Clones may re-open Halogen production line for Navy

Production of the Z26 Halogen, an icon of the Clone Wars, ended a couple of years ago. The replacement, the Future Universal Helicopter (FUHX), is under development though has been delayed due to various problems. The first helicopters are not expected to enter service until the late 2130s, though as the Clone Air Force has over 8,000 Halogens in service, it is not expected to be a problem as they can rotate operational stock and have a large pool of spares.

However, the Clone Naval Air Service does have a problem. They have a much smaller fleet of navalised Halogens, many of which are old. With new carriers and other warships planned they need more helicopters and cannot wait over ten years for FUHX to deliver.

Clone Aircraft Corporation has been asked to look into the feasibility of restarting the Halogen production line ready for an order of 75-100 Halogen Z26ZNX, these will have some avionic improvements over the WNS already in service. CAC did look into the possibility of modifying surplus CAF Halogens but the work involved, including different avionics, engines, corrosion resistance covering and other changes would mean a virtual rebuild and not be much cheaper than building new from scratch. Any new Halogens could be completed by sometime next year if the order is finalised.

Rainbow to be converted into Sparkle

The singleton Rainbow 166A tender ship for the Black Triangle 126A fleet will be converted into a Sparkle 162A elint ship, DF have said. Both classes of ship are based on the Friendship platform, DF say that adding the required equipment and retaining the ability to support Black Triangle is possible, though some degree of modularisation will be required.

The first Sparkle is due to enter service next year, they will replace the Marconi EW fleet. 166-001 Rainbow is to trial some of the equipment intended for Sparkle later this year.

Quasar fleet to be withdrawn by 2130

UNDF have said the Quasar 15A bomber fleet will begin withdrawals in 2128 with the aim of the whole fleet being withdrawn by 2130. The ships, the first "generation 3" ships DDS built are due to reach the end of their fatigue lives by the early 2130s. It had been considered to rebuild them to help them reach the end of the next decade but DF has changed it's plans. DF bought back three ex-Raegris Quasars which only entered service last year! DF say these ships will be the last to be withdrawn.

The Warrior 16A bomber fleet and LRMs will perform the strategic attack role with back-up by ships like the Type 35 which can carry MRMs. DF did consider building some extra Warriors but have also changed their plans here too. The existing fleet is considered adequate.

Although capable ships, the Quasars are more expensive to run than more modern ships, plus their age had seen their availability drop.

DF begin work on Solaris replacement

UNDF has begun design studies on a replacement for the Solaris 37C cruiser which could enter service in the late 2130s. Although construction of the type only ended in 2117, the oldest ships (then known as the Velocity) were built in the early 2100s and will be reaching the end of their fatigue life by 2140.

DF are expected to look into a flexible design which can also be used to replace the Type 35 family which will also begin withdrawals in the 2140s.

Operation Atomic Fist 2126

For the first time in three years, the DF strategic attack exercise Operation Atomic Fist will be held over the next couple of weeks. The exercise will involve a number of mock attacks on targets built on asteroids in the Terran system. The final exercise will involve a live nuclear strike on a moon of Uranus. 

The ships involved will be:

36-105 Minotaur (flag)

16-101 Warrior

16-106 Wolf

16-115 Warp

35-306 Killer

51-201 Repulse

52-102 Nautilus

52-107 Night

71-121 Supplier

73-103 Zenith

Clones developing longer range CSM

The Clones are working on a new version of the Clone Space Missile which could enter service in the next decade. CSM-NG as it is currently known will have many improvements including enhanced stealth and guidance capabilities. It will also have a longer range.

CSM can currently reach most parts of the UNP though other powers such as the Dino Empire are out of reach. CSM-NG could reach Dino-Land and Castarian which could raise political tensions between the Clone Star Empire and the Saurian Alliance.

Further Terrestrial Force cuts announced

UNDF Terrestrial Force Land Divison is to be further cut, saving millions of zarks which can be used elsewhere. X04 Combat Brigade East (Reserve) is to be disbanded within the next few months. Most of the regiments are to be disbanded as well, a couple will be transferred X02 Combat Brigade West (Reserve) which will become the only reserve brigade (and will lose the West part of it's name).

Zeppelin said that there will likely be no further reductions in the size of Terrestrial Force. DF was now looking into improving it's artillery equipment.

Two new patrol ships join the fleet

Two new patrol ships have joined the UNDF fleet. 57-220 Veltheimia is the latest Violet 57B. It has been joined by 56-109 Midge, the latest Mariner 56A. Both are expected to perform their first patrol duties over the next few weeks.

DF have said they will reduce the Okra 86L fleet to just five ships as more capable patrol assets become available. The other five ships will be placed in storage, it is thought they may be converted back into shuttles.

Advanced Rome to be Type 216A

DF has decided that the Advanced Rome is going to be sufficiently different to the Rome 46A to warrant a new type designation. The Advanced Rome will be the first destroyer in the new extended number allocation sequence for the type and be the Type 216. It is thought DF will keep the Advanced Rome name, the ships will be named after cities of the Roman Empire.

Production of the first ship, the prototype, is soon to begin. It is expected that the ship will be completed before the end of the year. It may enter service by the end of 2127 or early 2128. DF have announced that at least twenty will be built.

Black Triangle has first deployment

The four Black Triangle 126A ships and their Rainbow 166A support tender has joined a DF fleet deployment near Saeou. The Black Triangle ships will be used for mock combat training and also for further evaluation of ships of this type. Although DF does not plan to build any more Black Triangle, they are interested in the concept and may revisit it in future.

The deployment is the first to be commanded by the alternate Windscorpion who has taken the position of UNDF Protector.

UNDF Commander Torus said that DF aims to get it's exercise schedule back on track, something else which was lost during the MBO years.

Wizard World turns down chance to join with other ex-CSE-E planets

Wizard World will not join with the other CSE-E planets like Miliaris in forming a loose alliance after they gain independence from the Clone Star Empire. The planet has always been an oddity in the empire, the population is very mixed with nearly 30% being human (slightly more than Eritrans). The planet has also not seen trouble, with hardly any Clone Defence Force assets on the planet. Wizard World is generally known as being a "hippy" planet.

Politicians on Wizard World say they will go their own path and aim to continue to build on the planet's reputation as a safe and friendly destination.

DF introduces TPM-4

UNDF have begun limited use of the next generation attack missile, the TPM-4. This missile is 20% smaller than the TPM-3 though has slightly longer range and similar performance due to a new and highly optimised engine architecture. The smaller size will mean that ships with dedicated TPM-4 launchers will be able to carry larger loads. The TPM-4 can also be used with TPM-3 launchers.

The engine of TPM-4 is also said to have a 270 degree vector thrust for enhanced agility though this may be disabled in initial production rounds due to problems with the vector control system. The guidance package has also been enhanced with improved penetration aids.

DF will use the TPM-4 on a limited basis this year with the aim of entering full production and beginning the phase out of TPM-3 next year. The TPM-4 was initially planned to enter service in 2124 but was delayed due to the chaos of the MBO era.

Final Dinomark XT built (maybe)

The final Dinomark XT has been completed, bringing to an end decades of production with over a thousand of the iconic Dino ship built. However, production has ceased twice before though was restarted due to issues with the "replacement" (the Dinomarks NG and LM).

This time the Dinos think the XT has truly come to the end of the line. It is thought that the final Mark 126 is as far as the XT platform can be pushed. Production of the Dinomark LM/2 is ramping up and it will gradually replace the XT as the standard Dino second-line ship.

Hundreds of XTs will remain in service with the Dinos, CIN allies and civilian reserve for the foreseeable future.

Clones to develop new generation of nuclear weapons

Admiral Anderson has ordered the development of a new generation of nuclear warheads for use on CSM, Gale ICBMs and cruise missiles operated by the Clone Defence Forces. It is thought the Clones are fielding at least 5,000 warheads across all arms of the CDF. Anderson also wants the number increased to 8,000.

Anderson said this would be part of the renewal of the Clone Defence Forces, he also hinted that funding would also be provided for upgraded versions of the Gale and CSM.

F-12 has first flight

The next fighter aircraft for the Air Department of UNDF Terrestrial Forces, the F-12 Hammerhead, has successfully completed it's first flight. The F-12 will take over LEO defence duties from the F-10S, being a subsonic launch platform for the TPM-A. The F-12 is designed for high altitude and long endurance flight, able to carry up to three missiles.

DF hope the F-12 can enter service before the end of next year. Fifty are on order.

Two Repulse join the fleet

Two Repulse 51B cruisers have joined the fleet. 51-207 Wilmcote and 51-208 Alvecote have been completed following a lengthy delay due to a shortage of engines.

With these two ships now in service, DF is now able to cover it's deployments with sufficient cover that DF is now beginning to plan for the phasing out of the MBO Nectars. DF hope to complete the withdrawal by 2130.

Windscorpion has returned!

UNDF Commander Torus has shocked the galaxy by revealing that she and Caratore travelled to an alternative universe where the DDS still existed and Windscorpion was still alive! They managed to return to our own universe along with Windy who has now joined UNDF. However, there is one notable difference with this Windscorpion, this one is female!

Windscorpion has accepted a role in UNDF as Protector, as the old Windy did. She is currently getting used to the differences in our universe.

Clones come down hard on Teriatri insurgency

With the problem of insurgency in the CSE-E seemingly now solved by Clone withdrawal, the Clone Defence Forces have turned their attention to the new insurgency on Teriatri 7 and come down brutally hard. A newly arrived squadron of K45 aircraft have launched a sustained air attack on a number of villages on the planet that were thought to harbour insurgents.

The Clone Army has also arrested hundreds of citizens on the planet, some are reported to have been summarily executed.

DF to upgrade F-10S fleet

UNDF Air Department has announced an upgrade of it's mainstay fleet of F-10S Shark 2100 fighters which will be carried out over the next year. All F-10S, F-10SIM and F-10SNG will receive a new communication system with support for fractal encryption. Older F-10S will also receive the same ECM suite as the final SNG batch.

The long-term replacement F-20 was also mentioned by the Air Department. An introduction date of the "early 2130s" is still being kept to though as yet no design has been unveiled. However, it is expected the F-20 will be a development of the F-10SNG not a clean sheet design as originally thought.

Weirdo (3326)

Quarz's greatest nightmare has come true.

Hatred will prevail (3325)

Joshi needs to hurry his mission on.

UNDF welcomes Clone-Eritran deal

Firefly, speaking on behalf of UNDF Commander Torus who is away on a trip to Raegris, has said that the UNDF welcomes the deal agreed between the Clone Star Empire and representatives of Eritran majority planets in the CSE-E. These planets will be allowed independence and leave the empire. Firefly said that the UNDF hoped it would bring peace to a troubled region of space.

He added that the UNDF would be ready to take part in guaranteeing Clone security in the demilitarised zones which will be set up. A UNDF team would meet with the Clones later this year to discuss it.

Clones agree withdrawal from Eritran planets

The Clones will withdraw from most planets in the CSE-E in a deal secured between the Clone Star Empire and representatives of the Eritran majority planets like Miliaris. The following planets will leave the empire by 2128: Miliaris, Mintjulip, Laalande 21649, Wizard World and Rendrial 4. The planets will be granted full independence however the planets will not be able to join another empire or grouping until 2140, so membership of the Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations is off the table for now. One analyst has noted that the planets would be free to join together in their own alliance if they wished.

The Clones will withdraw their military forces from the planets by 2128. As per the agreement, equipment the Clones do not want to take with them will be left intact for the new militaries which will replace them. The planets will not be allowed to host CIN military forces until 2130, and on a limited basis until 2140. Demilitarised zones will be set up to protect the borders of the Clone Star Empire.

Clones who wish to leave these planets will be able to get grants and assistance to leave by 2129, though the new governments of the planets have to pledge to protect Clone citizens. It is thought most will leave though. Similarly, Eritrans on Austini 55 and Woloron 12 will be allowed to migrate to the new independent worlds if they so wish.

Freedom Miliaris have welcomed the agreement and say they will maintain their ceasefire, though warned the Clones not to renege on the deal. There are little signs the Clones want to though, indeed three regiments on Miliaris are said to be already preparing to be redeployed off planet!

Boxing day bash (3324)

Torus recruits Windscorpion.

Sexually adventurous (3323)

The alternate DDS is attacked.

Cable system (3322)

Torus and party are trapped.

Starve (3321)

The secret of the alternate universe is revealed.