The second batch of twenty Type 51 ships will be the Type 51B which will be built in the first half of the 2120s. New Sparta has begun refining the specification for this second batch of Type 51s to follow on from the Corkscrew. The Type 51B is likely to be the same size as the A, earlier rumours of a longer hull are no thought unlikely, though the internal arrangement will be changed to give more space for Space Prowler special forces.
The biggest change though will be stub "wings", a source said the Type 51B will look a bit like the Clone Shark frigate in that regard. The wings will include two podded Z8 cannons. This is the follow on from the Zip/Z7 and is a full aspect cannon with a wide angle of fire. The two podded Z8s will have 360 degree coverage around the Type 51B.
The next step though, likely to enter service around 2125 will be the ZX cannon, which is said to be a merging of Zip technology with 360 CIWS. Instead of having a discreet cannon the entire hull will b a "cannon" with ZX giving 360 degree coverage and rapid rate of fire. One NS Research source said it could be the biggest revolution in space warfare since the TPM.
