Star Citizen Ships

The Anvil Hammerhead is a heavily armed gunship developed by Anvil Aerospace, a manufacturer well known for producing battle-tested, front-line military hardware. Designed for escort and fleet defense, the Hammerhead excels at establishing a dominant defensive perimeter with its array of manned turrets.

• Manufacturer: Anvil Aerospace
  
• Ship Role: Escort Gunship / Corvette-class
  
• Length: 115.5 meters
  
• Crew Complement: Minimum 4, optimal 6-8 players
  
• Cargo Capacity: 40 SCU
  
• Turrets: 6 manned turrets, each mounting 2x Size 4 weapons (total of 12 S4 weapons)
  
• Current Market Price:
  
  • StarCitizenShop (LTI): Hammerhead - Standalone Ship~$539.99 –$529USD depending on insurance and stock

Its design does not rely on large missiles or heavy fixed guns—instead, it is all about sustained turret fire and coordinated multi-crew combat.

Design Philosophy & Tactical Role

The Hammerhead was created in response to a clear tactical need: defensive firepower against swarm fighters and light-class vessels threatening capital ship formations. Anvil designed it not to be a solo strike vessel, but rather a tactical centerpiece for anti-fighter escort duty.

In a standard fleet composition, it functions as a mid-range defense picket, protecting larger ships like the Polaris or Carrack against flanking light threats. Its array of turrets allows for a 360-degree field of fire, making it devastating in overlapping arcs when stationed at the heart of a convoy.

Interior Layout & Operational Workflow

Internally, the Hammerhead reflects its military origins. The ship’s structure is linear and compartmentalized for crew function, rapid response, and combat efficiency.

• Bridge: A forward-facing command deck with seating for pilot, co-pilot, and tactical officer
  
• Crew Areas:
  
  • Bunk room with 8 beds
    
  • Compact mess area and hygiene stations
    
  • Medical bay with tier-3 treatment capability
    
• Turret Access: Six turrets accessible via ladders and side corridors; each has a dedicated seat and control system
  
• Entrances:
  
  • Main rear ramp for ground boarding
    
  • Emergency side hatches allow for EVA entry/exit
    
• Hangar/Vehicle Bay: None; the ship does not support internal docking or vehicle storage
  
• Power and Engineering Sections: Fully accessible for maintenance roles during combat scenarios
  

Weapons & Defense Systems

Turret Armament

• 6x Manned Turrets, each with 2x Size 4 hardpoints
  
• Turrets are placed to minimize blind spots, including dorsal, ventral, and lateral coverage
  
• Designed for continuous engagement, especially effective against fighters and bombers
  
• Can use laser repeaters or ballistic variants depending on mission profile
  

Shield & Hull Durability

• Twin medium-class shield generators ensure layered defense
  
• Heavy armor plating, comparable to other military vessels in its class
  
• Modular cooling and powerplants allow for defensive tuning, though tradeoffs in mobility are inevitable
  

Defensive Capabilities

• No specialized Electronic Warfare suite
  
• Turrets can intercept missiles but no standalone anti-missile system
  
• Lacks stealth capabilities—its sheer presence is the deterrent
  

Mission Capability & Ideal Use Cases

The Hammerhead thrives in multi-ship combat environments where space denial, anti-fighter protection, and area suppression are required.

Recommended Missions:

• Convoy escort for ships like Reclaimer, Starfarer, or Genesis Starliner
  
• PvP fleet skirmishes, especially in asteroid fields or chokepoints
  
• High-risk bounty hunting missions (with full crew)
  
• Jumptown/illegal drug lab control operations
  

Solo vs Crew Experience:

• Solo/Duo: Severely limited, as only the pilot is effective—turrets will be AI-controlled with subpar performance
  
• Full Crew: All turrets manned, full system monitoring, and repair cycles covered—massive force multiplier in any fight
  

Combat Roles:

• Mainstay in rear-line protection, especially in dynamic fleet movements
  
• Serves as a focal point in small to mid-size PvP groups
  
• Can occasionally act as a blockade vessel, using overlapping fire to deny access
  

Strengths and Limitations

• Strengths
  • Unmatched turret coverage in its weight class
    
  • Excellent crew layout and multi-role combat adaptability
    
  • Strong armor and shields, capable of soaking sustained damage
    
  • High intimidation factor in PvP due to size and firepower
•  Limitations
  • Highly visible target; poor stealth or evasion
    
  • No flexibility for internal vehicles or ground operations
    
  • Limited speed and maneuverability compared to lighter corvettes
    
  • Monofunctional—not designed for cargo runssalvage, or exploration

Historical & Lore Context

In Star Citizen lore, the Hammerhead was developed as part of Anvil's military expansion strategy during periods of heightened tension with the Vanduul and criminal factions. It became a staple in UEE convoy protection, often deployed to high-threat sectors or border systems.

Its no-nonsense design language reflects Anvil's ethos—utilitarian, aggressive, and survivable. 

Loadout Customization & Engineering Potential

The Hammerhead supports extensive customization for powerplants, coolers, and weapons:

• Recommended Builds:
  
  • Anti-Fighter Loadout: Laser repeaters on all turrets, enhanced shield regen
    
  • High-DPS Burst: Ballistic repeaters, capacitor boost powerplants
    
  • Sustain Loadout: Energy-efficient parts for prolonged patrols
    
• Engineering Zones:
  
  • Fully accessible for in-combat repairs
    
  • Critical systems spread out to reduce chain failure under fire
    

Market Value & Purchase Considerations

• The Hammerhead remains one of the most sought-after multi-crew combat ships, both in-game and on the pledge store.
  
• In-Game Availability: Often available during IAE and Invictus events
  
• StarCitizenShop: With LTI (Permanent Insurance)

Player Recommendation:

• Ideal for organized orgs or friends who regularly crew together
  
• Suitable for PvP corps or groups running high-tier risk missions
  

Best place to buy ships Star Citizen: Is the Hammerhead Worth It?

For any crew-focused player or combat-oriented org, the Anvil Hammerhead is arguably the best fleet escort ship currently available. It offers:

• Tactical supremacy in anti-fighter roles
  
• Military-grade protection for fleets and objectives