Object Blue A, a project involving the research ship X111 Isometric operating as an unmanned ship, has successfully concluded following a seventh and final unmanned superluminal test. In the test Isometric travelled up to 400c accompanied by X901 Cleon for 20 hours on a pre-planned trip. It then was presented with a simulated "emergency" situation and successfully changed course. The DDS have not said what the emergency was but it may have been a comet in Isometric's path.
Isometric has now returned to Solaris for a refit and an upgrade of the unmanned systems. It will be carrying out some other research duties for the first part of 2110 before beginning the second stage of superluminal unmanned tests Object Blue B. These tests will involve mock combat though at this stage Isometric will only be able to try and evade enemy ships not fight back.
Analysts say these tests prove that the DDS have caught the Clones up dramatically and although the HCS will field a superluminal UCV in service first (Nybble) the DDS will be able to follow suit fairly soon if they wish. At the moment though there are no firm plans for a production superluminal UCV.
