T'au Protection Fleet

Even though the Tau are fairly new at space traveling they still present a powerful force to be reckoned yet. Tau ships cannot use warp technology since they have no knowledge or ability of psykers.

Gal'Leath (Explorer) Class Starship The Explorer Class Starship was the cornerstone of the early Tau navy. It's massive phased warp drive allowed it to move through warp space at a pace 5 times slower than it's Imperial counterparts, but this speed was fast enough to facilitate the expansion of the Tau Empire in it's fledgling steps outside of the core system. The Explorer could boast massive cargo capacity, extensive research facilities and the ability to serve as a mobile dock for semi-independent ships. Its cargo bays were also large enough to carry modular orbital units, waystations and even (more recently)message boats. It was the galleon of the Tau Empire and for nearly a hundred tau'cyr it was the only class of ship continually in production. During this time it moved from mark I to mark XXIII, benefitting from a succession of improvements and special adaptations. Conflict with the Orks was the class' death knell. It was not a specialist warship and its weaponry was incapable of keeping Terrorships and Killkroozers at a distance. Work on the Merchant class was accelerated. When it was complete production of the Explorer dropped 85%. There are, however, still a number in service. The most recently created Gal'Leath class is Dal'yth Gal'Leath Kessan, the first of the mark XXIV designs, and the flagship in an expedition launched by Aun'shi to research the Farsight Enclaves. It is unknown whether any further plans exist for continued support of this design.

Il'Fannor (Merchant) Class Starship The Merchant class was originally developed to be the new workhorse of the empire. Its reactors were a fraction the size of the much larger Explorer's power plant but were capable of reaching a third of average warp speed, making them significantly faster. This was deemed essential to bind together the emergent Tau Empire. Conflict with the Orks caused significant revision of the design with field modifications that allowed virtually all of the cargo space to be converted to weapons systems if needed. The continued requirements of the fleet ensured that the Merchant class remained predominantly a warship until the Hero class was laid down.

Lar'Shi (Hero) Class Starship The pinnacle of Tau technology, the Hero class was the product of Tau experience during the Damocles Gulf Crusade. The Tau were determined that they should have a ship that could match the Imperial Lunar class. As it became evident, they failed but they did succeed in producing a credible ship of the line in the Lar'shi.

Kir'Qath (Defender) Starship Just as the Lar'shi is the Tau response to the Imperial Lunar Class, the Kir'Qath is their answer to the Imperial Sword class. The Kir'Qath is the only true escort in the Tau fleet and is used in squadrons to provide close support for the larger vessels. Its main weakness is the lengthy recharge time for its drives. It can make up to half a dozen warp dives in succession but will then be unable to do any more for at least a rot'aa. This means it is not suitable for scouting as it either travels slowly across interstellar space or risks being unable to retreat when it arrives. This can make it a liability in rapid fleet manoeuvres. Consequently, squadrons are spread through Tau space where heavier units can call upon them for support if required.

Skether'Qan (Messenger) Class Starship The Messenger is the smallest self-sufficient Tau vessel. It mostly comprises a gravitic drive and a hold but it is occasionally used as a fleet scout as it is quite maneuverable and has unmatched data handling and communications facilities. These systems were soon adapted for combat applications. The Messenger's weaponry is purely intended to deter pursuit so in fleet actions it tends to stay close to a capital ship, helping against attack craft in return for protection against true warships.

Kass'L (Orca) Gunship The Orca was designed to provide the Tau fleet with an Escort. Unable to build a drive light enough to produce a normal escort the Orca is transported within a capital ship's gravitic sheath. Once unleashed, however, it is a powerful gunship able to contend with any Imperial or Ork escort vessel.

Orbitals The Tau have made extensive use of orbitals since their earliest forays in space. The Air caste had always been at the forefront of the conquest of the upper atmosphere and provided enthusiastic crews for the first orbitals. Many orbitals exist purely to provide homes for the Air Caste. Others are used for manufacturing and Trade.

Normally individual orbitals are assembled into arrays of up to five individual orbitals which are all linked together.

Waystations are distributed through the Tau Empire. These mark the main routes between Tau septs and are used to speed communications between outposts, since Tau cannot rely on Astropathic messengers. These waystations typically consist of a core orbital module, and a security module.