CR90 Corellian Corvette “Blockade Runner” Course {CC}

Introduction
The Corellian Corvette, also known as the “Blockade Runner”, is designed and manufactured by the Corellian Engineering Corporation (CEC) and have been in service for more than 40 years, making them one of the most common and well-used ships in the entire galaxy. Like most craft models designed by the CEC which are considered by most to be sturdy and reliable, the Corvette is no exception to this rule. The Corvette is capable of traveling long distances with minimal maintenance requirements, and is well armed to ward off pirates and other potential threats, while also being spacious enough for trading runs and to serve as personal transports for ambassadors and traders.

Design History
The Corvette design was well regarded long before the current CR90 version seen so widely across the galaxy. Previous versions weren’t heavily armed, and were designed mainly for the sole purpose of transports for ambassadors, senators, and various dignitaries. While considered fast and maneuverable, the prior corvettes lacked the shielding, weaponry and ability to sustain themselves for more than short trips to various destinations. During the last days of the Old Republic both civilian and military organizations began looking for a newer ship that could fulfill multiple roles; cargo transport, personnel transport, as well as convoy escort. The designers and manufacturers at the Corellian Engineering Corporation (CEC) took the opportunity to revise their prior designs, and the CR90 was the end result.

Boasting a heavier hull and armor, more weaponry, heavier shields, and increased speed, the CR90 immediately became a favorite for the civilian and military markets. For the civilian and government organizations they provided an alternative to transporting ambassadors and other dignitaries without requiring more than a small flight of escort fighters. In most cases the CR90 was capable of warding off most attackers, as many pirates soon learned at great expense. Because of their spacious design, the ship could be outfitted for the transportation of goods for trading, or outfitted with luxuries and electronics for various missions.

For the military, the CR90 was put into immediate use for convoy escort and system or border patrol, and largely remains in this position today within the New Republic. The CR90 has seen wide use in Imperial fleets as well, although they are becoming harder to acquire as the number manufactured by the CEC drops each year. Yet despite the smaller numbers of CR90’s being produced, the Corvette will remain in service for a long time before they are considered fully obsolete.

Capabilities
We’ve lightly touched on how the Corellian Corvette is capable of fulfilling many roles, so lets cover in more detail what those roles are. The standard configuration of the CR90 is designed as a patrol corvette with spaces not required for ordnance and weapon systems being used for research laboratories, crew quarters, and only a relatively small space for cargo. One modification to the CR90 can allow it to be modified for the use of carrying cargo, for trade runs and other aspects. The cargo compartments may be set up for different environment and temperature variations to accommodate various needs. The cargo space replaces most of the research equipment and reduces the number of crew quarters. The ship can also be modified as passenger or troop transport vessel. In the troop transport configuration the ship provides only the most minimal of comforts but the Corvette can carry up to 165 personnel. Whereas the passenger configuration can be designed with high amounts of luxury accolades, but the design passenger configuration greatly reduces the amount of people that it can carry, 46 to 104 personnel. The final version of the modified Corvette relies on it being converted into a baby carrier. It requires heavy modifications that convert the CR90 so that it can carry 6 to 8 fighters, with the addition of a few more deeper within the ship if necessary, but will provide very cramp conditions.

Design Overview
The Corellian Corvette is a ship with a very unique design; the nose of the ship greatly resembles a sideways hammer. The “hammer” contains the primary bridge, as well as crew and various compartments. Behind the front of the ship are two twin laser turrets, one mounted on the top spine of the ship, and the other mounted on the underside of the spine. Slightly behind the twin laser turrets is a section that widens on both sides of the spine, with four pinpoint twin laser turrets mounted on the topside of the section, 2 on each side of the spine. Behind this section the ship narrows again and is followed by a section that contains compartments for the reactor, docking mount, a communication antenna array (top), a sensor array (bottom), and an auxiliary bridge. In case substantial damage is sustained on the primary bridge, the engineering crew in the auxiliary bridge may still control the ship. However, unlike the controls on the primary bridge, which allow automated control of the weapon systems, the auxiliary bridge only allows manual control. Lastly, at the very rear of the ship are eleven engines that propel the ship, providing it a great amount of thrust and speed capabilities unlike any other ship of its size.

The ship also sports a total of 8 (4 on each side of the ship) Escape Pods, which you may recall seeing used by R2-D2 and C3PO when they eluded the Imperial troops during the capture of Princess Leia’s personal Corellian Corvette, the Tantive IV. These are located on the underside of the extended section. The twin laser turrets are 2 Heavy Turbo-Laser Cannon mounts, capable of providing substantial cover against most light capital ships and pirates. In addition, the 4 twin laser turrets are 40mm Point Defense Laser Cannons, capable of providing deadly firepower against most enemy starfighters. On customized military versions the Corvette may also sport a single Proton Torpedo launcher, located on the front of the ship. This is a rare and expensive addition, so the addition isn’t often found on the CR90. If the Corellian Corvette has any real weakness, it can be found in the aft section of the ship, where it has a vulnerability often exploited in combat. The hull around the reactor is easily penetrated by a direct hit to that section, provided that the shields have been depleted or severely weakened. In addition, the ships weapons systems are virtually blind to anyone attacking the ship directly from the stern, as the engine housing prevents the weapons from being able to target any fighter or ship tailing directly behind it.

“Blockade Runner” Specifications
Class: CR90 Corellian Corvette
Manufacturer: Corellian Engineering Corporation (CEC)
Length: 150 meters
Height: 40 meters
Width: 66 meters
Mass: 11, 020 tons
Power System: Fusion reactor with 20-year lifespan. (Typically refueling every 5 years.)
Cargo: 1,000 tons standard, in addition to supplies, consumables and ammunition. Cargo versions can carry up to 5,000 tons.
Crew Capacity: 46
Troop Capacity: 60
Sublight Speed: 22 MGLT
Hyperdrive: Class 2
Shield Rating: 400 SBD
Hull Rating: 190 RU
Weapons:
  2 – Taim & Bak H9 Dual Turbolaser
  4 – 40mm Point Defense Lasers
  1 – Capital Proton Torpedo Battery (On certain modified military versions.)