Dr. Jason Winston, expert in Power & Propulsion systems has been placed in charge of designing a new civilian engine. The 100% fuel efficiency commercial engine utilises Nuclear Thermal technology and lacks any hyper-capability or internal armour. This project will immediately be followed by a military engine of similar specifications.
Given that Nuclear Thermal engine technology heats and compresses interstellar Hydrogen in a manner analogous to the functioning of an ancient Watt steam boiler & piston, the new engine shall be called the 'Basic Commercial Steam Engine' and the 'Basic Military Steam Engine'. Finalised designs will be shared with the Senate so that each company may immediately begin work on a licensed copy.
After completing both projects Dr. J. Winston will be moving on to the nine-pounder gauss cannon prototype, needed for our future research into CIWS technology, and a small and large power plant.
Dr. Winston's long-term goals are improved fuel efficiency and a prototype Pebble Bed Reactor.
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Dr. Ken Mingler, a materials science graduate and expert in defensive systems will be launching several projects to design multiple sensors in the electro-magnetic, thermal, and search radar fields, in varying size installations. After our initial round of ship component designs are finished, Dr. Mingler intends to work on the promising Jump Point Theory put forward by Drs. Kearny and Fuchida of the California Institute of Technology.