The Clones have announced their second-generation Clone Space Missile (CSM). The much improved weapon is thought to be much needed after New Sparta have closed the gap with their LRM-20. CSM Mark 2, or CSM2, is said to have a range of twenty light years - double that of CSM1 (though the same as LRM-20).
CSM2's space stage is said to be faster and has improved stealth and electronic countermeasures. It is also able to accept mid-course corrections via a new system of covert communications (which the Clones are not saying any more about).
CSM2 will be fielded in the ring of silos on Cloneworld first, possibly before the end of the year. CSM2 will be rolled out to mobile and submarine launchers in subsequent years.
25.8.20
Dinos developing neural link for ship control
The Dinos are experimenting with a neural link for ship control using an implant. The implant is said to allow direct control of a Dinomark using thought. A Dino Army trial has been run where a Dinomark was operated by a single Dino using the neural link, it is said the Dino felt like the Dinomark was an extension of his own body.
It is thought the neural link would only be used in low-risk and routine operations. In a combat simulation it was found the sheer amount of sensory data was overwhelming to the implanted Dino. In future advanced filtering and multiple implanted Dinos may allow for neural control during combat operations.
It is thought the neural link would only be used in low-risk and routine operations. In a combat simulation it was found the sheer amount of sensory data was overwhelming to the implanted Dino. In future advanced filtering and multiple implanted Dinos may allow for neural control during combat operations.
24.8.20
Molab requests LRM
Molab has requested the NS Long Range Missile. NS's interstellar missile is not part of the NS export portfolio but Molab has said they should be allowed to buy the system as they are Tier 1 allies. Molab would like thirty mobile launchers and eighty missiles.
Molab said they would opt for conventional warheads for their LRMs, though Molab have the capability to build their own nuclear warheads. NS have turned down Molab's request.
Molab said they would opt for conventional warheads for their LRMs, though Molab have the capability to build their own nuclear warheads. NS have turned down Molab's request.
22.8.20
NS hold first large ground forces exercise
The NS Terrestrial Forces Land Corps has held it's first large scale exercise, Operation Green Shoots, on Proxima 7. The entire X01 Combat Brigade was engaged in a number of set-pieces including tank operations across the Gereiter Plain. Mock combat against Prowler special forces and L05 Infantry Regiment (X02 Combat Brigade) was also held.
The head of NS Armed Forces Zeppelin said he was pleased with the progress the Land Corps has made in operational flexibility. Further exercises will be held this week with aircraft from the Air Corps operating in close support. Zeppelin said that there will be a yearly large scale exercise from now on though did not give any more details.
The head of NS Armed Forces Zeppelin said he was pleased with the progress the Land Corps has made in operational flexibility. Further exercises will be held this week with aircraft from the Air Corps operating in close support. Zeppelin said that there will be a yearly large scale exercise from now on though did not give any more details.
21.8.20
NS announce fractal based communication system
In what is said to be the biggest technological advance and change since worm drive, today President Windscorpion announced Fractal Encrypted Communications or FEC. Windy said that FEC would underpin all NS communications and operations within 5 years and would be impossible to break or hack (although in a more detailed briefing Dr Forbidden said virtually impossible).
FEC will use fractal algorithms to encrypt data using chaos theory. Rolling out FEC will take a number of years (and is expected to cost at least 15 billion zarks). Windy said FEC would be rolled out in a number of phases, work on phase 1 would begin before the end of the year.
Phase 1 : data / comms links between all NS bases, space ports and front line warships. This is expected to take about a year.
Phase 2 : all other NS communication nodes (down to field radios) will have adaptors fitted so they can use FEC without other modification or replacement. The interface between the adaptor and the rest of the system will be a weak point but this will be a necessary stop-gap. This is expected to take about 2 years.
Phase 3 : all NS communications to be fully FEC. In most cases this will require new equipment and will be rolled out during normal upgrade cycles were possible. This will take around 5 years at least.
Phase 4 : UNP communications will also be migrated to FEC, a longer term project not part of the current plan. UNP/NS military data is covered in Phase 2.
Windy said that once NS has completed rolling out FEC then the days of info-attacks and hacking will be over giving NS a big advantage over it's rivals.
FEC will use fractal algorithms to encrypt data using chaos theory. Rolling out FEC will take a number of years (and is expected to cost at least 15 billion zarks). Windy said FEC would be rolled out in a number of phases, work on phase 1 would begin before the end of the year.
Phase 1 : data / comms links between all NS bases, space ports and front line warships. This is expected to take about a year.
Phase 2 : all other NS communication nodes (down to field radios) will have adaptors fitted so they can use FEC without other modification or replacement. The interface between the adaptor and the rest of the system will be a weak point but this will be a necessary stop-gap. This is expected to take about 2 years.
Phase 3 : all NS communications to be fully FEC. In most cases this will require new equipment and will be rolled out during normal upgrade cycles were possible. This will take around 5 years at least.
Phase 4 : UNP communications will also be migrated to FEC, a longer term project not part of the current plan. UNP/NS military data is covered in Phase 2.
Windy said that once NS has completed rolling out FEC then the days of info-attacks and hacking will be over giving NS a big advantage over it's rivals.
19.8.20
Talks to form denuclearised zone fail
Talks between New Sparta and the Clone Star Empire to form a ten light year denuclearised zone either side of the borders between the UNP and CSE have broken up with no agreement. The zone would have meant no nuclear warheads including nuclear tipped CSM/LRM would be allowed, as well as space ship based nuclear weapons.
However it is thought the Clones, have initially been warm to the idea have cooled their interest once they realised the strategic advantage they would lose to NS. Dialogue will continue though it is not thought it will go anywhere.
However it is thought the Clones, have initially been warm to the idea have cooled their interest once they realised the strategic advantage they would lose to NS. Dialogue will continue though it is not thought it will go anywhere.
17.8.20
Clone Army disbands the legions
Since the earliest days of the Clone Army (the HCS) it has been organised by the legion. Today Admiral Anderson announced that the much smaller Clone Army, since the creation of National Territorial Armies, meant that the legion was no longer needed and would be disbanded.
The division would be the largest organisational unit of the Clone Army from now on. Armed forces on each planet would be under the overall control of a Planetary Coordinator. The disbanding of the legions will save over four hundred million zarks a year.
The division would be the largest organisational unit of the Clone Army from now on. Armed forces on each planet would be under the overall control of a Planetary Coordinator. The disbanding of the legions will save over four hundred million zarks a year.
15.8.20
NS revamp space ship command training programme
NS has rolled out an improved training programme for budding ship commanders. Candidates for ship command will have to perform an assessed mission aboard an NS ship which they will be given temporary command of. They will be mentored by a senior NS ship captain or experienced senior officer. Before the candidate begins this final test they will have to perform a series of exercises and simulations.
These changes have been made after deep analysis of NS ship captain performance over the last five years. It is hoped these changes will better prepare new captains for their new demanding roles.
These changes have been made after deep analysis of NS ship captain performance over the last five years. It is hoped these changes will better prepare new captains for their new demanding roles.
13.8.20
Clones begin field testing of next Tapir version
The armoured personnel carrier of the Clone Army, the Tapir, is one of the iconic weapons of the Clone Star Empire which by law has to remain in production indefinitely. The Clones have begun field testing of the next major version the J5L.
The J5L has a new hybrid engine, offering over 20% more power for similar fuel consumption. The armour is made from a new set of alloys which offers greater protection (as is claimed anyway). The ECM system has also been redesigned.
The Clone Army plan to start fielding production J5Ls in 2123. Until then around 60 pre-production J5Ls will be fielded across the empire in a number of environments.
The J5L has a new hybrid engine, offering over 20% more power for similar fuel consumption. The armour is made from a new set of alloys which offers greater protection (as is claimed anyway). The ECM system has also been redesigned.
The Clone Army plan to start fielding production J5Ls in 2123. Until then around 60 pre-production J5Ls will be fielded across the empire in a number of environments.
11.8.20
NS move forward with MMCS
The Multi-Mode Combat Ship (MMCS) project has moved to stage 2 following preliminary and feasibility studies. The MMCS will be a modified version of the Type 35 cruiser able to operate in atmospheres like the Dinomark AM (which is said to have inspired NS).
NS has assigned the code Type 35Z to the project. NS is working on a modified version of the Gluon engine which powers the Type 35 family which will have an atmospheric mode as well as auxiliary turbines. NS will work on a full specification this year ahead of an expected order and construction of the prototype next year.
NS has assigned the code Type 35Z to the project. NS is working on a modified version of the Gluon engine which powers the Type 35 family which will have an atmospheric mode as well as auxiliary turbines. NS will work on a full specification this year ahead of an expected order and construction of the prototype next year.
7.8.20
Clones invest billion zarks in new missiles
One area of the Clone Defence Forces which has not seen much investment of late is the development of missile systems other than the Gale ICBM and CSM. Today Admiral Anderson announced a one billion zarks fund for the development of several missile systems for the air force and navy.
The systems to benefit include the main air defence missile of the Clone Navy, the SA-N-6B will have a modernised seeker and an improved motor. The Navy will also receive a new anti-shipping missile. The AS-22 had been already under development though this had been stalled due to budgetary pressures. The AS-22 will now be completed and be ready for the new generation of K19 Borehole attack aircraft due in a couple of years.
The Clone Air Force are to receive an upgraded version of it's medium range missile the AA-16 with a new motor and improved data link. There will also be funds to restart production of the AT-7 anti-tank missile plus new stocks of TAA-3 training missiles. The new future AAM for the third generation K45, the XAA-25 will also receive initial development funding.
The systems to benefit include the main air defence missile of the Clone Navy, the SA-N-6B will have a modernised seeker and an improved motor. The Navy will also receive a new anti-shipping missile. The AS-22 had been already under development though this had been stalled due to budgetary pressures. The AS-22 will now be completed and be ready for the new generation of K19 Borehole attack aircraft due in a couple of years.
The Clone Air Force are to receive an upgraded version of it's medium range missile the AA-16 with a new motor and improved data link. There will also be funds to restart production of the AT-7 anti-tank missile plus new stocks of TAA-3 training missiles. The new future AAM for the third generation K45, the XAA-25 will also receive initial development funding.
6.8.20
4.8.20
NS score three export successes
NS have announced a sale for four more Pentekonters to Vontapi. They will join the six already in service. The new ships will have e-Core engines and some tactical updates and will be known as the 216-V2. The six earlier ships will also be upgraded.
Helinox have ordered a third Provider 115H transport. The Solar Empire have ordered a sixth Depender 751SE.
These export successes, the first for some time, will bring cheer to NS. The total value of the orders is 1.9 billion zarks.
Helinox have ordered a third Provider 115H transport. The Solar Empire have ordered a sixth Depender 751SE.
These export successes, the first for some time, will bring cheer to NS. The total value of the orders is 1.9 billion zarks.
2.8.20
Fleet News (02/08/20)
44-124 Adonis is the latest Pentekonter 44T training ship to join the fleet. The Pentekonters have also begun their 2120 upgrade which includes re-engining with an RM-01 e-Core engine and TPM-VLS. The upgrade is expected to last 18 months. Adonis has been built as new with this upgraded specification.
The first Lavender 105A 105-001 Lavender has entered trials. This is an optionally manned combat ship, heavily armed and with worm drive. New type trials and development is expected to last over a year so the other four ships have not been confirmed for now. NS hope the Lavender will become a very important type.
The first Lavender 105A 105-001 Lavender has entered trials. This is an optionally manned combat ship, heavily armed and with worm drive. New type trials and development is expected to last over a year so the other four ships have not been confirmed for now. NS hope the Lavender will become a very important type.
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