Huntress-class Pursuit Vessel

The Loronar Huntress-class Pursuit Cruiser was designed for the Galactic Republic in the years following the Battle of Naboo, just preceeding the Clone Wars. With the increasing unrest during the reign of Chancellor Palpatine, the need for a more powerful capital ship by the Republic Navy became evident. Pirate raids became increasingly bolder and more ruthless, mercenary attacks became more frequent, and Republic citizens became outraged and demanded more military protection. Of cource, Chancellor Palpatine agreed to commission these new craft for the Republic Navy. While the majority of the newer ships began to come from Republic Sienar Systems, Loronar's designs for a smaller, yet powerful, capital ship caught the eye of the power-hungry Palpatine. It is designed to serve multiple functions, from system patrol craft, supplementary assault craft, pursuit vessel (this was its most common function, earning its common name), and even on occasion escort ship. It was outfitted to carry a compliment of a single squadron of starfighters, troops and troop transports, ground vehicles and support equipment, and even prefabricated buildings. This predecessor to the Strike-class Cruiser was employed all throughout the Republic, and was one of the first warning signs to Republic Citizens that Palpatine's taste for military control was a threat to all peoples, not just pirates or smugglers.