Majestic-class heavy cruiser

From Wookieepedia, the Star Wars wiki.

The Majestic-class heavy cruiser was a compact but powerful warship built under the New Republic's New Class modernization program.

Contents 1 Characteristics 2 Known ships 3 Behind the scenes 4 Sources 5 Notes and references

[edit] Characteristics

With 30 heavy turbolaser cannons, 20 laser cannons, 20 ion cannons, 8 concussion missile tubes, and 4 tractor beam projectors, these ships were capable of engaging both enemy capital ships and starfighters. Majestic-class heavy cruisers were incredibly durable; their thick armor and shields were equal to the previous generation of Imperial-class Star Destroyers.

These ships were equipped with fast Class 0.95 hyperdrives, capable for 90-second spin-up times^[1]. They carried a crew of 4,050; 640 troops; and enough consumables for 5 months of operation. Following New Class practice, the basic hull design of the Majestic-class heavy cruiser was derived from that of the Defender-class assault carrier.

Although far smaller than Imperial-class ships, and carrying a smaller number of heavy guns, Majestic-class cruisers were nevertheless designed to be able to take on Star Destroyers one-on-one. The secret of this capability laid in improved gunnery systems that allow them to hit their target far more accurately at longer range, coupled with increased speed and maneuverability that allows them to prevent the enemy closing the distance.

This had the effect of allowing them to land far more shots on an Imperial-class Star Destroyer in a long-range duel than their target can answer accurately with; the Imperial ship had to try to close to medium range to score as many hits on a Majestic.

[edit] Known ships

• Indomitable

[edit] Behind the scenes

The only official image of the Majestic-class heavy cruiser is found in the RPG sourcebook Cracken's Threat Dossier, but the image looks nothing like that of the Defender-class carrier, which is supposed to be built on the same hull, according to the Black Fleet Crisis novels, on which Cracken's Threat Dossier is based. Because of this, many fans believe that this picture cannot be an accurate representation of the ship.

Although it is labeled as a "heavy cruiser", and sometimes even a "battlecruiser", the 700m Majestic is shorter than the 825m Munificent-class Star Frigate of the Clone Wars, falling within the 400-900m size-bracket for cruisers in the system of "standard Imperial classifications", and giving her the status of downscaled cruiser and upscaled destroyer (being built to take on Imperial Star Destroyers).

With other sources like Vector Prime and Dorling Kindersley publications mentioning different classification systems, this is therefore not a big issue, nor should the WEG-derived system be held as "absolute", as their own sources sometimes violate it.

With real-life classifications sometimes overlapping and changing, the problems of different SW-classifications can be considered a non-issue.

[edit] Sources

• Cracken's Threat Dossier
• The New Essential Chronology
• Black Fleet Crisis FAQ by Michael P. Kube-McDowell

[edit] Notes and references

New Class Modernization Program Starship Classifications
Transports: Hajen-class fleet tender Scouts: Ferret-class reconnaissance vessel - Prowler-class reconnaissance vessel Carriers: Defender-class assault carrier - Endurance-class fleet carrier Corvettes: Agave-class picket ship - Warrior-class gunship Frigates: Belarus-class medium cruiser - Corona-class frigate - Sacheen-class light escort Star Destroyers: Nebula-class Star Destroyer - Republic-class Star Destroyer Cruisers: Majestic-class heavy cruiser - MC90 Star Cruiser
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