Escort Carrier

Overview
Escort Carrier
Name: Escort Carrier (ESC)
Tag: ESC
Manufacturer: Kuat Drive Yards
In Use By: Various
Category: Cruisers
Game Patches: None
Crew: 3,845, Troops: 800
Fighters: 72
Length: 501 meters
Cargo: Unspecified
Description: Medium starship specially designed to transport large numbers of starfighters. Carries an entire TIE wing of up to 60 starfighters.
Statistics
Shields: Yes
Hyperdrive: Yes
Shield Strength: 1,600 SBD
Shield Recharge: 70
Shield Decharge: 120
Hull Strength: 912 RU
System Strength: 80
Counters: 10
Point Value: 300
Explosive Strength: 4,000
Cruise Speed: 13 MGLT
Acceleration: 4 MGLT/s
Decelleration: 9 MGLT/s
Roll Rating: 1
Pitch Rating: 2
Maneuverability: 5 DPF
Laser Cannons: 10
Ion Cannons: 0
Launchers: 1
Torpedo Capacity: 25
Background
The need for a TIE escort carrier became apparent after the Battle of Ton-Falk. In that battle, two Imperial frigates and a Dreadnaught were lost due to, as Naval Command reported, "inadequate TIE support". So the Navy commissioned Kuat Drive Yards to construct a vessel that would serve the specific function of carrying TIE fighters into battle.

The main duties of escort carriers are to augment the starfighter strength of the fleet they are attached to, and to transport non-hyperspace support shuttles from system to system. Box-like and inelegant in appearance, KDY's escort carrier performs these missions admirably.

Each Carrier bases an entire TIE wing in it cavernous bays. Imperial policy mandates that at least one squadron of TIE Interceptors be included in the mix. Additional bays can carry up to six shuttles.

While Carriers are equipped with protective weaponry, they are not considered combat vessels. They do not engage enemy targets and try to stay far from the actual battle as possible.

Other missions that carriers regularly perform include augmenting the power of Imperial garrison bases. While the garrison quells planetary problems, the Carrier assumes a stationary position in orbit over the planet. From this position, the Carrier's TIE's can blanket the world to provide support from above.

Sources:Gorden, Greg. Imperial Sourcebook. West End Games. June 1994