Airbase expansion at Malta complete, but at the cost of more supplies than the entirety of Operation MA3 coupled with the loss of too many veteran bomber aircrew. Even though the aircrew & other personnel are all magical fairies, they'll be in R & R for a while...
ATEX Suit, 4th gen exo-suit adopted by Arcadian Alliance in 1268 SR. 4G suits' hallmark is proper integration of advances in different fields, resulting in smoother, more fluid control & movement, more mobility & operational endurance w/out penalizing armor or combat strength.
Gambier Bay remodeled to Mk.II; she's actually much more useful now w/ specialized fcns. Her flight deck looks odd at first, but it's mostly swiveled in the same position as Zui-Zui's, but with her arm raised horizontally. Iirc other carriers also do that in the arcade game.
Mika recon pod, hvy use of lightwgt Al alloys. Mixed success in its intended role due to lack of dedicated observer. Limtd wpns payload meant for self-defense. Later Mks w/higher performance, payload repurposed for light assault, raiding roles.
Thinking about WiGE fighters. Given lack of tail rudder, perhaps tight turns by dragging a wingtip float on the water? Or would that cause it to snap off a wing/flip over hilariously? Also, big incentive not to bail out unless you have a 0-0 ejection seat or exploding prop.
Not-Scots Highlander-for-hire specialized in disabling AFV's. Most of the exo's armor has been removed, rely instead on Bal.Nylon wear to protect vs. blast, shrapnel, pistol-calibre rounds. AFV's were never called 'tanks' in this setting.
Crab Loli's armor literally doubles in her final form, calling for drastic measures. 2nd Fleet reorganizes w/Mutsu as flagship, Atlanta on AAA & the mighty Yamato in the gunline. They perform beyond expectations & the battle concludes w/torpedo salvoes from Kazagumo & Fletcher.
Once more into the fray as Nelson & the 2nd Fleet sail into the waters of Ironbottom Sound, bloody red from all the rusting hulks beneath the waves.
For some reason, the giant enemy crab-loli's armor is unusually weak for a Hime-class--but no doubt, this isn't her final form!
Meanwhile, Ooyodo's provisional fleet pays a final visit to Lycoris to finish her off & cut logistics support to Southern BB Hime, now w/mask off. The armor weakened, Kitakami delivers a torpedo strike at night. Victory, & a short respite before the campaign's final phase.