Exercises with the DDS' new UCV the Ferret-E has shown shortcomings in the ability of DDS warships to handle multiple small fast targets at very close range. 360 Degree CIWS has been fitted to a growing number of ships and helps with actual weapons fire but the DDS lack weapons to attack UCVs that come in close.
The DDS have begun a re-assessment of the auxiliary weapons carried by DDS ships though more recent classes like the Panther and Rome have forgone much of these. Close in laser guns controlled automatically by the combat control suite is being considered. The 3rd Developmental Flight operating 6 Ferret-Es will work closely with SS Isometric to improve these close in weapons. The DDS are also going to work with the Raegris to see if 360 Degree CIWS can be enhanced to handle the UCV threat.
At present the UCV threat is minimal, the HCS have an active project though their Nybble is more an unmanned small warship than a Ferret-E type UCV, and the Tarbotians heavily use UCVs but are not considered a realistic threat at least in the short term. The success of the Ferret-E may spur other enemies like the Utrek to develop their own UCV technology so the DDS needs to get these new defensive systems in place for then.
