New Sparta has announced two new versions of it's key TPM missile. NS Engineering has also given details of the roadmap to the next major version for the early 2120s.
The TPM-3 will be split into two new development branches. The TPM-3 Omega is the new main NS combat missile replacing the TPM-3B in production this year. Omega's improvements focus on increased explosive potential with a new secret formula for the warhead said to give twenty percent more "bang" for a warhead the same size as in the 3B. A cluster warhead version is also being developed made from the same formula.
The second major focus for improvement is signature management. While a full cloak remains an (expensive) option the Omega will have a greatly reduced infrared signature and active countermeasures to reduce sensor echoes.
The other new missile is TPM-3 Sigma which is intended for non-front line ships as part of a high-low mix NS wish to pursue to save costs. Sigma is thirty five percent cheaper than Omega though has the same new warhead. It will lack the signature management and some guidance changes. Sigma will replace remaining TPM-1 and early TPM-2s still in use and in stockpiles. These missiles are now considered too old for use.
Finally NS announced that they expect to move to TPM-4 by 2120. TPM-4 will be a clean sheet design based around the idea of combining "warhead with propulsion". No more details have yet been given about what this actually means.
