This Ship Compendium is an attempt to catalogue the major capital
ships employed by the Rebel Alliance/New Republic/Galactic Alliance
and the Galactic Empire/Imperial Remnant and provide the pertinent
statistics for those vessels. There have been a variety of sourcebooks
and references published on these vessels but far too often they
provide inconsistent or erroneous figures. The overriding aim of this
Compendium therefore is to collate all the known data on these vessels
and to establish acceptable figures for them. It draws on a number of
web-based and paper sources, as well as the erudite members of the
insane cult known as the "Fleet Junkies."
Many moons ago, one of these Junkies decided to create what he
affectionately dubbed "Project Calamari". After being met to
tremendous acclaim, the lovechild of Warlord_Ken and
AdmiralNick22 lay dormant, waiting to be resurrected. When
Kris7 joined the ever-growing fringe, he decided that it was time to
breathe life back into this monster. To do so, he consulted a number
of other inmates who, after hours of work in their padded cells,
bombarded him with a plethora of statistics, analyses and an endless
stream of rants. You see, although the Fleet Junkies may be an
eclectic bunch, they are united in their passion for the capital ships
of the Star Wars Universe. As such, they find themselves constantly
angered by the seeming lack of thought put into the official
publications detailing these vessels.
Unfortunately, although many of the hypothetical statistics put
forward in this Compendium are derived from apposite logic and
adherence to acceptable mathematical and scientific conventions, these
statistics remain unofficial. To that end, the Compendium has been
broken into two distinct sections. The first section contains the
statistics put forward in the various sourcebooks and other official
publications, while the second section is comprised of conjectural and
speculative data compiled by our resident devotees. Welcome to the
asylum.
Notes to reader
1.Vessels are listed by length, from shortest to longest.
2.Sources are listed in abbreviated form after each ship name and
listed in full at the end of the Compendium under the heading
"References"
3.Any stats provided by a Jedi Council Member are purely speculative
4.While images have been provided for most vessels, some have "No
Image Available" appearing instead. This simply means that no pictures
were found and that Kris7 cannot draw.
5.Many of the images are squashed and contorted. Simply click on them
and you will be taken to a larger, properly scaled version.
6.All ships have been given a "combat role" in this version. This
classification system is almost entirely the work of forum member
Grin_Reaper and is explained below these notes. With his
permission, I have re-worded some parts and have added in a few extra
classes. These classifications are purely speculative.
7.With regards to weaponry, a battery is equal to five cannons, i.e.
one turbolaser battery equals five turbolaser cannons.
8.Not included in this edition are the "Ultra Heavy Turbolaser
Turrets" which have in the past been the topic of discussion in the
thread. Although movie evidence, the highest level of canon, shows
their existence, the preponderance of RPG statistics, upon which most
of the EU is based, does not acknowledge them. Until they can be
incorporated into the existing statistics they will not be included in
the Compendium. I suggest that this be a project for the Fleet Junkies
to pursue in the near future.
9.Version 5 adds the vessels known to be in use by the Corporate
Sector Authority (CSA) as well as the Harrow-class Star
Destroyer and the Protector-class Heavy Cruiser. Included in
the next edition will be the Mandator- and
Procurator-classes.
10.Please provide as much feedback as time will allow you as this is
intended to be a true group effort.
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Patrol Ship Lightly armed intra-system patrol ships designed
for anti-smuggling operations. Most are incapable of hyperspace
travel.
Picket Ship A Corvette sub-class, Picket Ships are fast,
lightly armed vessels equipped with lavish sensor suites. These ships
are typically deployed in reconnaissance and patrol duties.
Patrol Destroyer Similar to Picket Ships, Patrol Destroyers
are fast, lightly armed warships with powerful long-range sensors.
They serve as primarily as reconnaissance and long-range patrol ships.
Star Monitor Star Monitors are essentially small vessels with
big guns. They mount weaponry similar to that of far larger vessels,
giving them impressive offensive abilities, but this comes at the cost
of manoeuvrability and hull strength. Also, the enormous power that
these weapons require, and hence the oversized reactor, means that
there is little room for comforts and amenities.
Light Assault Cruiser Light Assault Cruisers are small
vessels that lack the cargo capacity of Corvettes and the firepower of
Gunships. Pirates attacking lightly guarded convoys often use them as
raiders.
Corvette Corvettes are small, multi-role vessels that
incorporate speed, firepower and versatility. They are prominent
throughout the galaxy as they tend to be easily available and readily
modifiable.
Corvette-Carrier These vessels are simply Corvettes that have
been designed or modified to carry a small number of fighters,
generally between a flight (four fighters) and a squadron (twelve
fighters).
Gunship Approximate in size to Corvettes, Gunships are
intended for use in heavy combat and as such mount extensive arrays of
anti-starfighter and capital-scale weaponry. Most gunships are capable
of engaging and threatening far larger enemies, although this comes at
a cost, as gunships sacrifice cargo space and comfortable living
quarters in favour of engines, armour, weaponry, and shields.
Anti-Starfighter Gunship These Gunships are devoted solely to
combating enemy starfighters, and as such mount many anti-starfighter
weapon emplacements and little if any capital-scale weaponry.
Anti-Starfighter Frigate These frigates are intended
primarily for use against enemy starfighters and as such are typically
equipped with extensive anti-starfighter weaponry and advanced
targeting systems. These ships typically have little to no
capital-scale weaponry and as such are vulnerable to larger vessels in
combat.
Escort Frigate Escort Frigates are small, well armed vessels
that are equally effective against starfighters and capital ships. In
addition to their armament, they tend to carry at least one squadron
of their own starfighters. Most Escort Frigate classes possess
powerful long-range sensors and extensive communications suites as
they are often used as command ships for convoy escorts.
Torpedo Frigate Torpedo Frigates discard the powerful
communications and sensor arrays of the Escort Frigate in favour of an
array of warhead launchers in addition to their laser and turbolaser
cannons, giving them more of a punch against larger capital ships.
They tend to carry little or no starfighters, and are instead intended
solely for ship-to-ship combat.
Line Frigate Like Torpedo Frigates, Line Frigates forego the
sophisticated communication and sensor systems of Escort Frigates in
favour of heavier armour, tougher shields, and more fighters.
Additionally, Line Frigates mount more capital-scale weaponry,
typically sacrificing some of their anti-starfighter weaponry for ion
cannons. These are pure combat vessels.
Attack Frigate Intended for a wide range of combat
engagements, Attack Frigates mount a balance of capital-scale and
anti-fighter weaponry. Although similar in armament to Line Frigates,
Attack Frigates forgo the toughness of their cousin, instead placing
an emphasis on speed and manoeuvrability.
Assault Frigate The largest of all the frigate types, Assault
Frigates are far more powerful than their smaller cousins. They
feature thicker hull armour, stronger shields and more extensive
weaponry. They are well armed with a balance between anti-starfighter
and capital-scale weaponry, making them effective in a number of
roles. Assault Frigates are capable of engaging larger vessels and
holding their own.
Bulk Cruiser These vessels are essentially cargo ships that
have been armed for use in combat. They tend not to be particularly
effective in battle, but are sufficiently armed to defend themselves
from attack.
Light Cruiser Armed more heavily than a frigate, but lacking
the same degree of anti-fighter weaponry, Light Cruisers are used as
convoy escorts, raiders, and deep space long patrol ships, in addition
to helping screen heavier combatants in fleet-scale engagements. Most
light cruisers carry one to two fighter squadrons, though a few
classes carry as many as three or four.
Medium Cruiser Medium Cruisers are armed with more (and
heavier) capital-scale weaponry than light cruisers. While they
perform much the same roles, Medium Cruisers are more capable of
fighting heavier warships. They are also less used as convoy escorts,
and more as patrol ships.
Heavy Cruiser Pure combat vessels, Heavy Cruisers mount large
amounts of capital and anti-fighter weaponry, in addition to carrying
between two and four fighter squadrons. They fulfil a wide range of
roles, from acting as convoy escorts to providing fire support for
larger capital ships in battle. They also serve as command ships for
taskforces of smaller warships.
Assault Cruiser Assault Cruisers are generally larger and
more heavily armoured than Heavy Cruisers and, in addition to their
sizeable armament, tend to mount extensive armaments, greatly
augmented by a large number of warhead launchers.
Star Cruiser Star Cruisers are large, powerful warships that
specialise in ship-to-ship combat. They are highly effective space
combatants due to their combination of extensive weaponry and large
starfighter complement, although this comes at a cost as they are
somewhat lacking in troops, limiting their ground assault and boarding
capabilities.
Star Destroyer Star Destroyers are extremely versatile
warships that are amongst the most powerful space combatants, as well
as possessing large numbers of starfighters and ground troops. Star
Destroyers combine all the best features of the smaller support craft
but in a much more dominant, making them the centrepieces of a
battlegroup.
Star Defender Larger than the largest normal Star Destroyer
or Star Cruiser, Star Defenders are similar to Super Star Destroyers
in size and armament, differing mainly in their primary role. While
both can serve as a fleet command ship, like the Star Cruiser, Star
Defenders are intended primarily for heavy combat space combat. To
that end, they are typically equipped with an abundance of
capital-scale weaponry, as well as strong shields and thick armour
plating.
Super Star Destroyer Similar in size and armament to Star
Defenders, Super Star Destroyers serve an additional purpose:
planetary assault. Super Star Destroyers are equipped with a wide
range of weapons capable of planetary bombardment, as well as carrying
enormous numbers of ground assault machinery and troops. In addition
to this, they are extremely well equipped for space combat and are
capable of laying waste to entire taskforces.
Star Battlecruiser Like the Star Cruiser, the Star
Battlecruiser is a pure space combatant and is capable of devastating
entire fleets of lesser enemy craft. These immense vessels are
exceedingly expensive however and as such are quite rare.
Star Battleship Larger and much more heavily armed than a
Star Battlecruiser, the Star Battleship is functionally a pocket Star
Dreadnought. These behemoths are equipped with a gargantuan number of
weapons emplacements, as well as carrying inordinate numbers of
starfighters, troops and ground assault machinery. Extraordinarily
rare, these vessels function solely as command ships for the largest
and most important fleets.
Star Dreadnought Far larger than any other vessels, Star
Dreadnoughts are the amongst the most awesome sights in the galaxy.
These leviathans are capable of decimating enemy fleets and projecting
political power to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. They carry a
massive starfighter complement, as well as enormous numbers of troops
and ground assault machinery. Despite the amazing advantages they
grant, the cost involved in constructing, maintaining and operating
these grand vessels means that very few are ever built.
Escort Carrier Usually between frigates and heavy cruisers in
size, Escort Carriers generally carry between three and six
starfighter squadrons. With most of their space devoted to hanger
bays, Escort Carriers tend to lack capital-scale weaponry and as such
are extremely vulnerable to larger enemy vessels. They usually mount
significant anti-starfighter defences though, which allows them to
protect their launching fighters.
Assault Carrier Assault Carriers are approximate in size to
heavy cruisers and typically carry around one wing of starfighters. In
addition, they mount considerable capital-scale weaponry, as well as
having more powerful shields and thicker hull armour. Unlike Escort
Carriers, Assault Carriers are designed to be able to hold their own
somewhat in combat.
Fleet Carrier The largest of all carriers, a Fleet Carrier
generally carry around two starfighter wings. Fleet Carriers are
approximate in size to Star Cruisers and are equipped with strong
shields, thick armour plating and significant firepower. These vessels
also function as command ships and as such are equipped with advanced
communications systems.
Troop Transport These vessels are, as the name suggests, used
primarily for transporting large numbers of troops into combat. They
tend to be well armoured and protected, but are generally not intended
for use in fleet engagements.
Tender Essentially a space-going warehouse, tenders are
generally unarmed vessels that carry large amounts of supplies for the
battlegroup to which they are attached. They tend not to be especially
durable either, so are generally kept away from combat.
Interdictor Frigate Interdictor Frigates are small vessels
which mount gravity well projectors, with the primary role of
functioning as interdictors. They tend to be lightly armed, mainly
with anti-starfighter weaponry, and as such need to be protected when
in combat.
Interdictor Cruiser Interdictor Cruisers are medium-sized
vessels which mount gravity well projectors, with the primary role of
functioning as interdictors. They tend to be moderately armed, moreso
than Interdictor Frigates, but are still under-gunned for their size.
They often carry at least one squadron of starfighters as well, so are
more viable for combat operations than their smaller counterparts.
Interdictor Star Destroyer These vessels are often refitted
Star Destroyers and are much more viable in combat than smaller
interdictors. They sacrifice some of the heavier weaponry of Star
Destroyers, but their gravity well projectors give them a unique
combat advantage.
WEAPONS VOCABULARY
Cannon single gun emplacement
Double/Dual Cannon two gun emplacement
Triple Cannon three gun emplacement
Quad Cannon four gun emplacement
Battery five gun emplacement