The Clone Air Force counts close-support and counter-insurgency as among its most important roles (and it certainly COIN that provides the most combat opportunities for the CAF). As part of efforts to trim 120 million zarks from the CAF budget (which will be redirected to the K45C procurement programme) the air force has announced a number of cuts and changes to its huge close-support/COIN fleet.
Production of new K85 Browning COIN aircraft has been suspended for the time being and new K85s are not likely to be built now (for the CAF at least) until the early 2120s when the next generation K85QA debuts. The huge K85 fleet is expected to shrink below 3000 over the next couple of years though some aircraft will be upgraded including to the inflight refuelling capable K85NIK. 25 old K85s will be converted to K85O liaison / observation aircraft.
The Q3 Black Dragon UAV's outstanding order has been reduced by 40 also as part of cost savings. In happier news for the close-support fleet however the proposed K58 is now confirmed and serious development work will now begin. This will be a small jet powered aircraft said to be similar in capability and role to the DDS NDAA.
