Marauder-class corvette

Marauder-class corvette The Marauder-class corvette was a 195-meter-long capital ship introduced prior to the Clone Wars.

Details
Built by the profitable Sienar Technologies division of Republic Sienar Systems, a precursor to Sienar Fleet Systems, the Marauder-class was intended for use as a patrol and escort ship by the Galactic Republic. When the Republic declined to purchase them, mainly due to the Republic's inefficient bureaucracy and not any problems with the ship itself, Sienar managed to sell some to other small governments and organizations such as the Kathol Republic. Orders were slow, and the Marauder was considered one of Sienar's rare failures, so RSS finally sold production rights to the Corporate Sector Authority to be produced and used in the Corporate Sector.

Marauder corvettes were equipped with 8 double turbolasers and three tractor beam projectors, and could optionally support four more turbolasers if a larger power generator was installed. They had space for 12 starfighters, and capacity for 80 troops for use in boarding actions or planetary landings. Their very accurate tractor beams allowed them to capture ships with little collateral damage, and they were sometimes paired with ships equipped with gravity well projectors for this purpose.

Sometimes called a "pocket cruiser," the Marauder's sublight speed was faster than a Victory I-class Star Destroyer. Although not powerful enough for engagements against warships such as those used by the Imperial Navy, they were excellent as patrol and interdiction vessels. They could often be found in use as escorts for Victory-class ships in the Corporate Sector picket fleet, or employed for law enforcement or anti-piracy actions.



The ship was used extensively by the forces of the Corporate Sector Authority and eventually came into use by outlaw groups. The Rebel Alliance/New Republic also employed a few of these ships, including the dilapidated starship Etherhawk.

Marauders remained in use in the Corporate Sector through at least 19 ABY, and the Diamalan Commerce Ministry purchased twelve of the ships approximately three months prior to the Caamas Document crisis. Pirate captain Zothip tried to buy the same ships, but was outbid by the Diamala. Around the same time, the crime lord Rei'Kas lost three Marauders against the Aing-Tii at Exocron. Some groups were known to employ Marauders as late as the Yuuzhan Vong War.

Known Ships

 * Bravado III
 * Etherhawk
 * Intruder
 * Juno II
 * Mirandine
 * Plague
 * Pure Sabacc
 * Quillion
 * Retribution
 * Siroma
 * Solidarity
 * Triumph

Behind the scenes
Though the Marauder was first mentioned in Han Solo and the Lost Legacy in 1980, it was not given specifications or a visual depiction until more than a decade later. The appearance of the Marauder-class may have been inspired by the Ferengi Marauder, a vessel which made its debut on Star Trek in 1987.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Republic: Rite of Passage
 * Han Solo and the Lost Legacy
 * Rebel Dawn
 * Empire at War
 * Star Wars: X-wing Alliance
 * Star Wars: Empire at War
 * X-wing: Solo Command
 * Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood 1
 * Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood 3
 * Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood 5
 * Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood 6
 * Vision of the Future
 * Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial