The Audacious-class light cruiser is a fairly new Imperial Navy warship model that was introduced in the early 41st Millennium. Incorporating advanced STC technologies, the Audacious class is considerably smaller than that standard Imperial cruiser but is equipped with more advanced weapon, targeting, and communications systems. It was initially developed in the shipyards of Bakka as part of an effort to create a smaller yet still powerful vessel that could be constructed faster and be used in greater numbers. The Audacious is considered small even for light cruisers but its firepower and other capabilities place it in that category. It is equipped with various cannons and lancers that are more powerful than average and have better targeting accuracy, along with torpedoes.
The Audacious is also a favorite of system defense forces, as the SDFs prefer to rely on smaller yet more advanced warships due to their limited funds and manpower.
Characteristics[]
The standard Audacious class was equipped with advanced communications and targeting systems to increase efficiency. It possessed three engines, which were not connected to each other and could continue to operate independently if one or two were damaged. For offense, it possessed several cannons on the front, along with two to four torpedo launching tubes. The cruiser had thirty to thirty-five cannons and lances on both the starboard and port sides of the ship, along with several missile launchers on the nacelles of two of it's engines (one on each side). Different variants had additional lances and torpedo launchers on the sides and bottom of the hull.
Its armor is not as thick as some other vessels but it does have advanced shielding. The standard design is thought to have seven or eight layers of armor of various metals. In addition, its offensive complement included launch bays could carry up to 48 Attack Craft.
The cruiser's frame itself was much more streamlined than most of the bulkier Imperial ships.
History[]
The Audacious class has been entering more widespread usage since its initial design throughout M41, particularly in Segmentum Tempestus but increasingly in other parts of the Galaxy. The ship's small size makes it quicker to produce than a full-size light cruiser, even with its advanced technologies, so it has become a favorite of many Imperial admirals. Squadrons of Audacious cruisers are often used on long-range patrols, possessing enough firepower to put up a defense against many potential enemies.
Among the notable local SDFs that use this warship is the Andurin Space Armada, which utilizes the Audacious as its heaviest class of ship.