- Intent: To create an Open Market patrol vessel that is easy on cost, to showcase Kuat Drive Yard's manufacturing abilities, and to provide a reliable vessel for the Kuat fleet.
- Image Source: Fractal the Boy Sponge; The Bridge of the Constance-Class [Source]
- Canon Link: Inspired by
- Permissions: N/A
- Primary Source: N/A
- Manufacturer: Kuat Drive Yards
- Affiliation:
- Galactic Alliance
- Kuat Defense
- Kuat Drive Yards
- Open-Market
- Galactic Alliance
- Model: Constance-Class
- Production: Minor
- Material:
- Durasteel
- Doonium
- Agrinium
- Transparisteel
- Various Standard Starship Materials
- Classification: Light Escort Cruiser, Recon Ship, Communications Vessel, Fleet Support
- Length: 250 Meters
- Width: 125 Meters
- Height: 90 Meters
- Minimum Crew: 55
- Maximum Crew: 150
- Passengers: Boarding and Security Complement ; Small Expeditionary Force Complement
- Armament: High
- Medium Twin Turbolasers
- Light Turbolaser Twins [Anti-Starfighter, Fast-Track Mounted]
- Concealed Laser Cannons
- Concealed Medium Ion Cannons
- Concussion Missile Tubes
- Proton Torpedo Launchers
- Defenses: Low
- Deflector Shields
- Light Armor Plating
- Chaff
- Dampner Aerosol Missiles
- Hangar Space: Average: 1
- Hangar Allocations:
- Starfighters: 1 squadron
- Support Craft: 0 squadrons
- Maneuverability Rating: Average
- Speed Rating: High
- Hyperdrive Class: Average: 2
- Class 10 Backup
- Sensor Suite (HSI/DER/EPR/AS/LFI)
- Targeting Systems
- Encryption Module
- Hyperwave Transciever
- Combat Radar Suite
- Escape Pods
- Drop Pod Bays
- Ship to Ship Boarding Tube
- Life Support
- Deflector Shields
- Barracks
- Med Bay
- Standard Starship Safety Systems
- Various Standard Military Grade Warship Systems
STRENGTHS
- Wide Mission Profile: The Constance-Class could serve several roles in a single fleet from scout carrier to communications vessel and even a main defense vessel for smaller fleets.
- Speed: Equipped with powerful engines the Constance was able to keep up with most battle lines easily and catch unwitting pirates with its speed.
- Vulnerable Hangar: The Constance-Class' hangar was an easy target when deploying its fighters as it lacked subsidiary hangars for individual vessels to leave and was forced to open its gates in full to launch and receive craft.
- Arrays in the Open: Its sophisticated targeting and sensor arrays were mostly out in the open, ready to be attacked by the enemy.
Originally designed and constructed by Kuat Drive Yards as part of the Lord Regent's economic initiative, the Constance-Class Attack Frigate provided the Kuat Defense Fleet a rapid response vehicle and capable patrol vessel. Fast and versatile, the Constance-Class offered the Defense Fleet a flexible alternative to the larger Star Destroyers and cruisers often reserved for use in the Kuat system itself. Built around the typical wedge shape found in most KDY designs, the two-hundred and fifty meter long vessel was propelled by four large sunlight engines which due to vessel's size and power output were left relatively undefended with only the outermost engines receiving even the slightest of fire coverage from the ship's light turblaser cannon emplacements. Along with its crew, the Constance had quarters available for a complement of pilots and a single company of soldiers for use in boarding actions and small scale ground operations. Along the ventral spine of the Constance was a long hangar bay which could comfortably hold 12 starfighters and two small transports, though to call it a full hangar would be generous. While the starfighters could be magnetically clamped and dropped all at once with the door open, allowing for the Constance to deploy its entire compliment quickly, its design was severely lacking in that it offered little space for maintenance and easy refueling.
The reliance of the Constance-class was often called into question as it could easily shrug off the laser cannons and light capital grade fire with its shields and armor but struggled to keep up this defense against medium to heavy grade capital ship ordinance such as proton torpedoes and medium turbolasers. With stability returning to the Core Worlds, however, pirate attacks within the Kuat Sector weren't as great of a concern for the designers of the Constance and were often more than adequate for worlds on the fringe of Alliance space or other small planetary governments within the influence of the larger Galactic Powers. The Constance also boasted a heavy and well-balanced armament for its size with several medium turbolasers and fast mounted anti-starfighter light turbolasers to keep larger threats at bay and small pirate vessels in line.
Outside of its patrol duties, the Constance was frequently used as a communications and fleet support vessel due to its particularly advanced communications and targeting arrays. Many of these were prominently displayed above the bridge which was situated nearly flush with the hull, offering a much more limited view of the battlefield but offered more protection as well, though the area remained a high target section due to the prominent arrays and towers attached to it. Innovative features allowed the vessel to easily intercept messages over long ranges, punch through nebulas and electronic noise, and link accurate and complex targeting data throughout a battlegroup with several being able to link the targeting systems of entire fleets.
One of many Kuat designs that had been stolen by Sith Imperialist sympathizers throughout the years following the Gulag Plague, the Constance was an attempt to reclaim the Kuat legacy. By the time the vessels were rolling out of the KDY shipyards the Alliance had several other vessels dedicated to the role the Constance desired to fill, but despite this setback the vessel saw use in private defense fleets through the Alliance and the Galaxy. With a wide mission profile the Constance was able to solidify its place in a Galactic market and served those who invested in Kuat's future well.
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