K-18D begins flight trials

Three pre-production K-18Ds have begun flight tests at the DDS Central AFB at GHQ on Proxima 7. The plane is a localised and upgraded version of the Dino K-18 close support aircraft and has been fitted with a development build of a custom DDS avionics suite. At the moment the avionics is restricted to flying the plane. Tactical systems and sensor fusion is to be fitted at a later stage.

The DDS have been impressed with the K-18D so far which is a sturdy subsonic plane that can carry a lot of ordinance. The DDS think it will fit very nicely between their faster F-10/NDAA strike aircraft and slow UCAVs like LLAD.

In other DDSAF news the F-10A(S) fleet which carries out air/LEO defence over major DDS establishments with the TPM-A is to receive an upgrade this Summer. F-10ASE will have a number of datalink and electronic updates and will also be fitted ready for the forthcoming TPM2-A which is based on the TPM-2. This is a smaller missile of course though the F-10ASE will still only be able to carry one at a time. The F-10S will carry 2 when it takes over from the A in a few years.