Firefly orders review into Patrol Command

Following the review of the DDS Combat Fleet (and resulting changes) Firefly has now turned his attention to the Patrol Command of the DDS Space Force. Patrol Command includes the MCS fleet (though these were covered by the Combat Fleet Review) but also the Rome 46A fleet, the Pentekonter 44M minesweepers and the Falcon 47A/W littoral patrol ships. The review will look into force levels and ship types.

The review is expected to call for more ships as Patrol Command is already straining to fulfill its current requirements (and often has to "borrow" ships from the Combat Fleet) though one focus for study will be on static defence and monitoring. The review will be completed sometime later in the year.

• Following on from yesterday's announcement of fleet changes the DDS have placed an order for a third generation Type 35 Fleet Combat Ship. The class will be known as the Kinetic 35C with an expected entry into service in early 2115. Building of the first ship will begin in early 2114. A full specification will be locked down in mid-2113.
• Former DDS destroyer D177 Iceplains, a Kalahati Tuul 39A once in service with the Remedians, has found a new role as a "Space Fighting Scenario Suite". The decommissioned ship, now moored at Solaris Orbital HQ, has been fitted out internally to support a number of combat exercise scenarios. The DDS see a weakness in hand-to-hand combat abilities on board ships such as repulsing an incursion from an enemy force during battle. The training suite will be used to help train crew but also devise improved procedures and equipment.