CORELLIAN CORVETTE
Ship design philosophy goes through cycles. For several decades, multi-purpose ships are built, with each vessel able to fulfill a wide variety of functions. Then, for no apparent reason, specialization comes into fashion, and new ships are designed to perform one job only. Multi-purpose ships provide flexibility; single-purpose vessels are more economical.
Currently, single-purpose vessels are gaining favor throughout the Empire. This can be seen in the new bulk container transports designed to carry huge cargo but unable to carry passengers, as well as the new Imperial shuttles which carry only passengers and not freight. The trend has reached its height in the design of military vehicles such as the Death Star, which is extremely effective against large targets (planets, for example), but proved quite vulnerable to small starfighters.
However, there are still a few of the older multi-purpose vessels in production. One of the best of these is the Corellian Corvette. Built by the Corellian Engineering Corporation, it is a mid-sized vessel which can function as troop carrier, light escort vessel, cargo transport, or passenger liner. The interior of the ship is modularly designed, so it is easy to reconfigure a Corvette from one of these duties to another, thus greatly increasing its usefulness and resale value. Though unable to compete with dedicated ships in their specialties, many believe the Corvette's adaptability more than makes up for its weaknesses.
Although now common throughout the galaxy, Corvettes were built to be sold primarily in the Corellian system; thus, they were designed to the requirements of that demanding market. Corellian pilots like their ships fast in sublight speed and able to make hyperspace jumps quickly; Corellians also enjoy roomy interiors and plenty of creature comforts, not to mention large cargo space, passenger room, and the finest weapons systems. The Corvette goes a long way toward providing for all of these.
In its military configuration, a Corvette has little cargo space and few amenities; instead, that space is taken up by bigger sublight engines and shield generators, fire control and defensive computers, fuel containers, weapons systems, and troop berths. A military Corvette requires a crew of about 165 men to operate effectively.
Pirate, privateer, and Rebel blockade-running Corvettes are similarly equipped, though such vessels are typically older and more beat up than their Imperial counterparts.
As a transport vessel, the Corvette can be configured to haul a wide variety of cargo under a wide variety of conditions. It can be modified to carry bulk merchandise, such as water, grain or oxygen; it can be compartmentalized to carry many different kinds of cargo, maintaining each in the appropriate atmospheric and gravitational conditions; it can be made into a serviceable passenger vessel and outfitted with anything from steerage-class berths to luxurious first-class suites. (Before the Senate was disbanded by the Emperor, many Senators utilized Corvettes as diplomatic couriers).
Depending on the value and timeliness (and legality) of its cargo, a transport Corvette may be slow and well-armed, fast but undefended, or, if its owner is willing to pay enough, fast and well-armed. Crew size varies according to the fragility of the cargo and the size of the ships weapon and defensive systems, the average for a standard compartmentalized cargo configuration is 45-60 crew members.
Design flaws plague every high-tech construction, and the Corvette is no exception. Its main flaw appears when the ship is used for military applications: the principle solar collector and stabilizer fin, which is located dorsally amidships, is especially vulnerable to damage from attack. This small, curved panel is relatively non-vital, controlling only ship maneuverability within planetary atmospheres and collecting solar power for secondary systems and backup power cells. However, incidental shock waves from direct heavy-weapons hits to the fin can sometimes cause severe vibrations and heat build-up in the main reactor and engine housings, located directly below the stabilizer. Once this occurs, all systems must be shut down or the vessels risks reactor explosion. There are many recorded accounts of smaller vessels crippling pursuing pirate Corvettes by repeatedly hitting the stabilizer fin.
To correct this flaw, some Corvettes have been retro-fitted with heavier fins and have upgraded the shielding to the dorsal area. If a captain can not afford such upgrading, he usually refocuses his existing shields to protect the fin. This isn't as good as a total upgrade, it can keep a Corvette in the battle long enough for its speed and maneuverability to come into play.
Corellian Corvettes have served well in many interstellar fleets. While slowly being replaced by newer, fancier ships, vessels of this class have a well-deserved reputation for reliability and utility throughout the Empire, whether serving military, consular, piracy, or smuggling duty.