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CR100b CORVETTE ("OVERWATCH" REFIT)
AFFILIATION
Open market
MANUFACTURER
Corellian Engineering Corporation (original ship)
Sector authorities / Black market (Overwatch retrofit suite)
CLASS
Corvette
ROLE
Capital ship
Light carrier
Patrol and first response ship
COMPOSITION
Durasteel and transparisteel
DIMENSIONS
150 meters
CREW
10-36
PASSENGER CAPACITY
60 / 300 (if you empty both hangars)
CARGO CAPACITY
200 tons / 2 kilotons (if you empty both hangars)
HANGAR CAPACITY
16x starfighter/light starbomber
4x shuttle/light freighter
CONSUMABLES
3 standard months.
SPEED/MANEUVERABILITY
The CR100b corvette has a top speed of 81 MGLT and has average maneuvering characteristics.
ARMAMENT
- 2x dual light ion cannon turret, 1x dorsal, 1x ventral
- 4x dual light laser turret, 2x port, 2x starboard
- 2x tractor beam projector, 1x dorsal, 1x ventral
EQUIPMENT
- 1x class 1 hyperdrive, 1x class 12 hyperdrive (backup).
- 1x navicomputer.
- 1x heavy deflector screen generator.
- 1x long-range sensor suite.
- 1x long-range communication suite.
- 6x docking ring with integrated docking tube and hull-cutting tools.
- 8x 6-being escape pod.
- 4x 12-being escape pod.
DESCRIPTION
Unlike the old Republic or Galactic Empire, the Free Worlds Alliance doesn't have a unified military. Instead, each world and sector maintains its own defense forces, which come together in the times of need. As a result, not all sectors could maintain star destroyers or even cruisers. They found the solution in retrofitting their old corvettes into makeshift carriers. That practice yielded some results that drew the attention of richer sectors as well.
A star destroyer could keep an entire system in check, which was a requirement for the Galactic Empire. But the much-looser Free Worlds Alliance didn't need to fight dissent through fear. The main threat they faced were pirates and smugglers. Larger ships were overkill for dealing with the former, and ill-equipped for dealing with the latter. Their only benefit was the ability to carry a compliment of fighters and bombers. But other than that, star destroyers seemed like a waste of resources. Modified corvettes proved way more efficient. That's why some sectors contracted Corellian Engineering Corporation to have their corvettes retrofitted as well. However, they chose a different approach to reflect their needs.
Larger sectors had a lot more starfighters to deploy, so they wanted an extra hangar bay, even at the further expense of cargo and passenger capacity. Unlike a CR100a refit—which could be a small sector's only capital and diplomatic ship—the dedicated carrier would be a part of a larger military force. It was intended to be built or retrofitted en masse. Class 1 hyperdrive was still a requirement for fast response; the fabled Corellian speed had to be retained too. But installing a secondary power generator just for that was deemed too expensive for mass market.
That's why the designers took another way. They replaced medium laser cannons and turbolasers with faster light weapons for point-defense. Light laser and ion cannons were perfect for fending off smaller ships and disabling them. Tractor beams and hull cutting tools would then allow the marines to board those ships. In encounters with larger capital vessels, the sublight speed could give the corvette a chance of survival, while its squadrons would handle the rest.
Ironically, giving up on heavy weapons and secondary not only made the refit cheaper to produce and maintain. It also also fell in line with the more non-violent doctrine of the Free Worlds Alliance. Still, even with these measures, the "Overwatch" retrofit suite still cost more than a "Seeker" suite. That's why the Corellian Engineering Corporation didn't release it as a separate model, but rather took refit orders from sector authorities. Officially, it was never sold to anyone else, but some unscrupulous deals ensured that the design didn't remain exclusive to the Free Worlds Alliance for long.
Despite the apparent efficiency, this design hasn't become backbone of the Free Worlds fleets yet. Occasional CR100b corvettes can be seen patrolling the Free Worlds space nowadays. In addition to starfighters, they might deploy VCX-820 escort freighters. The ships are primarily associated with the law enforcement of the New Republic and Free Worlds Alliance, even though some have made their way into the hands of unsavory individuals.
LEGALITY
Restricted. CR100b-class corvettes are classified as small capital ships under Galactic law. As such, civilian owners will require extra licensing to operate one legally, and will receive increased scrutiny by authorities.
INTENT
To introduce a dedicated light carrier and a specialized upgrade path for old CR corvettes like CR90 or CR92. That way, those who prefer Corellian designs can get more invested into their ships. You'd need not only to acquire a standard ship, but also to upgrade it. As a result, you'd get something that can compete with newer models (Crusader) or other light carriers (Marauder).
RESTRICTIONS
CR100b corvettes are large capital ships with heavy weapons, and capital ships cannot be owned or operated by individual characters. They may be acquired as faction assets, however, or by a group of at least 6 individual characters who work together regularly.
Corellian Engineering Corporation never produced CR100b as a ready-made ship. Instead, existing ships (such as CR90 or CR92 models) were modified into CR100b with an "Overwatch" retrofit suite. You'd need to acquire or own an unmodified corvette first. The retrofit itself isn't cheap, and requires access to a shipyard or a large enough hangar, skilled technicians, and no less than a few weeks of work. You could also go against the New Republic and FWA to try and steal one, but it'd be a risky endeavor at best.
Due to the complexity and inter-dependency of all the changes, the refit can't accept aftermarket modifications.
