The first Raegris built Isometric type frigate, the DF-1 He'Taka has entered service. The type is similar to the forthcoming Sea Of Tranquillity DDS frigate though with a Z5t turret cannon. The DF-1 is a very powerful warship arguably superior to the latest DDS frigates (Terran Sea Type C2) though some say the electronics fit of the DF-1 is not quite as good.
The first export Extender-E has also been cleared for service. The oiler/transport has been accepted into service by Molab and is now currently on route to it's new owner. The DDS/Raegris Export Team is currently on Helinox trying to secure an order for Pentekonter-Es. An existing customer Sirikwan is considering buying more ships but may buy them from the Dinos.
31.1.08
30.1.08
Ferret-E unveiled
The Dino/DDS/Starbot Ferret-E should enter service sometime this year. Up until now it's development has been top secret though there have been a number of artist impressions. At a joint media briefing the Ferret-E UCV has been unveiled. In the picture supplied it is carrying 2 development versions of the TPM-2.
29.1.08
Thieves steal Kalahati Tuul!
Thieves stole a retired Kalahati Tuul based at Mila Orbital Station in an attempt to raid gold mines deep in Remedian territory but a DDS frigate captained by Caratore. The ship, SS Loeuss, was one of 3 former Remedian Navy KTs being used as static departmental ships. The Loeuss was being employed as a mobile generator to provide power to the orbital station over Mila as the station's own reactors were replaced. A criminal gang overpowered the small maintenance team aboard the ship and then set it free from the station. The ship was still largely in working order.
Caratore, in his new command Isometric frigate SS Eocene, was in the area undertaking training and was able to intercept the KT before it could reach the mines. The KT has an operational cloak and main cannons but had no TPMs and the shields failed so was soon defeated by the Eocene. The thieves were apprehended and the Loeuss towed back to Mila. The DDS are now going to de-arm the 3 KTs and also put in extra safeguards to prevent such a theft happening again.
Caratore, in his new command Isometric frigate SS Eocene, was in the area undertaking training and was able to intercept the KT before it could reach the mines. The KT has an operational cloak and main cannons but had no TPMs and the shields failed so was soon defeated by the Eocene. The thieves were apprehended and the Loeuss towed back to Mila. The DDS are now going to de-arm the 3 KTs and also put in extra safeguards to prevent such a theft happening again.
28.1.08
Isometric ILU news update
Funding has been secured for the Isometric ILU (Intermediate Life Update) programme starting early next year. One source puts the price at upgrading the whole fleet of 25 ships at 3.1 billion zarks. However this will keep the ships viable and competitive well into the next decade. The ships will now be re-engined with the Meson TL-03CY evolution. This will have the same core as the 04 varient to be fitted in the Sea Of Tranquillity class frigates.
The ships will be also fitted with the Z5i multi-mode cannon* and will have integrated iSAS2 systems for ground attack. The ships will be TPM-2 ready (and the missile should be beginning to be rolled out by then anyway). All ships will also have 360 CIWS, a new improved version is currently being developed with greater range and will be fitted to a test ship (probably SS Carboniferous which already has the CIWS) later this year.
The ships will be fully refurbished and the opportunity will be taken to modify the internal layout somewhat. The ships will end up with a slightly bigger docking bay able to hold 2 SROPS, 1 SROPS + 1 Coril or 1 Fulcrum. The ships will also have a detachable pylon for mounting the MRM medium range missile and will have the support systems to operate and update the missile in mid-flight, and finally the ship will be able to carry Ferret-E UCVs. The ships will be fully Open Architecture 2.0.
* According to some reports the DDS are looking into fitting the turreted Z5 cannon though its thought the multi-mode version, Z5ti will not be available immediately so the Z5ti could be fitted to later Isometric ILUs but not the initial batch. As an aside it has been reported that Panthers will be fitted with Z5ti as soon as they become available, and the Z5g in Rome ground attack pods will also be replaced by the ti.
The ships will be also fitted with the Z5i multi-mode cannon* and will have integrated iSAS2 systems for ground attack. The ships will be TPM-2 ready (and the missile should be beginning to be rolled out by then anyway). All ships will also have 360 CIWS, a new improved version is currently being developed with greater range and will be fitted to a test ship (probably SS Carboniferous which already has the CIWS) later this year.
The ships will be fully refurbished and the opportunity will be taken to modify the internal layout somewhat. The ships will end up with a slightly bigger docking bay able to hold 2 SROPS, 1 SROPS + 1 Coril or 1 Fulcrum. The ships will also have a detachable pylon for mounting the MRM medium range missile and will have the support systems to operate and update the missile in mid-flight, and finally the ship will be able to carry Ferret-E UCVs. The ships will be fully Open Architecture 2.0.
* According to some reports the DDS are looking into fitting the turreted Z5 cannon though its thought the multi-mode version, Z5ti will not be available immediately so the Z5ti could be fitted to later Isometric ILUs but not the initial batch. As an aside it has been reported that Panthers will be fitted with Z5ti as soon as they become available, and the Z5g in Rome ground attack pods will also be replaced by the ti.
27.1.08
Developments with the Porquatians
Recently the Porquatians have finally been able to start rebuilding their armed forces however the DDS put a restriction on the fleet the Porquatians could build. They are only allowed to have up to 12 warships and none can be cruiser sized such as their Xian design. Porquat 640 has asked to join the DDS as an associate member like the Aritans however in return for these restrictions being lifted.
The Aritans however say the restrictions should remain, its not so long ago since the Porquatians destroyed the Aritan fleet and laid seige to the planet, it requiring a combined DDS-Dino-HCS task force to stop the Porquatians. It is understood at 3 party talks being held on Dino-Land between the DDS, Aritans and Porquatians that the Aritans and Porquatians have come up with a compromise : the Porquatians would be allowed up to 24 ships including up to 3 cruisers. Sources close to the DDS indicate they could agree to this compromise.
Though the Porquatians are said to have plans for a smaller fleet than that anyway. Its thought they want 2 Xian and 14 Quagans (3 of which already exist with a number in building). The Porquatians want to maintain 2 battle fleets of a Xian and 6 Quagans, 1 fleet always being ready for operations. Other ships will be in refit or other duties and reserve.
The current 3 Quagans are identical to the type deployed during the Porquatian war (indeed 1 of them is the sole survivor of the old Porquatian fleet, the ship was transferred to the Aritans for a time before being recently given back). Its thought the next batch and subsequent build will be to the Quagan 665 type which will have improved weapons and performance. The first Quagan 665 (the existing ships being Quagan 658s) should enter service this Summer.
The Aritans however say the restrictions should remain, its not so long ago since the Porquatians destroyed the Aritan fleet and laid seige to the planet, it requiring a combined DDS-Dino-HCS task force to stop the Porquatians. It is understood at 3 party talks being held on Dino-Land between the DDS, Aritans and Porquatians that the Aritans and Porquatians have come up with a compromise : the Porquatians would be allowed up to 24 ships including up to 3 cruisers. Sources close to the DDS indicate they could agree to this compromise.
Though the Porquatians are said to have plans for a smaller fleet than that anyway. Its thought they want 2 Xian and 14 Quagans (3 of which already exist with a number in building). The Porquatians want to maintain 2 battle fleets of a Xian and 6 Quagans, 1 fleet always being ready for operations. Other ships will be in refit or other duties and reserve.
The current 3 Quagans are identical to the type deployed during the Porquatian war (indeed 1 of them is the sole survivor of the old Porquatian fleet, the ship was transferred to the Aritans for a time before being recently given back). Its thought the next batch and subsequent build will be to the Quagan 665 type which will have improved weapons and performance. The first Quagan 665 (the existing ships being Quagan 658s) should enter service this Summer.
DDS create 4th Fleet to combat Bolitic Confederacy
Up until now the DDS Fleet's Combat Command has been split into 3 Fleets plus a reserve flotilla. The 1st Fleet is tasked with protecting the core worlds, the 2nd is based at Randalf 74 and the 3rd in Remedian space. Now the DDS are to create the 4th Fleet which will be tasked with protecting the UNP from incursions coming from the Bolitic Confederacy.
The Fleet will be based at the Remedian world of Algol 7 and maintain a rapid response force to counter any threats coming from Bolitic space. Extra subspace listening posts will be installed along the Remedian border that is nearest Bolitic space and its thought (though not confirmed of course) that the DDS will beef up it's intelligence operation in the Bolitic Confederacy.
There is no word as yet as to who will command the 4th Fleet but Von Kane is thought to be considered for the role and has held talks with Firefly.
The Fleet will be based at the Remedian world of Algol 7 and maintain a rapid response force to counter any threats coming from Bolitic space. Extra subspace listening posts will be installed along the Remedian border that is nearest Bolitic space and its thought (though not confirmed of course) that the DDS will beef up it's intelligence operation in the Bolitic Confederacy.
There is no word as yet as to who will command the 4th Fleet but Von Kane is thought to be considered for the role and has held talks with Firefly.
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