In several missions undertaken by the Somtaaw explorers, a carrier would have been handy. Able to perform many mothership tasks in miniature, a carrier could do everything from support battlegroups to expanding mining operations. However, Kiith Somtaaw's leadership refused to purchase a carrier for the explorer's use- pride being the most mentioned reason among the Explorer's crews. Eventually it came to a point where carriers were essential- in light of the entire core regions descending into war. The design was authorized by Kuun-Lan's captain after Kuun-Lan herself was attacked by an Empress carrier.

Designers tried several solutions based on the Trinity engine design of the Destroyer- then Somtaaw's only super capital model. However, noting the efficiency of the thru-deck design presented in the Empress, command also wanted this feature for thier carrier. As a result the engine blocks were rearranged, but with the added benefit of an additional ion thruster for cruising.

When it came to the full design, engineers turned to examining previous carrier designs knwon to the Taiidani and came across the Turanic Raider carrier. Assembled from Class A Heavy Cargo modules, Turanic carriers were said to have been assembled almost anywhere and capable of fighting to any place. Ease of assembly was paramount on Somtaaw's list for a carrier, and so the designers emulated the Turanic Design in utilizing as many common parts as possible. The final result was assembled with two Type A flat modules, several common components of other vessels, and the engine blocks.

The final design was the "Escort Carrier", which was easy to construct and operate, capable of fleet speed, and able to manufacture fighters and corvettes. The thru-deck design also dramatically decreased the turnaround time for serving squadrons- only a minute and thirty seconds for a squadron to be fully repaired and refueled before they could launch again. Escort carriers could also service and construct tugs, while also changing their mission platforms safely.

However, as they are not full carriers, they suffer some drawbacks. First is the inability to construct frigates, as they do not have the space to construct and assemble full components as the explorers do. Next is their fragility, as many pilots have claimed the CVEs are "Combustible, Vulnerable, and Expendable." CVEs are not designed to operate in battle conditions- only service fighters to get them into the fray.

Despite it's shortcomings, the escort carrier is something of a novelty and several were purchased by other Kiithid after the war, to operate in places where a full carrier was not economically viable.