DDS to simulate "civil war" for exercise

The next exercise in the DDS schedule is the first running of May Mission. This will be an internal security exercise which Firefly wants the DDS to take very seriously. The DDS will simulate a "civil war" not unlike the insurrection which bought down the New DDS Project.

The head of the ISSF (Internal Security Special Forces) Torus says that the DDS must learn how to contain internal strife without widespread destruction. It is thought ISSF will run a series of simulated attacks on the DDS, both physical and cyber, as well as misdirection using hacking and media. To add to the realism of the exercise no start date will be published. Incidents will happen at some time during the month of May.

• Sea Urchin has agreed a 90 million zark investment in improved ICT at 5 large DDS bases including DDS City and the new DDS GHQ. Improvements include a larger and faster main tactical database and much more distributed computing.
• The main HCS export customer Artensis 60 has gone Dino with its latest order. 40 K-18D7 COIN aircraft have been ordered to supplement the mountain of HCS equipment on order. Artensis say they will remain the Clone's best customer but that they wanted a jet powered COIN aircraft which the Clones presently do not offer.
• The DDS 2nd Fire Support Brigade (part of 1CDept) has been declared operational. This is the first of three artillery brigades the Land Division of DDS Terrestrial Forces will field. Head  of the army Zeppelin said a resuffle of the Land Division will happen soon.

HCS Space Navy gains 400 million zarks for upgrades

The HCS Space Navy has been granted an extra 400 million zarks by the Clone government for some much needed upgrades of the fleet. Although the Space Navy have been able to maintain their numbers unlike the other branches of the HCS which have seen cuts new build and upgrades have been heavily restricted.

The upgrades will cover some of the Cosmos, Kelsan, Molentic Tuul and Shark fleets. 8 more Cosmos CAs will be rebuilt and upgraded to the CK standard. This will cover all of the remaining legacy Cosmos and mean the entire fleet of 73 ships will now last until the early 2130s.

The Kelsan KS bomber fleet will be receiving upgrades to their digital image processing systems and navigational systems as well as an improved ion cannon.

The Molentic Tuul MTM fleet will be receiving sensor and tactical data processing system updates. Some ships will also trial experimental engine modifications which are hoped to improve fuel economy and efficiency without affecting performance.

Finally some of the oldest Shark SK frigate fleet will be upgraded to the current SKB production standard.

• Austini 55 is preparing for Benito's state funeral next Monday. Clone Star Empire - East is quieter than some imagined it would be, though many areas are tense. A group of anti-Benito protestors were attacked by troops by the 2nd Legion (Benito's fascist vanguard). Reports of what happened to the young male protestors are unclear but it is understood that some unpleasant things were done to them.
• The DDS have reduced their alert status to GREEN after reviewing the HCS situation.
• Atomic Fist 2113 has ended successfully after a final mission which involved the use of live nuclear warheads on a target asteroid in the Terran system.

Oojok will attend Benito's funeral... thanks to MBH

Oojok will be able to attend Benito's state funeral to be held a week tomorrow thanks to MBH who will also be attending and he will take Oojok in his worm-drive equipped Dinomark. MBH will also take 2 other ships with "protection" - likely to be members of his fascist vanguard the SS Black Dragon Martyrs Brigade. Oojok will also be accompanied by an Oojok Death Squad unit.

Consul El Diablo will be taking no less than 6 Dinomarks and will be guarded by the CSS of course as well as several sections of SS-D and a service unit of the SS Diplomatic Protection Corps.

To add to the special forces on display Firefly, whose ship H162 Polaris is due to leave tomorrow (it will be accompanied by H104 Lynx and X111 Isometric) will be protected by SFX's Prowler unit plus another Prowler unit will be kept in reserve.

The entire HCS Red Lizard special forces in CSE-E has been recalled to Austini 55. Benito's coffin will be carried aboard his personal tank (a T-88++ veteran from the Clone Wars) and escorted by an entire brigade of armour from the 2nd Legion.

HCS View : Benito's legacy

Keith Remadra, former chief advisor to the UNP Security Council on Clone affairs 

The death of Benito has caused shockwaves across the Clone Star Empire. Benito, even by his enemies, is acknowledged as the last surviving Clone icon of the Clone Wars and the early HCS and now he is gone too.

Every young clone and soldier knows the stories of the epic tank battles Benito led in the battles against the DDS, his conquest of New Rome and how he somehow managed to survive to lead the only successful rebellion against the Church of Oojok. Benito is already a legend to many.

But a legend is probably how many high up in the HCS and Clone Star Empire are happy for Benito to be, a legend cannot interfere with the present and future. Benito and his half of the empire have become an ever larger thorn in Oojok's side and the development of the CSE.

Things won't change overnight but i suspect the two halves of the empire will become more tightly integrated, with West and East becoming mostly an administrative distinction. Marcus will likely be the new Emperor, he will be the face most acceptable to the many loyalists of Benito (many of whom still are highly suspicious of Oojok and the church). His deputy will be the interesting choice, i suspect it could be Terin, son of Oojok. It is acknowledged that the elder son Wolkapi is being groomed as Oojok's eventual successor but until now Terin has not had much of a role in his father's empire.

From all reports though he is highly intelligent and able (while Wolkapi has a rather insipid reputation for a lack of imagination, sadism and violence) and he would be an excellent choice. The key for Oojok will be to keep Benito's loyalists sweet, perhaps some of the HCS cutbacks could be reversed over in the East soon?

Oojok orders 7 days of national mourning for Benito

Oojok has ordered that 7 days of national mourning be held for Benito after the Emperor of the Eastern Empire was killed in an explosion on Woloron 12. A state funeral will be held on Austini 55 after the mourning though because of the distance from Cloneworld Oojok and Sleeze are not likely to be able to attend (even the fastest HCS ship takes over 3 weeks to make the journey - it is rumoured the HCS have asked the Dinos for loan of a worm drive equipped ship).

The CSE-E is on lock-down and CSE-W is on high alert. Tensions are high mostly on Austini 55 where Benito's fascist vanguard the 2nd Legion is based. Oojok has recognised Marcus as the Acting Emperor of CSE-E and says the West will provide any help it can to find out what happened.

• The DDS have said that Firefly will attend Benito's funeral, the DDS Commander and the Consul of the Dino Republic El Diablo have both been invited according to HCS sources.

Benito killed in explosion

Emperor Benito of the Clone Star Empire - East is reported to have been killed in a massive explosion on Woloron 12. The explosion was caused by a laden ammunition train exploding which apparently destroyed a train Benito was travelling on which was passing at the time. Deputy Emperor Marcus has ordered an immediate lock-down of the CSE-E.

Oojok has also ordered the HCS on highest alert. Its not known yet if the explosion was caused by terrorism or an accident.

• The DDS have raised their alert status to AMBER as a precaution.

190/4

Oblivion
Has the plot been foiled? (Touch Base P2)

190/3

An Opportunity
Terin is ordered to kill Benito (Touch Base P1)

Cicero to be updated

Earlier in the week the DDS flagship SS Cicero was badly damaged in an attack the DDS are still not talking about. The Rome 46A has now arrived at Solaris for repair. The DDS say they will perform some upgrades on the ship while it is being repaired, a process that is likely to take 3 months.

Cicero will receive an upgraded communications system, EA-X (the first Rome to receive it), improved sensors and internal security systems. Interestingly the ship will also be renumbered K101X, its not known if the rest of the Rome (and patrol fleet) will receive new numbers too. While Cicero is being repaired Firefly has said he will use the Solaris 37C H162 Polaris as his personal ship though the ship will also be available for its normal fleet duties.

Benito to move capital to Woloron 12

Austini 55 is the economic powerhouse of the Clone Star Empire's Eastern half. The richest and most populous planet by far, however unless you like rain then its not a pleasant place to live. On average it rains on Austini 55 95% of the time, and the other 5% isn't usually that good either. Benito Clone is well known to always having loathed having to live on the planet.

Benito has had enough and has announced that the administrative capital of CSE-E will move to Woloron 12, the second planet. Woloron 12 isn't a paradise but at least it is a lot dryer. Benito says that the HCS-E GHQ, CSE-E administration and his residence will move to the planet over the next 2 years. Austini 55 will remain the economic and social capital.

CAC to develop longer range C-440 "strategic transport"

The Clone state manufacturer CAC (Clone Aircraft Corporation) has said it will develop a longer range version of its iconic C-440 transport which serves in great numbers in the HCSAF (and is also used by the DDS). The longer ranged variant would be what CAC call a "strategic transport" upgrade for the type as it would also have improved avionics and cargo capacity through a larger fuselage.

Meanwhile CAC's rival CCA (Clone Commercial Aviation) has delivered the first C-380 Skyshuttle to the HCSAF. This new generation medium transport is based on the successful CCA 380 regional airliner. It will replace the ageing C-420 and maybe also the VC-370.

Flagship badly damaged in mysterious attack

The DDS flagship P101F Cicero has been badly damaged in a mysterious attack in the Rim Worlds. The DDS are not saying much about the incident apart from that SS Cicero lost main power and had to eject the reactor array to avoid a catastrophic overload. The ship was extensively damaged with 4 crew being killed and pretty much all the rest (the current complement was 20) injured to some extent.

The ship was under the command of Windscorpion. The DDS say the ship was involved in countering a threat to the DDS and that that threat has now been neutralised. SS Cicero is being towed back to Solaris for repair, it is likely to be out of action for 3-4 months. No alternative flagship has been named, S201 Missileer serves as the fleet flagship with Cicero being used mainly as Firefly's personal ship. It is likely Firefly will use whatever worm-drive equipped is available in the meantime.

190/2

Fragments Of A Soul
Oh Sally what have you done? (Dark Shadow P5)

190/1

Battle For Survival
Windy reaches the Acheron ruins (Dark Shadow P4)

HCS score couple of export successes

The HCS Exports Agency has scored two more arms sales. Artensis 60 (who vie with Za'Enyu for the position of number 1 customer) have added another 15 F-45As on top of the fighters (and other weapons) they already have on order. ECM pods and military radios have also been purchased.

The Voth have placed an order for ex-HCSAF warplanes from the reserve. 30 F-40 fighters and 35 A-84 attack aircraft have been ordered.

• Firefly has given up his idea of changing the DDS' name. Alternatives suggested were "unsuitable" is it reported.
• Consul El Diablo has refused the Dino Army's request for initial funding for a new legion (which would be the 18th active legion, together with 2 SS legions - there are a few inactive reserve legions). El Diablo said the Dino Army was already big enough and increased ground forces should come from the DTA.

HCSAF to update COIN aircraft

The HCSAF has received 73 million zarks extra funding for an upgrade of around 500 A-85NT COIN aircraft. The work will be undertaken over the next 2 and a half years and will keep the A-85 factory busy in lieu of new build. The first 500 of 700 NTs will be upgraded with replaced parts being cascaded where possible to older generation A-85s in the air force's 3000 strong fleet.

The upgrade, called NTA, includes a new propeller, improved radio equipment, a new IR sensor system and software updates for the fire control to support some newer ordinance. The first upgrades will begin in the late Summer.

• The DDS have reported that the Pentekonter 44M P213XK Paris, under the command of Quarz, was damaged in the Charlotte system. No crew were killed but there were some injuries. The DDS are not saying what happened.

Atomic Fist 2113

Atomic Fist is the DDS' annual strike exercise and is one of the major peacetime deployments of DDS military might. Integrating MRM strikes with shorter range weapons is the key theme to this year's edition and there will be a number of mock-attacks over the next two weeks on purpose built target sites on an asteroid in the Terran system.

The final attack will use live nuclear weapons. As well as mock-attacks two Raegris ships and a Starsystem will play the role of defenders. The ships, under the command of Knobhead, involved are :

S101 Quasar (flagship)
S107 Charm Quark
S108 Tachyon
H121 Independence
H123 Invincible
M115 Permian
M127 Faithful
M161 Sea Of The Hebrides
X105T Centaurus
A150 Gasoline
A112 Trader + 2 Raegris ships

UV189 : Menace Of The Space Worms

• Biscuit Base Base - Ronald encounters a weird new alien species (Inner Spiral P2)
• Banging On! - The Dinos come under attack! (Inner Spiral P3)
• Passion On A Plate! - Crickson and Xaron's investigation takes a serious turn (Inner Spiral P4)
• On The Side - Can the Dinos escape the space worms (Inner Spiral P4)
• The End Of Reality - Team Quarz are sent to investigate mysterious deaths at a colony (Dark Shadow P1)
• Supporters Club - Team Q remain several steps behind their man (Dark Shadow P2)
• Wants Us To Bond - The hunt continues for the murderer (Dark Shadow P3)

Dinos complete first DSBT between Dino-Land and Jeloka

After three failed attempts the Dinos have finally managed to teleport an inert object a distance of over 4 light years! The first Deep Sub-space Burrowing Teleport (DSBT) sent an object between Dino science labs on Dino-Land and Jeloka. This was the first time such a long distance DSBT has been successful though the Dinos have managed to send objects to moons in the Dino-Land system before.

Further tests will now be held and a test to Pulsin (around 8.7 light years away) will be conducted next year. The Dinos say DSBTs with living matter are a long way away but one day they could replace some aspects of space travel.

189/7

Wants Us To Bond
The hunt continues for the murderer (Dark Shadow P3)

Fleet News (14/04/13)

• The Dinos have finally delivered the Falcon 47W patrol ships which were outstanding. The order was placed a few years ago but delayed by the ABBO-Bolitic War and the Dinos fleet rebuilding afterwards. P166W Poseidon and P167W Puffin have joined the patrol fleet. Both ships are underwater capable and may be seconded to the ISSF. iP Services' have also received their Falcon 47W in the shape of P165WX Scorpion. This is remaining on Dino-Land for a few weeks however to receive worm drive.
• A183 Zenith is the latest Zephyr 76A oiler to join the fleet.
• Solaris 37C H168 Epison Eridani has received a worm drive.

Wayne King-Meiouf : The Tarbotians (2) : The Tarbotian Military

Professor Wayne King-Meiouf of the University of Proxima

Its big.

In part 1 of my series i described the Tarbotian Empire and tried to convey just how vast it is compared to the likes of the DDS and DTA. It follows therefore from that that the fleet and military that protects the empire is also on a scale unimaginable.

To get detailed force levels of the Tarbotians is impossible, it may be that even the Tarbotians themselves do not know how exactly how many ships and troops they have, but with the help of colleagues in the Dino Republic and Raegris (as well as some intelligence sources which asked to remain anonymous) i have come up with the following rough totals for the Tarbotian fleet :

Tarbotian Fleet (Estimated force level)
Heavy Cruisers (Kenora series)	350-400
Light Cruisers (Vormix, Hyper Ship)	600-650
Heavy Destroyer (Samara III+)	3500-3750
Light Destroyer (Samara I-II, Vormix)	2750-3000
Command Ships	5-10
Other Combat Ships	500-600

As can be seen these estimates are quite vague but can give a ball park figure as to the sheer size of the Tarbotian fleet. In terms of Kenoras alone they outnumber the DDS fleet. However before we all get too depressed we should note a few things about these totals.

These include a lot of obsolete ships, the Vormix for example are pretty old as are Samara Is. The Tarbotians seem to keep these older ships for internal security but also maintain large reserve pools at strategic points around their empire. It is thought there is one at Masar 11 in the Tarbot Empire near(ish) to DDS space (C1 on the current UNP spacemap). An intelligence report i have read from the Dinos states the existence of around 180 warships here held in semi-dormant state, most of them older ships. It is thought these ships are all usable though it would take a while to get them back operational (and crewed). How often the Tarbotians update their ships is unknown, front-line ships seem to be kept up to date but it could be difficult even for the Tarbotians to keep their vast stock of second-line and reserve assets up to date. Obviously these ships still have a military value.

Another thing to note is that the Tarbotian Empire is vast and borders dozens (if not hundreds) of opposing factions. Obviously if the Tarbotians fielded a huge chunk of their entire fleet they could crush anyone but that would leave their borders vulnerable.

That does not mean the Tarbotians cannot field big fleets, the fleet that attacked the DDS in the epic war of the late 2090s contained nearly 100 ships. In recent years we have seen that the Tarbotians often prefer to minimise ship losses and prefer to fight if they can find a weapon the enemy has no answer to. When the Tarbotians developed their EMP weapon they were able to devastate and conquer the ABBOs with little loss to themselves.

As well as the fleet the Tarbotians have a huge army though less of this is known as the DDS and allies have yet to fight a land war against the Tarbotians. Intelligence indicates the Tarbotians prefer to fight their battles in space and force an enemy to surrender via blockade after destroying its space presence. The Tarbotian Army is thought to number millions of troops (maybe tens of millions) though most of these will be used for internal security and peace keeping.

So that is the Tarbotian military, it is unimaginable vast and powerful but it needs to be to maintain such a vast empire.

HCSAF to disband 16 squadrons

The HCSAF are to disband 16 squadrons, though 5 others will be strengthened by some of the displaced planes and crews. The cuts are part of an overall downsizing of the Clone military as a result of budget cuts and economic problems. Ten of the squadrons will be air defence units equipped with F-40s, a type which will be largely withdrawn by the end of the decade though even with these cuts there will still be over 2000 in service.

Four COIN squadrons will also be disbanded though this is also partly due to equipment and doctrine changes. The HCSAF has gradually increased its use of drones over the last few years and these have taken over some basic patrol roles.

189/6

Supporters Club
Team Q remain several steps behind their man (Dark Shadow P2)

189/5

The End Of Reality
Team Quarz are sent to investigate mysterious deaths at a colony (Dark Shadow P1)

189/4

On The Side
Can the Dinos escape the space worms (Inner Spiral P4)

DDS to offer Pentekonter Protector from 2115

The DDS have officially unveiled its mid-life upgrade of the Pentekonter platform which will form the basis of the export Pentekonter reboot and the Pentekonter ILU in DDS service. Priority will be given to the massively successful export model which will be renamed Pentekonter Protector from 2115 (with low/minesweeper, medium and high-end variants). Existing customers with pending orders will be given the option of upgrading their orders to the new model though there may be a cost implication. The DDS say they will continue to build the older models until 2118 if customers do not want or can't afford the upgrade. Existing models will remain available on sale until the end of the year, after that only the Protector lines will be available.

The Pentekonter Protector will have updates across the board including a new top turreted Z5m main cannon, an upgraded engine based on the Corkscrew developed Y evolution of the HS-760, top speed will be increased to 700c. A TPM-VLS derived missile launcher will also be fitted though it will fire TPM, QPM or conventional missiles depending on the customer. The bottom of the hull will have an enlarged docking bay and more storage equipment. Sensors and computers will also be upgraded.

Although the Pentekonter ILU planned for around 2117-8 has not been officially unveiled yet it is expected it will follow mostly on the Protector lines.

Porquat 640 to contribute to DDS Army

Porquat 640 is to contribute 3 brigades to the DDS Army (or DDS Terrestrial Force : Land Division to be exact). The 3 brigades, 1 armoured and 2 infantry, will be transferred from the Porquat 640 Army though will be equipped with new equipment and will require localisation and orientation training. The troops will all be volunteers and Porquat 640 says they have enough volunteers already.

The Porquatians will replace the 4th Armoured Brigade and 16th Infantry Brigade which are still unformed units that exist mostly on paper. They will also form the new 17th Infantry Brigade. For now all units will be part of the reserve 3RDept though the DDS say the units, with their legacy experience and training, are expected to be among the elite of the Land Division when they are fully operational.

DDS put weight behind Olympic Ballista (Olympic-F)

The DDS have put their weight behind the missile launcher version of the Olympic 23A support carrier by saying they will order 2 of them which will likely be known as the Olympic 23B in DDS service. The type has also gained the marketing name Olympic Ballista instead of Olympic-F though this designation will continue to be used internally. This is part of a general DDS move to eliminate the "E for export" designation which are being phased out. The DDS portfolio has been updated to reveal the new names which are considered more marketable.

No more details of the Olympic Ballista have been revealed though, the DDS say specifications and design work are now fully ongoing and they expect to reveal more by the Summer.

Sirikwan confirm minesweeper interest

Sirikwan have confirmed that they are interested in being the DTA's home for mine countermeasure warfare. They have said that they plan to change their forthcoming Shark SKE fleet into being purely patrol assets and will operate up to 16 Pentekonter minesweepers. Five of these will be converted from the ships already in service Sirikwan say plus the 5 ships on order meaning that only a further 6 ships be ordered.

Sirikwan have also said they think their fleet of 6 Helwin cruisers would be ideal for the role of minesweeper director as they would have the size and power to host Pave Yellow. The ships are due to begin a DDS Engineering upgrade and life-extension programme later this year anyway and Sirikwan say Pave Yellow could be installed then.

DDS give green light to development of Olympus-F

The DDS have given the DDS Export Agency the green light to develop and promote a missile carrier version of the Olympus-E light carrier. The ship, which would be purely for export, would be seen as a "Mini Missileer" and would host a number of missile launchers as well as some (reduced) UCV and smaller ship capacity.

Together with the ship, to be known as Olympus-F, the DDS will also develop a none-transphasic version of the MRM attack missile. This would have conventional warheads and a simplified guidance system and ECM system but would still be a potent weapon able to be fired from around 3 light years from a target.

DDS update export portfolio

The DDS have updated their portfolio of space ships for export, dropping the Velocity-E which only found one customer and the low-end Isometric-E which also was not very popular. The Isometric and Pentekonter lines have both seen feature bumps with the top-end of each now coming with TPM launchers (though sales of these are restricted of course) and QPM for mid-range.

No new models have been added to the portfolio yet though Corkscrew-E specifications may arrive later in the year. The proposed "Mini Missileer" based on the Olympus-E platform has also not yet surfaced though the DDS have confirmed that work is ongoing on this new type which will likely come under the Olympus banner.

• The DTA are considering having a shared mine counter measures fleet which would be available for all DTA members usage though operated and maintained by the Sirikwanese. The Dinos have requested details of the Pentekonter-ME mine sweeper from the DDS and also have asked for the feasibility of fitting the Pave Yellow MCM control system in another ship such as the Dinomark PT as opposed to an Isometric as is used by the DDS and Molab. Sirikwan had planned to use the Shark-E and HCS SPECNES system but now it seems they will use the Sharks as patrol ships only.

189/3

Passion On A Plate!
Crickson and Xaron's investigation takes a serious turn (Inner Spiral P4)

The Historian : Downfall of the New DDS (Interview)

The Historian casts his eyes back over the rich history of the DDS Universe.

In future years the New DDS Project which ran between 2103 and 2112 will be seen as a truly fascinating period in DDS history when the organisation appeared to be run by the insane. Here Professor Horlick from Proxima City University has been kind enough to discuss the New DDS with me.

The New DDS came as an answer to the decline and fall of The Shiner regime, but why do you think it lasted so long?

The Shiner had been in charge of the DDS for a long time but by the early 2110s his regime was crumbling. However that isn't why the New DDS came about, as we could have seen the DDS easily move in another direction. No the New DDS came about because of two senior DDS officers who had dramatically different aims and motivations.

Vodaphone and AP.

Indeed, Vodaphone was a fascist who believed in hard discipline, self-denial and obedience. He saw the DDS as weak because it needed an ideology. AP on the other hand felt marginalised and disrespected by the other DDS senior officers. He wanted power and control. Although their motivations and aims were different they did combine to form the heart of the new regime, and when they recruited Rotarios as their figurehead then... well the rest is history as they say.

In 2107 Windy deposed Rotarios and Vodaphone was killed, yet the New DDS survived. How so?

Windy did not have an ideological replacement for the New DDS at the time, his Windy Massive was weak and also was not acceptable to most DDS. With the Hoods gone underground Windy felt he could use the New DDS power structure to maintain control at what was a dangerous time for the DDS, the war against the Utrek was still ongoing of course.

And AP survived, was this a mistake by Windy?

Indeed in hindsight it was but AP was a vile individual, he somehow managed to minimise his role in the DDS and he convinced Windy that he was an opportunist and not an ideologue, which was probably true in any case.

Now we move to the final phase of the New DDS, AP seemed to go mad!

Yeah its quite astonishing to think of his crimes. Killing The Orchid, the Panther crew, the PRB false flags, and the final battle where he sacrificed several 1000 DDS in one incident. AP is a case, i think, of power corrupting totally. He had finally achieved his dream of being DDS Commander and was desperate to protect his position. Once you have begun these crimes then i guess it can be easy for things to get out of hand.

Now the New DDS has been finally destroyed or has it?

Firefly has ushered in a new phase of the DDS, and is working hard to renew the organisation and sweep away the debris of the past. The New DDS Project will never rise again.

Other Fleet News (02/04/13)

• The Dinos have built a Dinomark PT and an XT, both for themselves.
• The Bolitic are reported to have completed a Meltinan.
• The Clones have added a Kelsan KS bomber and an Omiten TYJ oiler to their fleet.
• Sirikwan have received a Pentekonter-E.
• Haylei have received an Extender-E.

HCSN to navalise C-426

The HCSN have provided 12 million zarks development money for the navalisation of the C-426 utility transport. The twin-prop small transport plane is currently in production for the HCSAF but has been chosen by the Navy for carrier on-board delivery and possibly as a tanker aircraft too (the HCSAF use the type as a tanker for A-85 COIN aircraft and helicopters).

The HCSNAS may buy up to 60 of the transports (to be known as C-426K) though many will be used at the Navy's land bases.

• DDS Commander Firefly is to meet with the Raegris later today, one of the items for discussion is thought to be the greater use of deep space mines for static defence, something the Raegris make great use out of. Their Quasar 15As having mine-laying as their secondary role.