The Kuat Drive Yards Orbital Array, frequently referenced as simply the Kuat Drive Yards or the Kuat shipyards, comprised an interconnected network of space stations that orbited the planet Kuat, forming a massive ring structure around it.
This Orbital Array consisted of fifteen distinct modules, notably including three shipyards that collectively formed the renowned Kuat Drive Yards, responsible for producing some of the most iconic starships in the galaxy. These shipyards were identified as the Maw Shipyards, the Deponn Shipyards, and the Andrim Shipyards. Furthermore, the array incorporated three essential facilities crucial to its overall operation. First, the Kuati supply space station, located on the Orbital Array's western side, managed the receipt and distribution of essential supplies for constructing and maintaining warships, as well as for the array's upkeep. Second, the Kuati residential space station, situated to the north, provided living quarters for the Orbital Array's workforce. Third, there was the military space station.
Given the Orbital Array's main purpose of constructing, maintaining, and deploying various starships, the ring was populated with numerous drydocks, warehouses, machine shops, and factories.
Because a large number of Kuati resided within the ring, the Orbital Array also featured many apartment buildings, hotels, dining establishments, shops, medical centers, and entertainment venues. Most offworld visitors to Kuat stayed within the ring throughout their visit. Kuati Security Forces conducted regular patrols in all sectors of the ring, and as such maintained several headquarter offices throughout.
The Orbital Array possessed its own defensive weaponry to counter hostile starships, but its firepower was insufficient to destroy capital ships.
During the Cold War between the Galactic Republic and the reconstituted Sith Empire, a series of deadly crashes brought production at the shipyards to a standstill. Republic investigators determined that the automated traffic control system had been compromised by Imperial agents. With assistance from Republic slicers, the Kuat shipyards successfully repaired the traffic control programs and apprehended the saboteurs.
Following the Battle of Yavin, the Imperial-class Star Destroyer known as the Devastator underwent repairs within the Kuat Drive Yards Orbital Array, having sustained significant damage during an engagement with the Rebel fleet.
In 4 ABY, during the Battle of Endor, Kuat of Kuat ordered the bombing of the shipyards to prevent Kuat Drive Yards from falling under the control of either the Galactic Empire or the Rebel Alliance. Boba Fett intervened to save the shipyards, but 20% of the docks were destroyed.
Late in the Yuuzhan Vong War, Kuat was attacked by the Yuuzhan Vong, resulting in widespread disruption of the Kuat shipyards.