Overview
The Dauntless-Class light cruiser makes up a significant bulk of any Imperial battlefleet. It is one of the most common and widespread ships the Imperium utilizes because of it versatility in combat and its ability to be employed in a variety of roles outside of combat (e.g: Reconnaissance and scientific exploration). It is the perfect escort vessel for the Imperial fleets as it possesses enough firepower to quickly deal with other hostile escort vessels and has the maneuverability to increase survival.
Dauntless-Class Light Cruiser
The Dauntless-Class is a vessel more commonly seen on their own or in squadrons operating in in either deep space or in planetary systems. It is a very reliable ship with the class carrying an illustrious history of being a dependable and formidable frigate in times of war.
Application in the Imperial Fleet
The Imperial Naval doctrine is quite simple when all the ships it builds and uses are geared to do nothing more than completely annihilate enemy vessels. But safety first isn’t lost on Imperial admirals and so escorts are widely employed to protect more vulnerable ships in a fleet to better the chances that they survive the battle or the opening stages of one long enough to bring heavy weapons batteries to bear on the hostile ships. Escorts can take the form of cruisers like the Lunar-Class or the Dictator-Class. But these ships are cruiser and so can be used more usefully in an attacking role. The Dauntless is then preferred over most other ships as an ideal heavy escort for most battleships.
As well as its escort role in the Imperial fleet, it is also used as the vanguard for most battlefleets as well, acting as the eyes and ears of the fleet commanders. They often operate well in advance of the main battleforce and use their sensors to glean information on the enemy ships and then decide whether or not it is worth engaging. This ‘screening’ process is highly effective and it is because of this that the Dauntless-Classes see much action in their lives. The appearance of a space hulk usually puts a local system in jeopardy and it is usually the Dauntless-Class that is first to intercept and investigate because of their impressive speed, armament and their role in the fleet.
The vessels are also used heavily in a non-combat role. Adeptus Mechanicus officials and Explorators regularly use this fantastic ship as a way of exploring the galaxy in search of lost technology. This ideal light cruiser carries enough firepower to protect itself on extended missions and enough fuel and supplies to remain in deep space and away from naval bases for months at a time.
It is worth noting that many branches of the Imperium other than the Imperial Navy have been known to use this class of ship, notably several Chapters of Space Marines (including the Ultramarines).
Armament
The Dauntless-Class is far from under armed, in fact the original designers of the ship had taken into consideration that this vessel should be able to outmaneuver and then outgun similar and smaller ships than itself. It carries weapons that can finish off a crippled battleship or cruiser, making this light cruiser an incredibly dangerous ship to fight with.
Weapons include an average sized port and starboard weapons battery as its primary weapon of engagement at short range. Enough firepower is contained in either battery to turn a smaller escort into a smoldering wreck or to cripple a similar light cruiser. However the real strength of this vessel comes in the form of its prow facing lances. Located on the ‘wing-tips’ and one on the prow where a ram would be, these lances can make short work of any escort and can ensure the Dauntless is a constant thorn in the side of any enemy cruiser. Some vessels of the Dauntless-Class however, do not feature the lances and in fact have had them replaced with prow torpedoes instead. Dauntless’ with torpedo tubes are usually found accompanying those with lances in small squadrons or in the battlefleet itself where they are expected to get close to the enemy. Neither of these vessels are any less capable of accomplishing their goals or fulfilling their roles in the fleet regardless of weapon features.
Famous Dauntless Class Vessels
- Abdiel
- Uziel
- Vigilant
- Baron Surtur
- Havock
- Guardian