DDS to create worm drive equipped subclasses of Provider and Extender

Following on from announced plans to fit worm drives to the Missileer 21B missile and UCV carriers the DDS will also (either later this year or early next year) begin fitting worm drives to selected Provider 71A transports and Extender 73A oilers.

Not all of the fleets will be upgraded but a "decent number" of each. One source says between 5-10 of each type will receive the worm drives. Others may be upgraded later on though the DDS does not envisage equipping the entire fleet in such way until the early 2120s. The equipped ships will form new sub-classes, the Provider 71B and Extender 73B respectively.

• The DDS has approved funding for a EW/ECM module for the Corkscrew 51A. The module will assist with penetrative raids and self-defence.