DDS Commander Firefly has replaced the head of the LRM development team and told the new head that the project is "DDS priority number 1" with Dr Forbidden being given a more direct role in oversight of the project. Firefly has set 2116 as the date for limited operational status with full operational status of the interstellar missile set for 2117-8.
The missile being talked about is the 20 light year ranged LRM-20 which uses the Bright Spark launcher, a 100 light year version LRM-100, has been put back for the early to mid 2120s. LRM-20 has sufficient range to reach Cloneworld in any event, the weapon being a counter to the Clones' own CSM.
Bright Spark (a derivative of a commercial launcher) is already considered ready for use though work on the space stage has been lagging however much of the work that needs to be done can be derived from existing UCV work a DDS Research source has stated.
Silo locations will be finalised this year, the DDS plan to locate the missile on both Proxima 5 and 7. A road launched missile is also in development.
