Clones slash number of K85QA1 in major change in COIN strategy

The K85 will remain part of the Clone Defence Forces for a long time yet though their end has now begun. The Clone Air Force has said it will cancel most of it's outstanding order for the fourth generation K85QA1 COIN aircraft. Production will end later this year. This will still leave over 3,000 in CAF service (and others operated by the Clone Naval Air Service) and there are plans to keep the type in service until 2150.

However, the fleet will begin to age and is expected to be greatly cut in numbers as the CAF withdraws from CSE-E.

The K58 Raptor will become the front-line counter-insurgency aircraft in CAF service. CAF are expected to place a huge order for an updated version which could replace hundreds of the oldest K85s.

K47 to be updated

The K47 Freedom light fighter was designed as a cheap, easy to maintain fighter for secondary planets in the Clone Star Empire and reserve units. Although it fulfilled the briefs from the Clone Air Force, the K47 was considered a bit of a disappointment and production has ceased after 360 were built (the original plan was for over a thousand!) The K59 Flashlight has now replaced it in production as a secondary light fighter.

The CAF are intending to keep the K47 in service into the 2140s though the oldest are now over ten years old and CAF is preparing to an upgrade. The K47MEC (Modernised Enhanced Capabilities) will be a rolling programme of upgrades and refurbishments to the fleet. As well as a full overhaul, MEC will include an upgraded tactical computer, improved communications, a higher bandwidth datalink and an infrared seeker. The upgrade will maintain compatibility with the latest and next generation of CAF air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.

The first MEC is expected to be completed early next year.

Repulse enters service

51-213 Wilnecote, the latest Repulse 51B Medium Combat Ship, has entered service with the UNDF Space Fleet following the successful completion of it's trials. The ship will now join the UNDF patrol pool.

This is the 13th Repulse to be completed, seven more are due to be built by the end of next year. No more after that are expected to be built. The next Medium Combat Ship to enter service will be the Advanced Rome.

Utrek accuse Dinos of violating space, damaging ship

The Utrek are accusing the Dinos of violating Utrek space near to the border with the Remedian Belt. The Dinos are not denying that one of their ships did enter Utrek space, which they said was due to a navigational error and the Dino ship quickly left Utrek space.

However, the Utrek are also saying that the Dinos attacked a Utrek warship causing damage to it, which resulted in a number of serious injuries. The Dinos are denying they attacked the Utrek. They said that they detected some old mines of unknown origin in the area and have suggested that the Utrek hit them.

Clone Navy receive two more Dinomark XT SSNA

Two more ex-Dino Army Dinomark XTs have been delivered to the Clone Navy after a full refurbishment and localisation programme. The XTs are underwater capable and will join the six others already in service. The Dinomark XTs are said to be used for special forces operations and Clone Marine deployments.

The Clone Navy also said that their fourth Walrus ballistic missile submarine has begun trials and is expected to enter service next year.

Anderson denies CAF strategic bomber

Admiral Anderson has turned down a request by the Clone Air Force for initial gate funding for a proposed strategic bomber. The bomber is envisaged as a key part of the Clone "Stand off fight back" doctrine where an enemy has landed forces on Cloneworld or another key planet in the empire. Missiles and stand-off weapons launched by ground and naval based aircraft are intended to strike back against the enemy force.

The CAF say a strategic bomber would have the endurance and payload to make it a highly useful part of this doctrine. However, Anderson says the bomber would not have any other role and would cost a lot of money for an inflexible system. He says that more investment in land based and naval launched Gale ICBMs would be more cost effective.

UNDF begins to deploy Silver Dart anti-drone system

UNDF has begun the deployment of the new Silver Dart micro-SAM system designed to combat mass drone attacks. The missiles are small and can be fired in large numbers to defend against the kind of mass drone attacks that proved so deadly in the Miliaris conflict.

UNDF Terrestrial Forces have deployed sixteen land mobile Silver Dart systems, which carry 250 rounds. A hard sited version with 1000 rounds is also in development. 

ACSA begins flight testing

The OA-25 Advanced Close Support Aircraft (ACSA), which will be the backbone of UNDF air power over the next few decades, has begun flight testing. This is a highly flexible aircraft powered with a hybrid ducted fan. The first version is expected to replace the Clone built A-85 in COIN duties. 

The second version, expected in the early 2130s, will have enhanced attack capabilities and will replace the A-12 NDAA.

Dinomark HX delayed

The next generation heavy cruiser for the Dino fleet, the Dinomark HX, was expected to enter service before the end of 2126 but has now been delayed to the first half of 2127 following delays with the new power system which has caused issues during early service trials.

The prototype HX is now expected to resume trials next month following changes to the power system, as well as adjustments to the sensor suite. A Dino Army spokesdino said the delay was not a surprise as the HX has a lot of new systems so there would be some snags here and there.

UNDF unveils new SSD land doctrine

After New Sparta (as UNDF was then) decided to get rid of it's amphibious warfare fleet and later on deeply cut it's Terrestrial Forces it was wondered what UNDF would be aiming for with it's land forces. Zeppelin has revealed the new SSD Land Warfare Doctrine which answers some of these questions.

SSD stands for Space Superiority - Special Forces - Drones. Instead of trying to land a powerful armoured brigade on enemy territory, UNDF will aim to keep it's edge in space and control that area of the battle sphere. On the planet itself special forces (UNDF Marines are being greatly increased in size and scope) and a new generation of drones will be used.

UNDF are expected to reveal their plans for drone warfare, both defensive and offensive, later in the year.

Third generation K72 Mustang unveiled

The Clone Air Force has unveiled the third generation of one of it's key aircraft, the K72 Mustang. The K72 is a tactical reconnaissance aircraft, with EW, Elint (and a number of other more specialised roles) also performed by the large fleet.

The K72NT has newer and more powerful engines, though with a reduced infrared and noise signature, a redesigned wing with a slightly larger span and an upgraded avionics system. Flight tests are due to begin next year, the CAF could order several hundred to replace older K72s in service.

Clones looking into navalising K58 Raptor

The Clone Naval Air Service has granted the Clone Aircraft Corporation initial gate funding for developing a navalised version of the K58 Raptor COIN/close support aircraft which has proved very popular with the air force.

The K58 has a hybrid ducted fan and is a much more modern platform than the K85. The Clone Air Force are seeking funding for a new batch of K58s which could replace many older K85s. CNAS is looking into the K58 to possibly replace it's NTK carrier borne and NTN land based K85s.

K40 to be withdrawn by 2128

The Clone Air Force has announced that the final withdrawal of the K40 fighter has been bought forward a couple of years and the last will be withdrawn before the end of 2128. Less than 300 now remain in service, all of them the final K40S variant. Withdrawal from CSE-E and the resulting disbanding of dozens of squadrons has allowed the K40 to be retired early.

A CAF spokesclone said that the K40 was iconic and had served the Clones with distinction since the Clone Wars but it was time for it to be retired.

Clone Army to disband dozens of regiments, withdraw thousands of armoured vehicles

The Clone Army is to disband dozens of regiments as part of the withdrawal from the CSE-E and a reorganisation of the army structure. Hundreds of tanks will be withdrawn, mostly older types. Over three thousand other armoured vehicles will also be withdrawn. The army say this will save several billion zarks a year, the money will be recycled into newer weapons.

The Clones are looking to try and sell these withdrawn vehicles, though many may be cascaded to territorial and internal security forces.

Repic open to joining Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations

The Repicans, a hyper capitalistic Saurian nation who have been aligned to the Bolitic Confederacy in the past, have made overtures to the Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations about joining. A senior Financial Officer of Repic has visited Castarian and met with Emperor Melson. Senator El Diablo also attended the meeting.

Whilst it is unlikely the Repicans could join the CIN in the short to medium term, it is possible Repic could join the Saurian Alliance - a sub-grouping which consists of the Dino Republic and Bolitic Confederacy.

Clones to develop next generation Gale ICBM / CSM

Admiral Anderson has agreed the development of the replacement for the Gale-III ICBM which also forms the launch stage of the CSM. The Gale-IV could enter service in the early 2130s and will include improved signal management, reduced infrared emissions and an improved guidance system.

Gale-IV will also only be mobile launcher based. The Clone have been wanting to shut down the Gale silo ring for some time. The fifteen remaining silos used for Gale/CSM will be closed, four sites will be repurposed for other Clone Army use, one silo will be used for development and missile research.

First Z26ZNX delivered

The first of one hundred Halogen Z26ZNX helicopters has been delivered to the Clone Naval Air Service (CNAS). The production line was re-opened due to delays in the Halogen replacement and the ageing state of the CNAS helicopter fleet. The ZNX is a minor upgrade to the previous final version the ZNS and will replace the oldest helicopters in the CNAS fleet.

The Clone Air Force has attempted to also get new build from the re-opened Halogen line though Admiral Anderson said that the production line will be closed once and for all when the new helicopters have been built for CNAS.

DF looking into "Chain Worm Drive" (Project Red Shift)

UNDF is looking into a so-called "chain worm drive" which is where multiple worm drives operate in series to result in extreme performance. It is thought that a Lavender 105A unmanned reconnaissance ship may be fitted with a second worm drive, this will then be used to perform double worm jumps in sequence. This could result in an equivalent speed of 10000ec!

However, there are a lot of unknowns with this technology. This is why DF want to test it with an unmanned ship first. If it is successful then DF are considering building a test ship based on the Type 35 platform with no fewer than four worm drives! This is known as Project Red Shift and could produce the ultimate rapid response ship. An equivalent speed of 20000ec would mean a ship could reach nearly all of UNDF in minutes.

One source says that tests with the Lavender could begin next year.

Anderson returns ashore to CNAS base

Admiral Anderson has returned to solid land after spending time aboard his floating HQ, the helicopter carrier CNS West Clone Republic. However, he has not returned to the Imperial Palace near to Ailier City. Instead, he has gone to North Point, one of the largest Clone Naval Air Service bases on the north coast of Ailier and also close to the largest Clone Navy base Rock Fall.

Anderson will live in specially converted and heavily largest new quarters at the base. Several hundred Clone Marines will be stationed at the base along with K45K fighters. A helicopter to take him to a carrier will also be kept fuelled.

Anderson said this new location will likely be permanent, he said he likes the sea air.

Black Triangles offered to Remedians

UNDF has offered the four Black Triangle 126A War Fighting Ships plus their tender ship to the Remedians to bolster their fleet. The Black Triangles are potent warships though have no current role in the UNDF fleet. The ships have been offered to the Remedians on an unlimited loan.

The Remedians have become increasingly concerned with the resurgent Utrek. UNDF have also increased their fleet deployment in the area. The Remedians are said to be seriously considering the loan.