The new fuel efficient Proton engines fitted to (now) 3 Pentekonter 044s are clocking up the hours (and light years). One ship in the Departmental Fleet recently successfully completed a 4 week long intensive programme of flight tests. The Proton RM-01 engine has now been returned to NS Engineering where it has been stripped down and will be closely analysed for any problems such as cracking.
Problems are not expected with the RM-01 though which so far has been remarkably trouble free for a new engine family. The uprated RM-02X has had some problems it has been reported but NS Technology chief Sea Urchin said there were no "show stoppers".
All being well the Proton RM-01 will be available for export Pentekonter Protectors (new build and upgrades) later in the year. The RM-02X is planned to be included in an NS Pentekonter upgrade next year.
