Tartan-class patrol cruiser

Tartan-class patrol cruiser The Tartan-class patrol cruiser was an Imperial anti-starfighter ship developed by Damorian Manufacturing Corporation during the early days of the New Order.

Description
Armed with twenty fast-targeting laser cannons, it was well suited for use against starfighters, bombers, and pirate vessels. With these powerful computers came a hefty price. Thier computers were very expensive and even the Empire did not use them en masse. An energy distribution network allowed this ship to channel more power into its weapons systems, at the expense of its deflector shields and engine power.

The Tartan-class vessels bore a remarkable similarity to the Lancer-class frigate. The main overlaps included the armament (the Lancer mounted 20 fast-tracking, anti-starfighter quad laser cannons) and the mission role (though the Lancer was tasked with an anti-starfighter role, the only reason that it could not also fulfill the Tartan's duties was its relatively slow speed).

Known ships

 * Agility
 * Attentive
 * Diadem
 * Impeccable
 * Skirmisher
 * Vindictive

Behind the scenes
In the game Empire at War, the Tartan performs best the role for which the Lancer was designed; it excels in destroying Rebel starfighter squadrons, and finds itself on equal footing against opposing corvettes. The Tartan is, however, easy prey for Nebulon-B frigates, though officially the Tartan is twice as long, which raises questions about its dimensions. A more likely dimension lies somewhere around 250-350 meters in length; support for this comes from the Carrack-class light cruiser, measuring 350 meters in length and fulfilling a similar mission profile to which the Tartan is apparently tasked. In fact, the Tartan is also built by Damorian Manufacturing Corporation; it is therefore unlikely that the Tartan could possibly be twice as long as the Carrack and yet weaker in combat power, even though the Carrack's design predates it.

Appearances

 * Empire at War