HCS Round-up (29/11/07)

With the Gale IRBM ring around Central Ailier currently receiving the Gale IIB update the HCS have announced a further update and the next generation programme. Gale IIC will continue on the work being carried out with the current update and will further improve silo protection and security and warhead penaids. The Gale III programme has also been announced, this will replace the current missiles around the middle of the next decade and possibly also include a naval version for use on the planned HCSN SSBNs.

The Army is to receive 150 new Tapir IFVs, the TRV-5G4-II features improved radios. Work has been cancelled on the next major Tapir version, the Tapir-H due to the budget cuts however work already done will be deployed on a smaller update, to be known as TRV-5G5 next year.

The Army has also ordered a further 20,000 AR-105 assault rifles, bringing the total in the HCS to 130,000. There is some way to go before the venerable AR-100 is replaced however as the HCS have around 8 million on the books...

A VLF radio station has begun operating in Central Micom, this is to be used to communicate with HCSN submarines (though there is only one old SSK at the moment). Attention is switching to an aerial communication system however due to the vulnerability of a static ground base. A land mobile station is also being looked at.

The 20 oldest Cosmos CC cruisers will receive a MLU next year. Some of these cruisers are now 10 years old and starting to show their age. As well as refurbishment and replacement of fatigued hull structure they will receive updates to tactical systems, shields and cloaking device to bring them up to the Cosmos SR standard.

The 20 surviving Molentic Tuul cruisers will also receive an update though not to GX standard, it is thought they will receive some GX technology but retain their older engines and armament. The update will be known as Molentic Tuul MT-B.

Voting begins in Consul election

Voting has begun in the first round of the Dino Consul election. There are 4 candidates though only Jimmy and M-B-H have any chance of winning and should make it through into the second round next month. Over the last few weeks Jimmy has regained his lead over M-B-H and now has a healthy average opinion poll rating of 61% compared to M-B-H's 19%.

Dinos across the Republic have been voting and the votes will be electronically counted in a couple of days once proxies and random samples have been checked. The second round between the top 2 will then begin with polling a week later.

Panther unveiled to media

The DDS have officially unveiled their latest destroyer D101 Panther to the media. The ship, not yet in operational use, has just returned to port after extensive trials including mock combat. A number of issues arose during the gruelling trials but "no show stoppers" according to a DDS spokeswoman. The ship will spend the rest of the year having these issues addressed and have final fitting out of internal systems.

The ship will then conduct a final trial in early January and should there be no major problems should enter service before the end of the month.

Ferret UCV nears completion

The joint DDS/Dino/Starbot UCV space fighter, the Ferret-E is nearing completion with the latest pre-production milestone about to enter testing. Ferret-X M05 is expected to be the last pre-production prototype and it's configuration is more of less the same as production Ferret-Es are expected to be. Both the Dinos and DDS are building an M05, the Dino example was the first to be completed and will enter extensive trials next week. The DDS example is expected in early December.

Meanwhile the DDS produced M04 has completed it's trials with SS Missileer and it is thought was also used as part of SS Panther's combat trials. Overall the trials were a success though there were some stability and control issues which it is hoped M05 will solve.

Meanwhile the DDS and Dinos have begun feasibility studies on a larger reconnaissance UCV. The superluminal capable drone would be used for ultra-long range reconnaissance and sigint duties.

Trojan Warlord leaves DDS

In a surprise move, considering his lack of career options and talent, the Trojan Warlord has resigned from the DDS said to be a result of his second brutal assault at the hands of the Hoods. Following news of his departure the DDS share price rose 14%. Trojan said he was fed up being treated by disdain by the DDS and wanted a new job where he could be respected and valued for his "unique portfolio of skills".

It is thought he is now working as a male stripper in Hexian City.

Some parts of HCS to face funding cuts to afford Navy

To get the Navy the HCS wants by 2118 (and that was revealed at a media briefing last week to include 4 carriers, 2 helicopter cruisers, nuclear submarines et cetera) the HCS is going to have to stump up some 25 billion zarks over the period. As well as that the HCS are thought to soon authorise a 10 year crash programme to develop SLBMs and SSBNs that will cost another 10 billion zarks.

The Clone economy is doing very well, indeed the HCS has seen a large increase in funding lately but the money pit isn't bottomless. Clone observers estimate the government can stump up around 15 billion extra for the Navy on top of inflation equaling defense budget increases over the next 10 years plus the SLBM programme. The other 10 billion is going to have to be clawed back from the other 3 services.

It is thought major programmes like the AH-26X and Shark space frigate will see procurement slowed down and build spread over a longer period, planned future projects like the next Tapir IFV version will be delayed. As these new weapons are replacing old and wearing out types however it does mean the HCS overall will lose some capability. For example the HCS is still going to get a new armoured division but 9 infantry regiments will in turn be disbanded as part of an estimated 4.2 billion zarks the HCS will have to return over the next decade.

UV122 : To Be The Man U Have 2 Beat The Man

In Wasp Attack! the Dinos have to battle a Zone pirate. The Neo-Hoods step up their attacks in Hood Wink including a vicious assault on Delicate Flower who finds salvation from an unexpected source. Moving to Sirikwan Windy currently visiting there gets involved in some local terrorist affairs in Young Girl Dance.

The humans rise in rebellion in Crushing A Rebellion, and where are the weapons coming from. Finally in World's Most Amazing Videos we see the last Utrek on Loeuss.

Stay tuned in 2 weeks for UV123 : Pleasuring Oneself.

HCSAF reveal some new types and the end of the Flashlight

The HCSAF held a media day at Central AFB on Cloneworld and unveiled some new types to the media. The major unveiling was the AH-26X prototype. This is the next generation of the iconic HCS helicopter. It has new engines, sensors, rotor and a totally redesigned internal layout. The prototype will begin flight testing next year and the HCSAF are hoping to get the type into service in 2109.

Another HCSAF icon is the TR-72 Mustang reconnaissance aircraft and a new Elint version has been accepted into service. The ER-72ERS is a specialised Rint and Sigint version and will join the other Elint/Sigint aircraft in the HCSAF. Ten in total will be produced.

The small but valuable fleet of A-19B Borehole interdiction bombers will be receiving a MLU over the next 2 years. The A-19BEC has new attack sensors and will be able to operate the next wave of HCSAF air to surface weapons. The A-19BEC will have a much better anti-shipping mode too and it is possible they will be transferred to the HCS Navy.

The end of the RF-41 Flashlight was also announced however, the Mach 4 plane has been run down in service over the last few years because of the huge cost of operating it. The HCSAF said the type will be withdrawn by next Spring. The RF-41 was always a (very expensive) vanity project though had served the HCSAF usefully over the years.

DDS look at attack aircraft

With the F-10S Shark 2100 now about to enter service the DDS are looking at other parts of their aerial portfolio. The F-10S is a multi-role fighter with a good strike role but the DDS are looking into also fielding a dedicated light-attack aircraft. A DDS spokeswoman informed the media that a project called NDAA (the acronym was not explained but it is assumed to stand for New DDS Attack Aircraft) was begun earlier this year.

The NDAA is expected to result in a small yet agile aircraft capable of transonic speeds and able to carry a variety of bombs and missiles. The DDS plan to unveil finalised designs and specifications next summer.

Fleet news (21/11/07)

C126 Lepton has become the latest Quasar ILU rebuild to be completed. The ship has successfully ended it's trials and has rejoined the fleet. Reports indicate it has improved software compared to previous ILU2 updates and the software will be cascaded to the other ships over the next few days.

F150 Sea Of The Hebrides has become the latest Arafura class frigate to enter service. One more ship has been added to the order meaning that there are now just 2 more to be built. The DDS said the extra order was part of the replacement for Utrek War losses but no more would be added after that as the production line would be closed next Summer for conversion to produce the Battle class starting late next year.

Two ships have left the DDS Fleet however. L101 Intruder, the ex-HCS ship has now left the DDS to be returned to the HCS. The ship will be stripped of DDS technology before being returned. Coril class shuttle A561 Nicola has been withdrawn because of structural problems. It was not considered economic to repair the ship.

Aircraft shootdown escalates HCS/DDS row

The row between the HCS and DDS with respect to Randalf 74 rebels has escalated after a HCS aircraft was shot down by the rebels apparently using the latest DDS handheld SAM. The HCS reported that a HCSAF A-85 was shot down on a reconnaissance by the missile which from analysis of the telemetry carried out by a nearby Sigint ER-72 appeared to be an SA-49, the latest DDS MANPAD SAM which only entered DDS service this year!

The DDS however denied that rebels could have the system as only a few 100s had been built to date and all had been accounted for. They said that the HCS Sigint was mistaken and in a media briefing demonstrated how similar the telemetry of an SA-49 was to the older SA-43 which has been in DDS and UNP service for over 10 years and could easily have found it's way into rebel hands because of the proliferation in non-DDS security agencies.

Dinos to rethink Dinomark MR

The Dinos are considering scrapping the transport Dinomark MR design after computer models of the type specification failed to impress in simulations. The MR is a scaled up XT to fill a vital hole in the Dino's force for a good tactical transport. However the simulation showed the MR in the intended form was sluggish and would not give the flexibility of operation the Dinos need, a major problem being the awkward arrangement of cargo doors on the type. "You wouldn't really want to be sending this into a hot zone." a spokesdino said, "It would be a bit of a sitting duck and take ages to unload!"

The Dinos are set to return to the drawing board for the MR design, this will mean a service date of 2108 no longer looks possible.

HCSAF unveil A-85NT

The A-85 is one of the 5 key weapons in the HCSAF, the aerial equivalent of the Tapir AFV. A tough COIN attack aircraft that can go anywhere and be relied upon to do almost anything. The A-85 may look rather old fashioned with it's radial engine and 1940s design but it has proven itself many times as being able to take a lot of punishment and dole out a lot too. Indeed since the end of the Clone Wars the majority of actions the HCSAF have been involved with have been using the A-85 which is perfectly suited to anti-insurgency and empire patrolling.

And now the HCSAF have unveiled the latest model, the A-85NT (for New Technology), said to be the biggest change in the type since it made it's debut. The A-85NT is a larger aircraft with a longer fuselage for extra fuel. It also has a bigger wing able to carry 6 weapons. The wing is also stronger to carry a heavier load. The engine has been replaced by a brand new FT102 radial engine with 32% extra power. Armour and sensors have also been improved.

The HCSAF said they will build 400 NTs to replace the oldest A-85s in service. A version for the Navy is also in development, the A-85NTN will be optimised for coastal patrol and have an anti-shipping mode. The NTN is expected to enter service around 2110 and will be officially unveiled next year. The first A-85NTs will enter service next month.

Clones accuse DDS of supplying Randalf 74 rebels

Human rebellion against the Clones on Randalf 74 is nothing new, a low-level insurgency has been running for several years but recently the fighting has flared up to levels not previously seen. The current wave of fighting began when 2 T-89s were destroyed by IEDs as it passed through an abandoned village in Randalf 74's Sendan Province. Later on an army base elsewhere in Sendan was hit by mortar fire killing 5 soldiers.

Since then there have been dozens of attacks. The HCS have replied by sending more troops to Sendan and an extra squadron of A-85 COIN aircraft. The HCS are reporting, however, that captured human rebels are using modern UNP weapons. They even say some modern DDS weapons have been recovered.

The DDS have denied they are supplying the Randalf 74 rebels saying that the DDS weapons recovered are not current issue and were resold back into the arms market and must have ended up on Randalf 74 that way. They have said they will look into the matter and work to prevent weapons falling into rebel hands if the HCS try and find a peaceful solution to the rebel problem.

Windy runs into trouble on Sirikwan

The DDS mission to the New Cross is currently on Sirikwan and has run into some trouble with the local terrorists. Rebel group the Golden Key captured Salamander and MBF whilst they were being given a tour of the capital city Salan. The Golden Key demanded concessions from the Sirikwanese government in return for the hostages' release.

However instead the DDS discovered the rebel HQ in a cave complex and Windscorpion went in on a lone mission. He rescued his comrades after killing the Golden Key leadership. Afterwards he was asked if this incident would hurt relations between the DDS and Sirikwan but said no because "it had been a lot of fun".

HCS Navy to combat DDS?

When the HCS Navy was reborn it was to ensure the security of Cloneworld shipping especially against the large pirate menace. However recent procurement decisions and strategy documents released into the public domain indicate the Navy's longer term focus is defending Cloneworld against the DDS.

This all comes, according to influential observers, from the DDS attack on Utrek forces on Loeuss in the Summer using the new Z5g cannon. The very next day the HCS held an emergency meeting and formed a secret working group to investigate this new DDS weapon and the threat it posed to the HCS. This group has spent the last few months gathering as much information as possible on the Z5g, it's effects and DDS tactics for attacking ground targets from space. A lot of information is in the public domain though its thought espionage has also played it's part. Last week the group gave a presentation to the HCS Chief of Staff.

The details of that meeting are top secret of course but it is thought they warned the HCS that if they lost space superiority then the DDS would be free to destroy the HCS from orbit to prepare for an invasion. 10 Z5g equipped ships, it was warned, could devastate the HCS' ability to defend against an invasion in little over a week.

It is thought the HCS have ordered an immediate review of HCS ground facilities, especially around GHQ. The HCS want to improve the dispersal and protection of key assets like combat aircraft and missile defences, and the Navy is set to benefit greatly from this.

It is thought that naval based aircraft and missiles would be much more survivable against space attack as the current generation of DDS Z5g ships cannot track moving targets very well. Thus carrier borne aircraft and SSMs would give the HCS some survival assets to defend against an invasion and so expect much greater investment in them in future. However it is reckoned that the DDS will improve the Z5g and be able to attack warships within 4-5 years though they might be able to survive for some time using countermeasures and stealth systems.

In the longer turn it is thought the HCS will adopt some form of submarine based missile defence, probably cruise missile first then ballistic missiles later on. The HCS have begun looking at how to ensure contact with deep submerged SSGNs and SSBNs is kept for targeting purposes and perhaps will maintain a fleet of ER-72s from dispersed airfields for this purpose.

HCS Navy unveil future plans

The HCS Navy have bought forward their planned media briefing for next week on the future development of the navy because of a number of leaks. In the briefing senior HCS and HCS Navy officials detailed future procurement and revealed the formation of the 3rd fleet, for Benito's Austini 55.

The latter first, Benito Clone has agreed for the 2 Triona OPVs in the HCS Riverine Force (which no longer now has any open water assets) on Austini 55 be transferred to the newly formed Austini 55 Fleet of the Navy. A spokesclone for Benito said that air assets would also be transferred to the navy and they hoped to be up and running by early next year.

Benito's spokesclone then revealed a big surprise, development work was to begin on a helicopter carrier for their fleet. It was expected to be a 16-18,000 ton ship able to support amphibious operations. The Cloneworld fleet is also looking into this to supplement their planned CVs. At least 2 helicopter carriers would be procured for the Austini 55 fleet with Olana destroyers providing escort.

Then to plans in general a Navy spokesman said the planned future frigate class was cancelled, work instead going into an enlarged version of the Triona OPV, known as Triona II at the present time. The existing frigate CNS Ailier would be retained as a command ship.

The Cloneworld fleet announced that they had ordered 4 submarines from a Terran manufacturer, the SSKs would enter service around 2111.

An improved version of the Power replenishment ship was also in production which would have improved helicopter operating facilties. All 3 fleets would receive these ships.

Moving onto aerial assets the Navy on all 3 planets would standardise on F-45Ks even if they were to be shore based. This would push up the order to over 200+ aircraft with resulting cost savings.

HCSN launch major operation

The HCS Navy has launched it's largest operation to date since it's rebirth. A task force led by the flagship CNS Ailier is said by HCS bloggers to be en route to attack the Barren Isle pirates, a group of pirate bands who have been terrorising shipping in the Barren Isle and Morloric Straits recently. The force consists of Ailier, 4 Triona OPVs and a Power class replenishment ship. The latter is acting as a make-shift helicopter carrier it is reported, carrying 6 SH-26 helicopters (the frigate Ailier is also carrying an SH-26) and some 300 troops from the 14th Infantry (Marine) Regiment which has been seconded to the operation by the HCS.

Naval air assets including MR-72 reconnaissance aircraft are also in operation, F-40N fighters supported by a seconded HCSAF tanker are also thought to be in readiness.

DDS issue DMZ warning to Utrekians

With policing the DMZ border proving difficult the DDS have switched strategy to a monitoring and reprisal strtegy. The Utrek have been informed that if they enter the DMZ with military forces then they can expect a response from the DDS.

On the first incursion the DDS would issue a final warning, the next incursion would see an attack on Utrek facilities in the DMZ using energy weapons. The next incursion would see a nuclear strike on a military target in the DMZ. If the Utrek still persisted the DDS say they would increase the size of the nuclear strike until it was "Zoneland size" i.e. total destruction of a planet's ability to sustain life.

"With our new warhead production factories now coming on-line we can produce a new Zoneland every week." a DDS spokeswoman said rather darkly to the media.

Hoods attack again

The Hoods have left Tsunami, Trojan Warlord and Delicate Flower (known together as the Axis of Sadness) in hospital following a series of brutal assaults by the Hoods. Firstly the white sheeted ones crushed Tsunami under a large weight and then beat Trojan who received several dozen vicious blows to his genitals.

Later on Delicate Flower was also attacked and savagely beaten. Firefly has ordered a review of DDS GHQ security and extra protection for all senior staff.

DDS confirm order for Dinomarks

The DDS have finalised specifications for the Fighting Falcon class of OPV/LCS which will be based on the Dinomark XT. The ship will be based on the current XT version the XT/118 but will have a further evolution of the Solarburst engine to boost speed up to 700c and to improve agility in littoral conditions. Equipment will include TPM-2 and the 5036-A combat management suite though also a specialist module for littoral fighting will also be added.

The DDS are hoping to begin proving trials of the Falcon before the end of 2108 with entry into service during Q1 2109.

HCS Round-up (12/11/07)

The next generation HCS self-propelled gun, the ATC-107G, has passed a series of field tests and a 350 unit order has been placed by the HCS. This is a smaller order than expected as the Clone AFV manufacturer HCSAC was hoping for over 500. One reason may be that the kit to improve existing ATC-107Cs (to make the ATC-107C-NT) has also been a success and the HCS have ordered 475 kits to improve in-service guns. The C-NT includes a modified version of the fire control and communication systems from the G. The HCS said that other orders will follow in future years and are aiming to replace all their 1000s of Cs with either Gs or C-NTs by 2120.

An order for 250 T-55Z7s has also been placed, this is the HCS version of the T-55ZDM, the Dino funded improvement to the type with a new turret and internal systems. HCS Ordinance Corp are producing the type and are also working on an update to existing T-55Zs to the new standard.

The HCSAF has decided to withdraw it's remaining second-line A-22 COIN aircraft, a few hundred remain to supplement the A-85. Many of the A-22s will be disarmed and redesignated O-43 liaison aircraft.

The HCS Navy have bought 5 Cholada Z-100 UAV blimps for maritime reconnaissance. The unmanned small airships are designed to operate unattended for long periods, their powerpacks supplemented by solar panels on the top of the blimp. The airships, to be known as MQZ-1 in HCSN service can operate for over 250 hours and contain a number of sensors and cameras for pirate detection. This is the first example of an airship or indeed a UAV in HCS service, the HCSAF are also looking at procuring the type for surveilance of remote areas.

UV121 : Uber Sausage

In Once A Loser Redjec has one last chance to break up Quarz and DF to avoid the displeasure of Windscorpion. In Rockaria a group of rebel HCS officers attempt to kill Captain Clone, bringing in a Bolitic expert in death.

In The Endless Fear the Dinos receive back their men captured by the Utrek but Gibson remains, the victim of brutal torture and rape lost and forgotton in a dark Utrek cell... cold, alone, abused, humiliated... still you got to laugh. Finally in Advent Calendar King Rathun struggles to hold down democracy protesters and calls in the DDS.

Stay tuned for UV122 : To Be The Man U Got 2 Beat The Man

F-10S shows it's abilities

The DDS have demonstrated their next generation fighter-bomber the F-10S Shark 2100 prior to it's entry into service next year. Although based on the existing F-10A the F-10S is a faster, more agile, more capable and more stealthy aircraft. A DDS spokeswoman said it was a "quantum leap", so there you are no hyperbole there.

One key capability of the new fighter is a much better TPM-A anti-space craft weapon ability. The current F-10A(S) can only carry 1 TPM-A on a belly pylon, the F-10S will be able to carry up to 4, 2 belly mounted and 1 each under the 2 wings. However in practice typical load is likely to be 2 as with all 4 missiles the F-10S would not be able to use it's extra speed and height to assist TPM-A launch and extend it's range.

The DDS also said they are looking to further improve the aircraft with the F-10S2 already in development for early in the next decade and a third generation F-10X around 2120.

Windy visits Sirikwan

Windscorpion, on his mission to discover the New Cross, reached last week the planet of Sirikwan. This planet is beyond the Dino Republic and until recently was little known but they came to everyone's attention when they placed a huge order for DDS warships earlier this year. 5 Pentekonter-Es, 2 Extender-Es and 2 Provider-Es (originally 1 but the order was amended) in a 4.5 billion zark deal.

Windy signed the official order with the Sirikwanese leader General Olaun. The Sirikwanese are Dinos, thought to be colonists similar to the Bolitic forefathers. Like the Boliticians they do not know of their origins though DNA analysis has shown they originally came from Dino-Land. Their relations with the "home land" are cordial though unlike the Bolitic. However it is thought the Dinos are not that happy the Sirikwanese decided to go for DDS ships.

After another week's R&R the small DDS fleet will continue onto the western borderlands of the Bolitic Confederacy.

Fleet news (06/11/07)

The first of 3 Nightingale class hospital ships, A181 Florence Nightingale, has entered service. This is the latest SUP based ship, though still uses SUP-A. The second ship next year will use SUP-B. The ship can take up to 1000 casualties and includes isolation wards, operating theatres and medical laboratories. In peacetime the ship will be used for UNP sponsored humanitarian services including acting as a clinic to far flung UNP colonies. The UNP are thought to have paid 50% of the ship's costs.

A150 Refinery has also entered service, the latest Extender class oiler/transport. Again this is a SUP-A ship, A152 will be the first SUP-B model.

P113 Nicias has become the 6th (and final) conversion to Pentekonter-M (and thus renumbered M113). It includes the latest version of SPECNES which will be retrofitted to the other 5 minesweepers later on.

SUP-B / Provider sale to Vosun-Voth

The SUP (Standard Utility Platform) is the basis of the DDS' transport (and beyond fleet), being a common powerplant, engine, major electrical system and load-bearing backbone upon which the rest of the ship is built, from the pure transport Provider to the Missileer carrier. The DDS have unveiled the first major update to this backbone, known as SUP-B.

SUP-B has extra power and the engine has been upgraded to a HS-740C (as already fitted to the Missileer). The load-bearing structure has also been improved to take top speed up to 600c. The DDS have a backlog of some 14 older SUPs (now called SUP-A) already built but have decided to move to SUP-B for new ships from as soon as possible and use older SUP-As on it's export version of the Provider and Extender. The first ships to use SUP-B are expected to be Extenders and Missileers next spring, there are 2 Extenders, 1 Provider, 1 Missileer and the first Florence Nightingale hospital ship already in production which will be the last DDS ships to use SUP-A.

The Vosun-Voth Star Empire have surprised everyone by requesting technical details and a visit by a Provider next year. It is thought they want to upgrade their aging transport fleet. It is possible they may also be interested in the Pentekonter-E.

Uprising on Rathun's World, DDS to be called in

A coalition of non-human and human factions has launched an uprising in the troubled Oran province of Rathun's World. King Rathun has sent his army to put down the uprising but his forces are struggling to contain the uprising and it is speculated he may call in DDS assistance as is his right. However this puts the DDS in an interesting position.

The uprising is calling for democracy on Rathun's World which is run on an absolute monarchy basis. Thus if the DDS do intervene they will assisting in the suppression of democracy which may not be good for their image in the rest of the UNP. The DDS do not have much choice though as per the terms of the agreement UNP planets sign with the DDS the UNP planets have to assist the DDS with armed forces if needed and vice versa. Rathun's World troops already assisted the DDS during the hunt for Windscorpion a few years ago.

There is a squadron of DDS F-10A fighter bombers on the planet and these may be called upon.

Isometric fleet wearing out

It's ILU is due for 2009 but some Isometric frigates may struggle to last until that date, there is concern at the DDS Fleet that the Isometric fleet is beginning to crumble. The problem stems from the fact the ships have been a great success and thus used far heavier than intended. "Fleet utilisation has been 12% higher than we expected." A Fleet source said, "And the final straw was the Utrek War, some ships have had 20% more combat hours than we intended for them at this stage."

It is thought that the ships in the worst condition will be downrated to slower speeds (maybe 75-100c less) to prolong the life of their main load-bearing beams and also allocated to less arduous patrols if possible. The DDS said that when the ships receive their major update, the ILU, the new load bearers will have a life expectancy more in line with actual fleet usage than originally estimated.

DDS win contract for Raegris modernisation

The Raegris have awarded the DDS a 2.1 billion zark contract for refurbishment and modernisation of it's fleet of RC-2 Yel'Tema battlecruisers (known as the Cosmos in HCS service). The new model will be known as RC-2B and will have a complete weapons refit with a Z5 turret fitted and have TPM-2 missile launchers. Sensors and tactical systems will also be replaced and fitted with systems similar to be fitted to the Isometric frigates now being built for the Raegris. A key part of the upgrade will be to make the ships compatible with the DDS technology at the heart of the future Raegris fleet and allow them to integrate into DDS operations.

The refurbishment will give the spaceframes another 10 years of life. The programme is due to start in 2109 with all 9 RC-2s being updated over a 2 year period.

Meanwhile the first DF-1, a frigate based on the Isometric-E (and similar to the Battle class), is taking shape at a Raegris/DDS shipyard. The Raegris are hoping to begin flight testing by next Spring.

Finally the Aritans have teamed up with their neighbours Artic to order 2 Pentekonter-Es. The ships will be jointly owned but operated by the Aritan fleet and will be used for patrols in the space near both planets. A delivery date has yet to be set but is expected to be 2109. When they enter service the Aritan's Yeoman frigate will be withdrawn.

Utrekians holding out on Dino prisoners?

A few days ago some 70 Dinos were repatriated following the prisoner exchange agreed between the Utrek and the Allies. DDS prisoners will be repatriated next week. The Raegris acted as a third party and also returned the 129 Utrekians held prisoner by the Dinos. Repatriating the DDS held prisoners will take longer as they have over 20,000 including troops on Loeuss.

Consul Ronald has expressed puzzlement at the small number of Dinos returned, saying that the Dino Army has estimated around 200 Dinos had been made captive by the Utrek. The Utrekians said that the rest died of their injuries or "other causes". Dino prisoners have reported that the Utrekians were firm but did not mistreat them. However some officers may have received "special treatment".

The highest ranking officer captured was Gibson, who was not returned. The Utrek have not said what happened to him and some 12 others officers over the rank of Centurion.

HCS Round-up (01/11/07)

The new anti-ship missile, the AS-21, has entered service and has been deployed to units on Aquaworld and Austini 55. The missile replaces the AS-6 which was a veteran of the Clone Wars (indeed it saw action against DDS ships during the First Clone War) and was pretty obsolete. The new AS-21 has longer range, much better guidance and terminal phase countermeasures to evade CIWS and other ship defences. One missile prematurely fired in a hangar on Aquaworld (no one was killed) though this has been found to be because of sabotage.

The HCS Navy on Cloneworld have yet to deploy the missile as it is incompatible with the F-40N, the Navy's fleet of fighters will require updates to their databus architecture and pylons to use the missile, this will be carried out over the next few months during scheduled maintenance. The missile is compatible with F-45As and late model F-40s.

Staying with the Navy, it's backbone fleet of Triona OPVs will receive an update over the next couple of years during scheduled refits. Improvements in the programme known as Triona M1 include hull modifications to improve blue water seakeeping, replacing the SAM with the SA-N-6B, updating the radars and other improvements.

Moving into space the hull has been laid down for the first Shark frigate, construction is expected to take around 6 months with flight trials taking another 3-4 months. The HCS Space Navy are hopeful of the first Shark entering service in the late summer of 2108 and having 4 in service by the end of the year. However ships are being withdrawn faster than the Shark can be produced to replace them. The last 5 Kalahati Tuul Bs have been removed from service into reserve and will be scrapped early next year. To help fill the gaps 6 of the oldest Kalahati Tuul 2s are to receive a minor refit to keep them in operation for a couple of more years.