Extreme celebrities (3055)

An NS arms smuggling ship is captured by the Clones.

High quality mug (3054)

Ronald takes charge.

New Olympus Balista enters service

After a break of several years while the Friendship production line was busy with other derived ship types, NS has entered into service a new Olympus Balista 23M missile carrier. 23-211 Horus joins the ten ships already in service.

However, NS has cancelled most of the outstanding ships on order. Originally NS wanted a fleet of twenty of the ships but now will only build one more (leaving a fleet of twelve), which was under construction already.

Dinos in talks over Pentekonter-MD order

The Dinos are in talks with MBO-New Sparta over their order for Pentekonter-MD minesweepers (to be known as the Dinomark KX in Dino service). With relations between MBO-New Sparta and the Dino Empire currently strained the status of the order is in question, the first ships are said to be already under early construction.

It is likely the order will go ahead, the minesweeper order is for a number of DTA members and is very lucrative for NS. 

Marconi fleet to be refitted to also carry cargo

The Marconi 81A EW / special forces support ships are important though use very little of the SUP vast bulk available. Even fully loaded with NS Marines and support systems (and the usual EW/Elint modules) a Marconi will only be using about twenty percent of it's internal space!

The three ships in service will receive an upgrade over the next few months called Marconi Capability Upgrade 2123A. The Marconis will be fitted with cargo handling equipment and fitted out holds enabling them to be used to carry transport as an auxiliary role. They will also receive a tactical upgrade, giving them TPM-3 support and communication updates.

Black Triangle said to be under construction

The next generation NS warship, the secretive Black Triangle 126A, is said to be under construction at an MBO yard. The prototype Black Triangle could begin flight tests before the end of the year. It is not known if the ship will be transferred to NS space for testing or remain in MBO space away from prying eyes.

Two Alpha 121A Nano Fighting Ships have been fitted with new control and tactical equipment, said to be what will be used by Black Triangle. An Olympus Mons 23A support carrier will be modified to help test the Black Triangle, a new build support carrier (though also based on the Friendship platform) will be built alongside the new warship.

Caratore orders more LRM to target Cloneworld

Viceroy Caratore has ordered a second LRM-20 battery to be targeted at Cloneworld. Usually the targeting of NS strategic weapons is a closely guarded secret but after the Clones offered safe harbour to the so-called Real DDS, Viceroy Caratore has promised a response.

This is a symbolic threat however as the number of CSM targeting Proxima 7 is likely to dwarf NS' LRMs. Caretore has ordered NS to speed up development of LRM-X, which will have a longer range, so Dino-Land - which is just out of range of LRM-20 - can also be targeted.

Real DDS attack on Liberation

The so-called Real DDS has launched an attack on the NS HQ on Liberation, an attempt to assassinate Admiral Gomber who was visiting NS on the planet. Gomber is reported to have repelled the attack and is unharmed.

Gomber led the MBO-New Sparta response to the Real DDS criminal attack, forcing the rebels to flee. MBO-New Sparta has begun a review of senior staff security.

Clones offer safe haven to Real DDS, Caratore enraged

The Clone Star Empire will be a safe haven to Windscorpion's rebel faction the so-called Real DDS, a spokesclone has announced. The Real DDS will be allowed free passage in CSE territory and can use civilian port facilities. They will not be allowed to use military facilities, plus if the Real DDS cause any trouble then the situation will be reviewed.

However, this has enraged Viceroy Caratore who said the Clones were making a deadly mistake. 

Final Provider joins NS fleet

The last Provider 71A transport to be built for the New Sparta Space Fleet, 71-131 The Needs of New Sparta. The ship is the thirty eighth built for NS, though not all are in service due to war losses. Some Providers will continue to be built for export.

With the oldest ships now nearly twenty years old, NS has begun the development of a replacement which could enter service in the 2130s. NS are thought to be looking at modular designs for the next generation heavy transport.

Putri 500 orders Clone weapons

Although Putri 500 has spent big on NS built space ships, it has gone for the Clones for the rebuilding of it's land forces. In a massive multi-billion zark deal Putri 500 has ordered 3,000 T-55ZDM3 tanks, 6,000 Tapirs and 300 ATC-107G artillery pieces. Putri is also buying thousands of rounds of ammunition and spare parts.

A second part of the purchase which includes small arms, logistics and rocket artillery is still under discussion though is also expected to be finalised soon.

Two more Nectars join fleet

Two more Nectar 52A destroyers have joined the fleet, they are the first to the improved Nectar E standard with greatly upgraded armament including two Zip cannons. The ships have been called 52-112 Nifty and 52-113 Nuclear. 

Two more Deterrence 53A light patrol ships 53-113 Moreton and 53-121 James Street have been withdrawn.

K47 receives update

The K47 Freedom is a cheap light fighter being build by the Clone Air Force for secondary roles including Territorial Air Forces across the Clone Star Empire. The K47 is subsonic and only has basic capabilities but for the kind of air policing it performs it is perfectly adequate. The K47 costs just a third of a K45C Falcon!

The K47 has received an upgrade package after eleven years of service and production. The K47B has a modernised cockpit and a new ECM suite. The K47B is also now compatible with the very latest CAF air to air missiles. 

Suspected NS agents "rescued" by apparent raid by Lornaca Fighters

Two suspected NS agents held by the Religious Police on Lornaca Melnig have been rescued by a raid by armed men. There is confusion about who the rescuers were, the official Lornaca Fighters separatist movement is claiming they did it though some Clone sources think the men were NS. No Clones were reported killed due to the use of stun weapons though some were injured.

Viceroy Caratore is said to have spoken to Emperor Oojok and assured him the "agents" were not NS. He is said to have explained that the NS id found on the gun running ship was fake. Tensions between NS and the Clone Star Empire remain high.

Three o'clock (3053)

Windy goads Caratore.

Clones capture gun running ship piloted by NS operative

The Clones have accused MBO-New Sparta of supplying rebels on Lornaca Melnig and say they have proof! A commercial freighter was intercepted approaching the Lornaca system by a Clone warship and found to be carrying small arms and explosives. The real sensation came however when a NS identification card was found in the crew quarters. At a media briefing the Clones showed this card which shows that the pilot of the freighter was Lieutenant Weising of MBO-New Sparta!

Viceroy Caratore has refused to comment on this, Comms chief Hibiscus is understood to have instructed all NS media personnel to not answer any questions on it.

Hello legends (3052)

MBO-New Sparta destroy a Dino base.