CNPS Audacious
One of the Commonwealth's few classes of attack vessel is the Lightning Class of fighter support vessels, like CNPS Audacious, pictured here. Unlike a carrier, Audacity does not dock or carry the fighters with which she is deployed, but instead, replenishes their systems - power, fuel, food and atmospherics.
This kind of strike support is used to significantly extend the range of the S-12 (Dauntless) Strike fighters, four of which are seen in these pictures, revictualing.
The unusual feature of the Lightning design is the heavy weapons. She carries some point defense weapons, as one would expect from a tanker, and she carries no midranged weapons, yet there are the two long ranged energy cannons mounted above and below the centreline forward. The tactical logic of this came from a recognition that to be effective, these ships would have to be within striking distance of the enemy, and as such, made an excellent heavy weapons platform. As one would expect, a tanker does not last long in a fire fight, but these ships are not expected to go toe to toe. Rather their assault mission profiles would generally call for them to lay off the target, providing fire support for the fighters, who close and engage. While the fighters remain on the target, Audacious can assist by pouring in heavy fire. Once the fighters disengage, so does Audacious, making away from the target with all speed, to a predtermined rendezvous.
The Audacious has been assigned missions from fleet interdiction and space superiority to escort for diplomatic visitors and flight displays in support of Commonwealth festivals.
Dauntless pilots, traditionally cowboys beholding to nobody, and content to be left to their own devices, count Lightnings 'almost as welcome as a cold beer'. High praise indeed.
Sister ships to Audacious include Ferocious, Furious, and Brazen.
It was in fact the Brazen, with a wing of 18 Dauntlesses that destroyed the first of what was to become a flood of Troll light carriers, and then went on to distinguished service in deflecting the flood, and protecting the shipping of the Commonwealth.
Dauntlesses have also been known to operate from bases and other vessels, but it is in company of Lightnings that they become a truly strategic weapon.
