K3 and K58 to share platform

Two new warplane projects for the Clone Air Force are the K3 Pterodactyl advanced trainer and the K58 close support aircraft. Both are likely to enter service in the late 2110s. The Clone state aircraft manufacturer CAC has said that the two types will share a basic platform and configuration to save costs and cut development time.

However the two types will be different enough to warrant different type designations. The K3 is scheduled to arrive first with the first flight aimed for later this year and an entry into service planned for 2116. The K58 may enter service around 2118.

Dinos look to build larger ships

Apart from the singleton prototype Dinomark ZX (which ended up sold to the DDS, later lost in combat) and the Dinomark RS the Dinos have stuck to their small-medium sized ship concept for their fleet. However after much internal debate in the Dino Army it now seems the Dinos are ready to "bulk up".

A "Fleet Combat Ship" sized ship said to be the size of a DDS Type 35 or a Solaris is said to be the Dinos preferred target. A fleet of 25-30 ships of this type could form a new combat orientated core for the Dino fleet in the 2120s and beyond, moving away from the general purpose XT and PT designs. The Dino Senate is to debate the issue of the new ship next month though there are indications development will go ahead.

Clones begin tests of J15 AA tank

The Clones have begun field trials and tests of a new anti-aircraft system based on the J89 chassis and using the medium-range SA-8 missile. The J15 Ferret has been largely funded by the Dinos though will also be in Clone service eventually.

The J15 along with the second generation J4NG Stoat which uses the latest SA-6A missile are part of Clone Army efforts to renew its field anti-aircraft capabilities. An improved version of the SA-8 missile is also in development (likely to be the SA-8A) and this will probably be the weapon carried when the Ferret enters service around 2116.

DDS to develop drone transports

The DDS is to explore development of an unmanned transport similar to the pending Clone Horizon HZ design. The Type 171X as it currently known could be used as an armament resupply transport, bringing fresh supplies of TPMs for example to the front line, and being unmanned and smaller will be more expendable and less vulnerable than a lumbering Provider 71A for example.

The contract granted to DDS Engineering does not guarantee the Type 171X will be built yet, just that a feasibility study and early development work will be carried out over the next few months. However such a type would be the kind of "force multiplier" Firefly is keen to add to the DDS portfolio.

Oojok seeks summit with Firefly

Emperor Oojok has said he would like to meet with DDS Commander Firefly on "neutral ground" in order to clear the air after bad blood between the DDS and Clone Star Empire over recent weeks. Firefly has not yet said if he will agree to a summit though the DTA have offered their diplomatic facilities on Yeng as a venue.

The Clone media has notable toned down its rhetoric over the last couple of days though Clone TV still broadcast a repeat of the Clone Wars documentary "The death of the DDS".

DDS still want their 3 Triumph 66Bs

Despite the rhetoric between the Clones and DDS lately the DDS are still eager to receive 3 Triumph 66B amphibious strike carriers (the Tiamon II design in CDF Space Navy service). The 3 ships, the first 2 of which are understood to be under construction at Cloneworld, will be the final piece in the DDS' amphibious warfare force jigsaw and in any event have been paid for already.

The DDS refused to rule out remaining a customer of Clone built military hardware in future though said that "The Clones were just one of a matrix of domestic and interstellar suppliers." Privately these ships will likely be the last Clone built weapons for the DDS for the time being. Public attacks like the one by Sleeze who jeered on TV that the DDS without Windy was a rudderless ship are not helping relations between the two superpowers.

• The two remaining Fulcrum 85A special forces transports have been put in reserve ahead of their withdrawal later in the year. The ships will still be available if needed (after a delay) though will not be used in everyday operation. 
• The DDS are working on an improved version of its subluminal utility transport the Heron (or SROPS as its usually known). As the fleet expands then the number of SROPS needed also increases (every DDS warship is supposed to carry at least one). Before a new order however the DDS are looking at improving the shuttle into a Rev C model which will have improved ECM, control systems and docking capabilities.