The Kudaark Class of assault frigates are the workhorses of the Taiidani fleet. Their four heavy turrets give excellent coverage, while dual forward-facing plasma bomb launchers give it the ability to devastate any capital ship in its path. Directly behind the massive engine housing is the only arc where the Kudaark is incapable of directing any sort of firepower. This, and the relatively slow tracking of the turret guns, means that despite its heavy offensive punch and deep armor plating, the Kudaark should not be deployed without an escort of fighters or multi-gun corvettes.
The Kudaark is named after a large burrower from the northern forests of Taidan. In addition to its immense claws and surly disposition, the creature also has an array of spines along its snout which it can expel in a painful barbed cloud. Since the array of heavy turrets on the Taidan assault frigate is arranged around the nose section, it made for a logical comparison, as approaching the creature or the frigate head-on is a definite tactical error, which one only makes once. The forward weapon placement was intended to give the Assault Frigate maximum firepower when attempting to punch through enemy formations. The standard maneuver is for 3 Kudaarks to blast their way past an enemy fleet, and then wheel around quickly to bring their heavy firepower to bear from the opposite quarter while keeping their vulnerable rear arc away from hostile guns.
The assault Frigate carries a double-size crew and substantial quarters, allowing it to conduct long-range strike operations for weeks at a time, while still remaining at full combat efficiency.
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