The first Panther destroyer D101 Panther made it's first movement under it's own steam during initial engine tests. The ship made a short journey in orbit before returning to dock to complete fitting out. Some unusual readings were detected by telemetry but DDS Engineering said it was nothing unusual with a new ship as calibration often took time to get right. Full engine tests will begin later in the month.
Four new ships have joined the fleet, F148 Solomon Sea is the latest Terran Sea frigate. It is to the C2 standard which includes the 360 CIWS and other refinements. Two more Rome corvettes have also been completed, K108 Tiberius and K109 Hadrian. These are the final 2 Rome A type, the next Romes will be to the B version. These 2 ships have received some enhancements though and are officially known as Rome A2.
Starsystem training frigate T107 Oscar Wilde has been cleared for service. The ship is one of the two returned from the New Arit fleet. The ship had not been used by the Aritans and required some work to get it usable. Sister ship T101 Beta Centauri received damage from a meteorite strike and will be out of action for repair for some weeks.
The first "DDS Intruder" LHA has been delivered by the HCS. The HCS are building the basic shell of the ship which is then completed with DDS weapons and technology at a DDS yard. Engines will also be changed though it is likely this first ship L111 will retain the HCS engine for the time being because of delays in delivery from Hitachi of the new powerplant. The DDS will reveal the class name and ship names soon they said. The Pangaea name is favourite.
Another HCS assault ship design, the Tiamon assault carrier, is under consideration by the DDS. A party of DDS officers will spend some time aboard a HCS Tiamon next month to carry out some evaluation. The DDS like the fact the Tiamon can enter high atmosphere and launch jet fighter-bombers as well as assault transports.
