The first Mariner 056A Light Patrol Craft has begun trials. The Mariner has been designed to replace the 3 ex-UNSP light patrol types inherited by New Sparta when it took over the local space defence and sovereignty roles. The legacy fleet is due to reach the end of its fatigue life by 2119 so there is urgency to begin replacing them (though some ships should be fine until the mid-2120s).
However since work on Mariner began NS has had a change of heart about the type. A development of the Pentekonter Protector is now seen as the favourite for the new role due to fleet commonality economies and the greater capability and growth potential of even a low-end spec Pentekonter. One of the NS Departmental Fleet Pentekonters is being evaluated for the light patrol role and work may begin on the first production ship next year - possibility to be called the Protector 057A.
One drawback for the Protector is that it would be notably more expensive than the Mariner though NS think the greater capabilities will mean they can make do with a smaller fleet (50 instead of a planned 70 Mariners) with resultant initial and life-time cost savings.
