Fingolfin_Noldor wrote:
Nope. The Imperials are not known to employ corvettes in the battle line. Only the Rebels, because they just grabbed anything they could lay their hands on.
Incorrect, WEG and other EU sources specify that Corvette's were used in numerous Convoy escort duties and we do have examples of them being used in non-cannon game sources and canon sources as a common Convoy escort.
They are not however high class escorts. They are what they are, Corvette's. They mounted a pair of what could be at best classified two pairs of light turbo laser turrets which are only useful against something Corvette size or smaller(Fighter's, Gunboats or other Corvette's). There is a version of the CR-90 with an attached Torpedo launcher, but otherwise your talking about two twin light turbolasers and maybe four anti-fighter turrets. They carry a decent amount of shielding. However here's something you need to keep in mind.
Corvette's also hauled cargo
Seriously, they could carry up to 3,000 tons of Cargo in addition to acting as escourts. They were operated all over the place, not as warships mind you, but as scouts, famously as diplomatic vessels, or as escorts in safer parts of the galaxy. They were general workhorse ships, not big capital ships. Heck the 1 point Star Galleon's are much better armed than the Corvette's are if not anywhere near as fast in realspace or as well shielded.
I however am using them in the traditional sense, as police vessels(After all someone has to inspect cargo coming in, and a Neb-B is over-kill for that kind of thing)
In fact if I may make a real life comparison?
The CR-90 Corvette in it's default configuration best resembles an "Reliance" class US Coast Guard Cutter, a 25mm Bushmaster and a pair of 12.7mm MG's is what real Reliance carries in addition to a Helio. It's a handly little patrol ship, good for running down drug-runners or pickuping up refugee's. It is not going to go toe to toe with any US Navy Destroyer, but it is useful for certain roles. Even convoy escort, they can preform SAR style duties or chase down contacts while the big ships sit back on the Convoy itself.