 ships, Velocity class destroyer 2202 Rapide was hit by a Molentic Tuul flying out of control and was destroyed. Isometric frigate 3127 Mississippian suffered a main power and shields loss, luckily most of the crew was teleported off before the ship was destroyed. After the battle Solaris frigate 3803 Scorpio was surprised by a Utrek patrol and destroyed. A number of DDS ships suffered damage though casualties could have been much higher if not for the high standard of training and professionalism of the crews The Orchid said as she was congratulating the fleet.

The DDS have now moved back into control of the Remedian homeworld which has suffered terribly from days of orbital bombardment. A DDS intelligence source said that the Utrek lost a lot of their remaining first-line ships and experienced crews and won't be able to mount any counterattacks for the foreseeable future. The DDS have risen the Utrek losses to 47 following analysis of Utrek radio traffic and indication that some damaged ships have been abandoned and stricken.

Skirmish near Algol 7 as Allies prepare for counterattack

A Dino patrol led by Consul G-B-H came under attack near Algol 7, one Utrek Molentic Tuul is reported to have been destroyed. A Dinomark received moderate damage with one fatality.

The main focus now though is near Remedia Prime, a long-range Dino scout has detected Utrek troop ships 4 days from Remedia Prime, this is thought to be an invading force. Therefore Windscorpion has directed The Orchid to attack as soon as is possible to relieve Remedia Prime which continued to be bombarded by Utrek orbital forces.

Two Pentekonters and a Solaris have joined The Orchid's fleet to boost it's numbers though these ships are likely to be used for flank and rearguard protection rather than the actual fighting.

DDS stabilise the front line but Remedia Prime remains under attack

The DDS have formed a stable front line in the Remedia Prime system and repulsed a Utrek attack (with no losses on either side) but Remedia Prime remains in Utrek space. The planet has been remorselessly pounded by Utrek warships though only by energy weapons, it is thought the Utrek have only a small stock of nuclear missiles. Remedian military infrastructure is being attacked systematically especially around the capital. Its thought 5 legions of Utrek troops are being bought in to invade.

New Military Commander Lord Arci has called up all Remedian Army reserves and wants all forces on other planets recalled to defend the homeland. Quite how these troops will get to Remedia Prime with the Remedian fleet having been so badly mauled is an interesting question.

The Orchid is thought to be seeing if a quick counter attack can be made to regain Remedia Prime before an invasion can take place.

Remedians in chaos after catastrophic defeat

The Remedians are in tatters today after the long-awaited attack by Utrek forces on the DDS-Remedian fleet at Remedia Prime. No fewer than 8 Remedian warships have been destroyed including their flagship and the Military Commander Lord Argrox killed. The DDS also lost a Pulsar.

The time leading up to the battle was fraught with disagreements between the DDS and Remedians who refused to take orders from The Orchid as she is female. Thus their ships were collected together. The Utrek switched tactics and hit the Remedians hard spearheaded by their Reptoli Tuuls which destroyed the flagship Kenora cruiser 1901R Remedia and then cut through the shocked Remedian fleet like a hot knife through butter. DDS ships were pinned down by other Utrek ships and were unable to assist before it was too late. Two ships received moderate damage.

The Remedians suffered greatly however, Kalahati Tuuls 2702R Bintang Minor, 2703R Algol 7, 2706R Mila, 2709R Pelis Tnar, 2712R Telaski Belt and Kalahati Tuul 2s 2801R Lord Argrox and 2805R Lord Arci were destroyed or had to be abandoned. Two other KT2s also received severe damage and had to retreat. The DDS were forced to retreat as they risked being outflanked by the surging Utrek forces, this left Remedia Prime vulnerable.

Three Utrek MTs headed to the planet to launch a nuclear strike, thought to be on the capital, Pulsar class ship 1017 South East Asia managed to intercept and destroy the bombers but in doing so it had to sacrifice itself and ignore Reptoli Tuuls which destroyed it. Captain Arcady and his crew sacrificed their lives to prevent the probable deaths of millions. The Orchid said "After such selfless heroism their names will not be forgotten, Captain ...er... Arcadian!" The Utrek moved into orbit however and began a systematic bombardment using energy weapons, a nuclear strike cannot be ruled out.

The DDS fleet and what is left of the Remedian fleet are currently regrouping but are in no shape to counterattack, for now Remedia Prime is at the Utrek's mercy. The DDS are reporting 23 Utrek ships were destroyed in the battle but today belongs to the Utrekians. Lord Arci has taken over Military Command of the Remedians.

Starsystem MULE proposed

The Starsystem, one of the oldest ships now in DDS service, is hugely popular with DDS Top Brass and even has a fan club for it (the Starsystem Club) which helped prevent it's withdrawal a couple of years ago. The old ships were given a new role as training ships though also perform a number of other roles, becoming the "hacks" of the fleet. With the proposed DDS fleet rationalisation there were fears the Starsystem could be withdrawn however the DDS have firmly said that the ships' planned withdrawal in 2120 is still the only plan.

Indeed the DDS are planning an update and life extension to keep them going for another decade. The MULE (Multi-Update Life Extension) is planned for the end of the decade and should be given the go-ahead for planning soon. Starsystem MULE will have a new engine (an uprated version of it's Hitachi powerplant most likely) and a boosted top speed of 520c (computer simulations have shown that the spaceframe can take this speed with a few modifications) as well as general updates across the board, probably using Isometric equipment where possible. The ships will also have fatigued and worn frame and equipment replaced and improvements to the training facilities aboard.

Its thought the DDS could exchange the 2 Starsystems sold to the New Aritans some years ago for Solaris IIs when the type is withdrawn. The DDS are keen to boost the Starsystem fleet to 8 to allow for greater training coverage.