The Phalanx-class Cruiser is an air defense warship, designed to protect maritime forces from fighter or missile attack. Given the emphasis the Commonwealth military puts on missile power, it was deemed prudent to have a vessel dedicated to stopping missile attacks.
The Phalanx is 100 meters long, somewhat larger than the ISP’s Mako-class Destroyer. It isn’t any more heavily armored or shielded, but, given its role, it packs much heavier point defenses. It is armed with eight 25 mm rotary cannons and six 40 mm anti-fighter railguns. For anti-ship combat, the cruiser carries two dual railguns, mounted on either side of the ship’s superstructure. It has a maximum speed of 43 knots, just slightly slower than the Mako.
Phalanx cruisers are used to compliment existing aerial defenses on worlds with significant bodies of water, and provide air coverage for ISP maritime fleets. These vessels fill a crucial role in planetary defense, acting as both anti-starfighter and anti-ship platforms.