Molab signs biggest export order in DF history!

The Deputy leader of Molab and the head of the Molab military have signed a huge deal with UNDF which is said to be worth 12.7 billion zarks! DF are saying this is the biggest export order in history. 

The core part of the order will be 16 Advanced Rome medium combat ships for delivery from 2128. As part of the order, DF will loan Molab 6 Romes which are expected to enter service later this year following some localisation work.

Other parts of the order include an upgrade programme for Molab's four Isometrics including e-Core engines, tactical updates and sensor updates. Molab will also receive updated tactical systems for their Pentekonter Protectors, thirty more MRMs and more Ferret UCVs.

Depender fleet to receive e-Core engines

Following a successful test with 161-106 Illicit, the rest of the Depender 161A fleet of multi-role support ships (the official role, actual role is thought to be intelligence gathering) will receive e-Core engines during an upgrade later this year.

The engine upgrade will be carried out during scheduled heavy maintenance. The ships will also lose their Canister TPMs as these missiles are now obsolete, plus they have TPM-VLS cells in any event.

DF to develop future heavy combat ship to replace Solaris and Panther

DF have announced a new ship programme called Future Heavy Combat Ship or FHCS. This is a feasibility study which will look into potential specifications and future trends for a new heavy combat ship for the second half of the 2130s which will replace the Solaris 37C and Type 35 fleets between 2135 and 2150.

A modular design is expected which can replace the two heavy combat ships which form the backbone of the DF combat fleet. DF expect FHCS to feed into the Solaris replacement plan in the early 2130s with the first ship planned to enter service in 2135.

DF sells Stings to Triple Megan

UNDF has agreed an 750 million zark deal to sell it's surplus fleet of Sting 58A light patrol ships to Triple Megan. DF were already in the process of withdrawing the Stings but had no plans for the ships and so put the fleet of ten ships up for sale. Triple Megan will accept the ships and will carry out their own localisation and system integration.

The transfer of the ships will begin in the next few weeks. The final patrol duties of two ships will be completed this week. A Triple Megan team will arrive and assess how to take the ships to their planet. DF crews may ferry the ships to Triple Megan.

Three Okra to be retained as general purpose ships

Three of the five Okra 86L light patrol ships which had been earmarked for storage will be retained in DF service as general purpose ships. It is thought these will help replace the six Romes which will be loaned to Molab as part of the forthcoming Advanced Rome sale.

The Okra 86Ls will be redesignated as Okra 86K. They will retain their armament but will lose some of the tactical and sensor systems fitted for the patrol role. The space freed up will be used for extra accommodation and storage space. The ships will be added to the general purpose duties pool which means they are available for a whole host of missions such as ad hoc transport and crew transport, reconnaissance, surveying and testing.

Molab visit Solaris ahead of possible Advanced Rome sale

A technical team from the Molab military has arrived on Solaris to receive information on the Advanced Rome. They have received in depth information on the new ship including simulation data from the Advanced Rome bench testbed at UNDF Engineering as well as telemetry data from the n-Core test bed. They were also presented with details of the localisation options available for the Rome 46A ships which will be loaned to Molab to tide them over until Advanced Rome arrives.

Molab are after sixteen Advanced Rome with a delivery from 2128, with six Romes arriving from late this year to help ease the pressure on the crumbling Kalahati Tuul fleet. The value of the contract is said to be 9 billion zarks which would make it the biggest export order for DF for quite some time.

The main sticking point is said to be Molab's insistence on getting n-Core engines as soon as they are available in the early 2130s. DF originally wanted to keep n-Core to themselves for at least five years though may make an exception for Molab due to the importance of the order.

Molab decline Swordfish, interested in Advanced Rome

In a major shock, Molab has declined the chance to buy the Dino Swordfish and instead say they think the Advanced Rome is the ship they need to replace their eighteen Kalahati Tuuls which are in desperate need of replacement. The problem is, no Advanced Rome yet exists, building the prototype has only just begun. Even if things go smoothly Molab might not receive any ships until late 2128 or even 2129.

The Kalahati Tuuls will simply not last long enough, some are said to be already virtually end of life, with the remainder being rotated to prolong the ships so some can reach 2130, though none will live much beyond that. Molab said the Swordfish is an excellent ship but is too small and under-equipped to replace the Kalahati Tuuls being more a Dino equivalent to the Pentekonter Protector.

DF has said they can transfer up to six Rome 46As to Molab on loan, and after localisation could be ready to begin service by the end of the year. These ships can help tide Molab over until Advanced Rome can take over in the late 2120s and early 2130s. Molab could buy up to fifteen Advanced Romes.

DF makes big changes to export portfolio

UNDF has made some dramatic changes to it's spaceship export portfolio in an attempt to kickstart a new wave of orders. The Olympus-E, Provider-E and Extender-E have all been cancelled, the latter two due to DF closing it's SUP derived ship line.

The Oceania (which has not yet secured any orders) and Depender multi-role support ships have received a specification bump with improved sensors and tactical system options.

The best-selling Pentekonter Protector has also been upgraded to the x90 specification. The 390 and 290 models have improved sensors, defensive systems and tactical computers. The upgrade is fairly modest though.

DF are also looking into the possibility of an export version of the Advanced Rome to compete with the Dino Swordfish design.

Oojok warns that Clone Star Empire has no succession plan

Former Emperor of the Clone Star Empire, Oojok who is now living on Dino-Land, has said he has concerns about the CSE. He said that Admiral Anderson is the last clone standing from the generation who came to prominence in the Clone Wars. He warned that Anderson has eliminated most of his potential rivals, which may bring some short-term stability but if Anderson falls then the obvious successor is unknown.

One potential successor is the Clone Wars hero Xerxes, former commander of the 1st Armoured Division and now military commander in the Ailier South sector on Cloneworld. Cicero, the former deputy of Marcus, is now the governor of the CSE-E is another potential future leader. Oojok said that he hoped Anderson would not purge people like Xerxes and Cicero as the CSE might need them in the future.

MBH visits CIN East and Starbot

Emperor MBH has begun an extended visit of the former Free Eritran States, now known as the eastern states (not that directions mean much in space) of the Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations and Starbot. MBH has met the leader of Molab and will also see the leaders of Helinox and Sear N7. He will later chair a meeting of the leaders of the CIN East members on Starbot.

Sear N7 has requested information on the Swordfish patrol ship. Starbot are also said to be interested in it.

Clones launch offensive against Teriatri insurgents

Last month the Clone Defence Forces reinforced Teriatri 7 with two infantry regiments, a Red Lizard brigade and three COIN air regiments. This was possible to the ending of the insurgency in the CSE-E which has relieved a lot of pressure on the CDF.

The Clones have launched what they say will be a month long offensive against Teriatri insurgents including aerial and land assets. A K85 COIN aircraft is reported to have been lost though it is unclear if this was due to being being shot down or another reason.

Swordfish begins final trials before deliveries

The Swordfish, the Dino equivalent to the Pentekonter and Clone Shark, has begun final proving trials. The Swordfish is a multi-role small combatant which will be used by other navies in the Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations (CIN). Representatives from New Arit were on board during an early test run, they will be the first customer to receive ships, eager to replace their life expired Kalahati Tuuls at last!

The Swordfish is based on the Dinomark GL design, which had lost out to the PT in a competition for the Dino medium combat ship role. The design has been fully updated though specifications have not yet been made public. Although the Dinos do not plan, at this stage, to buy the type it has been given the designation Dinomark RA.

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.