SWAU: Outer-rim Republic, Scutum-class, Cruiser

Armament: 9 x Triple Heavy Turbolaser Turrets, 102 x Quad Heavy Point-defense Laser Cannon Turrets, 102 x Quad Point-defense Ion Cannon Turrets

Length: 1,734.568 meters

Height: 296.296 meters

Approx. Width: ~900 meters

Crew: ~29,750 x Organic crew members

Compliment: 36 x Multi-purpose Strike Fighters, 36 x Interceptors, 24 x Bombers, 12 x Logistical shuttles

Shielding: Equipped

Nav Computer: Equipped

Engines: 2 x Main Sublight Engines, 2 x Secondary Sublight Engines

Sublight Speed: ~60 MGLT

Description

The Scutum-class Heavy Star Cruiser was the primary capital ship of the Outer-rim Republic in the years leading up to the Fist Order's emergence in 34 ABY (After the Battle of Yavin). Designed by former Kuat employees who fled the system before it fell to the New Republic in 5 ABY, and thus the vessel bore strong resemblance to the Imperial-class Star Destroyer of the Old Empire. However the intended function of the Scutum-class couldn't be more different then the intended function of the Imperial-class. For starters, the Scutum-class Heavy Star Cruiser was designed with the design philosophy of "all big guns". This mean that instead of having a primary armament followed by a secondary, and even tertiary armament, it only had a primary, and secondary.

The primary armament consisted of the vessels 9 triple barreled heavy turbolaser turrets that were strong enough to vaporize any capital ship caught with their shields down. This isn't too different than the old Star Destroyer designs, but the secondary only consisted of point-defense armaments when it would normally consist of smaller turbolasers. This sacrifice in firepower would never have been allowed under the Tarkin Doctrine of the old Empire, but here it was encouraged. This design doctrine saved on internal space, kept the vessel focus-driven, as well as keeping the vessel cheaper to build and maintain. For a resource strapped nation such as the Outer-rim Republic, this was a necessity as it was now affordable to field numerous task forces led by these vessels.

However that isn't to say the loss of the extra firepower wasn't felt. Due to the loss of these "medium-grade" weaponry it limited the flexibility of these larger vessels forcing them to rely on their escort. Never the less this was also spun as a positive as the Outer-rim Republic ha d afar easier time in designing, and fielding more specialized smaller warships. This allowed the Scutum-class Heavy Star Cruiser to remain mission focused while its escorts protected its flanks, and engaged any task/opponent that wasn't vital. In the end the Outer-rim Republic managed to design a well versed warship that as no where near as resource intense as some of its peer while still having devastating firepower.

However when the First Order destroyed the New Republics, and invaded the galaxy in 34 ABY the Scutum-class wouldn't be enough to match the firepower of the First Order's main ship of the line. This quickly led to the development of a far larger, and more powerful warship so that the Outer-rim Republic could not only secure its own borders, but take the fight tot he Fist Order.

EDIT 01/21/2026 @ 10:51 - Added the lore. Let me know what y'all think!