The Agave-class picket ship functioned as a tactical and operational reconnaissance vessel. It was manufactured as part of the New Class Modernization Program under the New Republic's authority. These vessels were dispatched by task force commanders ahead of the main fighting force, either for covert scouting or overt reconnaissance in force. They were a component of the New Republic Fifth Battle Group.
Picket ships of the Agave-class possessed a Class 1 hyperdrives, advanced sensor arrays, a well-designed stealth system, and hypertransceivers with shotgun capabilities, enabling them to transmit data to the battlegroup while minimizing the chance of being detected. Some also apparently were equipped with interdiction field generators, a feature observed in the fleet pursuing the Teljkon Vagabond. If detected, an Agave-class vessel could rapidly escape into the safety of hyperspace. The sublight engines of the Agave-class picket ships offered a moderate speed, but were sufficient to engage enemy patrols.
Reflecting the New Class's emphasis on efficiency, the fundamental hull design and core systems of the Agave-class also served as the basis for the Warrior-class gunship.
The only official visual representation of the Agave-class picket ship is present in the RPG sourcebook titled Cracken's Threat Dossier. Similar to images of other New Class starships, this depiction contradicts information presented in the Black Fleet Crisis novels, which Cracken's Threat Dossier draws upon. Despite the claim that the Warrior and Agave-classes share a common hull, their appearances are significantly different.
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Black Fleet Crisis FAQ by Michael P. Kube-McDowell on www.alternities.com (backup link not verified!)
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