An alien menace threatens S101, B-B and Egonneck.
26.9.16
25.9.16
22.9.16
Dinos form first Dinomark AM flotilla
Two more Dinomark AMs have joined the Dino Army and with 6 in service of this new generation warship the Dinos have been able to form the first AM flotilla. The 317th Attack Flotilla has been attached to the 13th Legion and is stationed on Dino-Land. Sixty nine more AMs are on order for the Army with ships also expected for the SS.
In other Dino news the "Future Assault Ship" which will be a customised version of the Clone Intruder platform has been given the name of Dinomark SR. An order for 6 has been placed with the first expected to enter service in 2118.
In other Dino news the "Future Assault Ship" which will be a customised version of the Clone Intruder platform has been given the name of Dinomark SR. An order for 6 has been placed with the first expected to enter service in 2118.
21.9.16
20.9.16
UV228 : Hostage
- Assassinationass - Egonneck finds a vital clue in his hunt for Neverak.
- Inquiry Set - Egonneck receives a shock.
- Meaningless Stormtrooper Dialogue - Hijackers seize a Terran freighter.
- All Lives Matter - Flying Boxcar's Space Prowler detachment runs into trouble.
- Too Much Cheese - Flying Boxcar goes into action!
- Cutting Board - Can Firefly deliver victory to the Vel-Pur Assesmbly... or something else?
- Hostages - Egonneck takes matters into his own hands.
19.9.16
Clone officers form group opposed to devolution
A group of senior Clone Army officers, including 3 generals it is claimed though all are remaining anonymous for now, has formed a pressure group called "Classic HCS" which is opposed to the Clone Armed Forces Devolution which will see the bulk of the army and air force devolved to national government control and funding.
Classic HCS issued a press release where they called for a return of the massive armed forces of the Clone Wars. "Strength is in unity. Weakness lies in separation."
The head of the Clone Defence Forces Admiral Anderson was unimpressed however. "The days of massive armies that can field 100s of 1000s of men in 1 offensive are long gone though this group do not seem to realise that. The empire is built already, we need forces to guard and patrol what we already have. We don't need huge panzer armies parading around waiting for a peer enemy to fight when there are none."
Classic HCS issued a press release where they called for a return of the massive armed forces of the Clone Wars. "Strength is in unity. Weakness lies in separation."
The head of the Clone Defence Forces Admiral Anderson was unimpressed however. "The days of massive armies that can field 100s of 1000s of men in 1 offensive are long gone though this group do not seem to realise that. The empire is built already, we need forces to guard and patrol what we already have. We don't need huge panzer armies parading around waiting for a peer enemy to fight when there are none."
17.9.16
Clone Navy holds major exercise
The Clone Navy has held its largest exercise yet on Cloneworld with both operational aircraft carriers and the helicopter carrier allowing for an impressive amount of carrier borne airpower to be deployed. Sixteen K45K fighters were used in one simulated attack with mock combats held against Clone Air Force K40s along the Northern coast of Micom province.
In total 18 surface ships and 6 submarines were used in the exercise with 3 Mariner support ships used in the "auxiliary helicopter carrier" role. This allowed 40 Z26S helicopters to be deployed (plus other helicopters on the escorts) and these carried out a series of ASW and patrol exercises.
As new shipbuilding is currently on a bit of a hiatus for budget reasons (apart from submarines to be used in the strategic deterrent) this is likely to be as good as the Clone Navy gets for awhile though Admiral Anderson who oversaw some of the exercises is said to have been delighted at how fast the youngest service in the Clone Defence Forces has come.
In total 18 surface ships and 6 submarines were used in the exercise with 3 Mariner support ships used in the "auxiliary helicopter carrier" role. This allowed 40 Z26S helicopters to be deployed (plus other helicopters on the escorts) and these carried out a series of ASW and patrol exercises.
As new shipbuilding is currently on a bit of a hiatus for budget reasons (apart from submarines to be used in the strategic deterrent) this is likely to be as good as the Clone Navy gets for awhile though Admiral Anderson who oversaw some of the exercises is said to have been delighted at how fast the youngest service in the Clone Defence Forces has come.
16.9.16
National Armies may get bulk of J89s
The National Armies being set up across the Clone Star Empire may be largely equipped with J89 tanks instead of the J55Z which was originally seen as the "second line" tank. The J89, which in its J89F was the final evolution in Clone tank design which went back to the T-86 and the earliest days of the Clone Wars, has been out of production for 5 years now. Although updates will continue any real improvements will be seen with the J55Z which is why the Clone Army will largely move over to this as their main tank. Nearly 10, 000 J89s are in service though and 2, 000 will likely remain on Clone Army books in a reserve role.
In other Clone Army news the J5 Tapir IFV, the backbone of the army, will have a 6th generation update around the end of the decade. The J5L will have a new hybrid engine, improved armour alloys, a redesigned electronic defence system and other improvements. Production of the J5HD continues (and indeed legally cannot end) though at a fairly low rate.
In other Clone Army news the J5 Tapir IFV, the backbone of the army, will have a 6th generation update around the end of the decade. The J5L will have a new hybrid engine, improved armour alloys, a redesigned electronic defence system and other improvements. Production of the J5HD continues (and indeed legally cannot end) though at a fairly low rate.
15.9.16
F-10SNG delayed until 2118
The next version of the F-10 Shark, the SNG, has now been delayed until 2118 following software and system integration issues during development and early testing. Around 50 SNGs will eventually be built to finally allow the NS to withdrawn its remaining (and ageing) F-10A fighters.
The delay means the F-10A will likely remain in service until 2120 though following the ASE update a few years ago its systems are said to still be "competitive" and the airframes should last. Its role is mainly to carry TPM-As these days.
The delay however also means that NS plans to upgrade older versions of the F-10S, the S baseline and SIM to SEP standard have also been put on hold to ensure sufficient airframes remain available for operational commitments.
The delay means the F-10A will likely remain in service until 2120 though following the ASE update a few years ago its systems are said to still be "competitive" and the airframes should last. Its role is mainly to carry TPM-As these days.
The delay however also means that NS plans to upgrade older versions of the F-10S, the S baseline and SIM to SEP standard have also been put on hold to ensure sufficient airframes remain available for operational commitments.
12.9.16
10.9.16
Pterodactyl enters service
The most significant new Clone aircraft since the K45C, the K03 Pterodactyl, has entered service with the first 5 aircraft being delivered to an operational integration squadron. The Pterodactyl is a small but nimble advanced jet trainer with a secondary COIN role so why is it so important?
Its the first Clone aircraft with a hybrid turbine-electric powerplant. As well as a turbofan it has an electrically driven ducted fan for low-speed and cruise modes. Electric fans and propulsion look set to be a key new technology for the Clone Air Force in the next decade as the 5th generation K85QA will have it and hence will have a high degree of acoustic stealth and greatly reduced infrared signature. Perfect for the patrol, light attack and COIN roles.
Its the first Clone aircraft with a hybrid turbine-electric powerplant. As well as a turbofan it has an electrically driven ducted fan for low-speed and cruise modes. Electric fans and propulsion look set to be a key new technology for the Clone Air Force in the next decade as the 5th generation K85QA will have it and hence will have a high degree of acoustic stealth and greatly reduced infrared signature. Perfect for the patrol, light attack and COIN roles.
9.9.16
Operation Civilian Partnership 2116
The annual humanitarian / disaster relief exercise is still going ahead despite the NS/UNP already being engaged on a real disaster relief at Golinar Sigma (privately the NS are said to be glad for the chance to really stretch their resources to provide a "real test"). Civilian Partnership 2116 is to be based around Remedia Prime and Mila and will test integration with Remedian and Raegris ships and agencies on a number of simulated disaster scenarios. The exercise will last just over a week and include the following NS ships.
L132 Iapetus Ocean (flag)
H201 Mulberry
M172 Black Sea
M208 Champion
L151 Oceania
L156 North America
A110 Lodestar
A144 Globemaster
Two Remedian ships from the RCPP will also attend thought to be M203R and M206R as well as 3 Raegris ships.
L132 Iapetus Ocean (flag)
H201 Mulberry
M172 Black Sea
M208 Champion
L151 Oceania
L156 North America
A110 Lodestar
A144 Globemaster
Two Remedian ships from the RCPP will also attend thought to be M203R and M206R as well as 3 Raegris ships.
8.9.16
Anderson speaks about CDF reorganisation
The head of the Clone Defence Forces Admiral Anderson held a very candid media conference today at HCS GHQ on Ailier, most questions on the Clone Armed Forces Devolution programme announced yesterday. Anderson said that Oojok had made the order and now Clones had to obey. When asked if he agreed with the order he said that the changes were needed though they would be painful at first.
Anderson also revealed that weapon design and procurement will remain centralised. All existing equipment allocated to the National Armies and Air Forces being set up would be given freely however future updates and procurements would have to come out of their own locally raised budgets. National Armies would not be able to go it alone and develop their own weapons or (more likely) buy in from outside the empire except if there was a very specialised system needed that the empire did not have available.
Anderson also spoke about how the defence budget will be split up. National Armies and Air Forces would be funded through local taxation though a portion would also go to the centralised Clone Army and Clone Air Force as well as the Clone Navy and Clone Space Navy. Central budgets would only fund the central forces (after the reorganisation was complete) though a fund would be available to help planets - especially the poorer ones in the empire.
The question of Cloneworld was asked and Anderson said that there would be no Cloneworld Army. The capital planet would be protected solely by central forces and there would be enough of these anyway with the army reserve and most training taking place there.
Finally Anderson said the plan had already begun, using the template and plan already devised over the last couple of years. Consultations with troops had already begun and the first National Armies would likely be set-up early next year.
Anderson also revealed that weapon design and procurement will remain centralised. All existing equipment allocated to the National Armies and Air Forces being set up would be given freely however future updates and procurements would have to come out of their own locally raised budgets. National Armies would not be able to go it alone and develop their own weapons or (more likely) buy in from outside the empire except if there was a very specialised system needed that the empire did not have available.
Anderson also spoke about how the defence budget will be split up. National Armies and Air Forces would be funded through local taxation though a portion would also go to the centralised Clone Army and Clone Air Force as well as the Clone Navy and Clone Space Navy. Central budgets would only fund the central forces (after the reorganisation was complete) though a fund would be available to help planets - especially the poorer ones in the empire.
The question of Cloneworld was asked and Anderson said that there would be no Cloneworld Army. The capital planet would be protected solely by central forces and there would be enough of these anyway with the army reserve and most training taking place there.
Finally Anderson said the plan had already begun, using the template and plan already devised over the last couple of years. Consultations with troops had already begun and the first National Armies would likely be set-up early next year.
7.9.16
Oojok loses patience and orders massive CDF reorganisation to finally begin
Several years ago the HCS (as it was then still called) came up with a plan for a massive reorganisation to finally form an armed forces suited to defending the empire. The plan involved the majority of the army and air force being devolved into separate National Armies and Air Forces of the planets in the Clone Star Empire. A central core of forces (somewhere between a quarter to a third of the original) would be retained for strategic operations.
Taragargi ran a trial with army troops on the planet joining the "Taragargi Army". However despite the lack of major problems and a huge amount of preparatory work the project has been frozen by the Clone Defence Forces until now. Oojok is said to have lost patience and ordered the project commence at once. Earlier today the head of the CDF Admiral Anderson outlined a 10 year plan to achieve the reorganisation known as Clone Armed Forces Devolution.
Phase 1 will cover the next 4-5 years and involve reorganisation of forces on the planets in the empire into the new National Armies. Oojok has promised that no soldier will be forced to serve in a National Army on a planet that is not his or her homeworld unless they wish to migrate permanently though they may have to leave the armed forces if they cannot find a suitable posting - however natural wastage may mean this is not too much of a problem. It is envisaged that up to three quarters of the troops in the National Armies will be part-time and organised in territorial and reserve units. These will perform the day to day garrison and patrolling of the empire with smaller numbers of fully professional troops at strategic locations. They will be backed up by central force troops (Clone Army and Clone Air Force) who will retain a small presence on each planet, perhaps regiment sized though maybe more on more strategically important worlds.
Phase 2 will involve the improvement of the remaining core to become more mobile and rapid reaction. A new generation of much faster troop and equipment transports will be developed in the 2120s as well as improved communications. This will be paid for by the expected dividend from Phase 1. A military analyst said that the savings in the wage bill alone from up to 4 million soldiers going part-time will run into the billions of zarks.
Oojok said that by the late 2120s the empire will have a much more suitable armed forces to protect and maintain it. The core would have an increased budget for improved equipment and training and the territorial armies would become much more suited to their local terrains and retain local knowledge.
Taragargi ran a trial with army troops on the planet joining the "Taragargi Army". However despite the lack of major problems and a huge amount of preparatory work the project has been frozen by the Clone Defence Forces until now. Oojok is said to have lost patience and ordered the project commence at once. Earlier today the head of the CDF Admiral Anderson outlined a 10 year plan to achieve the reorganisation known as Clone Armed Forces Devolution.
Phase 1 will cover the next 4-5 years and involve reorganisation of forces on the planets in the empire into the new National Armies. Oojok has promised that no soldier will be forced to serve in a National Army on a planet that is not his or her homeworld unless they wish to migrate permanently though they may have to leave the armed forces if they cannot find a suitable posting - however natural wastage may mean this is not too much of a problem. It is envisaged that up to three quarters of the troops in the National Armies will be part-time and organised in territorial and reserve units. These will perform the day to day garrison and patrolling of the empire with smaller numbers of fully professional troops at strategic locations. They will be backed up by central force troops (Clone Army and Clone Air Force) who will retain a small presence on each planet, perhaps regiment sized though maybe more on more strategically important worlds.
Phase 2 will involve the improvement of the remaining core to become more mobile and rapid reaction. A new generation of much faster troop and equipment transports will be developed in the 2120s as well as improved communications. This will be paid for by the expected dividend from Phase 1. A military analyst said that the savings in the wage bill alone from up to 4 million soldiers going part-time will run into the billions of zarks.
Oojok said that by the late 2120s the empire will have a much more suitable armed forces to protect and maintain it. The core would have an increased budget for improved equipment and training and the territorial armies would become much more suited to their local terrains and retain local knowledge.
6.9.16
DTA buys 2000 T-55ZDM3s
The DTA has ordered 2000 T-55ZDM3s, a Dino funded next development of the Clone tank, as its standard tank. The purchase, largely funded by the Dinos but also with Sirikwanese and Yengite contributions, will replace the large mix of legacy tanks in the non-Dino DTA armies. The Dinos are also to buy the ZDM3 which will begin production next year.
The ZDM3 will have a new hybrid engine, improved armour with advanced alloys, a new EO system with integrated NS anti-dazzle technology and compatibility with 2 new short-range missiles currently being developed by the Dinos.
The Clones have not yet committed to building their own ZDM3s, which would likely be known as the J55Z8 in Clone Army service. They will be building half of the tanks for the DTA, the rest - and Dino Army order - will be built by the Dinos at a dedicated new tank factory, so may simply switch production anyway though they would be unable to include the NS systems.
The ZDM3 will have a new hybrid engine, improved armour with advanced alloys, a new EO system with integrated NS anti-dazzle technology and compatibility with 2 new short-range missiles currently being developed by the Dinos.
The Clones have not yet committed to building their own ZDM3s, which would likely be known as the J55Z8 in Clone Army service. They will be building half of the tanks for the DTA, the rest - and Dino Army order - will be built by the Dinos at a dedicated new tank factory, so may simply switch production anyway though they would be unable to include the NS systems.
5.9.16
2.9.16
Fulcrum retired
The final 2 Fulcrum 085A special forces transports, modified versions of Utrek High Speed Transports have been retired. The ships were already stood down on the lowest availability status so were virtually retired already however now they have been officially removed from the register.
Six "Special Forces" Coril 086Ms will be built to replace them (one more than previously reported). These worm drive equipped ships will be built from next year, probably next Summer.
Six "Special Forces" Coril 086Ms will be built to replace them (one more than previously reported). These worm drive equipped ships will be built from next year, probably next Summer.
1.9.16
Fleet News 01/09/16
M211 Crossbow is the latest Corkscrew 051A to enter service.
The third and final Triumph 066B strike carrier L183 Tempest has entered service.
A122 Cangrestor is the latest Provider 071A transport to enter service.
S103 Deuteron is the latest Quasar 015A to receive worm drive, the Rome 046A LCS K105 Claudius has also received worm drive.
The third and final Triumph 066B strike carrier L183 Tempest has entered service.
A122 Cangrestor is the latest Provider 071A transport to enter service.
S103 Deuteron is the latest Quasar 015A to receive worm drive, the Rome 046A LCS K105 Claudius has also received worm drive.
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