Departmental Fleet Pentekonter 044-113 Paris has begun a conversion to what could be a major new type of light patrol ship. The ship will be rebuilt as the prototype Protector 57A. This is expected to be ready by the end of the year then will take part in a contest with the Mariner 56A prototype. The winner of the contest (expected to be decided next Summer) will then be built in large numbers to replace the ex-UNP SP fleet.
The specification of the Protector is still being developed but will include a Proton RM-01 e-Core engine. Two 8-cell VLS batteries with a mix of TPM and other missiles carried and a Z6m cannon. The Protector will also have improved docking facilities though the prototype is not expected to have as extensive a docking bay as any production examples.
As for the first (and so far only) Mariner it has begun a series of evaluation trials. Impressions so far are good though the ship is much smaller and more limited than the Protector (which is expected to win).
