Clones say coup will not affect big Dino tank deal

The Clones have said that the recent coup will not affect a big arms deal which has been in discussion between the Clones and Dinos since late last year. The Dino Army and SS have standardised on a customised version of the Clone J55Z (T-55Z) as their main tank and currently have just under five thousand in service in the ZDM, ZDM2 and ZDM3 models.

The Dinos want their fleet unified into a new improved standard known as T-55ZDX. Earlier tanks will receive the new turret of the latest T-55Zs, all tanks will receive a new engine management system to improve fuel efficiency and reduce infra red signature. The tanks will receive a new self-defence system. Also improved is the internal arrangement and radio system.

The upgrades will take place at a factory on Dino-Land though equipment and components will be supplied by the Clones. There will also be 650 new build T-55ZDXs. The worth of the deal is estimated at 1.2 billion zarks. The Dino minister of defence Malanson could travel to Cloneworld to finalise the deal later this month.

Operation Ground Shock 2124

NS has begun it's annual ground attack exercise, which will take place at a test range in an asteroid field near to Solaris. The exercise will not include an amphibious landing onto a habitable world this time but will involve NS Marines, in space suits, raiding and securing a base set up on one of the asteroids as well as reconnaissance and surveillance.

The ships involved are:

36-101 Mulberry (flag)

35-102 Jaguar

51-201 Repulse

51-112 Citadel

81-102 Morse

161-104 Inquest

76-102 Zebra

CDF confirm RP killed in base attack

The Clone Defence Forces have confirmed that nine former Religious Police members were killed in an air attack on a disused Clone Army depot in South Ailier. The small facility was one of dozens of disused depots dotted across Cloneworld. RP members broke in earlier in the week and were detected by automated security sensors.

A Red Lizard special forces detachment covertly observed the RP members at the base and vectored in an attack by CAF K84 bombers who struck the base with sixteen guided bombs. The small base was devastated. K85 COIN aircraft followed up, supported by a K72 reconnaissance aeroplane which scanned the rubble for signs of life.

The CDF said a handful of RP managed to escape but most were killed. Monitoring of other disused facilities will be stepped up.

CAF strike RP base in South Ailier

Clone Air Force bombers have launched a major attack on a former army depot in South Ailier which it is thought was being occupied by several dozen Religious Police fighters. According to a CAF spokesclone, K84 attack aircraft levelled the small depot. Two K85 COIN aircraft followed up.

A Clone Army unit reached the depot some time later and reported several bodies were found in the rubble.

NS Black Triangle begins testing

The first NS built Black Triangle 126A has begun testing, though not fitted with the new Lepton WX-01 engine (it is thought it is fitted with the same MBO developed engine as the MBO Black Triangle variant). The NS ship is also not fully equipped with the intended final weapon and sensor fit as these are also under development.

Initial testing will take place this summer before the ship is due to receive it's proper engine and full tactical system in the autumn. NS say the ship is intended to enter service by the end of 2125.

NS considering long-endurance patrol drone for export market

NS is looking at adapting the Emerald 116A unmanned transport into an unmanned long-endurance patrol and surveillance drone aimed at the export market. The project is known as the Sentinel USV, though this is just a design study project name and so can change. The Sentinel would be intended to support Pentekonter Protector patrol ships and similar and offer an affordable force multiplier and patrol ship for smaller space navies.

An NS source said that some potential customers have been approached with the Sentinel USV concept and their feedback would be fed into any potential future product offering.