The major
weakness of frigates and larger capital ships is that their
weapons generally 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
highly maneuverable 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 six 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 corvette'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, code-named Diirvass after the ancient
discipline of sword-dancing, was finally commissioned. It
has performed admirably in combat. Diirvass-class Corvettes
will often be found operating close in beside Sajuuk Cor-class
Ion Beam Frigates, protecting their vulnerable flanks from
enemy fighters.
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