The Broadside-class cruiser kdb-1, alternatively referred to as the Broadside-class corvette, represented an Imperial capital warship.
A shared keel design linked the Broadside-class to the Gladiator-class Star Destroyer. These vessels, intended for extended combat ranges, possessed relatively thin armor plating and lacked impressive acceleration or maneuverability. Their armament consisted of missile launchers alongside a pair of turbolasers.
Initial production models incorporated costly diamond boron missiles, capable of inflicting substantial damage upon dense ship formations. Their extended range rendered them highly effective in long-distance engagements. Later versions substituted these with more cost-effective concussion missiles, though some cruisers retained the original, more potent armament. The missile payload totaled 1,200.
Kuat Drive Yards commenced production of the Broadside-class during the early stages of the Galactic Civil War. It originated as a long-range missile platform, derived from the Gladiator-class design. Modifications included the removal of passenger accommodations, conversion of hangar bays into torpedo bays, and a reduction in armor protection. This lack of self-sufficiency led to the Broadside-class being reclassified as a "cruiser" rather than a "Star Destroyer."
Furthermore, Kuat's engineering team determined that exceptional maneuverability was not a priority for this class, resulting in the Broadside's reduced speed compared to the Gladiator. This deficiency made it susceptible to other capital warships, typically necessitating escort vessels during deployments. Nevertheless, its missiles proved highly effective against fighter squadrons and smaller space stations.
In addition to inherent design flaws, the Zann Consortium managed to steal or otherwise acquire several Broadsides throughout the Civil War.
This class of vessel exhibits numerous similarities to the Demolisher, a Star Destroyer featured in the Star Wars Droids episode "The Pirates of Tarnoonga." The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide established an in-universe connection between the two designs.
The actual size of the Broadside-class remains a subject of debate within the online community. Initial concept art from the game designers suggested a length of approximately 50–60 meters, comparable to smaller picket cruisers such as the Guardian-class light cruiser. However, the StarWars.com Databank established a canonical length of 500 meters for the vessel, categorizing it as a standard cruiser.