Escort carrier

To help fill the demand for TIE fighter combat support, the Empire developed the 500 meter long escort carrier. The vessel augments the overall starfight strength of whatever fleet it is attached to. It also provides a hyperspace platform for TIE fighters, giving the starfighters a method for quick travel via lightspeed. These box-like, inelegant vessels carry entire TIE fighter wings in their cavernous bays. It is standard practice to have at least one squadron of TIE Interceptors in the mix. Additional smaller bays can carry up to six shuttles or other support craft. With only ten twin laser cannons, an escort carrier is not considered a combat vessel. It prefers to stay as far from the battle as possible, serving as a refueling and supply point for the TIEs it carries.