Freedom 41B to be upgraded

The next 6 Freedom 41B frigates will be to a modified and improved standard starting with F178 which is due for completion soon. The main difference will be an ion scoop fitted under the main nose of the frigate. This gathers in ionized particles and other energy sources in space and these gathered materials are then converted into power using a pre-reactor fitted in the engineering. DDS Research think that the ion scoop could increase the range of ships by up to 8% and if successful on the Freedom will be rolled out to other ships in the fleet over the next few years.

The passive sensors and tactical systems have also been upgraded and there have been some unspecified modifications to disaster recovery. The first 6 ships in the fleet may receive these modifications late this year or early next.

• The DDS are reporting that FIDO VR capabilities are becoming vital in filling in gaps in personnel because of the war. FIDO VR allows for "off-ship" crewing using virtual reality and holographic projection if face-to-face interaction is required with "real" crew. The DDS says that this has allowed over 300 DDS crew members to return to action earlier from injury by crewing their ships remotely from a number of FIDO centres.