The identity of the Ophir is finally revealed...
9.12.20
7.12.20
Clones unveil Future Universal Helicopter programme
The Clone Air Force has announced the Future Universal Helicopter (FUHX) programme which will replace the iconic Z26 Halogen in CAF service by 2140. That is quite an ask as there over 8,000 Z26s in service! Many though are ageing types, some veterans from the Clone Wars and part of the FUHX programme will be to reorganise the CAF's helicopter force. It is expected scores of regiments will be disbanded and maybe half of the Z26s in service withdrawn without replacement. The current order for new build Z26WNG has been reduced and production will probably end in 2122.
FUHX will design and develop a replacement for the Z26 in the light attack, reconnaissance, liaison, transport and utility roles. The anti-tank and heavy attack roles are to be handed over to the Z50NG Advanced Dragonfly, an updated re-engineered version of the Z50. The CAF expected to built 400 Z50NGs and over 2,000 FUHX with deliveries of the latter by 2125. FUHX is the largest programme in the CAF since the K45C. It is not known if the Clone Naval Air Service will also replace it's Z26s with a navalised version of FUHX.
The Z50NG is expected to enter service in 2123 with flight testing of the prototype next year. Compared to the in-service Dragonfly the new version has a new tactical suite, new engines and improved armour and stealth.
5.12.20
K75 Student to be retired early next year
One of the earliest aircraft designed by the Clones was the A-22/T-75 basic trainer which was one of the main types during the early Clone Wars. Although the A-22 was replaced by the A-85 (now K85) as the standard Clone COIN aircraft by the end of the Clone Wars the trainer version (K75 Student) remained the standard basic trainer of the air force, even though it had a number of flaws and was not that easy to fly!
Since 2111 the Clone Air Force has been building the replacement K76 Graduate which is a similar but clean sheet aircraft with a much more refined design. Now the once vast fleet of K75s has been reduced to just two regiments and these will convert to the K76 by the middle of 2121.
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