Third generation Ferret to enter production / Lavender announced

The third generation DDS unmanned combat fighter, the Ferret 101C, will enter production later this year following successful proving trials. The Ferret C will have a number of improvements including an upgraded Z88 engine, a new data architecture, improved AI and the ability to carry a third missile in lieu of a laser gun.

Attention is now switching to 2 other unmanned designs, one is a fourth generation Ferret (Ferret-X) which can travel faster than light with an optional booster pack. The other is a revival of the Stoat UCV concept which was an unmanned combat optimised version of the Panther platform. A new UCV called the Lavender 105A is in development as an ultra long range patrol ship. The Lavender will be able to operate for up to 5 years between refuelling and maintenance and patrol vast areas of space. The DDS have given the green light to the type as such a craft is thought to be needed to patrol the large areas of space forbidden to the Argon near Aldebra. However its unlikely anything will be in service mch before the end of the decade.

• The ageing K40 Ford fleet of the Clone Air Force has dropped below the symbolic 2000 barrier as withdrawals of life expired aircraft continues. The oldest examples in service now are a few dozen of K40Ls which are likely to be withdrawn in the next few months. These are the last Clone War era K40s still in service though its not thought any saw any action against the DDS.