Gal'leath Class Battleship var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":true};

Gal'leath Class.

The Gal'leath class battleship (known as the Explorer among the Imperials) was the first major interstellar vessel developed by the Tau. Compared to the average speed of an Imperial ship in the warp, the Explorer could barely approach a fifth of this speed. It is also significantly less well armed, and armoured, compared to most battleships. It does have a massive cargo capacity however and is much cheaper to produce than other ships of similar tonnage. Indeed, it was only the advent of war with the Orks that finally made the Tau design an alternate vessel for interstellar combat, a role to which the Explorer is ill suited to undertake alone.^1,2

Configurations

The Explorer has undergone many different refits and reconfigurations since its inception. The two most common that are still active within the Kor'vattra are the Mk XXIII Vash'ya and the Mk XXIV Bor'kan configurations.^1,2

Vash'ya Configuration

The more popular design incorporates a multi-arc prow Railgun battery, and the capacity to field eight squadrons of attack craft as well as escorts that do not have Gravitic Drives via its three Gravitic Hooks.

Bor'kan Configuration

This arrangement utilises two of the flight bays to house drone controllers, allowing the ship to use Tau torpedoes.

Notable Gal'leath Class Battleships

• Dal'yth Gal'leath Kessan²

Sources

• ¹ Armada Appendices, page 100
• ² Battlefleet Gothic Resources: Tau Fleets p100-101 (accessed 2010.11.26)