The major weakness of frigates and larger capital ships is that generally their weapons are designed to engage ships of analogous size and function. Heavy turrets can punch gaping holes in an enemy cruiser, but they must rely on pure luck to hit high maneuverability targets. This leaves heavier ships very vulnerable to massed attacks by strike craft. While fielding large numbers of defensive fighters is the immediate answer to this problem, Fleet Command realized that fighters are better used in the offensive role and so an order for some sort of larger anti-fighter platform was placed. Fleet Engineers soon settled on a corvette hull as an ideal platform, mixing moderate speed and maneuverability with enough armor to survive in the thick of battle.

While designing the chassis was relatively simple, implementing a fire control system capable of handling the 6 articulated turrets called for in the specs required intensive software development. Other problems involved the reliability of the high-speed turrets under constant use, and finally engineers had to abandon traditional hydraulic turrets and replace them with a maglev system based on super-conducting polymers. This system worked beyond expectation, allowing for high-speed target acquisition without increased wear and heat build-up in the turret assembly. The only drawback was that the incredibly high torque generated by the turrets can sometimes overwhelm the Tempest's gyro-stabilizers, and inexperienced pilots can find themselves tumbling uncontrollably through space until they can reset the turrets.

While it required a long and difficult design process, the resulting corvette was finally commissioned. It has performed admirably in combat. Tempest corvettes will often be found operating close in beside Firelance Ion Cannon Frigates, protecting their vulnerable flanks from enemy fighters.