31.1.20
26.1.20
Order placed for first Lavender 105A
NS (or the DDS as it was back then) first began looking at an unmanned space combat in 2107. The early project was known as the Stoat UCV, in many ways a scaled down Panther using many of the same components. The Stoat project was quietly cancelled in the early 2110s as the technology was not considered yet ready for an unmanned superluminal space combatant.
The next step was an unmanned combat ship which could work with a manned ship. This was the Future Large Unmanned Space Vehicle (FLUSV) project. FLUSV was also cancelled.
Finally in 2115 the idea of an unmanned space combat was revivied with the Lavender project. This has been delayed a number of times but NS finally feels the technology is mature enough. An order has been placed for the first Lavender which will be part of the next Ship Building Plan. Although a fleet of Lavenders is planned it is likely there will be a gap before any further ships are ordered to allow for feedback on the design.
The next step was an unmanned combat ship which could work with a manned ship. This was the Future Large Unmanned Space Vehicle (FLUSV) project. FLUSV was also cancelled.
Finally in 2115 the idea of an unmanned space combat was revivied with the Lavender project. This has been delayed a number of times but NS finally feels the technology is mature enough. An order has been placed for the first Lavender which will be part of the next Ship Building Plan. Although a fleet of Lavenders is planned it is likely there will be a gap before any further ships are ordered to allow for feedback on the design.
23.1.20
NS to support local patrols with Remote Support Tender
As the new local patrol fleet grows NS is now addressing the issue of supporting small patrol craft often in the backest of the UNP's backwaters. The UNP Space Patrol used to maintain dozens of small maintenance and refuelling ports but many of these are unsuitable for the larger ships like the Protector NS is replacing the Space Patrol fleet with, also these ports are often becoming life expired and uneconomic.
Instead NS has begun development of the Remote Support Tender. This will be a mobile support base for local patrol assets. It will consist of a ship that is a mixture of oiler, repair and maintenance base and ship resupply. It is thought NS will use the Friendship platform again for the RST (NS now own the design in any case). The ship has been allocated the class number Type 165, work on the first ship could begin this year.
Instead NS has begun development of the Remote Support Tender. This will be a mobile support base for local patrol assets. It will consist of a ship that is a mixture of oiler, repair and maintenance base and ship resupply. It is thought NS will use the Friendship platform again for the RST (NS now own the design in any case). The ship has been allocated the class number Type 165, work on the first ship could begin this year.
22.1.20
20.1.20
NS to double size of Rapid Reaction Force
The Rapid Reaction Force is the elite component of the NS fleet. Attached to the Proxima Division of the NS fleet the RRF is ready to respond to any threat or call for action within hours. One of the three ships in the RRF (which is usually two Type 35s and a Solaris 37C) is on thirty minute readiness to depart port.
The head of the Space Fleet General Akbar (who was the RRF Commander previously) has announced a second RRF will be created later this year and allocated to the NS Northern Division. RRF2 will also comprise three cruisers and be on high readiness. RRF2 will probably be located at Remedia Prime.
The original RRF will be renamed RRF1 and transferred to the NS Southern Division at Liberation. Akbar said that the two RRFs would be able to reach any part of UNP space quickly thanks to worm drive.
The head of the Space Fleet General Akbar (who was the RRF Commander previously) has announced a second RRF will be created later this year and allocated to the NS Northern Division. RRF2 will also comprise three cruisers and be on high readiness. RRF2 will probably be located at Remedia Prime.
The original RRF will be renamed RRF1 and transferred to the NS Southern Division at Liberation. Akbar said that the two RRFs would be able to reach any part of UNP space quickly thanks to worm drive.
19.1.20
Windscorpion wants big shake up to exercise schedule
Although the 2120 exercise schedule has begun President Windscorpion has announced big changes he wants to how NS practice for warfare and operations. The "big 4" exercises like Atomic Fist will be kept but the other eight smaller exercises will be scrapped and replaced by two or three flexible exercises with little notice given to NS as to when they are going to run.
Windy wants NS to be more alert and ready to respond to events. The dates and requirements of the flexible exercises will not be known to anyone except Windy and VP (Ops) Torus. They could even be scheduled at the same time as one of the big 4 exercises.
"Exercises should be pushing NS and it's soldiers, the whole point is to practice for extremes." Windy said after the NS Politburo meeting where he announced his plans. He was asked what would happen if people messed up and made mistakes, "Thats good." he replied, "If procedures, equipment or training is insufficient then it is best we find out in an exercise rather than when we are in an actual war.
Some details of the new exercise schedule are still being worked out so next month's Agile Response 2120 will probably still go ahead as expected.
Windy wants NS to be more alert and ready to respond to events. The dates and requirements of the flexible exercises will not be known to anyone except Windy and VP (Ops) Torus. They could even be scheduled at the same time as one of the big 4 exercises.
"Exercises should be pushing NS and it's soldiers, the whole point is to practice for extremes." Windy said after the NS Politburo meeting where he announced his plans. He was asked what would happen if people messed up and made mistakes, "Thats good." he replied, "If procedures, equipment or training is insufficient then it is best we find out in an exercise rather than when we are in an actual war.
Some details of the new exercise schedule are still being worked out so next month's Agile Response 2120 will probably still go ahead as expected.
18.1.20
NS working on ground attack R-Cannon
NS has announced it is soon to begin trials of a new kind of weapon which will be aimed at ground attack though also will have a use in space combat. The weapon is the R-Cannon, it uses advanced electromagnetic propulsion techniques to fire inert warheads at distant objects. A warhead can be launched with enough energy to travel at Mach 10. Fired from orbit the warheads would hit a ground target with devastating energy and accuracy. A warhead could cause nuclear weapon range devastation but highly localised and without residual radiation.
A key advantage of the R-Cannon, Dr Forbidden said at a presentation, was the low cost of warhead. The rounds are simple steel, a fraction of the cost of existing missiles. A Warrior 16A bomber is to be fitted with an R-Cannon for a series of trials this Spring.
A key advantage of the R-Cannon, Dr Forbidden said at a presentation, was the low cost of warhead. The rounds are simple steel, a fraction of the cost of existing missiles. A Warrior 16A bomber is to be fitted with an R-Cannon for a series of trials this Spring.
17.1.20
Operation Dawn Rising 2120
At a meeting of the NS Politburo last week it was decided to maintain the exercise schedule for 2120. January's exercise is thus again Dawn Rising which includes training in special forces and strategic reconnaissance. The exercise will take place in the Rim Worlds and will involve NS ships trying to find a Space Prowler unit posing as "enemy agents" before directing in other Space Prowlers to try and capture them.
The ships involved will be:
36-101 Mulberry (flag)
35-202 Illustrious
51-106 Crossbow
161-103 Inscriber
81-104 Fleming
73-105 Argus
The ships involved will be:
36-101 Mulberry (flag)
35-202 Illustrious
51-106 Crossbow
161-103 Inscriber
81-104 Fleming
73-105 Argus
15.1.20
9.1.20
DSA now fully operational, improved scanner on the way
NSIS Chief Kalifei has announced that the new DNA Scanning Agency (DSA) is now fully operational with regular scans of all NS officers and random scans of lower ranks taking place daily. DSA scans the DNA of NS personnel looking for the tell-tale signs of cloning technology which leaves a trace due to accelerated growth.
An improved DNA scanner is currently under development which can perform the test more quickly. It is understood DSA is working with the Dino SS (who are also carrying out a scanning programme) on the scanning technology.
The head of NS Research Dr Forbidden was asked about the DNA traces at a media briefing. He said that a clone which was allowed to grow at a natural rate would not have the traces and thus would be undetectable. However there was little cause for alarm. "It would take remarkable foresight to create a clone of a baby knowing that they would grow up to become an important NS officer in 30 to 40 years time!"
Dr Forbidden said he did not think Mutre Bee's scientists would be able to remove the DNA traces and thus counter the scans. "We can guess they are working on improving their technology but there will always be a trace. They may try and mask it but we will also be able to improve our scans."
An improved DNA scanner is currently under development which can perform the test more quickly. It is understood DSA is working with the Dino SS (who are also carrying out a scanning programme) on the scanning technology.
The head of NS Research Dr Forbidden was asked about the DNA traces at a media briefing. He said that a clone which was allowed to grow at a natural rate would not have the traces and thus would be undetectable. However there was little cause for alarm. "It would take remarkable foresight to create a clone of a baby knowing that they would grow up to become an important NS officer in 30 to 40 years time!"
Dr Forbidden said he did not think Mutre Bee's scientists would be able to remove the DNA traces and thus counter the scans. "We can guess they are working on improving their technology but there will always be a trace. They may try and mask it but we will also be able to improve our scans."
Fleet News (09/01/20)
As the shipyards resume work after the Christmas break the latest ship to enter service is the Protector 57A 57-113 Pepper.
A Mulberry 36A has been added to the current ship building plan.
A Mulberry 36A has been added to the current ship building plan.
8.1.20
Bolitic Confederacy settles down as third rate power
A UNP/NS report into the Bolitic Confederacy has concluded that the Saurian power is slowly losing it's military potential amid endemic financial and demographic pressures. The self-styled "Lords of War" seem to be settling down into a new era as a third rate power.
The report cites the ABBO-Bolitic War as being the main cause for the Bolitic's decline with the huge losses incurred though the rot had been set in in the decades beforehand. "The Bolitic are running out of warriors. The caste who has led them for centuries has become dangerously thinned out." The Bolitic population has also fallen as death rates have surpassed the typically slow Saurian birthrate (a problem the Dinos also suffer from though not to the same degree). Many Bolitic sold their services to the Utrek in their catastrophic war against the Mantae, many did not return home.
The famous lead in military technology has also been lost. Budgetary pressures and the deaths of prominent scientists have stemmed the flow of new weapons from Bolitic labs. Ship production is also at a virtual standstill. The Bolitic simply can't afford it.
In previous decades this would have put the Emperor in peril, however Emperor Melson is more secure than any Bolitic leader has been for centuries. Simply because there is no longer any realistic challenger and a cultural change appears to be slowly spreading across the Bolitic. "The Bolitic seem to be losing the will for conquest, for war, for glory. After many centuries it may be they have finally been broken."
The report cites the ABBO-Bolitic War as being the main cause for the Bolitic's decline with the huge losses incurred though the rot had been set in in the decades beforehand. "The Bolitic are running out of warriors. The caste who has led them for centuries has become dangerously thinned out." The Bolitic population has also fallen as death rates have surpassed the typically slow Saurian birthrate (a problem the Dinos also suffer from though not to the same degree). Many Bolitic sold their services to the Utrek in their catastrophic war against the Mantae, many did not return home.
The famous lead in military technology has also been lost. Budgetary pressures and the deaths of prominent scientists have stemmed the flow of new weapons from Bolitic labs. Ship production is also at a virtual standstill. The Bolitic simply can't afford it.
In previous decades this would have put the Emperor in peril, however Emperor Melson is more secure than any Bolitic leader has been for centuries. Simply because there is no longer any realistic challenger and a cultural change appears to be slowly spreading across the Bolitic. "The Bolitic seem to be losing the will for conquest, for war, for glory. After many centuries it may be they have finally been broken."
5.1.20
NS confirm Mutre Bee behind loss of SS Paris
After initially calling it an accident New Sparta has now confirmed the loss of the Pentekonter 44M SS Paris was due to a Mutre Bee agent. The head of NSIS Kalifei said that there was now evidence that a Mutre Bee agent had infiltrated the ship and probably caused the detonation of a TPM which Paris was carrying. As the ship was travelling at maximum speed in hyperspace and under massive stress the explosion was sufficient to weaken the superstructure enough to cause a total implosion.
Kalifei said the new DNA tests by the DNA Scanning Agency could have prevented the loss but the DSA is still rolling out, indeed Paris had only received it's DSA officer the day before the explosion. Kalifei said she was confident new DSA was becoming fully operational the Mutre Bee clone threat would be greatly reduced.
Kalifei said the new DNA tests by the DNA Scanning Agency could have prevented the loss but the DSA is still rolling out, indeed Paris had only received it's DSA officer the day before the explosion. Kalifei said she was confident new DSA was becoming fully operational the Mutre Bee clone threat would be greatly reduced.
4.1.20
Pentekonter lost in apparent accident
NS are reporting the Pentekonter 44-113 Paris, one of the reserve minesweepers, has been destroyed in what is thought to have been an accident. The ship was undergoing a shakedown test following an engine change when an explosion occurred whilst travelling in hyperspace at maximum speed. It is thought the explosion weakened the ship's structure causing it to be torn apart. The ship was completely destroyed with no survivors.
NS say telemetry indicates the cause was a weapons malfunction not the new engine though have instructed all Pentekonters to avoid going above 300c for the time being. Enemy action has not been fully ruled out, as a precaution the NS alert status has been raised by Windscorpion to AMBER.
NS say telemetry indicates the cause was a weapons malfunction not the new engine though have instructed all Pentekonters to avoid going above 300c for the time being. Enemy action has not been fully ruled out, as a precaution the NS alert status has been raised by Windscorpion to AMBER.
3.1.20
2.1.20
Clones commit to third generation K45
The K45C is the best air fighter in the known galaxy but that isn't stopping the Clones beginning the development of an even better third generation. The as yet unnamed variant is planned to enter production in 2130, the main issue being whether the required engine technology can be developed in time.
Centrepiece of the new variant will be a hybrid engine similar to that used in the K58 COIN aircraft, this combined a turbofan and an electric ducted fan for acoustic and infrared stealth. However the K58 can only fly at low speed for a limited time in electric mode. The hybrid engines in the K45 will need to provide enough power for "high subsonic" speeds for at least half an hour. The Clone state aircraft manufacturer CAC has admitted this will be a tough ask but work has now begun.
The third generation K45 is also expected to be optionally manned and have a number of other sensor and system updates.
Centrepiece of the new variant will be a hybrid engine similar to that used in the K58 COIN aircraft, this combined a turbofan and an electric ducted fan for acoustic and infrared stealth. However the K58 can only fly at low speed for a limited time in electric mode. The hybrid engines in the K45 will need to provide enough power for "high subsonic" speeds for at least half an hour. The Clone state aircraft manufacturer CAC has admitted this will be a tough ask but work has now begun.
The third generation K45 is also expected to be optionally manned and have a number of other sensor and system updates.
1.1.20
Windscorpion greets the new decade
President Windscorpion has addressed New Sparta in a New Year message. He heralded the arrival of the 2120s and promised it would be a new golden age. "NS was stronger than ever but we are still building, increasing our full spectrum capabilities." he said. Windscorpion said more ships would be built and there would be a new focus on special forces and rapid reaction.
For the first time NS has publicly acknowledged the Mutre Bee threat. "The Bee is unlike any enemy we have faced before but we are already putting measures into place to nullify his threat. We know that he can evolve his attack vectors but we can evolve our defences too! The Mutre Bee will join a long list of our enemies who have threatened to destroy us but will fail!"
For the first time NS has publicly acknowledged the Mutre Bee threat. "The Bee is unlike any enemy we have faced before but we are already putting measures into place to nullify his threat. We know that he can evolve his attack vectors but we can evolve our defences too! The Mutre Bee will join a long list of our enemies who have threatened to destroy us but will fail!"
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